First United Methodist Church of Brighton

The first religious service in the vicinity of Brighton was held in the home of Stephen Lee, one of the first anti-slavery voters in this section, who had come from New York State in the fall of 1830 to settle in Green Oak Township. The service was held in June of the following year, the month of his arrival, by the Rev. Moses Gleason, a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The family of Benjamin Curtis, who came in October, 1830, together with the Lee household, were his only hearers. He shortly left the vicinity on account of the Black Hawk War.

At that time the region was on the northern periphery of the Ann Arbor Circuit, which was formed as such in 1830 under the leadership of two "boy" preachers, Henry Colclazier and Elijah Holmes Pilcher, aged respectively 21 and 20 years. Both later became famous and were apparently heard by residents of this neighborhood, for both had their names given to children born in the township. After Brighton Village was formed, both of these pioneers preached here.

The next occasion of Methodist preaching here is told in the words of an eye-witness, Alvin L. Crittenden of Howell, himself later a minister, as follows:

"In the month of April (1836) I learned there was Methodist preaching at Ore Creek, now Brighton. I left my home at Mr. Sage's (George F. Sage, for whom he worked one year for $140), half a mile west of the village of Howell and walked to Ore Creek and listened to Rev. Mr. Bibbins. (Samuel Bibbins of Salem, a local preacher who because of strong anti-slavery sentiments organized and from 1840 to 1867 was associated with the Wesleyan Methodist Church. During those years he was connected with the Milford Circuit with which the Brighton Wesleyan Society is historically affiliated.) He gave notice at the close of the service that Rev. Elijah Crane, then traveling Plymouth Circuit would hold a two days meeting there in four weeks. After service, I walked back to my home; and at the time appointed, I walked again to Brighton to attend the two days meeting, where I first met and formed an acquaintance with Rev. Elijah Crane and Rev. John Cosart, a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. II

As a result of this acquaintance a Methodist class was formed in Howell and resulted in the appointment that September of Elder Washington Jackson as "Missionary to Livingston County”. He was truly a circuit rider as he made his itinerary through previously unorganized sections in the north of the county on horseback, his portmanteau at his side. During the year he also added a society in Oakland County at Milford. This became the parent of Brighton Methodism. Elder Jackson, whose body was deformed and crippled, has yet been called a "diamond of first water in the rough casement”. He worked hard and well, organized many churches including those in Fowlerville and Fenton, and died slighted on earth but remembered in heaven.

During the year the first Quarterly Meeting of the Livingston Circuit was held at the home of Stephen Lee in Green Oak on December 31, 1836. The Presiding Elder was Rev. William Herr of Detroit District, and in addition to the missionary, Elder Jackson, John Cosart, a local Elder who lived at that time in Hartland Township where he held the first religious service, was attached to the appointment. The third Quarterly Meeting, and the first such held in Howell, July 15 and 16, 1837, showed a gain of seven members at that place.

Succeeding pastors in this circuit were: 1838--Flavel Brittan, 1839--0.M. Goodale, and G.W. Brown, 1840--0.M. Goodale, 1841--Flavel Britton and Stephen C. Woodard. At this time there was still no regular class in Brighton and no services except as Reverend William A. Clark, D.D., a resident since 1836 and a former Episcopal rector in New York, preached. He also presided at the formation of Brighton Township in 1838 and is the grandfather of Richard Clark of this city.

Soon after this, however, a colporteur, The Rev. Mr. Dixon, agent of the Livingston County Bible Society, came around and distributed Bibles to those who would accept them. He obtained permission to preach in the Ballroom of the hotel on Grand River and made his appointment once in four weeks. He had quite an audience, and among them a few Methodists whom he reported to Presiding Elder Colclazier of the Ann Arbor District, as needing the oversight of that church. The Elder paid Brighton a visit, but found that there was no place for him to hold services However, William R. Cobb, then a prosperous merchant, was engaged in building a new store on Grand River and gave the Methodists the use of part of It for a time. This they fitted up and in it formed a regular class with Jasper H. Buck as Class Leader.

Mrs. Buckley was the first to give her name to the class record. She had come from the east to live with her daughter, Mrs. William McCauley. Next was Sarah Maltby, wife of Maynard Maltby, first settler in what is now Brighton City, coming from New York in August 1832. Mrs. Maltby later became Mrs. Daniel C. Marsh, of whom more below. Then there were Mr. and Mrs. William Noble, Jr. The latter brought a very scrupulous sense of religious duties from New England in July, 1835. He was one who held the use of liquor in abomination, which in those tippling days was sufficient to confirm his reputation for eccentricity. He was one of two rival merchants of his day, and the more successful. Others followed these in joining the Methodist Class.

Soon an evangelist came through and wanted to hold a protracted meeting. The only place to be had for such was an "upper room" in an old dilapidated building, built for a hotel but used as a blacksmith shop. The heroic class decided to start services in it, and announced one for that very evening. The members were their and a few children. Next day at 3 o'clock the evangelist preached again to the same group. Then he took off his coat, went out on the balcony, and preached to the people of Brighton. His voice was lifted up and carried like a trumpet. People began to be stirred up and wonder what was going to happen. They came flocking out to see and filled the house to overflowing. The speaker gave them something to think about, told them to come next day at three and dismissed them. As the people rushed out, the balcony gave way, a few persons were injured, and the meetings closed. Good seed, however, had been sown, which sprang up and bore fruit to the glory of God and the salvation of souls. A few, Mr. and Mrs. William R. Cobb, Mrs. Jane Warden, and others, joined the class. By this time Mr. Cobb wanted his store room, the predecessor of the Cobb and McHench Block, later moved to Mill Street and the people were out of a church. They opened their homes for a while until at length Mr. Marsh built his new house on the corner of Grand River and Ann Arbor Roads. A part of this, as soon as it was enclosed and not yet occupied, was offered for worship and accepted for a time.

Here in 1843 was convened the first Quarterly Meeting held in the village proper. Mr. Colclazier presided. The first pastor, who also came that year was the Rev. George King, junior preacher on the Milford Circuit. The following year his four year old daughter died and was the fourth person buried in the local cemetery, where her father's remains came to rest six years later. Mr. King was born in England, January 14, 1816, and died October 27, 1850.

The class grew slowly in number for a few years. Finally they were permitted to worship in the old schoolhouse, which was erected in 1837 on Grand River, and this they used with the Universalist denomination until our first church was built in 1856. Ministers from Milford in the years 1842 to 1854 were as follows:

1842--George Bradley, Flavel Britton	1843--George Bradley, George King
1844--David Thomas, David A. Curtis	1845--0.F. North, Calvin Kingsley
1846--John K. Gillet, P.G. Buchanan	1847--John K. Gillet, Ira W. Donelson
1848--M.W. Stanbaugh, Sylvestor Caulkins	1849-- Thomas Wakelin and a supply
1850--Flavel Britton and a supply	1851--John Levington, Flavel Britton
1852--John Levington and a supply	1853--William Benson, Elias Prindle

In the year 1847 James Shirley Smart, later an outstanding preacher in the Conference, lived in Brighton and besides some preaching, also taught one term in the first school house or "Worden House" on the sight of our present church. In 1852 Rev. John Levington was called to minister on a funeral occasion in December at the house of Daniel S. Lee. Apparently regular services in Brighton had been interrupted for at this time he accepted an invitation to preach here semi-monthly until Conference the following September. The Class was reorganized and consisted of seven members: Mrs. D.S. Lee, Mrs. A. Clark, Roswell Barnes, Joseph Placeway, Mrs. Placeway, and Mrs. D.S. Marsh.

The Presbyterians also gained a foothold during that year, when Rev. Chauncey Osborn came to Brighton, induced by hearing "they had no minister, never had, and did not intend to have". He held two services each Sabbath in the school and organized a Presbyterian Church in December. Later, when the Methodists and Universalists were using the school, the Presbyterians met at their pastor's home.

In 1853, plans for a church edifice were begun. Under Rev. William M. Heavner, who came to the Michigan Conference from New Jersey, the little flock in 1854 was separated from the Milford charge and given the rank of separate appointment. For his services the first year the society paid $248 quarterage, $75 table expenses, and $45 house rent. At the end of the year he reported 112 members, 5 probationers, and 1 local preacher.

At this juncture the society organized itself under Michigan Law as .the Methodist Episcopal Church of Brighton. Subscriptions for the erection of the new church were secured according to the following form:

"For the purpose of building a Methodist Episcopal Meeting House in the Village of Brighton, County of Livingston, and State of Michigan, upon the Church or parsonage lot in said village belonging to the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Brighton, we, the undersigned, for value received promise to pay to the trustees of said church and to their successors in office the sums set by us opposite our several and respective names in manner and time hereinafter mentioned. And it is understood and hereby agreed that the walls of said house are to be built of brick, the size thereof thirty by fifty feet and the walls are to be sixteen feet high with a tower or steeple, and any subscriber paying not less than twenty dollars towards the building and completion of said house, may together with his heirs and assigns, hold and enjoy the use of said sums by him paid, in the proper and ordinary occupancy of seats therein, consistent with it's original design. "

Daniel S. Lee $100	Ann M. Placeway $ 25	Ira W. Case $ 20
John Rogers $ 15	Roswell Barns $ 20	William T. Tunis $ 20
William R. Cobb $ 40	C. A. Weam $ 10	Louis B. Fonda $ 20
William Palmer $20	Lyman Judson $ 25	John Cushing $ 5
James B. Lee $ 75	John Esler $12	John G. Spencer $ 40
Charles Sidway $40	S. M. Case $ 25	Emmett Willson $40
William McCaliley $ 50	Warren Buck $ 10	Daniel C. Marsh $100
Norman L. Embry $ 20	Israel Arms $ 20	Nelson V. Embry $ 25
A.P. Dickinson $ 25	Ansel Crippen $ 10	H. M. Rorabacher $ 20
E. G. Durfee $ 5	Richard Lyons $ 20	Edward Dedeemer $ 3
Frederick D. Acker $ 20	John R. Willson $ 10	Eli Sowles $ 25
Hiram Elliott $ 5

The very substantial church which resulted contained a balcony and was crowned by a handsome steeple containing a bell and one large and four smaller pinnacles. It was formally dedicated in September, 1856, by the Rev. Seth Reed, pastor of First Church in Ann Arbor. His text was Psalm 18:30.

Brother Heavner was succeeded for two years in 1856 by Lodowick Clark York, who had just finished filling a part-year vacancy in the Howell pulpit, having fought a call to the ministry for 20 years. Two pastors, William Birdsall and John Wesley Crippen were assigned in 1858-59. In the latter year Mr. Crippen was married in Pleasant Valley to Esther E. Withey, sister of Rev. J.E. Withey who died in 1930. Jacob Dobbins was pastor, 1859-60, receiving $340 on a $400 salary claim. He served two churches. George Foote, a supply, followed for one year. John 0. Bancroft, Joseph S. Sutton, and David Alonzo Curtis then served two years apiece. When Thomas Nichols finished his year in 1868, he reported a salary of $675 and the church valued at $3000. William J. Clack filled the pastorate from 1868- 70.

In 1870 John Levington, who had served Brighton from Milford in 1852-53, again became pastor. He had become conspicuous at the session of the Annual Conference by introducing some strong resolutions against the institution of Free Masonry as utterly unchristian. As a result of his continued agitation, the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Pleasant V alley was organized, several members of this church going over to that body. They later (1874) became associated with the Brighton Wesleyan Church when that body was formed. The disruption in the church centered around the refusal of the pastor to administer the Sacrament to Mr. Elias Withey. As these actions caused the aggrieved members to present their case to the Presiding Elder, and the latter took their point of view, the pastor brought charges against his superior which the Conference tried (the record is printed). Mr. Levington was compelled to retire, but later become active in speaking upon the obsessing theme mostly in the hearing of Free Methodists, and was himself brought to trial in 1879.

Brother York came back to this pulpit again in 1872 for two years. During the year 1873 his wife was granted a local preacher's license, unusual for women in those days. Frederick W. Warren was the pastor in 1874-76 and Almon F. Hoyt, later president of New Orleans University in 1876. Daniel I. O'Dell served 1877- 78.

Under James H. Kilpatrick, 1878-81, the North Brighton Appointment which continued until 1916, was opened. It met in the Bitten School. George H. Hastings came 1881-83, and Salem A. Dean, fresh from Canada, in 1883. His two-year pastorate was succeeded by an equal one by Samuel Bird and then Mr. O'Dell returned for another two years. Thomas J. Purdlie spent a year here as a supply in 1889, following which he joined the Conference and James Jackson became pastor for two years. Robin Carter acted as supply, 1892-93.

Better known were O.J. Blackford, 1893-95, and Nathaniel Dickey, 1895-97. Under the latter a great revival occurred, beginning in the Wesleyan Methodist Church and spreading through all the evangelical denominations. The church proved too small for the crowds, and the opera house was pressed into service. Many of the most substantial of the of the older members of the churches date their religious life from their conversion during these meetings.

Alfonso Crane, long the registrar of students in the Detroit Conference Course of Study, became pastor for two years in 1897. During his first year the present parsonage was built and the old one moved to its current location at 132 Brighton Lake Road. One of the last of the older hortatory preachers was James D. Hubbell, who followed in 1899 and retired when he left here in 1902. Just previous to his coming the church was closed for three weeks for repairs and remodeling. Cooperation of churches in the city flourished. Baptists and Methodists picnicked together and the two Methodist churches held some union services in 1901.

Under the supervision of William Walker Gray, pastor 1902-06, the present church was erected. In 1903, $2,500 was raised toward it. On April 4, 1905, the old church was razed. The ARGUS reported "On account of the busy times, the ladies of the M.E. Aid Society turned out Tuesday to help tear down the old church. It is said the brick flew like hailstones." In the demolition process two workmen, G.A. Bidwell and N.D. Truxton, were injured. "The roof had been nearly all removed, and both were at work above the ceiling preparing to take down the timbers when the old center beam suddenly broke in the middle and they were precipitated to the cellar amid overlays, scantling, and debris." During the interval, April to September, services were held in the McHench store on Main Street. The cornerstone was laid June 4, 1905, by the pastor in the absence of the Presiding Elder, who failed to arrive for the service. In the stone was deposited:

5. Topic card of Epworth League with officers and leaders (The League was chartered)

The $4,000 church was dedicated September 3, 1905. Dr. John George Haller, Presiding Elder, was in charge of the 10:30 service. In the afternoon at 3, Seth Reed, who dedicated the old church in 1856, preached on the same text as he had used at that time: Psalm 18:30, "The word of the Lord is tried... " at the request of Thomas Hilton, who had been present at the first dedication and remembered the text and some of the things said at that time.

Reserved seats were held for several who had attended the service 49 years previously, including Mrs. Jasper H. Buck, wife of the first class-leader, then of Cambria, Michigan, who had preserved many of the incidents of the early life of the church here recorded.

Epworth League met at 6:30. In the evening Dr. Haller again presided. There was special music.

Talks were given by the Rev. Carlos L. Adams of Howell, Seth Reed, and the Presiding Elder. A great deal of suspense hung upon the fact that the latter would not formally dedicate the church until the entire cost was paid. When the morning service began, the sum of $500 was lacking. At that time the P.E. called for pledges, beginning with $50. There was no response. Then $25. Several responded and so on down to smaller amounts. $300 was thus raised. An additional hundred came in at the afternoon service, half of which was a gift of the pastor from his meager salary of $500 (Brighton $400, N. Brighton $100). In the evening, with $100 still to go, only $55 could be raised, and it seemed as if the day must close without the church dedicated. Then R.J. Lyoll of the Brighton Presbyterian Church lose and said he wished to speak. When granted the floor, he informed the congregation that he had written his cousin, John H. Lyon, of New York City that the Methodists were building a modern church just two doors south and that he could cause much rejoicing among them by a gift of perhaps $100. This had been received, and he now handed in a check in that amount. A rising vote of thanks was given to both gentlemen, and following singing of the Doxology, the Elder proceeded with the dedicatory services.

The new church, though on the same lot, was set farther back from the street. At that time, the building was substantially as now, with a much smaller basement containing the furnace room with hot air furnace, a dining room, and kitchen. The walls were not yet decorated and the seats and pulpit had not arrived. Many items were the gifts of individuals and groups.

Several families have their names on the various windows and pieces of furniture.

Plans for the edifice were drawn by W.D. Butterfield of Detroit. James Collett of Brighton was contractor. The Building Committee consisted of William S. Lyon, J.H. Gambel, and Arthur Prosser. The Trustees were William C. Collins, Charles Durfee, Daniel Skeman, John Taylor, Charles Jacobs, William S. Lyon, Arthur Prosser, John Gambel, E.S.

The main sanctuary was built with a choir loft on the south side and a pulpit platform , adjoining in the south west corner. The seating capacity was said to be 150, with room for 200 more sittings in the "lecture" room adjoining on the west, including the League room on the north of it, both rooms being separated by folding doors. Another small room adjoined the choir loft. In his account of the proceedings the Presiding Elder says:

"A pleasing incident was the giving of money by friends of the deceased Alfonso Crane, a former pastor beloved, for a memorial tablet, the same to be placed on the wall of the church.

The future brightens for Brighton, and the place where many have toiled hard in the face of numerous discouragements now looks up with new cheer. With an efficient Ladies' Aid, the best church edifice in the village, and many friends in and outside the membership, this church ought to increase the pastor's salary, which is all too small. Pastor Gray is universally beloved. Quietly but firmly he moves forward, riding over seemingly insurmountable obstacles. This beautiful church will always be a monument to the triumphant faith, dauntless courage, and unselfish devotion of Brother Gray and his efficient companion. " He further mentioned that "W e do not recall seeing anywhere such splendid results from so small an investment. " Brother Gray was granted a vacation during July and no services held, while the pastor attended Easton Rapids Holiness Camp Meeting.

When he left Brighton 1906, Mr. Gray was succeeded for three years by Thomas Barbour McGee. John Bettes became pastor from 1909-14, at which time he left for California to improve his health. Frank A. Blake, now our oldest living pastor, came at that time and remained two years, following which the church was closed. At a board meeting during his pastorate the question was asked: What can we do to interest our members to more activity in the church work? After a short discussion and coming to no conclusion the subject was dropped. Then the question of better ventilation was discussed and met with the same fate.

Our extant minutes begin with 1915, although the membership records date back to 1902. At the time of building the new church they went back to 1870, but these have since been lost.

The parsonage was rented in 1916 at $10 a month and the use of the church granted free of charge to the "Boys' Christian Association". The Red Cross also used the building. At a Quarterly Meeting held in February, 1917, to consider the fate of the church there were 14 members from Brighton and 3 from North Brighton present. The latter had already dropped their Sunday School work and the former did so on February 17. It was found that only $240 could be subscribed for a pastor's salary. The money on hand was turned over to the District Superintendent for benevolence. By vote of 9 to 5 the meeting voted to dispose of the Brighton property. The trustees advertised in the ARGUS for bids and received only one and that for the parsonage. The bid of $1100 was rejected.

Following the war a new zeal for the church was manifested and by June, 1920, the Ladies' Aid had raised $400 toward support of a pastor. This organization had resumed activities in March with Mrs. Emma Bailey as President. The sum was raised to $600 within a week.

H.H. Dean led in the raising of pledges to the amount of $500. Thus, on June 27, 1920, the church was reopened by Superintendent Edwin D. Dimond and the Rev. Martin W. Weaver appointed as supply minister, beginning his duties in July. In August it is recorded, "A full board of stewards being present showed the deep interest in the work. Later Mr. and Mrs.

Things did not go too well, however, and in September, 1921, the Rev. Ulysses Grand Ostrander, a cousin of Mr. Frank Seger, became the pastor. By this time the church had an individual communion service, when obtained being unknown. The old chalices are also in use as altar symbols. A bequest of $200 was made to the church by Charles Placeway.

Important property improvements were undertaken, and December 3, 1922, the church was reopened after being closed four weeks. The walls had been redecorated, electric light fixtures had been changed, a carpet added to the pulpit platform which was moved to the southeast corner, and a new furnace installed. It was now proposed to build a new basement, 28 x 40, finished in Georgia pine, to be used as a community hall with a fine modern kitchen.

The total estimated cost was $1800. After Superintendent Dimond had finished his dedicatory sermon on the "Relation of the Church to the Community", he told the people about the pastor's plan and offered them $100 if they would raise the balance. The sum of $1700 was pledged inside of 15 minutes.

The church was packed for the service. The choir sang, accompanied by the Sunday School Orchestra. Ethel Pinney, now Mrs. Slittler, sang a solo. In the evening the Rev. H. Addis Leeson, Superintendent of Ann Arbor District, preached on Isaiah 66:13. There was more good music and $100 additional subscribed. The work was completed with general rejoicing.

The D.S. reported the improvements to the Annual Conference saying, "We have no better plant of its size in the district.. The membership has been doubled in two years. "

Arthur C. Thompsoll succeeded as pastor in 1924. After two years Alfred P. Landoll was sent here fresh from seminary and remained one term. During the year 1927 the church was partially redecorated, the present garage built out of the old barn, and the publication of a weekly bulletin began on the church's new Roto-speed. It was voted not to let the public school regularly use the church building. Union evening services were held with the Federated Church.

The next year, during the pastorate of Edgar Allell Flory, the young married peoples' class provided the church's outdoor bulletin board and also made up the choir. Increasing congregations demanded the purchase of 25 new hymnals. It was voted "inadvisable at present" to buy a board for posting the hymn numbers. Screens were obtained for the welfare of the dwellers in the parsonage. "The Daily Altar" devotional book was circulated.

On January 7, 1929, there was a "letter read from the officials of the Federated Church and signed by their pastor, Rev. Simmons, asking us to consider federation with them. After much discussion a motion was made... that before we consider federation it would be well to await orders from headquarters. " That year the Sunday School Primary equipment received its well-known coat of green paint and eaves troughs were placed on the building.

From 1929 to 1931 Edward G. Johnson was pastor, followed by John Harris Williams until 1935. A small but very active Women's Foreign Missionary Society was supporting a deaconess in the Philippines at $100 a year, so says a report made in 1931. In 1935, when Howard Ammi Smith became pastor, a telephone was installed in the parsonage, payments at that time being made by the church. A revival was held in the fall. The Sunday School averaged 63 and helped repair the furnace as one of their projects.

J. Ferris McKie became supply pastor in mid-year 1937, and once again the proposal of Federation or union with some other Methodist Church came up. Nothing was done, however, and Russell A. Sursaw was appointed a student pastor in 1937 for one year. An elderly superannuate, Harry Rice, who followed him, died after two months service. His successor, Ray S. True, was given the Oak Grove church also, and lived in the superior parsonage there. After only half a year's very successful administration, he was called elsewhere, and Millard William Wolfe came from the seminary to lead in the modernization of both church and parsonage buildings. To finance improvements a mortgage of $1000 was place on the latter -

In 1941 Floyd Wi1fred Porter became pastor, first of the two churches, and the following year of Brighton alone. In 1941 extensive property improvements were made in the sanctuary by realigning the pews, rebuilding the chancel platform, adding a communion table with cross, candlesticks and chalices, a lectern, and an American and a Christian flag, and a reredos picture of the head of Christ by Sallman. Axminster carpeting and matching choir drapery together with antependia for the chancel furniture have made the worship center colorful and worshipful. New hymnals were given largely as memorials, the heating system was changed to fit the new arrangement of pews, a new duplicator was purchased to publish the bulletin, and a picture of Christ in the temple was later added.

Most of these improvements were dedicated by Bishop Raymond J. Wade on Christmas Sunday. As far as it is known, he is the only Bishop to have preached in this church.

During the year 1942-43, an organ was obtained for the chancel, a further gift of art, Christ in Gethsemane, as received for the reredos, and the entire sanctuary and other rooms of the church redecorated and the floors sanded. This latter endeavor resulted from the interior of the church being ruined by smoke from a defective furnace. Had it not been for "extended coverage" insurance purchased in 1942, this would have been a major disaster. It very nearly was. The parsonage, likewise, was further modernized, bringing improvements for the year to around $900 .

The church greatly increased its giving for others during the last two years and is supporting a full-time African native evangelistic worker. The Women' s Society provides a scholarship in a Congo mission school.