History

Brief History

Organized as the "First Presbyterian Church of Fentonville" on February 28, 1840, our church is one of the oldest in Fenton. The first church building located on the southwest corner of Adelaide and Rockwell was destroyed by fire in 1861.

The present sanctuary was dedicated January 14, 1863.

Several renovations include the most recent expansion of the Chancel in 1992.

The church has had 32 pastors. The very first pastor was Rev. P.S. VanNess, 1840-1843.

The average stay of the early pastors was two to three years serving the church and then the length of terms changed.

The Rev. Hartley H. Stockham was pastor from 1946-1965.

The Rev. Robert Kelley (currently Pastor Emeritus) was pastor from 1965-1994. Emeritus

The Rev. Dale Swihart, Jr., the current pastor, came in 1996.
(Information taken from the historical files.)

Detailed History
(highlights are historical references)

(ED. NOTE .. . The following are excerpts, written by J. K. Barbour, who recounted the churches history at the Centennial Service held on Sunday, October 20,1940.)

In 1834 the first white man came into what is now Fenton. Mr. Clark Dibble came from Grand Blanc and soon had a settlement here which he called Dibbleville.

About 1835 a Sabbath School was organized and held Its meetings in a log school house on the north side of the river, which was called the Shiawassee River.

In 1837 Col. William Fenton built a large frame hall on the corner of South Leroy and Elizabeth St., which was used for public and religions meetings. Ministers of different denominations, among whom was Mr. Jones of Holly, Michigan, made occasional visits and preached here.

On February 28th., 1840, the first Presbyterian Church of Fentonville was organized with seventeen members, in a three story building just north of the present church.

The original members were Mr. and Mrs. Silas Newell, George Newell, Sophia Hadley, John Hadley, John Fenwick and wife, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Wertman, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Rockwell, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Gallup, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel LeRoy, Eliza McOmber and Lucy LeRoy. The Rev. Gray of Utica, Michigan was Moderator. The three ruling elders were John Hadley, John C. Gallup and Benjamin Rockwell. Silas Newell was elected Deacon. On March 1st. seven additional members were received into the church; Elizabeth Larnum, George Dibble, Sarah Ballard, Jane Fenwick, Jacob VanDenberg, Ira C. Alger and Mary Thorpe. On March 10th. Benjamin Rockwell and wife moved to Flint and ware granted letters of dismissal to the Presbyterian Church there.

Rev. P. S. Van Ness was secured as stated supply from June 1st. 1840 until Sept. lst. 1841, and owing to ill health ceased as such supply at that time.

April 9th., 1843 Miss Alto Donaldson was admitted to membership by letter from the Presbyterian Church at White Lake, Michigan. There were also admitted at the same time Augustine Hall and wife, Joseph S. Fenton and wife and Jane Fenton, Olin Chapman and wife, Mrs. Mary Thompson, Mrs. Mary L. Scott and Sarah Fenton. Rev. P. S. Van Ness acting as Moderator.

On Dec. 24, 1843 the Rev. H. H. Burghardt was engaged as stated supply. At this meeting the Rev. Van Ness was requested to administer the ordinance of Baptism and the Lord's Supper on the Sabbath following, February 24, 1844.

On April 14, 1844, William Turner was accepted into membership from the Session Church of Katrine, Scotland. In July 1844 there was admitted to membership, by letter, Julia Clark, Charles Willover and wife and Elizabeth A. Burghardt. At this meeting of ths session Eleanor.J. Medley was appointed a committee of one to call on A. G. Alger and Elder John C, Gallup to visit George Dibble and inquire the cause of their absence from church. So you see they kept track of their members in those days also.

I have given you these various early meetings of the session In order to bring to your attention the names of those who were connected with the church in its infancy. In my search I find that the First Presbyterian Church was built about 1848 or during the pastorate of the Rev. John F. Atterberry, who later became Moderator and visited our church.

I find that the building located on the southwest corner of Adelaide and Rockwell Street, where Mr. Granger's residence now stands, was made of brick which were made of unburned clay by Rev. Aiterberry. This building burned In 1861. As the Rev. Thomas Wright says, 'Just after It was freed from debt'. The present site was purchased In 1862. The deed for one lot was signed by B, L. LaTourette, dated March 7, 1862 and the one-half lot was signed by Elizabeth Birdsall, dated May 1, 1862.

In 1862 a loan of $500.00 was secured from the Board of Church Erection and in 1863 the original building on this site was erected. It was a frame building, boarded up on the outside with boards 1" thick, 12" wide and with a 2" strip or battens covering the cracks between the boards,

In 1891, during the pastorate of .J. R. Tewell it became evident that the Church was in need of a Manse. A Committee consisting of Mrs. B, Horton, Mrs. A. W. Riker, Mrs. D. G. Colwell, Mr. Wm. McGinnis and Mr. D. S. Frackleton were appointed to secure a residence for the use of the pastor. The lot where the Manse now stands at the corner of South LeRoy and Rockwell Streets, was purchased with funds contributed by twelve members of the church and the funds for buildings by a Loan of $1500.00, which was paid by the ladies of the church who raised part of the money by serving meals on the Fair Grounds, during our fall Fair. After working all day on the Fair Grounds the ladies would arrive home at night tired out but still would work through most of the night baking pies and other foods for the next day's business.

It was during the ministry of Rev. S. H, Edgecomb in 1899 that the remodeling of the church took place. A building committee was appointed, consisting of D. G. Colwell, D. Horton, E. A. Phillps, Dr. A. R. Ingram, H. S. Chapin and D, S. Frackleton, but this committee gave to Rev. Edgecomb credit for doing the greater part of the work, both in planning and raising the necessary funds. At that time the two alcoves ware added, together with the choir loft, the church veneered with paving brick and entirety redecorated, so that it looked like a new building.

In 1930 there was added to the church the Sabbath School room, together with the re-modeling of the Parlors, Dining Room and Kitchen and the installing of a much needed new heating system, which was all made possible through a munificient present from Mrs. Mary A. Rackham and her sister, Mrs. Myra Bussey, In memory of their mother, Mrs. Dexter Norton. Mrs. Horton will be remembered by many as a loyal and faithful member of this church, which during its history has had many earnest workers that will be remembered by many.

In 1935 the congregation voted to purchase a new organ, which was done.

The Rev. Hartley H. Stockham wan installed as pastor of our church March 18, 1946. With the exception of two years when he was called back into service as an Air Force Chaplain, he has served as our pastor.

The Rev. Moutler Bullock acted an interim pastor while Rev. Stockham was on leave of absence.

In 1954 crowded conditions made it evident that we should plan to expand our church school facilities. When the property at the corner of Elizabeth and Oak Streets was for sale, it was decided to buy this on faith that the Bly house, located between it and the church, would eventually be available. The corner property was purchased April 4, 1954 for $6000, the Bly property July 1, 1955 for $8000.

In the fall of 1956 a Building Committee was formed. A total of $59,529 was pledged between April 28 to May 10, 1959. Ground was broken in July of 1961. St. Jude's Episcopal Church most graciously offered the use of their Parish House to our Junior High Department until the building was done.

The new building was used for the first time on February 11,1962.