History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests / compiled from the official records of the county, the newspapers and data of personal interviews, under the editorial supervision of Thaddeus D. Seeley.

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY

345

tual and financial depression had come upon us, as much perhaps as at
any time in the history of the church. Heavily in debt, small congregations, the temperature of the prayer meetings below zero, we needed a
leader to take us out of this wilderness and spiritual death. Conference
sent us the right kind of a preacher and pastor, who speedily won the
hearts of the people. In the three years' term he served this church, he,
with the help of the Lord and the loyal people, raised and paid into the
church treasury $I2,ooo and cleared off all indebtedness; our fine organ
was purchased and we paid the preacher a larger salary than now. Best
of all we had a wonderful revival and brought into the church a large
number of men and women who had ever been loyal to church and
pastor, helpful in every direction in the interest of the cause, and enriched us by their spiritually intelligent and Christian cheerfulness, and
giving of their substance as the 'Lord has given them ability.' Brother
Shier organized what is known as the 'Young Men's Praying Band,' *
which has held to its organization all these twenty-eight years. It has
been very helpful to each pastor and a means of vital strength to the
church.
"Rev. C. T. Allen, during his second pastorate, introduced the monthly
love feast, which meets the first Sunday of every month at 9: 30 o'clock.
This is also a soul refreshing season.
"In I861, during the pastorate of Rev. Samuel Clements, the edifice
which we now occupy was begun and dedicated by Bishop Simpson in
I864. In 1885 it was renovated by frescoing the walls, putting in new
stained glass windows and new carpets. The parsonage, which was
previously donated to the church by Willard McConnell, was greatly
enlarged and improved, and is at present quite a modern and pleasant
home for the pastor. In the same year the conference was held here,
Bishop Warren presiding and Rev. J. S. Joslyn pastor. In I892 during
the ministrations of Rev. F. C. Pillsbury, our church was entirely remodeled, enlarged, refurnished, and is now a very pleasant church, usually well filled and sometimes crowded to its utmost capacity. Bishop
Ninde and B. I..Ives, the popular dedicators of churches, were present
at its rededication.
"Several young men have gone from this church as ministers, as
follows: Sons of ministers-Arthur Stalker, C. H. Perrin, Henry Shier,
E. C. and C. E. Allen; sons of laymen-Ira W. Donelson, Detroit conference, Park S. Donelson, Ohio conference, both deceased; Hiram Colvin and Parke Lyon.
"Willard McConnell was for thirty years superintendent of the Sunday-school, C. B. Turner superintendent for fifteen years, while others
served shorter periods."
CENTRAL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CIHURCIf
The Central Methodist church had its origin in the Oakland avenue
church four years ago. At that time a number of the residents of the
northern part of the city felt the need of a Methodist church in that
section. In the summer of 1907 about ninety members of the First
church organized the Oakland avenue church, and in September of that