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.

352

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY

known what it was to have enjoyed church privileges. Now here we
are, a little community of us, far from the scenes and associations of
our old homes, in the full enjoyment of many blessings, yet without a
church among us. Now what I wish to propose is this: I want for
one, to see a church in Pontiac, and I propose to assess each one of you,
gentlemen, $Ioo apiece, which will make just $I,700 a sufficient sum,
with close figuring, to build a neat church edifice. Here is my check
for $Ioo, and I will put down $Ioo for Judge Reeves, who is not here
tonight, which, with yours, will make $i,8oo.'
"The gentlemen had stopped playing cards, and the proposition, made
in such a place and at such a time, struck them as both novel and sensible, and without a dissenting voice every man present pledged himself
in the required sum for the building of a church, to be called the First
Presbyterian church of Pontiac. A building committee, consisting of
Samuel C. Munson, H. N. Howard and E. Comstock, were appointed
on the spot, and after some figuring, Mr. Comstock took the contract.
Everything after this went along like clockwork, all putting their shoulders to the church-wheel with a will, so that by the next July a beautiful
church, all completed and ready for public worship, reared its spire toward heaven, the pride of the entire community and the veneration of
the few who went thither to worship God. And this is the way the
First Presbyterian church of Pontiac came to be built, forty-three years
ago."
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The First Congregational church of Pontiac was organized February
6, 1831, at the house of Samuel Bent. Articles of Faith and Covenant
were adopted at that meeting, and those who became members of the
church at the time were Samuel Bent, Mary Bent, Mary K. Bent, Mr.
and Mrs. Rinehart. Rev. I. W. Ruggles was moderator of the meeting.
On the second of July following, the newly organized church met at
the courthouse, Rev. Ruggles and Rev. George Hornell being present,
besides the members. In that month and year Rev. Robert M'cEwen
began preaching under the patronage of the American Home Missionary Society, and on February 19, 1834, the little church was received
under the care of the Detroit presbytery. According to the records,
on the I th day of May, 1834, the church dedicated the first building
erected in Pontiac for the worship of God. From that time on, the
church was supplied with a pastor at irregular intervals, sometimes long
lapses existing between terms of service filled by occasional visiting
pastors.
The following will give an approximate idea of the service of pastors
and the main events in the church up to 1876. Rev. McEwen resigned
October I8, and December 27, 1834, Rev. Aaron Williams was invited
to preach, he accepting the call. He resigned in August, I835. In
1836 Rev. William Page preached for a short time during the winter,
which brief service witnessed a pleasing growth in membership. In the
spring of 1837 a call was extended to him to preach, which he accepted,
but in September he resigned because of ill health. In 1838 Rev. L. B.
Bates came to the church, and he was assisted during the winter by Rev.