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.

436

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY

was commenced immediately after the organization upon lots donated
by Sherman Stephens, at the corner of Third and Main streets in Royal
Oak village. It was built by Henry Stephens, as contractor, and he also
contributed most liberally towards the cost of the building, of which the
total was about $700. It was dedicated in August, 1839. Thirty-six
years later a new and larger church building having been decided upon,
the old one of I839 was sold to the German Lutherans, and the new edifice, the present Baptist house of worship, was erected on the west side
of the main street, at the north end of the village. For a time after the
sale of the old church the congregation, by an arrangement with the purchasers, continued to use it as their place of meeting, until their own
building was roofed in and they were able to occupy its basement for
that purpose. The church was dedicated in August, 1876. It was in
the form of a Greek cross, seventy feet in extent either way, and in its
erection, Rev. Silas Finn, the pastor, individually bore a very heavy partfully one-half-of the financial burden, which was by no means insignificent, the whole cost being about $4,000. In connection with the
church is the Sabbath school, which was organized many years ago during the pastorate of Mr. Pearsall, who was the first superintendent. The
church has had a rather checkered career. In the fall of 1907 it was
rededicated and again opened for divine services, after having been
unoccupied for many years. Rev. F. L. Swartout, who is the present
pastor, commenced his term of service in October, I9II.
The Congregational church was first organized in Royal Oak on the
13th day of August, 1842, by Rev. Ebenezer McDowell, the organization taking effect in the Baptist church in the village. Five people comprised the original membership, namely: Mr. and Mrs. Peter Merritt,
Mr. and Mrs. Levi Tootill and George Scongel. There were several
additions to that number very soon from the Presbyterian church at Birmingham, among these being Ezra Blackman, Lyman Blackman and
Joseph Quick. For a year and a half Mr. McDowell remained with the
church and he was succeeded by Rev. Charles Fairchild, whose ministry
covered a period of three years with them, and Rev. Steele followed him.
During Mr. Steele's ministry there occurred one of the most notable revivals in the subsequent history of the church, which brought large numbers into the new church. Of other ministers who guided the church.
further mention will be made later. Various localities have represented
the meeting places of this church in the years of its life. It first worshiped in the Baptist church, where it was organized, and early in 1843
the society moved to the Methodist church, just completed, in which it
continued to worship until it had erected a suitable building of its own.
The members secured the use of the Methodist church on the provision
that they hire their pews within it as if they were members of that church.
The first church building owned by the Congregationalists was built
during the pastorate of Rev. James Nall, and the lots on which it was
erected were donated by Mrs. Drake of Flint, Michigan. They then
purchased the old Presbyterian church, then vacated, for $300 and removed it piece-meal to the new site. There was no addition to the building nor any outward change in its appearance, and when completed it