History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP.

907

In 1869 the Presbyterian society built a neat church building,
but most of its members having moved away, Church meetings
were discontinued, and the building was rented for several years,
when, in the spring of 1881, the society sold it to the Catholics,
and it is now being fitted up for a Catholic church. The Catholics
had held meetings here for several years, mostly in rented halls,
until this purchase was made. There is no resident priest, but
the new parish is visited by the Rev. Mr. Van der Hayden, Pastor
of Saginaw City. Previously, the Catholics of the district were
compelled to drive into Saginaw on Sundays and other holidays
to attend Church.
The first meetings of the denomination of Adventists were held
in 1860, in the old school-house, the membership being from 30
to 40. In 1869 they erected their present church building at an
expense of about $2,500. The first to preach the Adventist doctrine in this district was the Rev. M. E. Cornell, who held meetings in the old school-house during the winter of 1860-'61.
SOCIETIES.
Good Templars.-St. Charles Lodge received its charter April
7, 1875, then having 24 members. The lodge has held regular
meetings up to the present time, and has now 40 members in good
standing. Its present officers are: James Brott, W. C. T.; Mrs.
Abar, W. V. T., and George Stewart, R. S.
Knights of Honor.-St. Charles Lodge, No. 1.642, was instituted
April 25, 1879, with 23 charter members. Officers are: C. M. Butlerfield, Dictator; Tobias L. Thompson, Vice-Dictator; R. J. Webb,
Reporter; W. W. Eddy, Treasurer. The objects of this society
are fraternity, benevolence, and mutual insurance.
Mfasonic. —St. Charles Lodge, No. 313, worked under a dispensation for about one year, and received its charter Jan. 29, 1874.
The first officers under the charter were: Henry Case, W. M.;
Mason L. Dexter, S. W.; Alson L. Wetmore, J. W. Its present
officers are: E. A. Stimson, W. M.; J. D. Thomas, S. W.; and
A. D. Huntington, J. W.
Odd Fellows. -Perseverance Lodge, No. 253, was chartered
Feb. 19, 1875. R. C. Myers, J. M. Silsby, Nelson Hickey, B. Colvin, A. Cogswell, J. D. Thomas, Thos. Russell, Charles Parks and
Abraham K. Stoner were charter members. Present membership is 38. Present officers are: Win. Harvey, W. G.; W. W.
Eddy, V. G.; R. J. Webb, R. S. and P. S.; and C. M. Butterfield,
Treasurer.
The St. Charles Library Association was organized in May, 1881;
objects of the association are social and literary, and also to establish a permanent library of miscellaneous and standard books that
will be accessible to all the citizens of the village. The officers of
the association are Dr. Henry Case, President; Mrs. Dr. Hamilton,
Vice President; Miss Kittie Stewart, Librarian.