by Mike Roberts, Church Historian

During the Twenty Questions service of October 23 [2011], the topic of God in our church was discussed. The following was written by Minister Carl Olsen of our congregation for the Christmas service of 1939 and was entitled “The Essence of the Master”.

“Sir, we would see Jesus.” John 12:21. Like these Greeks of old, we too, would see Jesus, catch his essence, understand his teaching.

The ways to “see” Jesus–that is, enter into his very spirit–are historically three: salvation by grace, salvation by faith, salvation by character. Here are the great divisions of Christianity; the liturgical churches, the doctrinal churches, the liberal churches, distinguished by their emphasis on the church and its forms, or the creeds and doctrine or the character and conduct.

We Universalists are among those who subordinate forms and creeds to practical good works after the moral and ethical teachings of Jesus. In his life he said there were two, and only two, essentials in religion–to love God devotedly, and to show unfailing kindness and consideration of man. These two virtues he constantly advocated. These were the only tests he ever made of discipleship.

Why has the Christian world embroidered that simple teaching of Jesus out of all semblance to the original? It is easier to paint Jesus on canvas, or build him in stained glass than it is to become ourselves a likeness of him.

It is easier to profess a religion about Jesus, than a religion that is Jesus incarnate–the going about doing good, loving God with all being, befriending man in his need. We must not lose Christ of the living way!

by Mike Roberts, Church Historian

Last month we looked at an order of service from 1947. Included in the orders of service from this period were “Parish Notes.” These often covered topics that we hear in our own Candles of Community. However, they also reflect the week-to-week issues that were presented to a post-war Universalist congregation.

1/26/47: Pastor Martin Neimoeller, famous German resistance leader will speak Friday evening in Music Hall. This meeting is being sponsored by the Council of Churches of Greater Cincinnati. No admittance charge but an offering will go to overseas relief.

2/9/47: The Sunday after Easter, Universalist ministers in Ohio will cooperate in a general exchange of pulpits. Mr. Thorburn will preach in Columbus and the Reverend Harriett E. Druley of Springfield will occupy our pulpit.

3/9/47: At long last the big furnace has refused to work. It is possible to use the chapel for our services since it has an auxiliary heater. To repair the furnace will cost several hundred dollars. (Ed. A special fundraising drive was held.)

4/20/47: It is a long way from Cincinnati to Richmond, New Hampshire. Back from the road in an almost abandoned cemetery is a large granite marker. Upon that marker is the name Ballou. It is the family lot of Hosea Ballou. On that same lot is a head stone with the name Garfield. How many know that the sister of Hosea Ballou (a famous early Universalist leader) was the mother of James A. Garfield, a president of the United States?

5/11/47: PTA’s, churches and civic organizations will meet with Mr. Munz of the Juvenile Delinquency Department to consider the serious condition that exists in Walnut Hills. Conditions in the immediate neighborhood of the church are growing worse. The intention of this meeting is to organize neighborhood councils to deal with this vexing problem. Aside from the Basin Area, Walnut Hills is number one on the list in juvenile delinquency.

9/21/47: The reply of Mr. Charles P. Taft to the inquiry of Dr. Robert Cummins relative to the matter of membership in the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, was indeed weak and showed a desire to dodge the issue. Mr. Taft merely stated “If we let the Universalists in we let the Lutherans out.” Be thankful fellow Universalists that our philosophy of religion is bigger than creed or system. Truthfully we affirm our belief in “The supreme worth of every religion.”

11/4/47: We express appreciation to those who have asked for labels to ship clothing to the homeless and parentless children in displaced children’s camps in Europe. Keep the clothing going to Europe through the Universalist Service Commission. There will be a carton in the Narthex next Sunday for the convenience of those who have only one or two articles.

1/4/48: Mr. Thorburn will be on WCKY next Sunday morning at 8 o’clock. This is the religious hour of the station which has a Jewish and Catholic as well as Protestant section.

1/25/48: Members of the Clara Barton Guild are busily engaged in making towels for the Clara Barton Diabetic Camp in North Oxford, Massachusetts.

2/15/48: (Ed. This passage was posted in the order of service with no comment.) “Every Protestant who deliberately abstains from attendance or support of the church of his choice is voting for the dominance of either Atheism or Roman Catholicism in the United States of America. And if you want to know what that means, look to Russia on one hand or to Spain on the other. Then think of the “Faith of our Fathers” and what that gave the world.”- Reverend Walter H. MacPherson

4/11/48: May 23 will be Anniversary Day being the nearest to May 25th when our church was incorporated in 1827. Incidentally, 1948 is the 50th anniversary of the building of our present edifice.

6/20/48: We express our sincere sympathy to Mrs. Powel Crosley and Mr. Powel Crosley, Jr. in their hour of sorrow in the death of their grandson and son, Powel Crosley, III. Private services were held in Spring Grove chapel.

6/27/48: From the State Convention in Columbus– A resolution supporting the organic merger of the Universalist and Unitarian denominations was unanimously passed.

11/7/48: I’ve paid my dues to the D.A.R., Colonial Dames and the Eastern Star, The P.T.A. and the V.D.C., American Legion Auxiliary, College alumni, that check’s been made, Country Club statement is due and paid. verything’s settled–a clean wiped slate, my church pledge will just have to wait.

11/14/48: Your attention is called to the Palestinian exhibit at the art museum. It is being sponsored in the interest of the Children of Palestine Movement. It is a Christian effort, we understand, started by Unitarians and Universalists in Boston in the interest of displaced Jewish children from Europe. The movement is soliciting funds for food and medical care to help these children get a new start in life in Palestine.

May we be blessed by whatever we do.

by Mike Roberts, Church Historian

Serving on the Board of Trustees is a difficult job. Ask anyone who has held that position. While scanning the Board of Trustees meeting reports during the American Civil War period, I came across this report from September 4, 1863. It was issued to the congregation by the board at a special congregational meeting.

“To the members of the First Universalist Society:

We your trustees who by a resolution adopted June 10th were authorized to sell the Plum Street church leaving same without incumbrance, beg leave to report that they have used all reasonable means in their judgment to carry out the instructions of said resolutions but as yet have not been able to find a purchaser willing to pay a price which in their judgment justified a sale, therefore no sale has been made consequently no purchase.

Your trustees would further state that they have made an estimate of the expenditures of the church for the ensuing year which will amount to $2,500.

Owing to the very small number of pews rented and a lack of promptness on the part of many in paying their rent the income has been reduced to $1,200 to $1,300 leaving a deficit of at least $1,200 to be supplied either by subscription or the renting of pews.

Your trustees would also state that they have exercised their ability to the fullest extent in the management of the financial affairs of this church and it is exceedingly mortifying to them to report that in one of the largest and wealthiest cities of the Union where there are hundreds of professed believers in our faith that they are unable to keep one Society in a financial condition to justify them in continuing the services of a pastor when the expenses all told do not exceed $2,500.

The trustees would also state that in their opinion the main cause of the present condition of this Society is attributable to the want of cooperation on the part of the members of this Society with the Trustees.

And in closing this report the trustees would take the liberty to recommend that unless a sufficient amount of funds be promptly raised and deposited in the treasury to defray the expenses of the church for one year so as to prevent any increase of debt that on and after next Sunday night this church be closed and so remain until a sufficient fund be raised to justify it being re-opened.

Signed:

A . W. Churchill, W. Chidsey, R. Wooley, J. Butterfield

by Mike Roberts, Church Historian

As we celebrate our nation’s 235th birthday [editor’s note: this was published in the Heirloom in July 2011], it would be interesting to see how it was celebrated by our congregation on July 6, 1947.

From the order of service of that date:

DEVOTIONAL: “Prelude” – Handel.  Mrs. Kathryn Walsh, organist

SONG OF EXULTATION: “America” verse 4 only

CALL TO WORSHIP: Rev. George Thorburn

PRAYER OF INVOCATION AND OUR LORD’S

PRAYER

OUR AVOWAL OF FAITH – Minister & congregation

THE GLORIA PATRI:

SOLO: “Shepherd Take My Hand,” sung by Mrs. Lydia Dozier Ketcham

PULPIT READINGS: “Liberty Knows No Boundaries” from Louis Kossuth’s April 29, 1852 Faneiul Hall Address.

“The Dignity of Self-Government” from Thomas Paine’s “Rights of Man”.

“Of All, By All, For All” from Theodore Parker’s “The Dangers Which Threaten the Rights of Man in America.”

ASCRIPTION: Minister and Choir

THE FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER

Choral Response

YOUTH CHOIR: “Let All Things Now Living”

Welsh Melody

OFFERTORY: “Cantabile”

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: (Specified only by hymnal number)

SERMON: “The Living Jefferson,” Rev. Thorburn

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN: (Specified only by hymnal number)

BENEDICTION: Choral Response

POSTLUDE: “Allegro” – Handel

A GREETING AFTER THE SERVICE

On the order of service is posted the “Statement of Faith” ~ We avow our faith in: God as eternal and all-conquering love; The spiritual leadership of Jesus; The supreme worth of every human personality; The authority of truth known or to be known; The power of men of good will and sacrificial spirit to overcome all evil and progressively establish the Kingdom of God.

by Mike Roberts, Church Historian

Gerhardus Langdon Demarest was the minister of our First Universalist Society during those tragic years of the American Civil War. Reverend Demarest was born in New York City in 1816 and was raised as a Methodist. However, his father played the organ at a Universalist Church and the young Gerhardus found his spiritual identity while accompanying his father to those Universalist services. As an adult, he worked for 21 years with Harper Publishing in New York City, helped found the first Universalist Church in Brooklyn and then moved to Cincinnati to become a partner in a book firm.

However, Universalism called to him, and while in Cincinnati he completed his training to become a Universalist minister. Our church on Plum Street was his first assignment where he served from 1861 to 1865. He then left for a short stint in his native New York City and then moved on to New England. While we have no indications of what his approach to the ministry may have been in Cincinnati, some insight is offered by the fact that he maintained a journal of his church activities for 42 years beginning with his calling to the Milford, Massachusetts church, some 40 miles southwest of Boston. That calling commenced on June 21, 1867. The journal is in our archives, probably as a gift from one of his children who lived in Cincinnati.

His first service in Milford was attended by 400 and he preached his sermon around the scripture Romans XV:29. Typically, services were in the afternoon and Sunday morning he spent in Sunday School. Attendance was usually between 200 and 300 for the pm services. Whenever attendance fell below 200, the journal contained an accompanying negative weather report. Eventually, Reverend Demarest added a Sunday evening lecture to his schedule.

Here is an example of a typical Sunday, April 2, 1870. “A. M. Sunday School; p.m. preached Romans I:16 to 100; Evening, 11th lecture of the news (Pray for Boston) to 180. Snowstorm am, sloppy, pm.” He followed this pattern of a sermon centered on a short Bible passage for his regular Sunday service and an evening lecture on either a timely news topic or a religious interpretation for the remainder of his career. On October 15, 1871 he lectured on “The Chicago Calamity”. The great fire of Chicago had occurred five days earlier. On May 19, 1872 he lectured on “The Beer Vote in Milford.”

Reverend Demarest performed many marriage ceremonies. On January 22, 1868, he married his daughter Emma to George C. James, a bookkeeper from Cincinnati. On October 13, 1875 he married his daughter Pauline to Malcolm Bradley, a roll coverer of Manchester, New Hampshire.

Along with weddings goes the duty of funerals. One is struck in reviewing the numerous funerals conducted by Reverend Demarest at the youth of so many who passed away. From March 1870 to July of that year: Freddie Brown, aged 2; Nathan Chilson Bellingham, aged 74; Tirilla Sumner, aged 69; Bertha Knight, aged 5; J. Harding Smith, aged 38; Josey Aldeman, aged 4; Frank Chaflin, aged 23; Harry W. Hale, aged 3 months; Bertha Cook, aged 4 months; Harry C. Chamberlain, aged 4 months.

In 1872, Reverend Demarest left Milford for the pulpit in Manchester, New Hampshire. His opening pm sermon delivered on August 28 was entitled “What I Am to Do.” His evening lecture was entitled “What We Are to Do.” Reverend Demarest’s great calling came in 1877 when he was appointed general secretary to the Universalist Conference. This duty required him to travel extensively throughout the United States, attending state and regional conventions as well as managing the affairs of the national convention. He continued to preach regularly, serving a number of different churches in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont on a rotating basis. An example of his travel would be June, 1883. June 1-3 Racine, Wisconsin; 9-10 Tecumseh, Nebraska; 15-17 Rochester, Minnesota; 23-24, Olinda, Ontario; 27-28, Dexter, Maine. Reverend Demarest remained in this position until 1905 when he retired and was named secretary emeritus. At his retirement, he was 88 years old.

On March 2, 1902 Reverend Demarest noted the passing of his wife. Services were held in the home in Manchester and she was interred at Greenwood Cemetery, New York City on March 7.

The final passage in the journal notes a marriage ceremony he conducted at this home, 54 Blodgett St., Manchester, New Hampshire in 1909. He married George Dearborn, aged 68 and Miss L. Smith of South Weare, aged 60. Reverend Demarest died later that year and was buried beside his wife.

by Mike Roberts, Church Historian

Many famous names are associated with Cincinnati. Some examples would be Longworth, Taft, Springer, Rose and Robertson. Certainly among the most prominent would be Crosley.

Powel Crosley, Jr., with enormous help from his brother Lewis, founded WLW and turned it into the most listened-to station in the United States. He also owned the Cincinnati Reds and brought night baseball to the sport forever, made a fortune selling inexpensive radio sets to the general public and then lost most of the fortune in an attempt to market a low-cost, high-mileage car to that same middle class public. His attempt was thwarted by post-war, 10-cent-a-gallon gasoline and cheap steel, but he was certainly ahead of his time in his vision.

Powel Crosley, Sr. was born in Springboro and moved to Cincinnati to practice law after completing his education. He also owned several downtown theaters. He married Charlotte Utz, whose parents were among the early members of our First Universalist Society of Cincinnati.

They raised their children in the church and Powel Sr. served as the legal advisor for the Society. His name appears on several legal documents in our archives. Powel suffered a severe financial setback in the crash of ’96 and the family was forced to live with the Utz’s for a time until they recouped. This event molded his son’s attitudes toward business for the rest of his life.

Powel Jr. eventually married and left the church to attend his wife’s Episcopalian Church in College Hill. The elder Crosleys remained lifetime members of our church until their deaths. Powel Sr. died in 1932, having recouped much of his financial loss and was still working in his law office until just before his demise. Mrs. Crosley lived until 1949. In her obituary it stated that the church on Essex Place was a centerpiece for her life and she remained active there until just a few weeks before her passing.

by Mike Roberts, Church Historian

Lewis B. Fischer, in his 1921 book on Universalism entitled Which Way, states that “Universalists are often asked to tell where they stand. The only true answer to give to this question is that we do not stand at all, we move. Or, we are asked to state our position. Again, we can only answer that we are not staying to defend any position, we are on the march.”

Contrast these two ads, first by our church at City Temple on April 27, 1957; the second from a Salem Acres pamphlet circa 1980.

(1) We avow our faith in God as Eternal and All-conquering love; in the spiritual leadership of Jesus; in the supreme worth of every human personality; in the authority of Truth, known or to be known; and in the power of men of Good-will and Sacrificial Spirit to overcome all evil and progressively to establish the Kingdom of God.

(2) We introduce thoughts and beliefs of many religions. We avoid imposing limited religious beliefs of any kind. We affirm that a greater understanding of ourselves and of others, reduces the risks of disillusionment, self-defeat and selfishness.

by Mike Roberts, Church Historian

Every Sunday during Candles of Community, we relate the joys and sorrows of our lives with a historic communion table as the backdrop. The table was created by Alice Belle Holabird as a tribute to her parents who were among the early members of our church. It was dedicated on Easter Sunday of 1880.

Alice carved the panels of the table out of a solid piece of oak. The center panel is decorated with the chalice surrounded by a floriated pattern, while the left and right front panels are full relief carvings dedicated to her parents. On the sides, the Byzantine Cross is carved in relief.

Miss Holabird studied art under Frank Duveneck and woodcarving under William Henry Fry, a nationally renowned carver from Cincinnati. Among his many works are the organ screen at Music Hall and a chest and sideboard made for the White House residency of Rutherford Hayes. Fry believed that women made much better wood carvers than men and his classes were attended by women who often helped with his many projects.

Alice eventually became heavily involved with the pottery movement in Cincinnati, decorating many pieces with her art work. Late in life, Alice recalled that one of her most cherished memories was attending her debutante ball where scores of young, newly commissioned officers danced before riding off to fight in the “Great War.” Alice never married and passed away in 1948 at the age of 107. She was thought to be the oldest resident of the city at the time of her death. Her mind and hands were still active, however, as she was knitting clothing to donate to the Red Cross just a few days before her passing. Perhaps Alice’s spirit helps guide the hands of our busy knitters during Sunday services.

by Mike Roberts, Church Historian

All cities have walking and driving tours to take in the city’s highlights. How about taking a short little trip down memory lane to see where our 184-year-old church has worshiped during its nearly two centuries of existence?

In 1827, the church started as the First Universalist Society of Cincinnati, and over its years of operation has spent time at a number of short-term temporary locations. It has, however, existed for extended periods of time at five sites.

The church’s first long-term home was at the Mechanics Institute of Cincinnati. The church bought this building and renovated it in 1839, but then built a permanent structure on the site three years later. That location is now occupied by the Dixie Terminal building on the west side of Walnut St., between Third and Fourth Streets. The part of this current structure that is occupied by Key Bank in where the church sat. This place of worship was home to our congregation until 1857. At that time, First and Second Universalist Churches merged and the enlarged congregation relocated to a church they constructed on the east side of Plum Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets.

That property is currently a surface parking lot and is directly across the street from the Plum Street Cafe and a half block south of the Duke Energy Center. That remained the church’s home for about 30 years when the building was sold and the church congregation was housed in temporary quarters for nearly ten years. Finally, in 1897 they bought land in Walnut Hills and built a new church at 2525 Essex Place. This remained their home for over 60 years. It is located between McMillan St. and William Howard Taft Rd. just west of I-71. The current occupant is the Greater United Faith Global Ministries of Rehobeth Faith Church of Jesus, Inc.

In the 1960s it was decided to move again, this time to the suburbs, and a nine acre estate was purchased at 5648 Salem Pike. The large residence was used for services, and Bob Booth has reported that the building had nine bathrooms. The first service was held there in May 1968. Our congregation remained at this site until it was sold in 1982. It sits at the corner of Salem Pike and Apple Hill Road and once again is a private residence.

Finally, as we recently celebrated, the members built a new church and moved to our present home. The first service was held in December 1985.

by Mike Roberts, Church Historian

The names Don and Muriel Steelman are prevalent in the history of our church from the mid 1950s until Muriel’s passing in the early 1990s. Don was a major force in the moving of the church from Essex Place to Salem Acres and Muriel was involved for many years in service aspects of church life, especially in the Clara Barton Guild. The following article about the Steelmans appeared in the October 30, 1972 Cincinnati Post, written by Si Cornell.

“Yesterday, during services at Salem Acres Community Church in Mt. Washington, Mrs. Muriel Frances Steelman was summoned to stand before the congregation.

“Mrs. Steelman, hesitant with surprise, arose to receive a silver plaque. The Rev. Brian Tansey, minister, read its message. ‘This award is presented to Muriel F. Steelman for 25 years of devotion above and beyond the call of love, honor and cherish. With grateful appreciation by her husband, Don, on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary.”

Back in 1947, Muriel was in the news as the pen pal bride from England. She and Don had written to each other for nine years before he airmailed his proposal – and she airmailed her acceptance. Don met her when she stepped off the Queen Mary in New York, and they were married in the Little Church Around the Corner.

‘Our first five years together were something,’ said Don. ‘I had to have two back operations for slipped discs. Muriel broke her leg, had her tonsils out, and went through rheumatism treatments, and then had five operations for cancer. Things have improved since.’

After the church service, Don and a surprised Muriel hosted a cake and coffee party for the congregation.

Don, director of market research for Central Trust, thought back to those nine years when he wrote to Muriel, who worked in the London office of IBM when the business machine firm started there in a barber shop. Would he advise anyone else to woo and win a mate by mail?

‘I’ve never had any regrets,’ he said. ‘But I wouldn’t recommend marriage on a short-term correspondence.’