BOSTWICK LAKE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
CANNON TOWNSHIP, KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
1) ORGANIZATION AND CHARTER MEMBERS PAGES I-IV
2) PASTORS PAGES 1-2
3) OFFICERS PAGES 3-6
4) BAPTISMS, 1888 - MARCH, 1953 PAGES 7-18
5) MEMBERS RECEIVED, 1850'S - 1926 PAGES 19-30
6) MEMBERS REMOVED, 1895 - 1955 PAGES 31-33
7) MEMBERS RETIRED LIST, 1926 PAGES 34-35
8) REVISED MEMBERS ROLL, 1926 - 1982 PAGES 36-54
9) 50TH AND 100TH ANNIVERSARIES PAGES 55-60
EARLY HISTORY
BOSTWICK LAKE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
I will attempt to tell you some of the things recorded concerning
the first fifty years of our church.
This church was organized June 6th, 1846, about 15 years before the
out-break of the Civil War.
Looking back, today we wonder what prompted those pioneers to
attempt such an undertaking. The difficulties must have been many and
more strenuous than we realize. The homes were scattered and there was
no means of travel except by oxen and wagons, over roads that we today
would consider practically impassable. Many of those early settlers
lived in log-houses which they themselves had built from the trees on
their own lands and we can scarcely imagine the hardships they must have
endured.
They were without nearly all the comforts and conveniences of life
that we now consider so essential. Yet they, in spite of these
difficulties were inspired to reach out and up and with divine aid
organize a church in the community that proved to be a blessing to their
generation and the generations that have followed.
Today we are honoring their memory and thereby express our
appreciation of their good works.
The original nine charter members were -
Smith Bailey Eunice Pitcher
Eunice Bailey Chloe Scott
Isaac Barker Samuel H. Steele
Theron Stone Mary Steele
Mary Stone
URL: http://kent.migenweb.net/churches/congregational/bostwicklkchartermemb.html
BOOK OF RECORDS OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CANNON
Under the missionary labours of the Rev. Isaac Barker who received a
commission from the A. H. M. S. bearing date June 6th, 1846 for
Courtland and vicinity Kent County, Michigan retyrable? to previous
"notice" at the House of Smith Baileys in Cannon June 18th, 1846 for the
prupose of organizing a Church. Present, Rev. James Ballard, pastor of
the church at Grand Rapids and Deacon Abel Page of the same church when
the following names were given in, duly recommended -
Smith Bailey
Samuel H. Steele
Eunice Bailey
Mary Steele
Eunice Pitcher
Theron H. Stone
Chloe Scott
Mary Stone
Isaac Barker
2ND - The inquiry was made whether we had fellowship for each other
sufficient to organize and commune together which was answered in the
affirmative.
3TH - Adopted the following articles of faith and Church covenant (Here
follow the Articles and covenant on the record).
ARTICLES OF FAITH
1ST - We believe that there is ONE GOD, who is FATHER, SON and HOLY
GHOST, self existent, eternal, perfectly holy, the creator, and rightful
disposer of all things.
2ND - We believe that the BIBLE is the revealed will of God to mankind
and the only unerring rule of faith and practice.
BOSTWICK LAKE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH #6
CHARTER MEMBERS
Those people belonging to the first Congregational Society of
Cannon, Registered October 26th, 1854.
Thomas S. Streeter
Silas Randel
Oliver Wilkinson
William C. Young
Harlow T. Judson
Asa P. Ferry
Samuel H. Steele
Calvin Fitch
Wm. Jopling
George E. Steele
A. Worden
Smith Bailey
Philip Thomas
Sam'l B. Kutz
Nathan Wiley
Joseph K. Streeter
William Bush
M. D. Hainz
Angus Mc Pherson
O. H. Russell
Wm. Brown
Peter Cowan
Isaac Bush
H. S. Weller
Henry H. Weller
William Howard
Theodore Weller
Benjamin Davies
T. Wiley
Sidney Weller
John Campbel
Joseph More
Alexander Cowan
Silas Steele
C. Z. Haines
S. B. Scranton
Lorenzo D. Hoag
James More
Virgil Hains
Nathaniel Steele
Willis Aylesworth
Philip Carlton
Registered March 18, 1858
URL: http://kent.migenweb.net/churches/congregational/bostwicklkcongchartermemb.html