Though it is uncertain how this band of believers
heard about the desire of the United Evangelical Church to expand
its work in Chicago, a committee was formed to meet with Bishop Rudolph Dubs with the hope that their
fledgling work might unite with the United Evangelical denomination.
Such a meeting occurred and details of property and members were
discussed and resolved to everyone's satisfaction. All property
would be given to the United Evangelical Church and membership
in the new congregation would be each individual's decision.
The United Evangelical Church agreed to supply a pastor for the
work. For both groups, this must have been an answer to prayer;
the United Evangelical Church was able to expand its work in
Chicago and the United Christian Brethren had a need support
structure in the denomination.
In July, 1900, the pulpit of the new mission,
which was designated "the Humboldt Park Mission," was
supplied by Rev. C. G. Unangst, who
concurrently served as pastor of the Adams Street United Evangelical
Church (Adams and Damen). By August of that year, a full time
pastor was procured for the mission in Rev. A. Wesley Mell. Rev.
Mell was an appointed missionary to China, but because of the
Boxer Rebellion, he was unable to leave for China as he had expected.
He agreed to serve the mission until the door opened in China.
During Rev. Mell's stay, which lasted just
six months, the organization of the church was completed. On
Thursday, January 10, 1901, a meeting of all the members of the
United Christian Brethren convened to elect a trustee board of
five members, a class leader (Mr. Joseph Burton) and an assistant
class leader (Miss Susie Collins). John Filar was elected Sunday
School Superintendent. According to the Conference Statistical
Report, the Humboldt Park Mission had 35 members and an average
Sunday School attendance of 50. (Link
to see a list of the charter members) (Link
to read the official minutes of the organization of the church)
Rev.
A. Wesley Mell left the church in February, 1901, to enter China
under the Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev.
A. W. Smith, a native of Ireland and a licensed minister
in the Ohio Conference of the United Evangelical Church, served
at the mission until the Annual Conference of March, 1901.
At the Annual Conference, President Elder,
S. F. Entorf, expressed great encouragement regarding the new
mission in Chicago. He had good reason. Now only had a class
been formed, but two of the men, John Filar and John Bly, applied
for and were granted licensed to preach at that Annual Conference.
The work was progressing but was in need of consistent pastoral
leadership and a church meeting place of its own.
In March, 1901, the Annual Conference appointed
G. F. Rassweiler as pastor of the work in Humboldt Park. Rev.
Rassweiler was a 26 year old traveling licentiate (a category
indicating a newly licensed pastor). He moved into Chicago and
lived at 1098 Armitage (near Kimball Ave.) two blocks from the
mission's rented meeting place.
G. F. Rassweiler, Pastor 1901 - 1904
