Utah Growth 1880–1900
1880
In the 1880 annual report, Bishop Tuttle wrote, "Rev. Gillogly of Ogden is running Ogden, Logan and Plain City. Rev. P. McD. Bleecker, a Deacon and Assistant Minister in Ogden and several "lady teachers" are assisting." (1)
These teachers were most likely Inez Earll, Ms. Jensen, A. C. Cassidy, or A. C. Barrett. Each of these educators were active in establishing St. John's Mission School and growing the Episcopal community in Logan.
1. "Annual report of the Episcopal Church missionary bishops of Utah, no. 14". Episcopal Church of Utah. 1880. SCAVBOOK 445 No014-1880. Special Collections and Archives. Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University. 2.
1885
Significant improvement was felt in 1885 according to the report to the mission. "Hope is felt in Logan with at least 6 Gentiles have moved there, letting Rev. Bleecker feel as if there is a possible way through the large group of Mormons who live there." (2) This represented a huge change in attitude; whereas the clergy originally felt unwelcome in Logan, there was now hope for a new cooperation between the two communities.
2. "Annual report of the Episcopal Church missionary bishops of Utah, no. 19". Episcopal Church of Utah. 1885. SCAVBOOK 445 No019-1885. Special Collections and Archives. Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University.
1886
In 1886, Bishop Tuttle ended his 19-year assignment as Bishop of Utah and Idaho and accepted an appointment as the Bishop of Missouri.
"Rev. Bleecker is still in Logan leading the school, but has no church buildings" according to the annual report. In 1886, there was only the mission school until a new building is secured at the current location for St. John's. (3)
3. "Annual report of the Episcopal Church missionary bishops of Utah, no. 20". Episcopal Church of Utah. 1886. SCAVBOOK 445 No020-1886. Special Collections and Archives. Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University.
1889
Bishop Abiel Leonard, the successor of Bishop Tuttle, reports the following in the annual report in 1889: "Logan is one of the points to which I propose to divert some of the former Ogden scholarships. It is one of the strongholds of Mormonism. It is a beautiful town in one of the most fertile valleys one can find.
This Church was the first religious body in this field. Then came the Presbyterians,
dividing the interest, and now the Methodists are preparing to enter. The result of
all this is, that it will be difficult to develop any local aid .
We have had here no resident minister for some time, and as a consequence our work has suffered. Now I propose to do some vigorous work in Logan for the next three years. It is a hard field and hard work will be required, but I have secured an earnest missionary in the person of the Rev. F. W. Crook who, I am sure, will do an excellent work. I shall be personally responsible for half of his salary; who will help me pay it?" (4)
4. "Annual report of the Episcopal Church missionary bishops of Utah, no. 2". Episcopal Church of Utah. 1889. SCAVBOOK 445 No002-1889. Special Collections and Archives. Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University.
1890
In 1890, Rev. T. L. Bellam came to Logan as resident clergy,r and was in charge of the mission and the school. (5) He was the first permanent clergy in a few years and was the last before a period of visiting missionaries were in charge of the church in Logan.
5. "Annual report of the Episcopal Church missionary bishops of Utah, no. 03". Episcopal Church of Utah. 1890. SCAVBOOK 445 No003-1890. Special Collections and Archives. Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University.
1891
In 1891, five people were confirmed in Logan as a direct result of attending the mission school. This shows the reliance of the St. John's Mission on the school as a tool of reaching out to the community. (6) Many early converts and parishioners at St. John's had children who attended the school.
6. "Annual report of the Episcopal Church missionary bishops of Utah, no. 04". Episcopal Church of Utah. 1891. SCAVBOOK 445 No004-1891. Special Collections and Archives. Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University.
1895
Rev. Anreu began work among the Scandinavians of Logan and Plain City. He planned to preach in a Scandinavian language, probably Norwegian or Swedish. (7) The large number of recent converts and immigrants from Scandinavian countries presented an opportunity for the two small missions to grow their congregations.
Day schools in Logan and Plain City were closed in order for the church to fully support state directives for public education; donations for scholarships to students are diverted to more fully run the religious missions at each town.
7. "Annual report of the Episcopal Church missionary bishops of Utah, no. 08". Episcopal Church of Utah. 1895. SCAVBOOK 445 No008-1895. Special Collections and Archives. Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University.
1898
Work among the Utes began in Utah. Rev. George Vest, Milton J. Hersey, Sue C. Garrett and Lucy Nelson Carter all reported reported to be active missionaries. Work among the Paiutes began, most notably with Marion Taylor being reported to the wider Utah mission as the primary missionary.
Rev. G. C. Hunting is a general missionary to Logan and faces a divided Christianity with several churches vying for attention in the new college town of Logan, Utah.
Bishop Abiel Leonard stated that the goal of the Episcopal Church in Logan and in the rest of Utah heading into the twentieth century: "We are here to contend for the Catholic faith, and to teach all whom we may reach "the better way."
8. "Annual report of the Episcopal Church missionary bishops of Utah, no. 11". Episcopal Church of Utah. 1898. SCAVBOOK 445 No011-1898. Special Collections and Archives. Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University.
