Who's Who at Bridgeport Gospel Hall, MI

Bridgeport Gospel Hall, Saginaw Co., MI (OB) 1888-2025+

• Saginaw Gospel Hall 1888-2024; Madison Street Gospel Hall 1946-2024

Early Correspondents

• Edward S. Williams +1927-1955
• Thurman Taylor 1956-1960
• Donald L. LeCureux 1961-1999
• Dr. Robert Dennison 2000+

First Known Commendation

• John Govan 1919

Notable Families

Black family

WiS 1940-10: Detroit, MI: "On August 7, Mrs. J.C. Black went to be with Christ. Age 58. Saved 35 years ago at meetings held by W.B. Johnson in Standish. Leaves a husband, 2 brothers and 3 sisters. Formerly lived in Saginaw."

• John Clarence Black (b. 1880 Edinburgh, Scotland - d. 1960 Saginaw, MI), son of Charles W. Black (b. 1853 West Church, Edinburgh, Scot.; emig. 1884; d. 1913 Deep River, Arenac, MI) & Anna Henry Black (b. 1855 Fovern, Aberdeen, Scot.; m. 1877; d. 1943 Detroit, MI). In 1907 prior to his wedding, John resided at Deep River, MI. In 1900, Charles Black was employed in Lincoln Twp., Arenac, Michigan as a reel servant at a saw mill.
• Mary Huff Black +1920+ (b. 1882 PA; m. 1907 Standish, MI; d. 1940 Detroit, MI)

Dennison family

Dr. Dennison is a longtime dentist, who also served many years as a correspondent of this assembly.

• Dr. Robert Dennison +2000+

Gaus family

Mrs. John Gaus of 1213 Davenport St., Saginaw attended Emmaus Bible School in Chicago in 1950.

• John Gaus
• Mrs. John Gaus +1950?

Govan family

John was the earliest known commendation.

• John Govan +1919+

Kay family

WiS 1933-4: Bay City, MI: "After about 3 years of declining health, Mrs. Edith Kay (widow of the late James Kay, Pvangelist) departed to be with Christ on Jan. 13. Aged 64 years and saved 52 years ago. The service held in Saginaw was largely attended by friends. T. Dobbin and R. McCrory spoke comforting and faithful words. Four children mourn her loss."

• James Kay. Itinerant evangelist.
• Edith Kay (b. 1869 - d. 1933 Bay City, MI)

Layer family

From 1967-1973, Maurice & Cora hosted an assembly in their home that is presumed to have been a continuation of Saginaw Gospel Chapel which was founded in 1963 as probably a division from the Gospel Hall. As noted in the Who's Who at Saginaw Gospel Chapel, Cora's sister Edith's husband was Alvin James Brainerd (1920-1998) who was distantly related to the missionary David Brainerd (1718-1747).

• Maurice Ernest Layer +1962? (1916-1990)
• Cora Estelle Smith Layer +1962? (1919-2016)

LeCureux family

• Donald L. LeCureux +1961-1999+

Lentz family

In 1963, Wallace and Helen founded Saginaw Gospel Chapel which was likely a division from this assembly, that lasted thru 1973.

• Wallace William Lentz +1962? (1904-1998)
• Helen Oline Chartier Lentz +1962? (1917-1992)

McDonald family

• Alexander McDonald 1887+
• Robert McDonald 1887+

Runyan family

• Frederick Runyan +1961? of 3565 Broadway, Saginaw, MI attended Emmaus Bible School in Oak Park, Chicago, Illinois in 1961. Wife (1964): Maribeth Lee Schmock Runyan.

Taylor family

• Thurman Taylor +1956-1960+

Williams family

Edward was the earliest known correspondent, and was self-employed as a wallpaper hanger, and later as proprietor of such, with a shop at 120 N. Hamilton in 1941. In 1902, Elizabeth was employed as a teacher.

• Edward Selden Williams +1927-1955+ (b. 1878 Bay City, MI - d. 1960 Saginaw, MI)
• Elizabeth Ann Feely Williams +1927-1950 (b. 1882 Bay City, MI; m. 1902 Bay City, MI; d. 1950 Saginaw, MI), daughter of Martin Van Buren Feely (b. 1851 Roxbury, MA) & Emma Nicklos Feely.
  • Orra Belle Williams Meil (b. 1905 Bay City, MI - d. 1994 Grand Rapids, MI). Husband (1927 @ Saginaw, MI): Stuart McLaren Meil (b. 1900 Cleveland, Cuyahoga, OH - d. 1988 Grand Rapids, Kent, MI), son of William Meil (b. 1857 Orkney Islands, Scotland - d. 1940 Detroit, MI) & Mary Jane McLaren Meil (b. 1863 Kilmarnock, East Ayr, Scot. - d. 1942 East Cleveland, OH).
  • Lloyd Edward Williams +1927-1928+ (b. 1910 Bay City, MI - d. 1963 Portage, Porter, IN). 2nd wife (1946 @ Henry, OH): Edna "Goldie" Mildred Jones Bailey-Gross-Williams (b. 1915 Burt, Saginaw, MI - d. 1997 Saginaw, MI), daughter of William James Jones (b. 1879 Montrose, Genessee, MI - d. 1939 Saginaw, MI) & Ethel Maud Lawhead Jones-Baker (b. 1891 Frederic, Crawford, MI - d. 1976 Saginaw, MI). Lloyd served with the USNR during WWII, earning the position of GM1. In 1963, he was employed as a truck driver, and died while on the road to Chicago.

Sources

• BGH's website
• 1897-1936 AAB's
• Words in Season (WiS): 1933-4; 1940-10