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For
Fifty
Years.
Go 977.202 L 13h
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 03582 5808
GC 977.202 L13h Harvey, Jane C. History of St. John's Church
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Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street
PO Box 2270 4 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
HISTORY OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH,
Compiled by JANE C. HARVEY.
PREFACE.
In the compiling of this Parish History, the sources of information have been mainly the church records. To this has been added information gathered from the newspapers, and from the reminiscences of the members of the Church and the older citizens of LaFayette. For the very beautiful sketch of St. John's First Rector we are indebted to the kindness of Judge David Turpie, of Indianapolis. The clear and accurate report of The Young Lady's Guild was kindly fur- nished by Mrs. C. B. Robertson. In this work we have met with the greatest cordiality and kindness, those not members of the Church showing great willingness to aid in every way the gathering of mate- rial, thus adding another item to the long list of kindnesses they have shown to St. John's Church during her fifty years of existence. To one and all we return our most sincere thanks. J. C. II.
THE HISTORY OF
ST. JOHN'S PARISH
From 1837 to 1887.
In the year 1835, the Right Rev. Jackson Kemper was consecrated Missionary Bishop of what was then known as the Northwest, a vast region which included the present Dioceses of Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. At that time so few were the facilities for traveling that it required two years to get over the territory-a journey which can now be made in two months. Bishop Kemper was accompanied in his journeyings by the Rev. Samuel Roosevelt Johnson, who for a year endured the privations and hardships and perils of a wanderer through the wilderness, visit- ing the scattered settlements that had just begun to dot the then distant prairies lying east and west of the Mississippi river. Their visits were for the purpose of choosing a suitable location for planting a church, and LaFayette, Ind., seeming a place of great promise, Mr. Johnson decided to begin his work here, and here he removed with his family in the year 1836. It is very hard for one now to realize the condition of our city at that time. The Methodists had begun to
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establish religious services, having built a small frame church in 1829, on Sixth street, which was afterwards removed to Ferry street. They had only occasional services from itinerant ministers. There were then no church bells in the city to call the people to worship, and their services were announced by the blowing of a horn. The Presbyterians had organized, but they also had no regular preacher.
The people paid little regard to the observance of the Sabbath, the men spending it in hunting and fish- ing, and the women in visiting, Bishop Chase, of Ohio, had held a few Episcopal services, and at that time, so far as I could find, the only members of the Episcopal Church in the city were Jasper Bradley, Mrs. Sarah Beemis, Elijah Beemis, Mrs. John D. Smith and Robert Jones, Sr., and wife.
The Church of St. John's was organized March 27th, 1837. On the evening of that day there was a meeting of the citizens held at the counting room of Thomas T. Benbridge, said meeting having been announced by Mr. Johnson in the Presbyterian church on the day previous. The meeting came to order, and Wm. M. Jenners was appointed chairman. He stated the object of the meeting to be, "To organize and establish a Protestant Episcopal Church in the town;" and then the following written document was sub- mitted for the consideration and signing of as many as were disposed to assist in forming a Parish and organizing a church:
"We, whose names are hereunto affixed, im- pressed with the importance of the Christian reli- gion, and desirous to promote its holy influence in the hearts and lives of ourselves, our families and
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our neighbors, do hereby associae ourselves together under the name, style and title of the Parish of St. John's Church, in the town of LaFayette, county of Tippecanoe and State of Indiana, and by so doing do adopt the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America." Signed: Samuel R. Johnson, William M. Jenners, Robert Jones, N. H. Stockwell, Dr. E. Deming, L. S. Westgate, Saurin Jenners, Cyrus Ball, Thomas B. Brown, Samuel B. Johnston, John D. Smith, Isaac V. Harter, Benjamin Henkle.
Thirty-one other names were signed in the course of a few days, making forty-five persons pledged to the beginning of the church. At this first meeting a committee was appointed by the chairman, consisting of the following gentlemen: N. H. Stockwell, R. Jones, Rev. J. R. Johnson, and Dr. E. Deming. This committee was authorized "to procure some suitable place for the meetings of this church, to hold public worship therein, and also to prepare and circulate documents of the same purport with the foregoing, and with a view to facilitate the joining of members to the said church, and any further arrangements necessary to carry into effect the object of this meeting." The meeting then adjourned to meet on April 10th, at the Presbyterian Church, and the chairman was directed to give public notice of this meeting in the newspapers printed in LaFayette. At the meeting of April 10th a much larger number were present, and Col. Jenners was appointed chairman, and Samuel B. Johnston clerk. It was resolved that a vestry be nominated, and elected viva voce, and that the number of the vestrymen be five. The following persons were then
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elected trustees according to the statute of the State of Indiana, and vestrymen according to the usages of the Episcopal Church: Wm. M. Jenners, Robert Jones, J. D. Smith, Jasper Bradley, Elizur Deming. At this meeting also a Constitution was adopted, which is too long for insertion here. This meeting, as were all of those where Mr. Johnson was present, was opened with devotional exercises. At the next meeting, which took place April 13th, at the house of Mr. Robert Jones, Robert Jones was unanimously chosen Senior Warden; Dr. Elizur Deming, Junior Warden; Jasper Bradley, Treasurer, and Wm. M. Jenners, Clerk. On motion, it was unanimously resolved that the Rev. Samuel R. Johnson is chosen Rector of the Parish of St. John's church at LaFayette, Ind. The next meeting of the vestry took place May 2d, at the house of Robert Jones. At this meeting T. T. Ben- bridge, John Taylor and N. H. Stockwell were appointed a building committee "to raise subscriptions and to form contracts for the building of an Episcopal church in LaFayette, with the concurrence of the wardens and vestrymen of the said church." This committee were also invited to meet with the vestry, and to vote upon all subjects connected with the parish, so far as it is not inconsistent with the law. At this meeting, also, a letter was read, which is so remarkable and characteristic that I quote it entire:
"May 2d, 1837.
" To the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. John's Church, LaFayette, Ind.
"GENTLEMEN :- In answer to the call given to me, by you, at your last meeting, April 13th, 1837, to be the rector of St. John's church, LaFayette, Ind., I
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hereby declare that I readily and gratefully accept it, with the humble hope and prayer that the great 'High Priest of our profession' may give me grace to be a faithful 'steward of His mysteries,' and may bless my imperfect services to the good of souls and to the enlargement of His kingdom. In accepting this call, I wish to be understood as accepting it freely, and without salary, not only for the present, but so long as I shall be your pastor. Not that 'they who minister about holy things' have not the right to 'live of the sacrifice,' but that I hope, through God's kind providence, to have resources of my own sufficient to sustain me comfortably, and that such arrangement is most in accordance with my own private feelings, which I hope are not wrong upon this subject-not that I wish to spare my people the exercise of that Christian beneficence, which our blessed Lord requires habitually of His servants, but that they may concen- trate their efforts more now for the present establishment of the church in this place, and its easier support after me; and for all such efforts of Christian charity as God may put it into their hearts to make.
"With the earnest request that you will help me with your counsel, influence and prayers, and in the fullest confidence of your personal kindness, and of your readiness to serve the cause with which we are trusted, I remain, gentlemen, most truly and respectfully, your friend and pastor, and fellow servant in Christ,
"SAMUEL R. JOHNSON."
At this same meeting the following communica- tion was also read:
"I hereby offer to present to St. John's Church, LaFayette, one of three lots, known as lots 1, 2 and 3,
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in the addition to the town of LaFayette laid out by John L. Pifer and Israel Spencer, purchased of Runnion and Phares, April, 1837, the lot 66 feet by 132 feet, to run in length on either street by which it may be bounded as the Trustees may decide.
"SAMUEL R. JOHNSON."
At the next meeting of the vestry, which was held on Friday, May 12th, a communication was read, offering to the church two lots in Hanna & Taylor's addition, each 50 feet by 120, on condition that a church be built of brick thereupon. The offer was made by Isaac P. Harter, John Taylor, N. H. Stock- well and Mr. Hanna, but, upon motion of Dr. Deming, this offer was respectfully declined, with thanks to the donors for their liberal offer, and at the same time the donation of S. R. Johnson was accepted, upon such conditions and stipulations as he might designate.
How the church services were carried on, and in what places, while the church building was being erected, and some conception of the beautiful and saintly character of its founder, will best be given by inserting here a short sketch, written for this history, by a gentleman who, in his boyhood, knew and loved Mr. Johnson.
THE FIRST RECTOR OF ST. JOHN'S.
"There was a certain nobleman who went into a far country."-St. Luke, c. 19, v. 12.
"Samuel Roosevelt Johnson, who came to live at LaFayette, Ind., in 1837, was a priest of the Protestant Episcopal Church, from the Diocese of New York. Other titles he had, but none which could add to the honor of his name or the reverence of his character.
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"LaFayette was at that time a small town, situated in a sparsely settled county. The parish he founded, and to which he so long and so faithfully ministered, was d'un , w mihur ly on je ec lesiastical frontier. Before l .. where i t been but few church services in tin carey few members resided here, there was nether c'orth bailling nor rectory; those afterwards a meeting were la go'y due to the effects of his own man france.
He was a gradeitt of Columbia College, New York City, and also of the General Theological Seminary. Soon after his ordinmon he had been called, and had served with marked acceptance, in the rectorate of St. James, at HIvde Park. on the Hudson. This was one of the most eligible parishes in the East, noted for the culture, wealth and liberal benificence of its members, among whom were many of his per- sonal friends and academical associates. This position and all its advantages, with a future therein of unclouded promise, he voluntarily abandoned, to take upon himself the life of a missionary in the West, without pay, stipend or reward save the answer of a good conscience.
At the time of the commencement of his ministry here, services were held sometimes in the Court House, occasionally in the houses of the other denominations; but among the earliest regular services instituted by him were those which were begun and continued in a school house standing in the outskirts of town, just beyond what was af br .Mods known as the "Barbee Place." The shed here we kept by a Mr. Town- send, an earnest the al of the church. These services took place every Saturday evening, and were followed
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by a Sunday School on Sunday afternoon. The room, a small one, was at first too large for the congregation, afterwards the attendance became full and regular. The work of the good priest therein was literally that of a pioneer; he was clergyman, warden, vestryman, and frequently his own sexton and usher. The people were in every way strangers, wholly unacquainted with rubric or ritual. He brought with him at every meet- ing a supply of prayer books, which were distributed among those present; he was at great pains to explain their use, and to find the places in them for those who took part in the responses.
When, as sometimes happened, a word was im- properly pronounced in reading the psalter, and the time came for remarks, and the announcement of his future appointments, he would call attention to the word, repeat it once or twice in the proper way-hoped that this would be remembered; this was done gravely, yet kindly, indeed so delicately that no one could of did take offense. The exercises on these Saturday nights consisted of the evening prayers, with the psalms and-lessons of the day, succeeded always by a discourse of half an hour upon religious and church topics. There was seldom any formal text; the ad- dress was wholly extemporaneous; it would be difficult now-a-days to find its counterpart. The great message of divine mercy was never forgotten. It was usually accompanied with a cheerful, engaging, modest, yet firm, presentment of the doctrines and tenets of the Church, some explanation of the Creed or Articles- often with allusions to her history as connected with that of the United States. He loved to dwell upon the memory of Bishop White, to speak of Washington as
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a communicant and life-long officer in one of the old parishes in Virginia, and to recall the names of many other ancient Revolutionary worthies who had lived and died believers in her faith and observers of her rites and ordinances. Perhaps no similar course has ever been taken with a people who were being taught the first lessons of churchly ways and worship. It was
very effective and available. Opposition, if neither convinced nor converted, was hushed into silence, while it seemed that every good American must, in the natural course of things, be or become an Episcopalian. Prejudice was disarmed by a line of address and argument which showed that what was suspected as something new was, in truth, only the old form and faith of many of the choicest spirits of 1776-the fathers and founders of our Government. Sometimes at these meetings there was no one present who could sing, then the hymns were read in alternate verses. Occasionally Miss H-, who lived not very far distant, and who sang charmingly, would attend these Saturday night services, with some of her musical friends, and add the grace of their voices in the chants and psalms.
These were gala nights for the little chapel. The people were much pleased when this occurred, and the rector-missionary, who enjoyed music very much, although himself no performer, busied himself with seating the improvised choir, and with making such selections as might suit their taste. On such a night, when he closed the service in the homely school room, there was such a beaming benediction on his lips and in his face, one would have thought he could not have been happier if standing in the historic chancel of Old
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Trinity, surrounded by all the splendor and elegance of the great metropolis.
The Sunday School in the Townsend school house was a success from the very beginning. The attend- ance was large and constant. Few persons ever lived who excelled him in the faculty of teaching Bible truths to children. The weightiest, gravest themes were treated in the simplest manner, but this simplicity did not at all border upon common-place. The style was plain, clear, terse, but correct, even classic in diction. He had that most useful, but rare, gift-the power of illustration in the best manner. A story told by him was told indeed; it was neither mis- understood nor forgotten, but repeated and alluded to many days thence by his youthful auditors. His services in the Sunday School in these early times were as general as those in the congregation of adults. He was superintendent, secretary, librarian and teacher. He was, above all, the friend of his pupils. His labors on Sunday were supplemented by the most kindly supervision during the week. The parents were called upon, the children were seen, even the youngest scholars were spoken to, felt that they were known, knew that they were loved. If any were sick, in need, in distress or affliction, his visits were the more frequent. His time, his money, his care and attention, were lavished upon all who claimed his aid or sym- pathy. Of the luxury of doing good he never wearied. He was clothed with Christian charity as with a gar- ment, never laid aside. The tones of his voice, its rhythm and cadence, his whole manner and attitude, were peculiarly attractive to the young. No wonder such a man was loved. He was a realized type of
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the Curate of Auburn, Goldsmith's village preacher, whom
"Children followed with endearing wile,
And plucked the good man's gown, to share his smile."
The Sunday School was usually dismissed with the well known words of the Apostle, slightly adapted for the occasion: "And now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be among you, and remain with these little ones always." "Little ones" was spoken with such a lingering fondness of intonation as showed that not even the least were forgotten in his prayers.
Upon the completion of the first church structure of the parish, which was built some distance down town, all of those in attendance at the school house followed their teacher to the new place of worship, and so became the nucleus of the future Sunday School of St. John's. Many others were added. All were cordially welcome, but the good pastor always had a special warmth of greeting and kindliest smile for his old pupils from the North Addition.
A retrospect of fifty years can etch but dimly the outline of so unobtrusive a career. A life like his, so pure in nature, so saintly in design, belongs, at best, very little to this world-reaches far forth into that to come. The account of such lives eludes, for the most part, the power of description or relation. They belong rather to the biography of heaven than of earth.
Yet these quiet labors, ennobled by their humility, sacred in their obscurity, have in them, after all, a savor of immortality, surpassing that of the pen, the sword or the sceptre. Of deeds like these, and the
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doers of them, 'tis written, "Their works do follow them."
"Only the actions of the just Smell sweet and blossom in the dust."
The first church building was a frame one, front- ing on Missouri street, 28 by 45 feet, the same building now being used for a Sunday School room and Guild House. It cost $3,500, and was finished in the year 1838. The building was consecrated by the Right Rev. Jackson Kemper, D. D., on December 30th of that year. At the same time the first confirmation class was presented by the rector. The class numbered II, and was composed of the following persons :
MRS. REBECCA EAGLESTON,
MRS. BETSEY TIMMONS,
MR. ROBERT WARD,
MRS. JANE WARD,
DR. ELIZUR DEMING,
MISS ELIZABETH JONES,
MRS. HESTER DEMING,
MISS EMMA JONES,
MISS MARY CARPENTER,
MR. JOSEPH YUNDT, PRISCILLA WHITE.
The furnishings of the church were very plain. The pulpit was an old-fashioned stack pulpit, with lower reading desk below, and the communion table below that, all painted glossy white. The pews were square-topped, and had doors, which were afterwards removed. The church was lighted by candles, as shown by one of the items in the treasurer's report for the year 1839-"for candles $19.80." The whole
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expenditure that year was $446.49-not so much as was afterwards paid for the choir alone. At that time there was very little knowledge of music in LaFayette, and few musical instruments. Mr. Johnson brought with him the first piano ever brought to the city. Under these circumstances the forming of a choir was a work of great difficulty. Among those who assisted . in this work was, Mr. Ezekiel Timmons, who was a music teacher, and also a skillful performer on the bass viol. This, with a flute played by Mr. J. C. Bansemer, and a violin upon which Col. Jenners performed, were the first musical instruments used in the church. Mr. Daniel Rhein led the first choir. Of those who sang in those early days, I have found the names of Miss Mary Turpie, Miss Maria Hatcher, Miss Hannah Wilstach and Mr. David Turpie. These services were all volun- tary, and were highly appreciated by the congrega- tion and vestry. Upon the records of the vestry I find the following resolution, passed June 6th, 1841:
"Resolved, That the cordial thanks of the vestry be presented to Mr. Daniel Rhein, the present leader of the choir, for his long and valuable services, so kindly given and so skillfully rendered for the space of more than three years."
Mr. Rhein was succeeded by Mr. J. C. Bansemer, who led the singing for some time, and he, in turn, was followed by Mr. J. Rounday. These leaders were assisted in the musical services at various times by additional singers-Dr. Bladen, Miss Kate Webb, Mrs. Garrett, Mr. Elijah Bemiss, Mr. A. Bansemer and others. Among the families, not heretofore mentioned, who attended the church during Dr. Johnson's rectorate, were the family of David Webb, Judge Ingram,
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Mr. George Lauman, Hon. A. S. White's family, John Taylor and family, J. G. Carnahan and family, Hon. G. S. Orth and family, John Kullmer and family, Judge Ball and family, Mr. J. C. Webster (son of the lexicographer), Dr. O. L. Clarke and family, the family of Judge Pettit, Mrs. Mary Jane Noble, Mr. Darby and family, the family of Zebulon Baird, Mrs. Martin Earheart and family, T. P. Emerson and family, Mr. L. Falley and family, J. L. and Wm. F. Reynolds and afterwards their families, James McCormic and family, Mrs. Margaret McCormic and family, Mr. Joseph Yundt and family, Mr. T. Wood and family.
The first regular sexton was a colored man- Daniel Brown-a faithful, earnest Christian, whose many years of efficient service is remembered with great pleasure and interest by the older members of the church. He and his wife were both communicants in the church, and were dear and honored friends of the rector. Mr. Johnson often said that when he became disheartened, and oppressed with the burden of his great work, he would visit the cabin of Aunty Brown, and her faith was so strong, and her hope so sure, that he always came away strengthened and refreshed.
The question of the best manner of raising the necessary funds for the expenses of the church was one which was often considered by the vestry.
On September 19th, 1838, they decided "that the pews should be rented for one year at the minimum sum of $20, and the choice of pews to be paid by a bonus on the sum of $20, the choice of pews to be put up at public auction, and sold to the highest bidder. This plan did not work very well, very few choosing to pay a bonus. In a short time the price of the pews
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was reduced to $12, and afterwards, upon motion of Mr. John Taylor, who seems to have been an efficient, far-seeing, practical business man, the pews were made free.
The next great work which the congregation undertook was the building of a home for the rector. He had been living all these years in a small one-story house, on the corner of 6th and Main streets, where the Curtis Block now stands. He had persistently refused to receive any salary, and the church, wishing to give him some token of their appreciation of his services, decided to present him with a house. Accordingly a large two story brick house was built on the southeast part of the church lot, and deeded to him and his heirs forever, by the vestry of the church. It was considered at that time "a splendid edifice," and cost $3,000. There is no record of the manner of the presentation of the gift, but among the records is the letter of accept- tance which Mr. Johnson wrote. It is dated August 19th, 1844, and is as follows;
"Dear Brethren :- It is with most grateful feel- ings that I have received, at your hands, the noble and very convenient residence you have prepared for me, and have occupied it for the home of my family. Greatly do I prize it, as being in itself a most timely, desirable and costly endowment, but oh, far more as the free offering of your affectionate hearts, the unsolicited and unexpected token of your interest in my behalf, and a strong proof of your esteem of my person and services. The only fault I have to find with it is, that it is too good for me, and too valuable a present, and that it seems to me a home more full of every accom- modation than my friends around me commonly enjoy.
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