USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > La Porte > Manual and historical sketch of the Presbyterian Church, La Porte, Ind > Part 1
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Gc 977.202 L31la 1823836
M. L
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02293 2583
GENEALOGY 977.202 L31LA
MANUAL
AND
Historical Sketch
OF THE
Presbyterian
Church,
LA PORTE, ND.
HERALD CO. Book A Job PHINDI KS.
1823836
D LA PORTE, IND. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
.5
289548 Manual and historical sketch of the Presby- terian church, La Porte, Ind. [La Porte, Ind. ] Herald co., 1878. - 21p.
1-7-75
+461
Xeroxed
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D 2 89 548
Presbyterian Church
Au Porte, Ind.,
1878
List of Pastors.
First Church.
Res. John Morrill 1831 10 1939
Rev. Win. K. Talbot ... May 1835 6months Rox. Wm. K. Marshall D. D .. May 1837 to Out. > !! Rev. James Greer
Rev. John Steele Rov. F. P. Cummins
Rev. J. W. Hanna
Rov. R. S. Goodman ISbo to 1865
Rev. I. C. Spotford
Kov. I. M. Stevens
Second Church.
Rev. S. N. Steel
Kov. J. W. Cunningham
Rev. G. C. Noyes, D. D 1859 to 1868 Kov. Wm. C. Scofield.
Re-United Church.
Rev. Jno. F. Kendall, D. D. 1877
20648
Officers
Of the Church and Society.
Pastor. REV. JNo. F. KENDALL, D. D. Elders.
Myron Ives, Samuel Harvey. I. N. Fra.
Wimn. H. Boyd, Julius Barnes, I. D. Barrows.
Trustees.
I. N. Wilson, Prest of the Board, I. A. Cole. Seer .. il. W. Porter, Treasurer, D. C. Alexander, 11. C. Shannon.
Calendar.
Annual meeting of the Church, the Monday evening following the second Sunday in March.
Pew renting, about the first of May.
Preaching, each Sabbath, morning and evening.
Sabbath School, at 12 M.
The Lord's Supper is administered, the first Sabbath in January, April, July, and October.
Preparatory Lecture, on the Thursday evening pre- ceding.
Baptism of Children, the Sabbath succeeding each Communion.
Bible Reading, each Tuesday evening during Fall and Winter months.
Prayer meeting, each Thursday evening.
The first prayer meeting in each month is observed as the Monthly Concert.
Ladies' prayer meeting, Friday at 3 P. M.
Young Ladies' prayer meeting, Sabbath evening, an hour before service.
Benevolent Contributions are taken as follows, on the second Sabbath, in the months named:
February: Forcion Missions.
April: Church Erection.
June: Education.
August : Ministerial Relief. October: Home Missions.
December: Freedmen.
Members.
The names are arranged alphabetically umvier each year, 1533.
Mrs. Mary ( Dinwiddie ) Wilson,
Mrs. Mary D. Everhart, Mr. Peter Fletcher,
1537. Mrs. Amelia C. Gregory, Mrs. Maty Williams.
1838.
Mrs. Lydia Strong.
Mes. Rachel ( Bear ) Rust, Mis. Sally E. Southworth,
Mrs. Harriet Ives Roberts, Mrs. Maria . Williams , Sherman,
Its. Barth A. Fletcher,
Irs. Harriet C. Clark,
Jrs. Naney Quinther, Mt. Thomas Messenger,
Mr. Annun . Westervelt,
·Irs. Sarah A. Albright, ar. George Crawford, Har Hamnat A. Crawford, Dr. West Darling, Mrs, Deborah barling,
r. Jeremiah Jordan.
Vis. Margaret E. Wilson.
ISS9. Mrs. Julia Ann sutherland, Mr. Sammel E. Williams,
1813.
1811. Mr. Wia. C. Nelson.
1815.
Mrs. Martha C. Thomas. 18 1.
Mrs. Mary F. Westervelt.
1817. Me. John Dinwiddie, Mrs. Rho la Dinwiddie, Mr. Jamies Moore Mr. Jo'm Sada tland.
()
br. George , Andrew
Mrs. S. J. Vilege.
Mr. A. F. Bagley, Mrs, Bhizabeth Bagtey. Mrs. Mary S. Buck, Mis. Julia T. Pluh. Mr. W.m. E. Handmond.
M. D. C. Alexander, Mr. M. M. Mantener, Mrs. Eu abeth V. Butknor, Mr. William Pat , her. this. Aun Tanker,
Mr. Julio , Barnes, Jr., Susan B. Holme,,
N. EboireSteel,
311 - Marta Tionl,
Urs. Cath rine B. Parties, Mrs. Elizabeth Povd, Mr. Wm. M. Bond, Mir Cathathle M, Faulkiloi.
Mi . maarel odiam .
Mis. Sarah J. Prof, Ms. Optohis Churchill Closet,
Mrs. Whigail Arnold. Mr. Henry Hews,
Mr . Ammai Tairows V. .. Mary Crane, Mis. Butiot E.Prye,
Mr .. Anna M. Moore.
Mr. Edgar D. Barrows,
vis. Virginia Mo samier
Mr .N itie bookson
Mrs. catharine P. Audiew 12.
1853.
Mrs. Catharine , Westervelt fandhond Mrs. Ellen M. Irvine. Mis, Emeline Lewis. Mrs. charlotte Nelson.
Sur. john Park hou -, Mas, Mary ( Bagby ) Ross, Mr. Andrew J. Westertel, Miss Macy Isabella Westernch.
Nes, charlotn Frary, .S. ihhR .J. D.ora. 15.元
Mrs. bustomell Wine.
INST.
Mrs. San Packholy Ir Jasper Packard, Mr .. Harriet &, Packard, M ... louisat N elis. ٠٠,
NP. SHERI \. "'helps, Mr. Clecta Potter, Mr. Aber D Poror,
ISM.
Mis iontab Forrester, Mh. Mury Hews.
1500. My. ] health Stor key Miss Calbrian Oake.
1503. Sir some Clark. - . . Some b Ros . Mt Mus I. Swer l . Chaalktb Wiihhcon .
7
Mrs. Mary A. ( Parklane ) Benard, M .. thorget. Ross,
Mis. Lydia A. Chapman,
Miss Flora Albaght :St. John 11. Bradie ;. Mr. Dexter A. Biddle M . John R. Cochr mr,
Mi. Elwiud M. : al,
Mr. Wimm. I. tirega, Mis, Hiranet Hlaves, Mrs Prances ti Hlowe,
Mr. Witham W. Andew. M .. I.ncines IS. i'llly , Mr. Madrew Harmon, Mi: . Elizab th Harmon. MI. Saminel Harvey.
Mr. Mywh Ites,
Mi. R. B. Allen, Mrs. Iasmnias. AMen.
MI chen oMerrilli Andde x.
Mr .. .... Hide,
Data \ Pusher. Mrs. Ili ate tir Jordan.
Mrs. Galit Buck, Mis Harriet e Clark. Mis. M. lis a fil,
Me . Ther Sutherland Anderson, Mi s sarahi Louise Anddies,
Lx ui -a Cranc, V .. John \ Crawhoand ١١١ Chan. M. Cruft. 1 [ mor y aring.
On athan bell Ivechall, B.H Father, ٠٠ Iis Mas Ialeit this, Mr. James Ii. Ring .ts, Mr. George A. Rogers,
二 1 bbe t Fargoer, ١ amgaret Agnes brary,
Mrs. Juha . Wilson, Mes. Suy Wilson.
1566. Mr. Sagustus D. Kuntials . Was Mehisst . Forhe's i Kindabealy Mis If iuriet F ootuts, Mr Win D. Moore, Mr. William F Porter,
Mr. B. I' Spolitical,
Mr. Henry M. Strel, Mrs Ella . Roberts: Well -. Mr. George W. W horwell.
j17.
W Asneth Rets Mr. P & King, Mr Sal's King, Mis Sansh Parkholst MIsRpota ltyan, Mts. Many C. Sinman.
1 ... Miss Imitisa Ilill. Mr. N. H Mendil,
Mrs. Many JI. .. Huge Es Mr. Witham :' s64. Mrs I Ha W al we'l.
lazu.
IST1. Miss Canne AMlen Porter, Mrs. Sun d eFlicberi Seybron
Miss Harrict Ann Hews, Miss Core Hlupp. Mis Julia B Kendall, Viss MMary Alice Kimberly. ٠٠
..
.. Matty Lutes Movie, ٠٠ M.ny Lawson Phelps,
19 M ny t: Porter.
٤٠ Mo der N. Richards
Mr. Sammel Brady Hammond, Miss Angeline France: Hammond, " Carrie Belle Hammond, " Mann Maria Hunmind, Mr. wander Hammond, Miss Eva Willietta Hammond,
Mirs. Martor Donly, .. sarah L .. Mann,
Miss Laura C. Barnes, .. Anna 1 .. Barnes, " Anna M. Bradley, Mrs, Latteetta Cole,
. Nellie Young Crawford,
Mrs. Margaret V. Bouge, Miss Susan J. Frary, = Salina Hagenbuck. M: . Rosanna Michael. Miss Emma S. Parkhouse,
Miss Judith R. Anderson, Mrs. Emma Barney, .. Mintha E Butterworth, Mr. Guste e Jones Johnson
Mr. Willundt P. Allen. Mrs. Tambe E. Allen.
Mu. blant e. Allen. Mr. Within G. Anderson, Mi. August ( Allerson, Mi. Pred G. Andrew, Miss Helen M. AXtell, Mi. Lewis D. Barnes, Mr. Randolph Barnes, Mi. Joseph M. Barmmm, Mes, Julia F. Barnum, Mr. Edwin A, Barniun.
Mis- Chua E. Barnum,
Mr. Thomas W. S. Belcher,
Mrs. Mary B. Belcher, Mr. Pranei : A. Boyd, Mrs. Sarah A. Boyd, " Jennie B. Boyd, Mr. George 1. Bradley, Mc. Daniel L. Brown, Mrs, Elizabeth M. Brown, Ahis . Jaffian Buck, Mr. William 2. Buck, Mr. William hurger, Miss Isola T. Carpenter,
Miss Frances M Row Mrs. Ruth Sabin, . Helen 1. Scott, Mr. Henry Clay Shannon Mrs Kate slower . Swan, " Lydia Whitmer. 1-73. Mrs. Margaret Sabin. 1471, Mrs. Lucina Fosdick, Elmora Kiersten
M1. W'in. A. Wilson
1875.
Mr. Henry W. Porter. Mrs. Chloe H. Porter, Miss Mary I. Robinson, Mrs. B .Ile shelp.
1876.
Miss Harriet Segment. Mrs. Mary Il. Wilson, Miss Mary Wincholt, .. Ella. Wincholt, " Carrer Wincholt. 1-77. Mr. Morris G. Hole .. Mr. John W. Hood. Mr- Mail A. Hopkin -. Mr. Elf. ha Ity, Mr. Gorge W. G. Krem.
Mis, Carrie Kanberly, Mr. lawis It. Kimberly , Miss Essie S. Lewis, Mr. Edward B. Lewis, Mr. George A. Lewis, Mr. William F. Mann, Mrs. Anna MeCurdy, Miss Lizzie Mccurdy, Mr. Heury Medfill, Mrs. Eliza A. McGill, Miss Grace Messenger. Mr. Otto Meyer, Miss Flora B. Michael. Mrs. M. K. Miller, Mr. George T. Mills, Mrs. Carrie 8. Mill -.
Mien MI Monroe. " Anta S. Moore. Miss Emily r. Monte, Mr. James S. Moore, Miss Laura .. Mout ..
C
Mı. Frank M. Chapman, Mr. Arthur L. Clark, Miss Mary E. Clark, " Miars 1. Cochrane, .. Mand Cochran, Mir. Leonidas A. cole,
Mr. Edwin C. Crane, Mr. Withato I. Crane, Mr. William Crawford, Mts. Aana Crawford, Mr Chaabeth J. Crawlon, Vic. William Crawford. It .,
Mr. Albert E. Dale, Mis. Ella N. Darling, Mr. William Dammistown, Mrs. Aam - bemmistown, Miss Mary E. Dinwiddie, M :. Hugh Donly, Me Jacob .1. Evans, Mrs. Josephine N. Everhart, Miss Mary E Faniknon, Mr. John Fildes,
Mrs. Ellen Fildes, Mr. George F. Fletcher, Mr. Nelson 11. George, Mrs. Elmira Gleison, BDa M. Hagerbuet. Mr. Samuel N. Hames, Mr .. Sarah C. Haines, ilis, Billie A. Haines, .. May 1. Hanmond, .. Vettie E. Hammon 1 .. Linda E. Harris,
.. V.ce Hawkin . ..
..
..
Mrs. Elizabeth Heath, Mis, elen P. Hews, Mr. William 11. Hews,
Mrs. Cornelia s. B dl, Mury Bishop, " Lonisa M. Fisher, .. Joanna Geegge, .. Iminda Griffin, Miss Lou V. Quitin, Total, 375.
Mr. He ury D. Morrison, Miss Etta Mussholder, Mr. David H. Norton, Mrs. Minerva B. Norton, Mr. John P. Oakes. Mrs. Elizabeth K, Oakes, Miss Susan D. Oakes, Mr. Clark O-born, Mrs. May Osborn, Mr. Thomas J. Osboru, Miss Adelaide L. Packard, " Morenee N. Packard, Mr. William T. Parkhouse Mrs. Lliza Paul, Mr. Arthur W. Pod, Mes. Sarah E. Peters,
Hoge Potter, Mr. Chark. .. Powell, Miss Iallian Roberts, Mr. Charles S. Ross, Miss Ehzabeth E. Ross, " Morchee L. silliman, Mr. John Smith, Mrs. Hester E. Smith, Mr. Samuel M. Smith, Mrs. Martha 1, Stevens, Mr Charles D. Stevenson, Vr. Clarence M. Stone.
Mr. coward J. Stocker, Mr. William H. Sutherland, Mr. Cyrus A. Thomas, Miss Martha C. Thomas, Mr. Alexander 1. Ihmer, Mr. Charles M. Van Nest. Mi- May L'. Wair, .. Mittena Wescott, Mr. Albert E. Whitaker, Miss Sally . Wilkinson, Mr. Joseph II. Wilson, Miss Mary E. Wilson,
1.878.
Mr. D. V. B. Skinner, Mr-, my Skinner, " Sarah V. Travis, " Mary S. Willard, Miss MILCO. Willard,
Formula For Receiving Members. -
Yon appear in this public manner before God, to ded- icate yourself to His service, and to mite with His thi- ble people.
We trust that you have been renewed by the Holy Spirit, and are prepared to make Confession of your faith, and to enter into a Covenant, not to be resolved. to receive the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, as your God, and to walk in all the Commandments of the Lord.
You will now assent to the following brief summary of the faith.
You believe that there is but one living and true God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost; and that these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
You believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New 'Testaments are the inspired Word of food and ibe only infallible rule of faith and practice.
You believe that our first parents were created holy : that, by sinding against find, de neured ins right.
cous displeasure and involved all their posterit . in sin and death.
You believe that God has im infinite mers, provided a way of salvation, through the mediation and death of his Son, Jesus Christ: and that Cheit is vedly God. and is both able and willing to Friend who repent and believe in him.
You believe that in order to be saved it is ne ely to trust in Christ alone as an all sufficient Nation, at forsake sin, and walk in the ways of holiness. to the end of life; but that mankind are nati dly so avere to holi ness, and so in love with sin, that none ever do ffin and live unless by the special immence, of the Holy Spirit.
You believe that those who are once renewed by grace will be kept by the power of God. through With, unto salvation.
You believe that there will be a general resurrection of the dead and a final judgment, and that the wicked shall go away into everlasting pant bient. and the righteous into life der il.
To this summary of christian doctrine do you cordial. Iv ussent ?
ITh . Sacrament of Baptista is here almin, tered |
It is fitting now that you enter into a holy engage- ment with God and with this church.
Therefore, in the presence of God, of angels, and of men, you now solemnly avouch Jehovaly the Father, The Son, and the Holy Ghost to be your Goal
You take the semptares of the Old and New That. ments to be the rule of your only c and if you with
You renovace the world, the Beach and the devil, and sincerely accept the Lord Fear Christ as An object of
1.
You protess it to be the purpose of your heart to live a humble bol and devout life: to samtify the Lord's day ; strictly to observe secret, family and public wor- ship; to seek the conversion of sinners to Christ; and henceforth to devote yourself and all that you have without reserve, to the service of your Redeemer.
You also engage to submit to the order and discipline of this church; to cherish a spirit of meckness and love; to be patient under christian reproof; to be watchful over your own heart, and faithful to the souls of your brethren.
And should you remove from us, you engage to ask a letter from this church that you may unite with the peo- ple of God wherever your lot may be cast.
Do you thus solemnly covenant with God and His people?
Dearly beloved, the vows of God are upon you. You have laid yourself under peculiar obligations to be de- vored to his service.
You have renounced the world and its vanities, and have received Christ as your portion. Let these engage- ments be the subject of frequent meditation and prayer.
Henceforth guard every avenue to temptation, and abstain from all appearance of evil. Enter with your whole heart upon the work of the Lord, and labor to turn many to righteousness. Pray without ceasing. Carefully observe stated seasons of secret devotion, and whatever may interpose, neglect not your closet. Be not content with ordinary attainments in piety, but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And may God enable you to keep the covenant this day made, through the grace of Him
13
who bath said, " Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
[Members received by Letter will now arise. ]
Being already in covenant with God and with his people, you do now, in transferring your peculiar rela- tions to this branch of his church, cheerfully renew the consecration of yourselves to His service, engage to submit to the government and discipline of Christ, as here administered, and promise to seek the purity, peace and edification of this church?
In consequence of these engagements, we, the members of this church members here rise \ receive you, beloved in the Lord, into our communion, and de- clare you entitled to all its privileges. We welcome you to our number, and promise to watch over you, and seek your edification while you continue among us. We ask a faithful co-operation, on your part, in all our la. bors. May our fellowship in the Gospel be sweet and profitable, and may we together " press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesuis."
" Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of Ilis glory, with exceeding joy, to the only wise God om Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever, Amen,"
Historical Sketch.
The beginnings of Presbyterian history, in LaPorte. reach back to the year 1831. At that time there was, no semblance to the city of today. The whole of the space occupied by our present city contained, in Sept. 1832, but three houses. These were, a public house. kept by one, Lilley, upon the site of the present Tre- mont flouse, on the corner in the year of the Best Na- tional Bank; and two other buildings, not far from the present depot. Otherwise the site of the wife was a grove similar to these now remaining in the West and of town. South and East the country was an open piai- rie, with dense forest in the remoter dist niee.
In the late Autumn of abge, Mr. Myron Ne Teller ing hither from Paris, Ill., settled upon Rolling Prairie in a log cabin. upon the hill just Bast of the Little Kan. kaker. Mr. Ives was the first Presbyterian in the com Ly. In the May following, his mother. Mrs. Rebecca les, and his sister, Mrs. Sarah Aldrich, came with their families into the same vicinity. Mr. Alexander Blackburn, from the Carlisle church. Ind., settled npoa bis firm a half mile West of the present village of Rolling Pratici. In the Coming of
15
IHISTORICAL SKETCH.
this year, 1832, Messrs. Ives and Blackburn went, cach with a load of wheat, to the nearest flouring mill, at Niles, Michigan. While waiting for the grinding of their wheat, they went out by night into the forest, and after conferring together, in reference to the spiritual wants of their community, they held the
FIRST PRAYER MEETING,
in the interests of Presbyterianism, in Laporte County. Soon thereafter, a Sabbath prayer meeting, was insti- tuted, on alternate Sabbaths, in the cabins of the men above named.
In November of this year, the REX. JAMES CRAWFORD
1823836
of the Crawfordsville Presbytery, visited the county. and in the cabin of Mr. Blackburn. preached the first sermon, by a Presbyterian in Laporte County. During the week -it was the 28th of November 183: a met- ing was held in the same place, to take sup. for the organization of a church. Mir K bam ford preached from James 1:27. Seven persons were then "associated together, in the capacity of a
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
to be called the church of LaPorte, viz ; Charles Now. lan, Myron Ives and Sarah, his wife, Rebecca bes, Sarah Aldrich, Alexander Blackburn and Jan. S. Mening." The election of Illers, was petpened ton subsequent date.
On the tale of july 1833 a meeting was held in 1 house of Win. O. Box. on da coract of South Main.m. Ular streets, at which time Mr. Be, and It will
11:
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
Elizabeth, David Dinwiddie and his wife Mary, and James, babella, Catharine and. Elizabeth Blair were received into the organization, raising the number of communicants to fifteen. Of these fifteen, it is worthy of note that two are still members of the church, viz .: Myron Ives and Mary Dinwidili. Wiron, and that the connection of Mrs. Wilson has been continuous, during the entire period.
On the 25th of July, a week later, a meeting was held at the " Kankakee school house," "a log school house, on the Niles road about three and one-half miles from LaPorte," "for the purpose of choosing Elders and further organizing the church." James Blair, Wm. (). Ross, Myron Ives and David Dinwiddie were chosen. Alexander Blackburn, though not a member of the session. acted as its clerk, from the beginning. The organization took the name of "LaPorte church" and became connected with the Presbytery of Crawfords. ville.
Upon the first of January, 1831,
REV. JOHN MORRILL,
began a year's labor with the church. At the close of his labor, the membership had reached a total of fifty- six.
From the roth of May, 1835,
REV. WM. K. TALBOT
preached to the church abont six months.
On the 20th of May, 1830, a "vote was taken to build a meeting-house ; and Messrs Niles, Howell, Strong and Blackburn were appointed a committee to collect
17
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
funds, choose a situation and manage the whole affair." This was the first step to the building of the present Disciples church, on the corner of Prairie and Monroe streets. The completion of this enterprise belongs to the pastorate of
REV. W.M. K. MARSHALL, D. D.,
who received a call, May 27th, 1837 and was immedi- ately afterward installed, the first Pastor of the church. The project of building was pushed by him and others, and was, at length, brought to completion, only a short time, before the close of his pastorate. The building was finished and dedicated in 1842 or 1843 and was inenmbered with a debt of about $2,000. Mr.
Marshall closed his labors with the church, the first Sabbath in October 18 . In spite of the distractions incident to building, his labors were blessed by a considerable increase of members, equaling about 150 at the close of his work here. By order of Synod, Mr. Marshall presided and preached the sermon at the organization of the Presbytery of Lake, January 10, 18.13, at South Bend.
An interim of abont a year passes, when
REV. JAMES GREER
becomes the Stated Supply of the congregation, for at period of about a year and a third. After another Vacancy of about a year,
REV. JOHN STEELE
began to supply the church in the Spring of 1848. He afterward received a call, and became the second settled Pastor of the church. His labors continued, with con-
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
siderable accessions to the membership of the church. until October, 1851. He was then dismissed. to remove to Rolling Prairie, and organize a church there.
Immediately following Mr. Stede, on the second Sabbath of October, 1851,
REV. P. P. CUMMINS
began to supply the church. He was called at a later date, to the pastorate, and was installed June 1;, 18:3. This relation continued till the 20th of May. 1558. The later part of his life was posted, in the ministry of the Episcopal church, and at his deccase, he wa. Rator of the church in Crawfordsville.
From the latter part of the year 1856 until the Autumn of Tooo.
KDV. J. W. MAN .
was the Stated Supply of the church. Immediately fol- log in him, for meuly five star, until October. 150 .. REV. R. S. GOOD MAN labored with the chur. I. m this time, the Phs. church rooted its may building, on the corner of Ladient Avenue and !urison street, and it. Goodman been . . ] it some three years. A year after his lab as closed. in October, 1800,
REV. L. C :POFFORD bogan preaching to the congregation. He was Hier- wards installed, and corte his I boss out, with i, death. April 12, 1896. He has bit a hagrant memory among the people of his bed change. Of sigdiet cannestrees and fileday, a middel Pa for a good pres . i er, a true friend, he found . the a place in the
HISTORICAL : KETCI.
affectionate regards of his people, that his name is cherished among their tendere t memories.
In the month following his death, the church editing. w., destroyed by fire. It was however immediaich rebuilt, and on the first Sabbath in September 1800,
REV. L. M. STENDAS
Logan the last pastorate of the First church, previous to the Re-Union. These were yours of great happiness to Pastor and people, ending with the dissolution of his pastoral relation October 21, 1871, and with that, the separate history of the First church.
We return now to the year topp. On the third day of November, in this year, the Second church was formed, and connected with what was then the New School. 'The membership at organization, was thirty. The church was organized of members from the First church. bi
who acted as Stated Supply for one year. James M. Clark and Ellsworth B. Strong were the first Elders.
In the Spring of 1816
KI.V. JOUR. W. CUNNINGHAM
Vegan a long and useful . ours of labor with this church. His first your gave desessions of sixty four upon pro- fusion ; his last half your thirty nine. Mi. Cimingham was installed May 31, 0513, by the Presbytery of St. joseph and the pastoral relation was dissolved in june. 1856. Besides large additions to the membership, there was very marked appre. imiatt du dann of ben .; o love as shown by large contributions.
20
HISTORICAL SKETCH. Following Mr. Cunningham, in January 1850.
REV. GEORGE C. NOYES
was invited to the vacant field. In May 1800, he Was installed, the sermon on the occasion being preachal by Rev. R. W. Patterson, D. D., of Chicago. In 1800. the church reached the highest membership up to the Re-Union, a total of 215. The contributions of the church were maintained, at a high figure. Near the close of Mr. Noyes' pastorale, the initial steps were taken, for the creation of a new church. Shortly after the division in 1814, the First church found itself burdened with so heavy a debt, as to necessitate the sale of its church edifice. This was purchased by the Second church, and used by them until the year 1868, and upon the 15th of November, in this year, Mr. Noyes' labors closed.
Succeeding him, from May they to July to71, the church was supplied by
REV. WM. C. SCOFH.L.D.
During his labors, a new church building was erected at a cost of about $30,000. Free from all useless ornamentation, but substantial and thoroughly well built, with a seating capacity, of nearly 700, We may without boasting, claim that we have an edifice, net surpassed by any in the State, North of Indianapolis.
'Thus briefly, has been sketched the history of the two churches, to 1871. During the Summer of this year, negotiations were undertaken, looking to a union of the two. These negotiations reached a successful issue, in a unanimous application of both churches, to the Pres. bytery of Logansport, for an organic union, by action of
2 1
IHISTORICAL. SNITCH.
Presbytery. The request of the churches was granted; and on the 31st day of October, 1871, Presbytery united the two, under the name of
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LAPORTE.
On the twelfth of November a unanimous call was AVtended to the
REV. JOHN F. KENDALL
to become Pastor of the church. This call was immedi- ately accepted, and he was installed on the 4th of the following June, the sermon being preached by the Rev. Henry Kendall. D. D., of the Board of Home Missions.
The Re-Union has been most happy. After many years of waiting and praying, labor has been crowned with abundant blessing from God, resulting in the most remarkable Revival, in the History of Northern Indiana, bringing into the church, upon the profession of their faith, within the space of a year, no less than one hundred and seventeen.
-
259 1
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