USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > A history of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Indiana : a complete and concise account from the earliest times to the present, embracing reminiscences of the pioneers and biographical sketches of the men who have been leaders in commercial and other enterprises > Part 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
GERMAN LUTHERAN TRINITY CHURCH.
The German Evangelical Lutheran Trinity church, located on Illi- nois street between Third and Fourth avenues, was organized January 17, 1841. The present membership is 813. The charter members were George Bippus, G. A. Beyer, John Umbaugh, Phil Ranb, Wm. Laner, Gottleib Bippus, Phil. Decker, Conrad Muth, Louis_Geiger, Wilhelm Erdman, Fred Wetzel, Jacob Beyer, Jacob Reise, John Rupp, Danicl Brode, John Gerhardt, G. A. Myer, C. Vollmann, Jacob Sin- zich, Phil. Rausch, Leonhardt Reinhart, George Wallenmire, Berrh Bolich, Fred Kroener and John Eichele. The pastor is Rev. C. A. Frank. The elders are H. Becker and H. Ide. The trustees are Fr. Reichmann and H. Haltmann. The deacons are Max. Ritter and
245
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
Henry Zurstadt. The parochial school board consists of the following members : C. Diekman, E. W. Meyer and H. Dubber.
Rev. A. Saupert officiated for a period of forty-seven years. The church has its own school, parsonage and cemetery, and is, altogether, self-sns- taining. Its government is congregational throughout. They built the house they are now occupying in the year 1871, at a cost of about $25,000.
SALEM METHODIST CHURCH.
The Salem German Methodist congregation in Laubscherville, Cen- ter township, is one of the oldest in Southern Indiana. As early as 1845 the pioneer preachers of German Methodism took up an appoint- ment there. A class was organized soon afterwards, and in 1849 the first church was erected. George Wahl, Hartman Miller, George Kertt, Henry Moll, Jac. Gottschalk, Henry Mind, Christ Laubscher and Christ Swahlen were charter members. The congregation pros- pered, and in 1859 it was found advisable to dispose of the first ehurel by sale, and to erect a larger frame sanctuary. In 1888 the congrega- tion again resolved to improve, and they erected a fine brick church with stone trimmings, slate roof, steeple, bell and other modern arrangements, which reflect honor on the community, when it is re- membered that all the church property was acquired without outside aid. At present the congregation numbers 109 members. It has doubtless been a powerful factor in shaping the morals and sentiments of the community. The following pastors have served the congrega- tion : Revs. Schumacher, Mulfinger, Wyttenbach, Heller, Edler, J. Bier, Heitmeyer, Sehwimly, Beeker, Hoppen, Fuss, Breunig, Hans, George, Richemeier, Reiber, Bertram, Allinger, Ploch, Kuster, Speekman, Bockstahler, Miller, Kaletch, Weigle and Roller. J. C. Gunther is the pastor at present.
WALNUT STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Subject to all the peculiar privations of primitive times, and developing gradually through those untoward circumstances, Walnut Street Presbyterian ehureh stands to-day a monument to the devotion and unsevering purpose of its founders and "early fathers." It was the first religious organization of Evansville, and dates its beginning back to the year 1821, only two years after the incorporation of the
246
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
town. Rev. D. C. Banks, who was pastor of a Presbyterian church in Henderson, Ky., was the leader in the work of effecting the organi- zation of this congregation.
The membership began with but twelve persons, all of whom have long since passed to their rest. Their names were as follows: Daniel Chute, James R. E. Goodlett, Abigail Fairchild, Mrs. Julia Ann Langley, formerly Mrs. Elisha Harrison, a sister of Mr. Abigail Fair- child, William Olmstead, Rebecca Wood, Mrs. Chandler, afterward Mrs. Cutler, Mr. Butler, Mrs. Smith, Eli Sherwood, Elizabeth Sher- wood and Mary O. Warner. The first elders were Daniel Chute and Judge J. R. E. Goodlett. As there was no definite place of worship or regular times for service, the growth of the church was slow, as might be expected. For more than ten years there was no church building-no "home" for the few devout ones-in which to worship God according to the dietates of their consciences, and they assembled occasionally in private houses. Sometimes they held services in an old log school house, on the lower side of Locust street, between First and Second; sometimes they met in a small log house located on First street between Oak and Mulberry, afterward used as a Baptist church; sometimes they met, as did other church assemblies, in an old brick court house, corner Main and Third streets. This building was painted green, possessed no floor and was fitted with "puncheon" seats. It was a rendezvous throughout the week for sheep and other animals which entered through the open doors for the cooling shade or for shelter from the inhospitable weather. During cold weather the fire in the wide-mouthed fire-place in the wall sent its tear-exciting smoke throughout the audience as much as up through its wind-roaring chimney. The tears then were not all tears of repentance. The upper part of this primeval court-house was afterward fitted up for Episcopalian services. Profane and desecrating as it may seem now to the Christian accustomed to worship in a temple consecrated to the service in those days, in this same place of worship fairs and shows, and conjurers gave a gaping public their humbuggery.
Rev. Calvin Butler, on removing from Princeton, Ind., to Evans- ville, first undertook to build a "meeting house." At that time, 1831, the population of Evansville was about three hundred, and all were in close circumstances, so that it was a difficult undertaking to con- struet even a rude place of worship. The members whose enterprise was manifested in their resolution to build a church were: Hon. Wm. Olmsted, Messrs. John Shanklin, Alanson Warner, Luke Wood and Amos Clark.
247
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
The originial building subscription paper is still preserved among the documents of the church and is as follows:
"The undersigned, being desirous to have a Presbyterian meeting house in Evansville and its vicinity, promise to pay the sums severally annexed to our names, to trustees hereafter to be appointed by the subscribers. " Said house to be 30x50 fcet, of brick, with its walls 18 feet in heighth; to have eight windows with forty lights each of glass 10x12 inches; with two doors and a floor jointed, not planed, and a good roof."
EVANSVILLE, IND., April 20, 1831.
NAMES. .
AMOUNT.
NAMES.
AMOUNT.
John Shanklin
$100 00
Julius Harrison
$ 5 00
A. Warner
50 00
Richard Browning
10 00
N. Rowley
20 00
Alex Johnson
10 00
Calvin Butler
75 00
Marcus Sherwood'
10 00
Luke Wood ($25 cash, $25 labor) .. 50 00
Archippus Gillett
10 00
Wm.Olmsted ($25 cash, $25 labor)
50 00
Daniel Tool (in tailoring)
5 00
Amos Clark
50 00
John W. Duncan (in leather and cash) 20 00
David Negley
25 00
James Lewis
25 00
Robert Barnes
10 00
John Mitchell
25 00
John W. Lilleston
3 00
E. Hull (in labor)
5 00
John Ingle
10 00
Chas. Fullerton
5 00
Levi Price (labor)
10 00
S. Stephens, saddlery
25 00
M. D. Robertson
2 50
On the 23d of April-three days afterward-a meeting of these subscribers was held at the house of Alanson Warner, and there they chose as trustees Amos Clark, Alanson Warner and Wm. Olmsted. This action of the subscribers is fully attested by David Negley, chair- man, and James Lewis, secretary. All the people named in this document are now dead.
Knowing that Rev. Mr. Butler proposed making a visit east, the newly appointed trustees commissioned him to solicit help for the pro- posed building while away. This pathetic appeal for aid is still pre- served. From it the information is gained that the building as designed is not to cost more than from $1,200 to $1,500. The commission said: "During the fall, winter and spring, owing to the uncertain and uncom- fortable place of meeting, it may emphatically be said, that the cause of Zion mourns, because few attend her solemn feasts." Mr. Butler secured a fund ot $300 from his eastern friends. The title bond, given by John B. Stinson, a Baptist preacher, shows that the lot for the new church cost $100.
The deed conveying the lot to the trustees states that it was trans- ferred "to the trustees of the Presbyterian church and congregation."
248
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
The contract with the masons is dated January 14, 1832, and the con- tract with the carpenter bears the date of April 17, 1832. Barney Cody gave the trustees a receipt, which shows he conveyed a kiln of brick, containing about 65,000, for $167.62}. The new building, fin- ished in 1832, was located on the lot on the east corner of main and Second streets, on what was called "the hill," and cost about $1,300, which was then considered a large sum to expend on one building. It was of modest dimensions, being only 30x50 feet. From Mrs. Mary F. Reilly's " History of Walnut Street Church " the knowledge is gained that the first seats were of pine plank with part of the bark left on them. They were smoothed off on one side, were without backs and finished with legs of hickory sticks. The pulpit or "desk" was a dry goods box covered with green book-muslin or baize. All these makeshifts in the way of church furniture yielded to better things in time. When the minister arose in this rude pulpit he seemed to be a sort of "jack-in-the-box," " sending forth missiles of gospel truth from a strong frontier block-house," as one of the pastors said. The room was lighted by means of tallow candles set in a sort of reflector, made by the tinner, and hung at each side of the windows, on the sills of which the dripping tallow formed a crude bit of fresco-work. For six years not only the Presbyterians, but other denominations worshipped the God of all in this first church edifice.
The first regular pastor at the time of the erection of this church house was Rev. Calvin Butler. He had finished a college course at Middleburg, Vt., and was graduated in theology at Andover, Mass. He first preached in the west at Vincennes and Princeton, Ind. In 1834 he went to Washington, Ind., to take charge of a church. He also performed pastoral duties at Boonville, Ind., and in a small town not far from St. Louis.
The first preacher to this congregation was, as already stated, Rev. D. C. Banks. In 1824 Rev. Mr. Phillips and in 1825 Rev. Samuel Taylor preached at stated times. Mr. Butler's services began with the church in 1828. He did not become the regular pastor until 1829. It was in 1835 that Rev. Mr. McAfee held services in this town, and in Henderson on alternate Sundays. The pastorate of Rev. Jeremiah R. Barnes began in 1836 and ended in 1844. It was during his labors that the division of the church occurred, separating the people into what is called " old school and new school." The Evansville church became part of the " new school," and transferred its connection from the Presbytery of Vincennes to the Presbytery of Salem, where they remained until the union of the church again, in 1870. Mr. Barnes
249
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
was succeeded by Rev. Samuel K. Sneed, iu 1846, who continued his services ' until February, 1848. Rev. A. E. Lord took charge of the church in 1848, and remained until 1849. During his ministry the building was repaired, the whole interior being changed, and a belfry and bell were added. On October 28, 1849, Rev. Wm. H. McCarer landed in Evansville and began his ministry in this church, where he continued to serve until his resignation, in April, 1868-thus ending a pastorate of more than eighteen years. It was in his administration of the church that a new building was erected to accommodate the enlarged membership. The decision to build was reached in 1859. Said the venerable McCarer, in reviewing his long work in Evansville: " The foundations were laid, and in March, 1860, 'the church on the hill' was no more. Its venerable walls were removed. A few of the bricks, however, were sacredly preserved and lovingly incorporated into the new building, on Walnut and Second streets"-its present location. It is of the Norman style of architecture, peculiar to the mediæval ages-about the tenth century. It is 80x125 feet in size, aud is valued at about $75,000. The auditorium will accommodate more than a thousand persons. The ground floor contains the lecture room, Sunday school room, parlors, pastor's study, and reception room. The "basement" of the new building was occupied "on the first Sunday of February, 1861," and the services were of "deep religious interest." Here regular services were held for two years. The completed church was dedicated with fitting ceremony on the first Sunday in February, 1863. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Rev. Dr. Tuttle, pres- ident of Wabash college. It is proper here to say that the parsonage adjoining the church, on Walnut street, is the generous gift of Mr. James L. Orr and his sister, Mrs. Martha J. Bayard, at a cost of nearly $10,- 000. This beautiful pastor's home was erected by them as a memorial to their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Orr-two beloved dead, who were long connected with the church.
Upon the close of the labors of Rev. McCarer, the church, in May, invited Rev. J. P. E. Kumler to fill the sacred desk, and he began his services June 5. 1868, and was installed December 6, 1868. He resigned in 1872 to take charge of a pastorate in Indianapolis. His work here was marked by many additions to the church, and by various forms of missionary work. For a few months Rev. Alexander Sterritt supplied the pulpit. In July, 1872, a call was extended to Rev. Samuel Carlisle, and he continued as minister till 1875. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles Henry Foote, D. D., who began his pastoral duties in November, 1876, and continued' them until Septem- 17
250
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
ber, 1878. In October, 1879, Rev. J. Q. Adams became the stated supply of the church, and continued till October, 1881. Rev. Seward M. Dodge preached his first sermon in this church on Christmas morn- ing, 1881, and ended his ministry in September, 1883. Rev. L. M. Gilleland was called December 23, 1883, and entered his work Feb- ruary 10, 1884. He femoved to Lake View, Chicago, in October, 1890, and died there March 17, 1891. Rev. Otis A. Smith was called here in February, 1891, and assumed his ministerial duties on March 10 following. He resigned in 1896 to accept a pastorate in Michigan. Rev. S. N. Willson, then filling the pulpit at Anderson, Ind., was called and began his ministry at Walnut Street Presbyterian church in December, 1896.
All the church societies and the Sunday school are in a good condi- tion, that promises much for the future welfare of the church. The choir has maintained its organization for more than sixty years, and Prof. M. Z. Tinker has long been its leader. The membership num- bers about 400, and the church is in a very prosperous condition.
GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Grace Presbyterian church is the product of the division of the whole church of the United States in 1837 into two separate branches, or ecclesiastical bodies, denominated as the Old School and the New School. This theological breach was happily terminated by the con- junction of the two separated bodies in 1869. As an incidental result of this unfortunate general division, the Walnut street Presbyterian church in this city was divided, and a part went away with the Old School faith. This minority church was organized by B. F. Dupuy, Mrs. Mary G. Dupuy, Miss Augusta Dupuy, Miss Julia Dupuy, Boyd Bullock and Mrs. Ann Bullock, in 1838, under the leadership of Rev. Hugh H. Patten, and was known under the corporate name of " Evansville Presbyterian church." The new organized body adhered to the presbytery of Vincennes. B. F. Dupuy and Boyd Bullock were ordained elders. The first meetings were held in the court- house at the corner of Main and Third streets. Rev. J. V. Dodge was the first pastor of the new church, and he was ordained and in- stalled June 6, 1841, in St. Paul's Episcopal church, which was ten- dered for the occasion. Mr. Dodge began his labors May 6, 1840, and continued until 1850. During his ministry the church was strengthened by two revivals, many, names being added to the church
251
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
rolls as a direct result. When his labors closed there were 120 names enrolled upon the church records.
Until 1843 the congregation worshipped in the court-house, when a building at the corner of Vine and Second streets was erected at a cost of over $2,000.
The second pastor was Rev. J. N. Saunders, whose services extended from 1850 to 1851, ill health forcing his resignation. The third pas- tor was Rev. Alexander Sterrett, who served in this capacity from 1851 to September 14, 1865. The fourth pastor was Rev. C. B. H. Martin, who was installed May 1, 1866, and continued to serve until the fall of 1881. His fifteen years of pastoral work bore excellent fruits. He was scholarly, eloquent, and gifted with executive ability. The church under his charge grew-as an historian has said-"to be one of the wealthiest, largest and most fashionable in the state, that is, by 'fashionable' we mean composed of the most refined and culti- vated members of the community."
It was in Dr. Martin's pastorate that the present large building was erected at the corner of Upper Second and Mulberry streets. It was dedicated September 13, 1874. The structure was erected and dedica- ted free from all debt. The building committee consisted of W. E. French, N M. Goodlet, L. Ruffner, Jr., S. M. Archer, C. Preston and W. G. Brown. This same year the name of the congregation was changed from what was popularly known as the Vine street church to Grace Presbyterian church. The building and lot cost nearly $75,000. The original lot on Vine street cost $300. This money Rev. J. V. Dodge secured from the liberal-hearted people of Henderson, where he had labored as their minister. When the lot was sold by the church it brought $14,000, which was used in the erection of the new building on Second and Mulberry streets.
The architectural style of the edifice is castellated Gothic, with high pointed arches and columns finished with turrets and battle- ments. It is 97x64 feet, and its auditorium is 60x80 feet, with a seating capacity of about 800 persons. The chief tower is 100 feet high, and the other main tower is 88 feet high. The frescoing within is an exquisite work of art, and all of the interior furnishings combine to charm the eye and elevate the soul with their exquisite harmony of color and beauty of form. The seats are made of black Walnut and richly upholstered.
The organ cost $5,000. It has two manuals of sixty-one notes and a pedal of thirty. There are 1,544 pipes, the longest of which is
252
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
193 feet, and the stops, with the single exception of one, run through the entire compass of the organ.
After the close of Dr. Martin's labors, in the summer of 1882, Rev. James L. McNair was installed as pastor, and continued as such till 1887. It was in his pastorage that the commodious and well-arranged parsonage was built, at a cost of more than $7,000. The church added 133 names to its membership as a result of his faithful work.
A call was extended to Rev. Edward F. Walker in December, 1887, and he was regularly installed as pastor April 22, 1888. A great accession of membership took place during his pastorate, which closed the last Sunday in June, 1889. Rev. Walker resigned to accept a call at Parsons, Kansas.
The beautiful lecture-room, adjoining the rear of the church-build- ing, is the munificent and handsome gift of Mr. D. J. Mackey and his wife, Caroline S. Mackey. It was erected in 1888, during Mr. Wal- ker's pastorate, at a cost 'of $17,500, and was dedicated on January 27, 1889. It was built as a memorial to the parents of Mrs. Mackey, Judge John Law and his wife, Sarah Law. Mrs. Mackey completed the entire furnishings of the lecture-room, which bespeaks in each detail the liberal heart and exquisite taste of the doner.
In November, 1889, Rev. A. B. Meldrum was called to Grace, and he began his labors January 1, 1890. His pastorate continued until December 1, 1895. Mr. Meldrum was born is Scotland. When a young boy he settled in Canada with his parents. After finishing his literary and theological course in college, he became assistant pastor of Dr. Scott's church in San Francisco, California. Later lie was installed pastor of this church, and he remained there about six years. From there he was called to Rock Island, Illinois, where he was pastor about three years. His pastorate in Evansville covered about six years.
Rev. J. L. Marquis began his labors September 1, 1896, and was installed October 18th, the same year. His installation was attended with more than usual interest. His father, a professor in the Chicago Theological Seminary, delivered the installation dis- course. The singularity of the event was that of a father inducting his son into pastoral duties. Mr. Marquis is a young man, of pro- found learning and wide observation.
The membership of the church is now 425. There are seven elders and seven deacons. The number of Sunday school scholars is 504.
253
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
SPRINGDALE MISSION.
This mission is a part of Grace Presbyterian church, the presbytery never having authorized its erection into a church. Those who wor- ship there are enrolled on the records of the foster church. It began as a Sunday school mission, and is still regarded as such.
The first Sunday school mission assembled at the home of Mrs. Nancy Bleckley, on Fountain avenue, in September, 1891, and organ- ized with about thirty scholars. This was in the pastorate of Rev. A B. Meldrum, who regarded the "mission" as a "sort of revelation," so "refreshing and hearty," as he expressed it.
A church building was completed in December, 1893, and dedicated shortly afterwards. It is an enthusiastic Sunday school, with a very large regular attendance. It has grown until now there is a member- ship of about 350 pupils. E. M. Bush is the present superintendant. Regular church services are conducted here by the pastor of Grace church.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.
The third church founded in Evansville was St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church. The first was Walnut Street Presbyterian church, and the second was what is now known as Trinity Methodist Episcopal church. In December, 1835, the Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, missionary bishop of the northwest, preached to the people of Evansville, and out of his sermons was born the spirit to organize a church. A number of interested citizens met in the store of Messrs. Goodsell & Lyon on January 9, 1836. William Towns presided at the meeting and James Lockhart acted as secretary. It was the sense of this meeting that a church be founded, and a resolution to that effect was passed.
The new organization was christened St. Paul's church. The wardens then selected were: Frederick E. Goodsell and John Mitchell; and the vestrymen were J. M. Dunham, Ira French, James Lockhart, Joseph Wheeler, Jr., aud William Town. On the 7th of June follow- ing, the Rev. A. H. Lamon was invited to take pastoral charge of St. Paul's, and he accepted. There were seventeen communicants and they first worshipped in the old court-house. In November, 1836, a committee was appointed to see to the purchasing of a lot and the erection of a church thereon. A building committee was chosen January 7, 1839, consisting of John Mitchell, William B. Butler, F. E. Goodsell, Nathan Rowley aud Joseph Wheeler, Jr. A brick cdifice
254
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IND.
was erected, and was consecrated on January 12, 1840, by Bishop Kemper, the acting bishop of the diocese of Indiana. After some years it was enlarged and improved and was considerably in advance of the church structures of those days. After many years the present beautiful stone church was erected upon the same site.
The last couple married by Rev. Lamon was Mr. Charles Viele and Miss Mary J. Hopkius. On the resignation of Mr. Lamon in 1844. Rev. N. A. Okeson took charge of the parish, and officiated for about one year. The christian character of Mr. Lamon was a power for good. While heroically nursing yellow fever sufferers in Louisiana he contracted the dread disease and died. After the resignation of Rev. Mr. Okeson for about a year Rev. W. Vaux, of Trinity parish, Vanderburgh county, assumed charge of St. Paul's parish where he officiated every other Sunday. From Trinity parish he went to Minnesota, and later on was army chaplain at Fort Laramie.
On November 5, 1847, Rev. Colley A. Foster was elected rector. He was a scholarly gentleman and an eloquent and forceful speaker. When he left in 1856, he accepted a rectorate at Kalamazoo, Mich In June, 1856, Rev. Anthony Ten Broeck become his successor. Dur- ing the year that Mr. Ten Broeck was rector of the parish he demons- trated himself to bea man of culture, an earnest churchman, tenacious of the rubries and austere in manner. In 1874 he held a professor- ship in Burlington College, New Jersey. Rev. Sidney Wilbur was in charge of the parish from November, 1857, to January, 1860, when he removed to California. He was a young man, full of zeal and energy. Rev. Elias Birdsall succeeded Rev. Mr. Wilbur and con- tinned in the service till 1865, when he removed to California, in which diocese he was rector in several cities. His pastorate was a happy and successful one, and many regrets followed him on his de- parture. Rev. Henry W. Spaulding came in 1865 and remained until November, 1867, when he removed to Pittsburg, Pa. He was a man of works as well as faith, and he breathed activity into every depart- ment of church work, beautifying the old church, inspiriting mission- ary enterprise, upbuilding Sunday-school work, and encouraging other christian institutions. From November, 1867, to April, 1868, St. Paul's church was without a regular rector, but services were con- ducted by Rev. Mr. Burford, the rector of Holy Innocents' church Rev. Mr. Strong's pastorial duties continned but four months. Rev. Wm. H. VanAntwerp arrived and assumed his duties as rector in April, 1868, and his services continued until April, 1874, when he re- signed and removed to Rahway, New Jersey, as rector of St. Paul's
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.