USA > Indiana > Adams County > Berne > A history of the First Missionary Church, Berne, Indiana > Part 2
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119-11, "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee."
The 1960 school year, the fourtieth one, had an enrollment of 763 and 83 graduates. It is believed that this school is the largest Summer Bible School in the United States.
Rev. C. H. Wiederkehr's pastorate was from 1936 to 1948. At the beginning of their ministry Rev. and Mrs. Wiederkehr invited the chil- dren of the church to come to a children's meeting about one-half hour before the evening service. The children were thrilled and responded heartily. The group increased in numbers approaching one hundred. Mrs. Wiederkehr conducted the meeting, which Rev. Wiederkehr named "Children's Happy Hour." The children learned to listen carefully, they learned to pray and to give. Their pennies soon amounted to a good sum. It was through Mrs. Wiederkehr's vision, effort, and influence that the Sunshine Makers' offering in the entire Association is given for the support of the children of the foreign missionaries of the Association.
Each succeeding pastor's wife has been leader of the Children's Happy Hour. Mrs. J. J. Klopfenstein, "Aunt Mary," the present leader is doing much to make the meetings attractive to the children. She and her assistants plan the programs. The best feature is the story of a great Bible character related by Aunt Mary. Often this is a continued
Church with North Wing
story, requiring more than one meeting. There are testimonies, requests for prayer and prayers by the children. There is much singing and always a special number. An offering is received at every meeting. This money is put in the Sunshine Makers treasury.
In 1937 the church's name was changed to "The First Missionary Church."
In 1942 the church building was enlarged by an addition of 20 feet to the auditorium along the north side. This provided for a larger platform for the pulpit, a place for the choir and increased seating space. The basement of the addition had a room 20 by 48 feet. A 12 by 20 feet extended addition on the northwest corner provided a west entrance, basement and balcony stairways, clothes racks and library space. The second floor room was a class room; the basement room was used by the beginner's department.
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The increased seating capacity in balcony and auditorium was about 100; in three class rooms it was about 75.
The approximate building cost was $11,000.00.
In 1943 Rev. Wiederkehr began to issue the church bulletin from his office. It appeared in typed form with the picture of the church on the front page.
The weekly chapel exercises in the Berne-French High School were planned as a part of the school program. The local ministers spoke at these exercises. Later the rural high schools also provided for weekly chapel exercises. The Berne and rural pastors spoke at their chapel exercises.
In Rev. Wiederkehr's pastorate a number of families of the Amish Christian Church were looking for a new church home. Some of them started attending services at the First Missionary Church. They received spiritual guidance and a friendly welcome from the church people. Rev. Wiederkehr gave them the desired counsel and guidance. About eight families attended the church services. Many of these decided to be- come members of the church. Among the family names were these: Inniger, Steury, Schwartz, Habegger, and Nussbaum.
In the early years of the Church the pastors conducted their own revivals. When the membership increased the people were better able to have an evangelist come to the church for revival meetings.
The church has had many good revivals. One or more revivals were now held annually. More emphasis was being placed on youth revivals. Many outstanding Bible teachers and evangelists have come to the church.
The evangelists in revival meetings in Rev. Wiederkehr's pastorate were: 1936 Rev. Dale Mitchell; 1937 Rev. Joshua Stauffer; 1938 Rev. Harold Wiswell; 1939 Rev. Edison Habegger; 1940 Rev. Q. J. Everest and Rev. Menno N. Amstutz; 1941 Dr. C. I. Armstrong; 1942 Rev. Kenneth Geiger and Rev. Edison Habegger; 1943 Rev. Anna Spellman, and Rev. Q. J. Everest; 1944 Rev. T. C. Henderson; 1945 Rev. George Hewitt; 1946 Dr. Jared F. Gerig; 1947 Rev. Forest Kuhn; 1948 Rev. Robert Strubhar.
Missionaries going to the foreign field were 1939 Luella Burley, India; 1940 Waldo and Cecil Schindler, Africa.
The Youth organizations date back to 1908 when the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized. In 1915 the teen age group, the Gleaners, organization was started. The older group short- ened its name to Young People's Society at this time, and continued with this name until 1945. In the late twenties and early thirties a more aggressive young people's program began to develop. There was a need for a broader program to embrace the total development of youth under active and well-organized leadership. In 1945, the name, Missionary Youth Fellowship, was adopted as the official name of the young people's organization throughout the Association. A new and broader platform of objectives was incorporated in new by-laws ap- proved by the same conference. These include the promotion and development of the spirituality of the young people, edification through Scriptural knowledge, enlistment in evangelistic and missionary effort at
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home and abroad through existing Association organizations and the promotion of church loyalty and fellowship among the M.C.A. young people.
All M.C.A. districts are completely organized and carry on their programs under the supervision of the Superintendent of Young Peo- ple's work in the Association.
Rallies, youth camps, youth revivals and the promotion of various types of projects have combined to enlarge and strengthen the program.
The local M.Y.F. organization is carrying this program under cap- able leadership.
The youth leaders in the church since 1945 are Kathleen Inniger, Mildred Hirschy, Gareth Wiederkehr, Merlin Inniger, Valier Amstutz, Christene Sprunger, George Hewitt, John Zuercher and LeRoy Sprunger. Five of these leaders are in active Christian work, four of them in foreign missionary work.
The local M.Y.F. has for its special missionary project the support of Kathleen Inniger Jacobsen, missionary in Japan. The Gleaner's organ- ization was discontinued in 1957; their missionary offerings were all di- rected into the one fund for Kathleen Jacobsen. The group has an annual rally when they bring their offering.
The M.Y.F. leader in the local church is LeRoy Sprunger. He has served in this office since 1954. As a district Y.F.C. leader he has given the young people of the church and community capable and effective Christian leadership.
Rev. J. Pritchard Amstutz was pastor from 1948 to 1952. He in- itiated a new idea in church publications. "Missionary Echos" official weekly news bulletin of The First Missionary Church was mailed to all members and friends of the church for ten months in 1951. About 225 copies were printed.
The regular church bulletin was printed by the Economy Printing Concern through the courtesy of C. H. Muselman, and daughter Pauline.
The missionaries who went to the foreign field were: 1949 Truman and Eileen Gottschalk, Ecuador, South America, and in 1950 Pauline Muselman; 1950 Kathleen Jacobsen went to Japan.
The Men's Fellowship was organized in 1949. Don Grove was elected president by the small group of 13 men. The men have monthly meetings with an attendance of 30 to 40. They have guest groups occasionally, and also go to other churches as guests. They usually have a special speaker. Some of the men in this group called "Pals" are contributing to a special fund which is used to pay young pastors in new churches which are unable to support them. This money goes to the Association treasury which sends the money where most needed.
The local men also remember needy families in the Christmas season with baskets of food.
Evangelists who held revivals in the church were: 1948, Rev. Blanch- ard Amstutz; 1949, Dr. John H. Paul, and Rev. Harold Walker in Youth Revival; 1950, Rev. A. F. Albro. and Rev. "Jimmie" Gibson; 1951, Rev. Garret H. Phillips and Gerald Gerig in youth revival; 1952, Rev. Charles McHatten and Rev. Claude Richards in youth revival.
The present pastor, Rev. J. J. Klopfenstein, came in 1952. His pas-
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torate so far has been occupied with many extras duties and activities. The building of the new church required much of his time. He appreci- ates the progress of the church in temporal affairs, but admonishes the people of the church to attend to the most important work, that of spirit- ual growth and progress; this should concern every member.
In 1953 the by-laws of the church were amended. In 1956 they were made to conform with the Association constitution which was amend- ed by the Conference. In 1957 the new Association by-law were accepted with regard to the voting age of members, selection of pastor, and mem- bership of the church. The local by-laws were further amended to read: "Our local church fiscal year shall end on September 30 and open on October 1.
The Reusser Memorial Home in Berne became a home for missionary families on furlough. It has two well furnished apartments, basement and attic. It is situated on a large ground of four lots along Sprunger and Clark Streets. The Waldo Schindler, Dan Dyck, and O. Carl Brown fam- iliesilies have lived in the apartments recently. At present the Dave Clark and Jake Scherling families are living there. These families worship at the local Missionary Church.
Retired missionaries worshiping at the local church are Rev. and Mrs. D. C. Rupp, Fanny Schindler and Agnes Sprunger. The latter two are also members of the church. Rev. and Mrs. Rupp have established their residence in their own home.
Young people who entered Christian work are: 1952 Robert and Lorene Schrock, pastor, Pleasant Mills Baptist Church. 1952 Brice Fennig, pastor of Brethren Church, Howe, Ind .; 1953 Gareth and Treva Wieder- kehr, missionaries, Sierra Leone, West Africa; 1954 Paul Amstutz, pastor of two Methodist churches, New Haven, Michigan; 1954 Roger Amstutz, pastor of Christian Church, Murray, Ind .; 1954 Merlin Inniger, mission- ary in Pakistan; 1956 Walter and Esther Bailey, pastor, Wauneta, Ne- braska Missionary Church; 1957 John and Bernadine Zuercher, pastor Union Chapel, Bryant, Ind., and 1960 missionaries in Haiti; 1957 Martel and Anna Fennig, missionaries, Kenya Colony, East Africa; 1958 Tom Zehr, assistant pastor First Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, Ind .; 1958 Edward Amstutz, director Christian Education, Baptist Church, Orlando, Florida; 1959 Ernest Steury, missionary doctor, Kenya Colony, East Africa; 1960 Millard and Janean Moser, missionaries, Hong Kong.
The evangelists of this period were: 1953 Rev. Arthur Albro and Rev. George Hewitt; 1954 Rev. Edison Habegger; 1955 Rev. Robert Strubhar and Rev. Don Rohr, youth revival; 1956 Rev. Jared F. Gerig and Rev. C. W. Slemming; 1957 Rev. John Nussbaum and Rev. Paul E. Grabill in youth revival; 1958 Rev. W. O. Klopfenstein and Rev. Vernon Petersen in youth revival; 1959 Rev. Carl Bihl.
The Sunday School, the first organization of the church in the United States is also the most important one. It includes all ages and meets every Sunday. More people hear the Word of God in Sunday School than in any other organization of the church. The Sunday School of the First Missionary Church has an enrollment of approximately 400. The two beginner and three junior classes have a combined enrollment of more than 100; the adult department has nearly 300. There are 16 teachers
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and 21 assistants. The superintendent, Ornell Sprunger with his executive committee has executed the work of his office with wisdom and patience. The adjustment necessary in moving to new locations were not noticeable in the first Sunday School in the new church.
Being true to her name and obligation the church has maintained its missionary program and giving regardless of the financial obligation con- nected with the building program. The average missionary offering for the last eight years is $15,997.97.
The church now has a membership of 310. From the time of its organization in 1908 to the present time 1960, over 600 names have ap- peared on the membership list.
In the year 1936 a fund of $1,049.37 was received from the church members for repairing and decorating the church. After this work was completed $216.00 of the fund remained in the treasury. This fund was named building fund. To increase the fund ten per cent of the money in the treasuries of the church organizations except the money in the treasur- ies of foreign missions and of the trustees was added to it. In 1942 the church decided that all funds received in 1941 and those that will be re- ceived in 1942 which are in excess of the Missionary pledges be allotted to the building fund; this allotment was made after $200.00 above the total Missionary pledges of the combined organizations was allowed for Mis- sions. Menno Hirschy served as treasurer of the building fund.
In 1946 a Building Fund Committee was appointed. Clyde Sprunger was named chairman. The ten per cent payment to the fund was discon- tinued in 1945. The treasuries of the Sunday School and of the Trustees were asked to make pledges to the fund. In 1947 the Home Missions, the Trustees, the Mission Band, the Ladies' Aid, the Youth Fellowship, and the Sunday School paid their share into the building fund.
In the years 1948 and 1949 special offerings for the building fund were received on a designated Sunday in each quarter of the year. The trustees and three other men appointed by the church formed a board which was to investigate and present a plan to promote the building pro- program.
In 1950 and 1951 the Building Fund chairman reported that the plan for giving to the fund was satisfactory. In 1953, the Sunday School super- intendent, the trustees, Reuben Steury, Preston Zehr, and Clyde Sprunger, served on the Building Fund Committee. A year later in 1954 the com- mittee was renamed the Planning and Survey Committee The committee members were Clyde Sprunger, chairman, Cyrus Lehman, treasurer, Lorris Phillips, Leslie Sprunger, trustee, Ornell Sprunger, S. S. Superintendent, Preston Zehr, church council, Reuben Steury, J. J. Klopfenstein, pastor. This committee studied the possibilities of enlarging the church building; this implied buying an adjoining lot, namely the Hocker lot. The commit- tee counselled with architect Leroy Bradley of Fort Wayne. He informed them that building an addition to the church building was not advisable. The committee did not recommend buying the Hocker property. The com- mittee then directed their thinking toward the need for a new church building.
At the 1955 annual business meeting the committee presented to the church the need for a larger building with better facilities for the Sun-
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day School and other organizations of the church. Considering the church needs of the future, they informed the church people it would be wise to think about a new site for a new church. They suggested a better plan for raising funds in the next three to five years. The church approved by a standing vote the desire of the committee to present recommendations for a new site and a new church.
In the summer of the same year the church voted to buy land on which to build a new church. Three sites were named for consideration. One was north on U. S. Highway 27, one on Road 118 and the third south on U. S. Highway 27 south of the Park Motel. Voting was done by bal- lot. The site on Road 118 was rejected. The church decided to purchase the site south on U.S. Highway 27. The trustees bought a five acre plot of ground between Stucky and Parkway from the Stucky Estate. Mrs. Metta Stuckey pleased with the possibility of a church being built in that area, sold the ground at a very reasonable price. Geographically the new church site lies on the Continental Divide. The drainage from the church ground flows into the Wabash River.
At the 1956 annual business meeting favorable reports were given on the progress of the building fund. It was increased by the balance of the Anna R. Sprunger estate in the amount of $3,195.16. The church budget committee was authorized to transfer the 1956 balance in the church treasury to the building fund. This was done again in the church years 1957, 1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60.
The Planning and Survey Committee membership was increased by including these men: Albert Amstutz, Homer Amstutz, Oswin Amstutz, Virgil Amstutz, Homer Inniger, C. H. Muselman, LaVerne Sprunger.
At the semi-annual business meeting 1956 the church gave the Plan- ning and Survey Committee the authority to engage a licensed architect to draw up several tentative plans for a new church building; the com- mittee was to study the plans and submit them to the church for study, discussion and approval. At a special business meeting August 21, 1957 a plan was presented to the church. A 66 2/3 per cent vote was needed for adoption of the plan. Only 58% voted for the adoption.
The church, nevertheless, decided to continue the building fund of- ferings. More men were added to the Planning and Survey Committee, namely Harold Langham, Leroy Sprunger, Melvin Sprunger, Frank Steury, John Zehr. In a meeting called on April 9, 1958, the church people were informed how they could finance a building program. Trustee Leslie Sprunger announced a plan for an offering in the Sunday School on the last Sunday of each month. The use of an envelope system in weekly offerings was very successful. Many members made sizeable pledges. Leslie Sprunger informed the church people about the Broadway Plan for Church Finance. The church voted to accept this plan. At the same meet- ing the church voted to build on the site purchased in 1955.
In a special business meeting held August 20, 1958 Clyde Sprunger presented a new church plan. Orus Esch the architect, was present and answered questions about the plan. Ornell Sprunger explained the part of the plan designed for the Sunday School. Leroy Sprunger pointed out the advantages provided for the young people. The trustees reported that
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the building fund was $97,362.17. The church approved and accepted the plan, and voted to begin construction as soon as possible.
The function of the Planning and Survey Commitee was terminated. The members of the committee and the trustees now belonged to the Master Steering Committee. This committee was to guide the work in the building program and appoint other needed committees as the work progressed. Trustee Leslie Sprunger reported that funds were coming in regularly and that he was expecting the year's total to be $17,000.00.
A new committee, the Master Building Committee was appointed to look after the building process. The members were Leslie Sprunger, chair- man, Laverne Sprunger, Carl W. Amstutz, Clyde Sprunger, Loris Phillips.
At the semi-annual business meeting of April 22, 1959, Clyde Sprunger reported that bids received were opeend on April 21; contracts were let on April 22 to the following:
General Contractor, Merlin W. Habegger
Electrical and Resistance Heating, Reynolds Electric.
Plumbing, Ventilation and Cooling, Liechty Brothers.
Estimates received by Orus Esch and given to the church were on well and pump, church pews, Sunday School furniture and equipment, kitchen and its equipment. Leslie Sprunger explained a part of the build- ing which was not included in the plan. Everything was in readiness to begin construction. The Ground Breaking Service was announced.
GROUND BREAKING SERVICE April 26, 1959. 10:45 A.M.
First Missionary Church of Berne
At new church site.
Congregational singing-led by Clyde Sprunger
Scripture Reading and Prayer-by the pastor
Special singing-Mens Chorus
Remarks by the pastor
Ground Breaking-by representative people- -- those with temporal responsibilities
1. Leslie Sprunger-Trustee Board
2. Clyde Sprunger-Planning and Building Committees
3. Orus Eash-Architect & Builders -- those with spiritual responsibilities
4. Rev. J. J. Klopfenstein-pastor
5. Menno S. Hirschy-Church Board
6. Ornell Sprunger-Sunday School
7. Leroy Sprunger-Youth Department
8. Mrs. Klopfenstein and the little people-Children's Work
Congregational singing
Benediction-by Rev. Truman Gottschalk.
Member of the Foreign Board, M. C. A.
The entire congregation, with small exception, went from the unified service to the new church site.
The parking lot, and the new building floor plan, were staked and roped, giving quite an accurate idea of the exact location and size of the
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undertaking. During the service, the congregation stood where the pews will be, the mens chorus stood where the choir will be and the pastor stood where the pulpit will be.
In the summer of 1959 the trustees of the church applied for a Charter of Incorporation in the State of Indiana. This charter enabled the church to authorize the issuing of $100,000 in bonds under the Broad- way Plan of Church Finance. In a special meeting in December applica- tion was made for an additional $25,000 bond issue. The selling of bonds enabled the church to get funds needed in the building program. The Church Finance Committee: Clifton Amstutz, chairman, Jay Conrad, Menno Hirschy, Vilas Schindler, Jerry Sprunger, Carl H. Muselman adminis- tered the business of the bond sales.
At the same summer meeting the church decided to carpet the en- tire sanctuary and purchase plain pews for sanctuary and balcony.
The building operations proceeded according to plans and schedule. The building fund was increasing. The total pledges and money in bonds was $172,988.84.
THE CORNER STONE LAYING SERVICE May 1, 1960.
9:45 Service at Church
Congregational song
Invocation
Men's Chorus
Scripture and Prayer-Homer Inniger
Preparation
1. "Trust in God"-Rev. J. J. Klopfenstein, pastor
"Except the Lord built the house, they labor in vain who built it." Psalm 127:1.
2. "True to Faith"-Rev. Tillman Habegger, Assoc. president
"Ye are built upon the foundation-Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone." Eph. 2:20
3. "Otureach of the Gospel"-Rev. C. I. Birkey, Foreign Secretary "Jesus Christ the Chief Corner Stone; he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded." I Peter 2:6-cf. Luke 16:15, 16 Prayer
Service at new church
Men's Chorus
Pastor, deacon and trustees stand before the church.
Pastor exhibits the box and gives list of contents.
4. Entreaty for Help-Menno Hirschy, deacon
Prayer for divine blessing for the entire work represented by this build- ing.
-Deacon M. S. Hirschy aided by Oswin Amstutz and Homer Inniger place the box in location.
-Trustees Leslie Sprunger, Cyrus Lehman, LaVerne Sprunger, aid the builder, Merlin W. Habegger and Architect Esch place the stone with trowel and mortar.
Congregational song
Closing prayer-Rev. Birkey and Rev. Habegger
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Corner Stone Contents in 1960
With items of the corner stone laid in 1908, these following things are placed in the box for the Corner Stone Laying of the new First Missionary Church of Berne, May 1, 1960.
1. A history of the church, brought up to date. Written by Miss Caroline I. Hirschy.
2. Pictures of the old White Church purchased in 1896, the brick church built in 1908 and the new church built in 1960.
3. Annual Church Reports for 1958 and 1959. These contain the pres- ent membership list, officers of all departments of the church and Sunday School, the new building Planning Committee, the Building Committee, a report of church finances, etc.
4. A recent copy of the Missionary Church Association constitution and a copy of our by-laws.
5. A recent copy of the Missionary Worker.
6. A Sunshine Makers acorn jug with 1960 coins in it, and a note in- serted telling of our children's work.
7. The names of our new building contractors.
8. A set of the leaflets describing the progress of the building operations.
9. A church bulletin of this date.
10. A copy of the Berne Witness of April 29, 1960 with a detailed an- nouncement of the corner stone laying.
THE DEACONS ASSIST IN LAYING THE CORNER STONE
The rectangular church facing the East stands in the middle of the five acre plot about 300 feet from the highway. Two 60' x 200' black- topped parking lots are on the east part of the plot. Between these plots is
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a lawn area about 100 by 200 feet which is being seeded. Other lawn areas along the north and south sides and on the west side of the building will be seeded, a total of 104,200 square feet or 2.4 acres. A large black- topped parking area 200' by 245' is on the west side. In the front the north south sidewalk is about 18 feet from the front of the building. A wide sidewalk leads to the entrance of the building.
Coming along highway 27 one sees at closer range the open steel tower in front of the church. This tower supports a sheltering canopy and lifts a large steel cross to a height of 45 feet. The cross automatically il- luminated at night reminds one of the Cross of Christ, a symbol of hope to travelers on the highway.
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