USA > Indiana > Lake County > A standard history of Lake County, Indiana, and the Calumet region, Volume I > Part 34
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
In October, 1882, St. Paul's congregation had organized and obtained a charter, whose members were: Paul Wieseke, secretary ; Henry Klee- man, Jacob Rimbach, John Jarnecke, trustees; August Seestadt, Theo- dore Lange, Helmuth Hopp, Henry Inehn, C. Hocker, William Hart- man, G. Muenich, John Dillner, William Winter and Henry Seestadt. In the meeting after the organization six others became members.
In December, 1885, Reverend Luebker of Iuka, Illinois, became pastor of the church, and in July, 1886, a parochial school was completed. The school grew rapidly, the pastor being at first assisted in its operation by theological students. M. Maschhoff was the first settled Lutheran teacher, with Miss Clara Heintz of Crown Point as assistant.
In 1889 the members of St. Paul's, north of the Calumet River, formed a separate organization, which was called St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and a sketch of which is published elsewhere. Rev- erend Leubker having accepted a call to Milford, Nebraska, Rev. F. W. Herzberger assumed charge of the organization on July 1, 1889. Ham-
362
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
mond in those days experienced its first boom, and 800 dwellings were erected within one year. Reverend Herzberger was blessed in propor- tion as the town grew. The church became too small and a larger building, with a two-class school in the lower story, was built by Gustav Muenich for $4,500 and dedicated February 2, 1890.
In 1891 the members west of the state line organized a separate organization, which received the name St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of West Hammond, Illinois. In the same year the congrega- tion, at a cost of $14,000, erected a large school on Sibley Street and Oakley Avenue.
In 1899 Reverend Herzberger removed to St. Louis, Missouri, to take charge of Lutheran charities in that city, and Rev. W. H. T. Dau, erstwhile professor of theology in Conover, North Carolina, succeeded him. The church again proving too small, in 1903 the congregation com- pleted its third and present edifice at a cost of $28,000.
The congregation numbers about eighteen hundred souls, 1,150 com- municant members and 194 voting members. During its existence, St. Paul's Church, through its pastors, has baptized over 1,500 adults and children, confirmed over 700 young people, joined in marriage about 300 persons, conducted Christian burial for over 500 departed, and administered Holy Communion to over 16,000 communicants. Rev. Theodore Claus succeeded Reverend Dau in June, 1905, when the lat- ter went to St. Louis as professor of theology in the Concordia Seminary.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Methodists, as a religious body, in the Calumet region, first con- ducted services at Hammond. In the spring of 1872 a student from the theological department of the Northwestern University, Evanston, organized a class in the little red schoolhouse located at what is now the corner of Hohman and Wilcox streets. , Services were held there reg- ularly for three years, during which period M. M. Towle organized a Sunday School, although no church was formally established.
Reverend Baker preached during the year 1875-76. Services were then abandoned until February, 1877, after which for two years, they were continued under Reverend Stewart. There was another period of suspension until December, 1881, but since that date the First Methodist Church of Hammond has had a continuous history and steady growth.
A clear and condensed history of the church was published by "The Calumet Survey," issued by the Northwest Indiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the fall of 1913, since which there has been no material change in the status of the local organization. The
363
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
sketch to which reference is made is as follows, the continuous history of the first Methodist society in the Calumet region dating from 1881 : "Hammond has the distinction of organizing the first society. This was effected by Rev. S. E. Vinal in December, 1881. His report to the con- ference the next year shows a membership of 26, and 10 probationers, with an annual salary of $200, and no church property. In 1882 the first church building was erected on the present site, the gift of M. M. Towle, Sr., at a cost of $4,000. This served the congregation for twenty- five years, when it was replaced by the present commodious and well-ap- pointed structure under the pastorate of Rev. L. S. Smith, and at a cost of $32,000. The church has grown in all departments and materially affects the life of the city, most of its office bearers being prominent in the commercial and civic affairs of the city. The membership is at present 490, with a Sunday School enrollment of 700, an Epworth League of 100, a Methodist Brotherhood, a strong Ladies' Aid Society, and all working harmoniously together for the advancement of the Master's Kingdom. In addition to promoting the work in the local church, this congregation has materially aided in the establishing of Monroe Street Chapel, in the south part of the city, where there is a growing congre- gation and a thriving Sunday school, having as pastor J. Edgar Purdy. This church entertains the annual conference this year, no easy task for a much larger congregation, but this congregation is used to big undertakings, and will do this in a very satisfactory way. They believe in their church, they take pride in their city, they believe in the greater future of the Calumet region, and are glad to welcome their friends to share their hospitality.
"The following have served this church as pastors :
1881-82-S. E. Vinal. 1897-99-M. H. Appleby.
1882-83-William Crapp. 1899-1900-N. A. Chamberlain.
1883-86-Edwin A. Schell. 1900-04-A. W. Wood.
1886-89-S. P. Edmondson.
1904-07-L. S. Smith.
1889-93-G. R. Streeter.
1907-12-W. F. Switzer.
1893-95-A. H. DeLong.
1912-F. O. Fraley."
1895-97-E. P. Bennett.
ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
Rev. George Steiner, of Michigan City, was among the first of the Catholic priests to enter the Calumet region, and in the late '70s he occasionally gathered a few of his faith at the home of John L. Knoerzer. By 1879 the Catholic population had so increased that a small frame church was built in what was then the Town of State Line, a settlement
364
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
grouped around the Hammond slaughter house. The first holy mass was read in December of the same year, and the dedication took place in May, 1880. Rev. F. K. Baumgartner, who then resided in Turkey Creek, conducted services about once a week. Father Romer, of Michi- gan City, then occasionally visited the little flock, and, later, Father Rosenbauer, of Chicago, attended the mission. In the year 1883 the congregation, having grown sufficiently to influence the Rev. Bishop Dwenger, of Fort Wayne, to assign a resident priest, the people received their first pastor, the Rev. Father Baumgartner, who came from Turkey Creek. He immediately erected a parsonage and, with zeal and energy, labored at Hammond until the time of his death, May 9, 1885.
Then came Rev. Henry M. Plaster. He reached Hammond August 16, 1885, and is still the father and spiritual adviser of St. Joseph's. Father Plaster immediately inaugurated the first parochial school con- nected with the church, which opened with forty children under the immediate instruction of John Bergman. In 1889 the house of worship now used as a schoolroom was erected, which was followed, a few years later, by St. Joseph's Academy and the sisters' residence. A large and comfortable parsonage was completed in 1905, and commemorated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the parish.
St. Joseph's is the mother church of the Calumet region, and from it have sprung four other Catholic congregations. During the later years of his pastorate, which has nearly covered thirty years, Father Plaster has been assisted in his broad work by Fathers Tremmel, Shea, Kappel, Sand, Abel, Koch, Lauer and Keyser.
The present church was completed in 1914, and is the largest and most costly church in Hammond.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The First Congregational Sunday School of Hammond was organ- ized early in July, 1887, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Evan R. Williams. with seventeen children and several adults in attendance.
The latter part of the same month Dr. E. D. Curtis, of Indianapolis, and the Rev. Mr. Andrews, of Hobart. looked over the field and decided to organize a church, a council to recognize which was convened Septem- ber 15, 1887. The meeting was held in the old Hohman Opera House. There were ten charter members. The first services were held in the old skating rink, corner of Hohman and Russell streets, the first pastor being the Rev. W. W. Lineberry, of Maxinkuckee.
In May, 1888, a chapel was built, which is still standing at its old site. 224 Hohman Street. Here services were held until the dedication
365
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
in December, 1890, of the church building on the north side of Gostlin Street, just west of Hohman, which is still in use.
Nearly five hundred residents of Hammond have been actively iden- tified with the church during its history. Plans are under way for a new church building, which is to be erected upon the new site already purchased at the southeast corner of Towle Street and Chicago Avenue.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
In the early part of 1887 Hammond contained about thirty-five hun- dred souls and one Protestant church-the Methodist of this city, the only Protestant church in the Calumet region at that time. The Bap- tist State Board of Missions looked over the field and, contrary to the advice of Baptist leaders in this part of the state and South Chicago, decided it was worth while, and, accordingly, sent a missionary to organize a church that was destined to become the leading Baptist church in, Northwestern Indiana.
The labors of this man of the Baptist faith soon bore fruit, and the First Baptist Church of Hammond was organized with eleven con- stituent members on the 28th day of November, 1887. The eleven per- sons whose names belong on the honor roll are as follows: F. J. Cross, O. D. Varney, T. S. Dake, Julia Dake, Mary E. Irish, Clara Irish, Iva E. Irish, J. W. Jones, Lester V. Jones, Mrs. C. J. Pine and Mary Lewis. So far as the writer is able to ascertain, only one of the above named persons, Mrs. Mary E. Irish, of Zion City, Illinois, is now living.
For some time services were held in a small room in what is now known as the Carleton Hotel, but these quarters soon proved inadequate, and the congregation moved to the Hohman Opera House, and a little later to a home of its own on the site of the present church building. Soon after the organization, the church, in April, 1888, called Rev. B. P. Hewitt to minister unto the needs of the church and community. Brother Hewitt remained with the church a little more than five years. during which time the membership increased from 11 to 131; the church developed from one supported largely by the State Board of Missions to a church self-supporting and owning a home free from debt.
During these twenty-five years the following have served as pastors of the church : Rev. B. P. Hewitt, from April 1, 1888, to May 7, 1893; Rev. S. W. Phelps, from August 13, 1893, to October 31, 1900; Rev. Edward T. Carter, from November 1, 1900, to December 15, 1901 : Rev. W. H. Jones, from January 31, 1902, to November 10, 1907 : Rev. J. E. Sharp, from January 1, 1908, to April 30, 1911; Rev. Floyd H. Adams, since August 1, 1911.
366
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
In December, 1898, owing to a difference of opinion in regard to the method of disciplining its members, a division occurred in the church, which resulted in the withdrawal of about forty per cent of the member- ship of the First Church, and the organization of the Immanuel Baptist Church. The Immanuel congregation worshiped in the Odd Fellows Hall and during the five years of its existence had two regular pastors- Rev. E. M. Martinson and Rev. B. S. Hudson.
The conditions which brought about the division in the church no longer existing, the two churches united in December, 1903. Altogether 1,042 names have been placed on the church roll during the twenty-five years of the existence of the church ; probably one hundred of these were duplicates. The present membership numbers 341. In 1914 was opened a magnificent new church in which provision has been made for the establishment of a social center.
ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
This, one of the pioneer religious bodies of Hammond, is more than a quarter of a century old. It was originally organized in 1888 as a mission, which was established, according to the parish register, under the following conditions :
"By the authority of the Rt. Rev. D. B. Kniekerbacker, Bishop of Indiana, on June 17, 1888, the Rev. Thos. G. Kemp, D. D., of Plymouth, Ind., visited this place to see if there were any church people in the city. He found eight in the city. He gave them a couple of services, and on July 8 returned and made a house to house visitation, baptized three children and administered the Holy Communion. On July 15 and 16 he organized St. Paul's Mission with Jas. E. Harvey, Warden ; W. H. B. Menzies and Frank Morton, vestrymen. Mr. Menzies was appointed treasurer, and Mr. E. F. Fox secretary."
These first services were held in the old Odd Fellows Hall. Doctor Kemp was followed by Rev. Robert C. Wall, who took full charge September 22, 1888. Services were held in the Royal League Hall, Towles Block, for two years. Meanwhile the present lots on Rimbach Avenue were purchased, the mortgage being paid off October 1, 1890. Already the contract for the church edifice had been let, and on Decem- ber 22, 1890, Reverend Knickerbacker visited the mission for the service of benediction. Stephen Prentiss, a student from Chicago, was in charge, and the building committee consisted of Messrs. David Fenton, J. Kopelke, E. F. Fox, and W. H. B. Menzies. The total cost of the church and furnishings was approximately two thousand dollars. At that time there were forty communieants, representing about thirty families.
367
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
Mr. Prentiss was followed by the Rev. T. D. Phillipps, temporarily appointed, who in turn was followed by the Rev. H. B. Collier, May 21, 1891. Mr. Collier was missionary in charge for nearly two years, fol- lowed by Rev. Austin F. Morgan, then a student. It was during the tenure of the Rev. Edward Saunders, from 1894 to 1896, that the Dio- cese of Indiana was divided, and Hammond became a part of the Diocese of Michigan City. The Rev. George Moore was priest in charge in 1896-97, followed by Rev. J. Otis Ward in 1898, by the Rev. T. G. MeGonigle in 1899. During the rectorship of the Reverend McGonigle the mission applied for and received admission to the convention as a parish.
Rev. Mr. MeGonigle resigned in 1900 and was followed by Rev. Charles A. Smith in April of that year, his successors having been : Rev. A. W. Webster and Rev. W. J. Hawthorne. The present number of communicants is about two hundred and twenty-five; souls in the parish, '550. The value of the church property is about twenty thou- sand dollars.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The Christian Church of Hammond was started following a revival meeting held in the old Hohman Opera House by Ellis G. Cross in 1888. Soon afterward the old building of the First Christian Church of Chi- cago was secured. This building was dismantled and removed to Ham- mond. where it was erected into the frame church on Indiana Avenue. This building was dedicated by Gov. Ira J. Chase, one of Indiana's elo- quent Christian preachers. The pulpit and pews of the old Chicago church were retained. The pulpit stand is still retained by the new church in Hammond because of its historical associations. Behind it President James A. Garfield preached many times.
The Hammond church fell on evil days and in 1901 found its mem- bership reduced to about a dozen, its building badly dilapidated and covered with threatening debts, and its Bible school reduced to thirty.
In October, 1901, C. J. Sharp, then a student in Chicago University, a high school teacher by profession, came to preach and help tide over for a time. Mr. Sharp is still the pastor. The attendance began soon to increase. The debts were paid in two years and additions to the church came constantly. In his ministry of a little over twelve years there have been 1,600 added to the church. A Bible school has been built up that runs from 500 to 1.200 per Sunday in attendance.
In 1907 a new location was bought at Calumet and Summer streets. This was paid for in two years and money raised for a new building.
368
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
The new building was begun in April, 1909, and dedicated August 14, 1910. The new building and grounds cost about $47,000 and the church is now almost out of debt.
Aside from his good work for his society and the community, Reverend Sharp and the Hammond Christian Church have taken the lead in planting Christian churches at Indiana Harbor, Whiting, Michigan City, Gary, Glenn Park, Tolleston, Shelby and Pence.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev. F. M. Elliott was the founder of the First Presbyterian Church of Hammond. In October, 1890, he made his first visit to that city to look over the field in the interests of the presbytery, and the outlook was so encouraging that in the following month services were conducted by one of its pastors, Rev. L. W. A. Lucky, of Crown Point. No further services were held, however, until the first Sabbath in 1891, when Mr. Elliott began the work which resulted in the formal organization of the church.
In January, 1891, a petition to the presbytery was circulated which came before that body with thirty-eight names attached. The petition was granted and a committee consisting of Rev. F. M. Elliott, Rev. E. S. Scott, D. D., and Rev. Henry Johnson, D. D., was appointed to organize the church. Appointment was made for the organization, which was formed in the Royal League Hall, February 23, 1891. The new church was constituted with twenty-three members.
One requisite to the success of any undertaking of this kind is a home. Toward this end a lot was secured on South Hohman Street and Hammond awoke one fine morning to see the First Presbyterian Church Building completed and dedicated. Too much credit cannot be given the father of Presbyterianism in Hammond for establishing and developing the First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Mr. Elliott's name will ever be held in honor therefor. For three years he served the church ; follow- ing him, Revs. L. M. Schofield, D. D., W. J. Young, D. D., J. B. Flem- ing, A. M. Eels and W. E. d'Argent have served the church and passed on. Rev. W. E. Shirey came to the church in 1903, and has been suc- ceeded by Rev. A. W. Hoffman.
The First Presbyterian Church has a membership, at present, of 215 and its property is valued at $12,000.
ST. CASIMIR'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
In 1890, Rev. U. Raszkiewicz, of Otis, assisted by an active commit- tee of eight, undertook the task of forming the St. Casimir's Congre-
.
369
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
gation, which consists exclusively of Polish Catholics. At that time it was composed of about fifty families and a few single persons. Six lots were bought at $300 each, and two lots were donated. A frame building of 90x46 feet was erected at a cost of $10,000. This building was to serve for all purposes-school, church and priest's house. Rev. C. Kobylinski, the first resident pastor, reduced the church debt to $800. On July 2, 1897, he was succeeded by Rev. P. A. Kahellek.
St. Casimir's enjoys the distinction of having the first pipe organ to be installed in any church in Hammond. After paying off the remain- ing indebtedness, Rev. Kahellek made various interior improvements to both the church and school. An additional schoolroom was also pre- pared, and the eighty school children were taught by two female lay teachers until 1901, when the Sisters of St. Francis of Lafayette took charge. At the present time the attendance is 137, taught by three sisters. The teachers reside in the room formerly occupied by the pastor. '
The pastoral residence, a commodious brick building, was erected in 1901, at a cost of $3,000. In 1905 the church was frescoed. The debt on the church then amounted to $2,400.
Rev. John Kasprzykowski followed Rev. Kahellek, and in July, 1907, was succeeded by Rev. F. F. Seroczynski, the present pastor, with Rev. John Hosinski, assistant. The church membership embraces some three hundred families and 1,550 souls; valuation of church property about thirty-five thousand dollars. The societies are St. Joseph's, for mar- ried men; the Rosary Society, for married women ; St. Aloysius Society, for single men ; the Rosary Society, for single women, and the Guardian Angel Society for children.
ST. JOHANNES' GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
In May, 1889, a number of Lutherans residing on the north side of Hammond severed their connection with St. Paul's Lutheran Church, south side, and organized as a congregation of thirty-five charter mem- bers. After incorporating, effort was made to procure a site suitable for a house of worship. Messrs. M. M. Towle and Hoffman presented three lots on Towle Street, south of Gostlin, on which the present church, an edifice of 34x50 feet, with an eighty-foot steeple, was com- pleted in November, 1889. The building now stands several lots north because of the construction of the interurban through the original grounds. Preparations having been made for the training of the soul, the congregation next concerned itself with the discipline of the mind. A parochial school was established and a small building was erected adjacent to the church, being ready for use by February, 1890. Vol. J -24
370
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
Rev. William A. Brauer, from Appleton City, Missouri, was called to preach and to teach, but by 1892 the students had increased in num- ber from six to sixty, in consequence of which A. List, of Hancock, Michigan, was called to take charge of the students. In 1893 an addi- tional schoolroom was built. After four years of service Mr. List ac- cepted a call to Chicago and his successors have been Mr. Dorn, Prof. O. E. Heintz, P. Schuelke and R. Siegel.
St. Johannes' Church has a beautiful church property of 100-foot frontage, including an adequate parsonage, church and school buildings and accessories. There are sixty voting members (heads of families) and over three hundred and fifty souls, all of whom are the sons, daughters and grandchildren of the charter members. In addition to the school, in which there are over one hundred attendants, there is an excellent choir of twenty-five voices, and a missionary church at Indiana Harbor. Rev. William A. Brauer, who was practically the organizer, builder, first pastor and teacher, is still with the church, looking forward to the spiritual guidance of the third generation of his original little flock of German immigrants, to whom he has taught the principles of education and character. On November 15, 1913, there was a reunion of the mem- bers of the church in commemoration of the pastor's twenty-fifth anni- versary.
ZION'S GERMAN METHODIST CHURCH
The above-named church was organized in 1889 with a charter mem- bership of twenty-five. Its first minister was Rev. H. J. Kamp ; Rev. F. A. Karnopp now occupies the pulpit and presides over a society which has a regular membership of 112. The church property on Truman Avenue is valued at $9,000.
EVANGELICAL IMMANUEL CHURCH
On October 15, 1890. Rev. P. Weil, present pastor of Friedens Evan- gelical Church, organized the Evangelical Immanuel Church of Ham- mond. The first church was completed on October 16, 1892, and in the following year the parsonage was erected. Reverend Weil remained as pastor until February 28, 1899, to become shortly afterward the pastor of his present church on Sohl Street. Rev. Theodore Brown had charge of the society from April 16, 1899, to August 28, 1904. On October 2, 1904, Rev. John Lebart began his work as pastor and teacher of the modest but growing church and thus remained until December 5, 1905. Rev. Valentine Ziemer was installed February 4, 1906, remaining until
371
LAKE COUNTY AND THE CALUMET REGION
June 18, 1908. Rev. C. A. Heldverg resumed the work of his predeces- sors, beginning on August 1, 1908, and was succeeded by Reverend Hoefer, who began his work on June 1, 1910, and delivered his farewell sermon on April 19, 1914. Rev. Earnest Hugo, who is now in charge of the church and school, was called June 15, 1914. The present church, which is a handsome red briek front structure standing on Sibley Street, was erected during Reverend Hoefer's pastorship. The corner-stone was laid July 4, 1904, and the church was dedicated November 14, 1909. This building, together with the adjacent parsonage and other proper- ties of the congregation, has an aggregate value of $25,000. There is a total of 132 members, with flourishing Sunday school and auxiliary societies.
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.