USA > Indiana > Delaware County > A twentieth century history of Delaware County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 50
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'The following item occurred in one of the old Muncietown papers: "Rt. Reverend Jackson Kemper, Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri, and Missionary Bishop of Indiana, preached at the court house in Muncietown, Tuesday, June 12, 1844."-G. W. H. K.
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Edward Olcott, was the donor of the bishop's chair and large front window in the present church. This window had been in the old parish church of Mr. Olcott's home town in Charlestown, New Hampshire. An oil painting of the Ascension of Christ was given by Mrs. J. R. Marsh and Mrs. R. J. Beatty. The altar desk, chancel books and markers were given by Mrs. Ada K. Over as a memorial to her son. The altar rail was given by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick E. Putman and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Olcott as a memorial to Mrs. Mary Kirby. The altar cross was the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Olcott as a thank offering at the christening of their little daughter Mary. The credence was given as a memorial to her. A pair of brass vases were also given by Mr. Olcott in memory of his mother; and the silver com- munion service as a memorial to his brother, George Olcott. The proces- sional cross was the gift of Mr. Willis Kutz. Mrs. Sarah Hartley gave the cover to the font; also the cwer and shell successively at the baptism of her children. The white brocade dossel cloth was the gift of the Guild of the Royal Cross, while the brass pole on which it rests was the gift of the Ladies' Auxiliary and the Guild of the Royal Cross. Mrs. Mark Claypool embroid- ered and gave one of the handsome altar cloths, while Mrs. Harriet M. John- ston and several of the other women of the church have embroidered and given altar cloths and book markers for the service.
Since the beginning of the regular services the following clergymen have had charge here: They are the Rev. Jesse R. Bicknell, the Rev. Mr. Root, while the church was yet a mission ; and the following were the rectors after organization: The Rev. Mr. Allen, the Rev. F. D. Jaudon (1881 to 1882), the Rev. J. W. Birchmore ( 1883 to 1886), the Rev. R. Collison (1886), the Rev. F. W. Henry ( 1887 to 1890), the Rev. J. A. Antrim (1891), the Rev. F. O. Grannis (1891 to 1896), the Rev. H. M. Denslow (1896 to 1902), the Rev. W. K. Berry ( 1902 to 1906), and the Rev. F. F. Kraft, who is the present rector, having taken charge of the parish in Sep- tember, 1906. During this time there have been 304 baptisms, 229 confirma- tions, 83 marriages, and 114 burials. During the last year there have been 3 marriages, 6 funerals, 12 baptisms, 16 confirmations. The church now has three societies: St. Martha's Guild, Saint Monica's Guild, and the Woman's Auxiliary. St. Martha's Guild makes a regular and generous con- tribution to the church work. Saint Monica's Guild is the sewing society of the parish and has made and given to the church the vestments for the choir boys. The Woman's Auxiliary was organized under the rectorship of the Rev. Mr. Henry and is a branch of the missionary society of the general church. Mrs. Caroline McCulloch was the first president of local branch of the Auxiliary, and continued to be so as long as she lived. Other organiza- tions which have existed in the church, but which have been succeeded by the later societies, are the Ladies' Afternoon Social Guild, Order of the
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Sisters of Bethany and Brotherhood of Saint Andrew. The Sunday school has worked along with the church from the first and has always done credit- able work. The good these church societies have done can scarcely be over- estimated, and indeed it is certainly showing an honor to women's work that Mr. McCulloch is to build the beautiful new church on the site of the old one in memory of his wife and mother, two of the best workers of Grace church parish. Probably the parish owes its existence more to Mr. McCul- loch's mother than to any other person. At one time she was the only com- municant in Muncictown, and the church today is the result of her efforts when she started alone in the work.
In the spring of 1906 Bishop Francis, bishop of the diocese, announced that Mr. McCulloch would build a church, parish house and rectory in mem- ory of his wife and mother. A building committee was appointed consisting of Bishop Francis, Messrs. Olcott, Marsh, Brady and Sampson, Mrs. Arthur Smith and Mrs. Sarah Keiser, sisters of Mr. McCulloch, and Mrs. Harriet Jolinston, who immediately arranged for competitive plans. Several thou- sand dollars was given to the building committee by Mr. McCulloch to defray the expenses attendant upon the selection of plans. Plans were submitted by Architects Wing and Mahurin of Fort Wayne, Abram Garfield of Cleve- land, Sutcliffe of Chicago, and Alfred Grindel, formerly of Muncie, but now of Indianapolis. The latter was successful in making a satisfactory set. The plans as drawn by Mr. Grindel called for the erection of a church, parish house and rectory of the Old English style. The three edifices will be of Bedford stone, rock faced. The church, the central building of the group, will be particularly beautiful. The nave will seat 350 people, and the morn- ing chapel will accommodate about forty-eight. The chancel is very large and will house a marble altar of striking design ; the choir rooms and sacristies will be connected with the church by an ambulatory which will afford the choir an entrance to the chancel. The baptistry will be in the rear of the church, near the main entrance. This arrangement will be in accordance with the Episcopal teachings that baptism is the entrance to the church. The parish house will be about 76x64 feet, and will follow in architectural style the church and the rectory. This building will be used for Sunday school work, meetings of the various organizations of the parish, entertainments and social events. In the basement of the parish house will be a fully equipped gymnasium for the use of the younger social organizations. The rectory, which will be at the extreme corner of the lot in Munroe street, will be of stone, the upper story to be of half timber. In arranging the buildings it has been Mr. McCulloch's wish that Old English lines be used in all the details. In the belfry will be installed a set of chimes costing, it is said, about $5,000, ' and a $6,000 organ will furnish the music for the church. The organ will be built with a console in the morning chapel so that it can be played either from
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First Universalist Church, Muncie.
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there or from the main keyboard. The grounds surrounding the building will be made into lawn, intersected by cement walks leading to the entrances of the various buildings. The steps leading to all the buildings will be of stone. Grace parish is at the present time steadily growing, sixteen persons having been confirmed at the last visitation of Bishop Francis. It is be- lieved that the erection of the new church buildings will bring out greater interest in parish work and force it to the front rank of Muncie churches.
THE UNIVERSALIST. First Universalist Church, Muncie.
After some two years of occasional preaching of the doctrines of Uni- versalism, instituted by Samuel I. Watson (a layman), he invited Rev. Ben- jamin F. Foster, a noted clergyman of Indianapolis, to come and hold a pro- tracted meeting of about two weeks, in the court house. This resulted in his extending the "Right Hand of Fellowship" to the Universalist confession of faith to the following persons, who organized the First Universalist Church of Muncie on the following Wednesday evening of February 18, 1859:
Samuel I. Watson and Mrs. C. Watson, E. M. Watson, Alice Watson, A. W. Charman and Mrs. Jane Charman, James Charman, Samuel O. Budd, W. B. Kline and Mrs. M. Kline, John Richey, Peter Fullheart and Mrs. A. Fullheart, J. F. Fullheart, Miss E. J. Fullheart, Cynthia Fleming, Amy C. (Fleming) Ireland, Eliza Willard, Jane Spear, Mary Jane (Gilbert) Ed- monds ( first white girl born in Muncie), Mrs. E. Proud, Dr. W. H. McCormick, Mrs. C. A. McCormick, S. W. Harlan, R. Antrim, G. Goodman, W. H. Howell, L. B. Bonham, and A. B. Thomas. The oldest charter mem- bers living now are S. O. Budd, 77 past, and James Charman, 76.
At the corner of Jackson and Madison streets, the original building was dedicated September 9, 1860, at a cost of $6,000. This was remodeled in 1899 at a cost of $14,000. More recent improvements and the value of ground increase this by $10,000.
The church has been served by the following ministers: 1860, Henry Gifford, of Ohio; 1861, Josiah Davis ; 1863, E. Case; 1866, Rev. W. B. Linell ; 1867, W. C. Brooks; 1870, Marion Crosbey ; 1873, J. J. Austin ; 1874, Rev. Thomas S. Guthrie ; 1877, J. L. and L. D. Crosbey ; 1879, J. A. Dobson ; 1881, W. C. Brooks ; 1882, Thad. C. Druley ; 1884, T. P. Abell ; 1884, T. S. Guthrie ; 1892, W. W. Gleason ; 1893, J. F. Carney ; 1897, Miss M. A. Brennen ; 1902, J. H. Peardon ; 1903, G. I. Keirn.
THE CATHOLIC. St. Lawrence Catholic Church.
The spot where now stands the prosperous city of Muncie was occupied as late as 1828 by a few straggling cabins, and thickets of hazel brush, and
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was noted chiefly for its aguc and mud. Missionaries in the earliest days occasionally visited the few Catholic families scattered here and there. The first priest visiting Muncie was Father Daniel Maloney, who came from In- dianapolis. The first Holy Mass was celebrated at the house of Patrick Tuhey, upon which site the magnificent Carnegie library is erected.
For nearly four years Father Maloney made monthly visits celebrat- ing Holy Mass alternately at the homes of Patrick Tuley and Peter Mutch. Patrick Tuhey has long since gone to his eternal reward. Peter Mutch and his wife, both nearly niurty years of age, still occupy the home which was often the scene of the devotion of the Catholics of Muncie in the carly missionary days.
Father Maloney today might have his choice of the Big Four Railroad or the interurban lines, but in his time, lacking these convenient modes of travel, he made his journey on horseback from Indianapolis.
Father Bessonies attended Muncie from Indianapolis in 1855 and 1856. Father Clark came to Muncie in 1857. He attended the missions of Win- chester, Anderson, and . Union City. He endeavored unsuccessfully to build a church in Muncie. The missionary visits continued, Fathers See- christ, Shellamacher, Black, Vanderpoole, McMahon, Geoghan, Maloney and Doyle having care of this mission for short periods of time.
Father Fitzmaurice took charge in the carly 6os and administered to the spiritual wants three years. Fathers Bleckman and Von Schwedler. both attended Muncie from Union City. The Rev. Lawrence Lamour of Union City began the building of the church in 1869. The congregation at that time numbered 75 members, none of them possessing an abundance of this world's goods, but what they lacked in wealth, they supplied in zcal and persistence. They finally bought the lots in block 8 at the corner of Charles and Hackley streets, upon which the church was built. To Father Lamour belongs the credit of completing the church, a brick building, 35×60 feet in sizc. The church is named for his patron, St. Lawrence the Deacon. It was dedicated in 1873 by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Dwenger, at that time Bishop of Fort Wayne. The lots on which it was erected were bought by his predecessor, Bishop Luers. Father Joseph A. Marshall was sta- tioned at Muncie from June to September, . 1873. Father Crowley of An- derson succeeded Father Lamour and was zcalously devoted to the care of the little flock in Muncie. He attended Muncie as a mission once a month and by collections paid off the indebtedness of the church all but $250, which remained when his successor was appointed. The present pastor, the Rev. William G. Schmidt, was ordained priest on December 19, 1874, by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Dwenger at the Cathedral in Fort Wayne and was then ap- pointed pastor of Muncie, whose congregation comprised at that time about 45 families. . He erected a small frame residence which served as a priest's
Catholic Church, Muncie.
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house until 1899, when he built the present rectory at the cost of $7,000. The first parish residence was partially destroyed by fire on November 1, 1880.
Father Schmidt built a frame schoolhouse in 1881 wherein he taught from 1881 to 1882. He attended Hartford City in 1875, and Montpelier from 1875 to 1896. Sick-calls to Hartford City, Montpelier, and the sur- rounding country, were made by such modes of travel as horse-back riding, hand-cars, and similar primitive conveniences. The pastor describes one of these sick-calls made on a very cold winter night, the distance being from Muncie to Montpelier, in which he took his turn in propelling the conveyance, a hand-car, managed to keep from freezing, and spoiled with the grease used on the car one side of his new suit of clothes, a rare luxury in those days.
The present church edifice, a magnificent structure in the Gothic style of architectural beauty, cruciform in shape, and symmetrically perfect, was built by the Rev. William G. Schmidt, and dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Rademacher of beloved and blessed memory on the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, A. D. 1895. The altars and furniture are of fine oak, the high altar being a splendid Gothic creation in this wood, and a joy to the eye of a devout Catholic assisting at the Holy Sacrifice offered up to God on this Calvary erected by the devotion of the Muncie people. The cost of the church approximated the sum of $43,000. The money was raised by the efforts of Father Schmidt, ably seconded by the congregation. Its value today is about $50,000. The seating capacity of the church is 950.
After the new church was built, the old church was converted into two school-rooms which, with the frame structure erected in 1881, served for the accommodation of the parochial school pupils until 1901, in the spring of which year Father Schmidt began the erection of what is today one of the finest parochial school buildings in Indiana. The work pro- gressed throughout the spring and summer of 1901 and in October of that year two rooms were prepared for occupancy in the new building. These rooms accommodated those children who had formerly attended in the ""Old Church" school-rooms, which latter Father Schmidt tore down at this period. He rented for the first four to six weeks of the fall term two rooms in a neighboring building, formerly used as a blacksmith shop. and many of the children now attending school laughingly recall their school days in the "Blacksmith Shop." One of the Sisters having written her brother a de- scription of her school-room at the time, received a humorous reply stating how he pictured his dear sister standing in the door of the "Blacksmith Shop" wistfully peering down the street in anticipation of the coming of the next horse.
As a reward for their happy endurance of the beauties and fresh
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air of the "Blacksmith Shop" the teachers and pupils of those two rooms re- ceived the earliest accommodation that could be prepared in the new build- ing. The rooms of the rest were ready for occupancy by December, 1901. The building contains eight (8) splendidly-lighted, scientifically ventilated, and well equipped school-rooms, each 27x27 fect. Two spacious halls sepa- rate the rooms on each of the two floors occupied by the latter. A large auditorium occupies the third floor. The heating and other conveniences are of the most modern type, and not one of the upwards of 400 children who attend school is at any time exposed to aught dangerous to health from the opening hours of morning to the time the children are dismissed in the afternoon. The cost of the school approximated $20,000, while its value is about $25,000.
The school was first taught by the pastor, later by a lay teacher, then by the Sisters of St. Joseph, and since 1886 by the Sisters of St. Agnes from Fond du Lac, Wis. Ten Sisters form the Mission, eight of whom teach the school of eight grades followed by a modification of the ordinary high school and commercial college work combined with a view of affording a useful educational equipment in favor of children of a manufacturing town, some of whom are obliged to start early in life the task of winning a liveli- hood. The school is supported by a very small tuition fee and the proceeds of such entertainments as may be necessary for such balance as the tuition fees fail to cover. The Sisters attend to the entire care of the altars, mak- ing and washing the altar-cloths, albs, and all linens used in the sanctuary, attending to the sanctuary decorations and light, preparing the altar-breads, etc. The teachers reside in a frame building near the school-house. Father Schmidt contemplates the erection of a more spacious residence for the Sis- ters and hopes to accomplish it this year ( 1907).
The estimated value of the entire church property is: Ground, $15,000; improvements, $90,000. The balance of indebtedness on the same is $17,000.
The St. Vincent de Paul Aid Society established April 18, 1894, does a great good work among the poorer members of the congregation and even extends aid to cases of distress reported to them in favor of poor people not of our Faith.
The A. O. H. established May 1, 1892, and the Ladies' Auxiliary of A. O. H., besides extending charity to the sick, etc., among their members, are always ready and willing to assist any undertaking for the benefit of the church.
Other societies are the Catholic Benevolent Legion, the Ladies' Cath- olic Benevolent Association, the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, and the Knights of Columbus.
For the young girls there is the St. Agnes' Sodality and the Children
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of Mary; for the boys, the Holy Name Sodality and the St. Aloysius' Society.
The younger children have organizations known as the Guardian Angel and Infant Jesus Societies.
The Rev. John Schmitz was assistant in 1899-1900. Later the Rev. L. R. Paquet, and still later the Rev. Z. IIuot assisted the pastor for some time.
At the present time Rev. Jolin H. Kohl is assistant.
The Rev. William George Schmidt, pastor of the St. Lawrence's con- gregation since his ordination in 1874, was born at Lahr in the Province of Nassau, Germany, February 5, 1852. Father Schmidt attended school for three years in his native country, and came to the United States when his father brought the family hither in 1861. They settled at Mineral Point, Wis., where his good father died on January 29, 1862. He attended school at Mineral Point for three years, and then became a student at Calvary College, Fond du Lac, Wis., in which institution he pursued his studies for a period of three years with the object of entering the priesthood. Subse- quently he was engaged as a salesman in a mercantile house at Warren, Ill., and was occupied in a similar capacity later on at Dodgeville, Wis.
He then entered the seminary of St. Francis at Milwaukee, where he studied three and one-half years. He finished his theological studies at Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, and was ordained by Bishop Dwenger on December 19, 1874. He assumed pastoral charge of St. Law- rence Congregation on January 28, 1875, and has been identified with the interests of the church in Muncie since that date. His mother resided with him from the period above mentioned until her holy death, October 31, 1889. On the occasion of the silver jubilee of his ordination, which was likewise that of his appointment to Muncie, the Catholics were seconded in their celebration by the foremost non-Catholic citizens of the town, many of whom, remembering the days of Muncie's sorrow when the small-pox caused dire suffering in the town, seemed happy, indeed, to give public expression to their appreciation of fidelity of the Catholic priesthood to suf- fering humanity at the risk of any sacrifice. The celebration was a great source of joy to the Catholics of Muncie chiefly because of the tribute of reverence paid by those outside of the fold to religion in the respect shown their pastor by all the citizens of Muncie. Father Schmidt is justly proud of his magnificent church-but the joy and delight of his heart, the theme of all themes interesting to him, is his Parochial School.
He is one of the priests of the Diocese of Fort Wayne, who, besides teaching his school himself in the first beginning, paid part of the expense of its maintenance out of his own meagre salary in the early years of the school's existence.
His congregation-it is a friend of his who speaks-appear to be like
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their "Little Father," quiet, reverent, and docile. No dissensions are heard of among them, and should a little misunderstanding threaten to arise, Father Schmidt's decision satisfies all parties, as his people have full confi- dence in his management of affairs, a trust born of the experience they have enjoyed in his long and edifying pastorate.
Albany.
Ten or fifteen years ago the members of the Catholic Church residing in or near Albany considered themselves sufficiently strong to effect a church organization, which was done in the spring of 1895. During that summer a church building costing about $1,500 was erected in the east part of the town. The charter members of the church were Mr. McGee, Mr. Hinkel, Andrew Tuttle, William Russell. At the present time there are only three Catholic families residing at Albany, and they attend service in Dunkirk. While the church remains in Albany and a semblance of or- ganization, there is practically no parish. The three pastors who have held services there have been Rev. Constantine Manjay, Rev. William Hogan, Rev. John C. Wakefer.
THE FRIENDS. Friends Society, Muncic.
The Quaker influence in the carly settlement of southeastern Indiana has been referred to on previous pages. Nevertheless, though many Friends have lived in Delaware county from the early times, no regular meetings were held in Muncie until the seventies. It is said that Mrs. Mary H. Goddard was mainly influential in starting the movement that resulted in the formation of a meeting. William S. Wooten and other ministers came to Muncie occasionally, during 1875, preaching in the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, and as a result, on April 2, 1876, steps were taken for the organization of a Muncie meeting. Eighteen persons, six of them children, constituted the meeting, namely: Samuel Haines, Joseph A. and Mary H. Goddard, Calvin and Mary Haines, Margaret Burt, William and Deborah Carson, Harry Harrington, Lydia Harrington, William and Laura Jessup, Walter and Harvey Haines, Clarence Carson, William H., Grace and Anna Goddard. Mrs. Mary Burson gave, rent free, a small frame building on the north side of the square as a meeting house, but during a revival held by Nathan and Esther Frame, the first regular ministers, Wall- ing Hall was used. The membership was greatly increased by the meetings, and in the summer of 1879 the contract was let for the building of the first church home, at the corner of Mulberry and Seymour (it was then Wall street ).
Friends Church, Muncie. Dedicated February 2. 1908.
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The church was dedicated in February, 1880; it was a frame building, having cost about $1,800.
Following Nathan and Esther Frame, the ministers of the society have been : John Riley, Oliver White, Luke Woodard, Nevius Hodgin, William P. Angel, and Charles E. Iliatt.
In 1903 a lot was purchased at the corner of Cherry and Adams streets, and in 1906 was begun the erection of a modern church edifice, to cost about $30,000. It is one of the handsomest of Muncie's modern churches, though in its architectural lines and in its interior decoration and equipment a chaste simplicity characteristic of the church has been maintained. The building committee are: Joseph A. Goddard, Frank E. Osborne, H. H. Rayle, C. A. Ramsey, E. E. Elliott, and C. E. Hiatt.
THE UNITED BRETHREN. Normal City United Brethren.
This society was organized in January, 1905. They bought from the Presbyterians the old church building standing at the corner of Calvert avenue and Adams street, and it was in this house that the organization took place. The church, though only two years old, now has 144 members, but those who were the first or charter members were George Calvert and wife Anna, Andrew Kane and wife and son, Rev. J. W. Gibson and wife, R. Bowden and wife, Rev. Ella Priddy and daughters Clara and Odessa. The church property was bought for $500, but recently the society have paid $400 for a lot at Jackson and Calvert and plan, at this writing, the building of a $10,000 church. Rev. J. Walter Gibson is the only pastor who has served this congregation, having organized the class and conducted it to its present success.
First Brethren, Muncie.
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