USA > Indiana > Grant County > Centennial history of Grant County, Indiana, 1812 to 1912 : compiled from records of the Grant county historical society, archives of the county, data of personal interviews, and other authentic sources of local information > Part 89
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The Fairmont Congregational church, organized in the 80s by Rev. William Weidenhoeft, was the introduction of Congregationalism, religious democracy, into Grant county. Congregationalism is not wide- spread in Indiana because in an early day the American board coope rated with the Presbyterian board in this locality, advancing the king- dom rather than denominationalism. The cornerstone of the present church was laid in 1888, soon after the denomination was organized. There was a Congregational church in North Marion later It began as the Bradford church, but it was finally abandoned and the house sohl, some of the members affiliating with the Temple Congregational church after it changed its name from Christian.
While the Bible is the religion of all Protestantism, the Word of God is the basis of all Congregationalism, and on this point the New Light and Congregationalists are agreed-are really one faith. New Light Christians in different communities have different conceptions of dor- trinal questions --- baptism an open question. Congregationalism is a religious democracy closely in accord with United States history -we the people. White Congregationalists are sometimes called aristocrats, the
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humblest member is given equal recognition. Both New lagthand Con gregational churches have suffered loss from floating membership, and membership m the two denominations would hardly reath one thousand. although loyalty is a strong clement.
At the 1912 Forefathers' Day celebration in the Temple Congroen tional church. Mrs. (. A. Southall presented Early Congregationalism in America, and a. W. Miles reviewed the charter member hip of the local church the history of the Christians in 1539 down to date. In would have required a discriminating mind to have discovered the differ enre. the Pilgrim Fathers and the New Light Christians having one common purpose- - the freedom to worship fiod according to the dictates of their own conscience, and it was apparent to all that there is no essential difference between the Christians that were and the Congrega tionalists that are just the same families, and the same church com munity. The primitive church had part in a Union Sunday school held in the courthouse in Ist, and since IS51 it has maintained an inde pendent Sunday school, said to be the oldlest one in the county. It was in 1842 that a member was excommunicated for the use of profane language.
NOIV. PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Episcopalan church in Marion dates back to the second Sut- day in June, 1550, when the Rev. Joseph S. Large, rector of Trinity church in Ft. Wayne, conducted the first service, and reported "a large congregation, responses good and chants well sning." The service was held in the Presbyterian church, and twenty-four years later occurred the second service of which there is record, Wednesday, January 14, 1-74, when Rev. Thomas R. Austin, of St. James church in Vincentes. held an evening session in the courthouse, reporting seven church fai ilies in the community. The next service was held in the summer of Isst by the Rev. J. J. Faude, and in October that year Rev. W. W. Ray mond of St. James church in Goshen hehl service in Marion.
The Rov. George P. Torrence, a former rector of Gethsemane church who lived several years in Marion, is authority for the statement that the real beginning of the life of the present parish dates from a service held by Rev. Raymond at the residence of J. N. Turner, Wednesday evening, April 9, 1884, and on the next day the celebration of the Holy Conmuumion occurred for the first time in Gethsemane parish in the library of the Turner home, with live resident communicants in attend ance. Holy baptism was administered the first time in the parish in the Grant county courthouse, June Sth that year, and Gethsemane was the name given it by the Rt. Rev. David Buell Knickerbacker in memory of his old parish in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Frank F. Foster was the first warden, and Rev. Raymond of Goshen had charge of the Gethsemane mission. Fred Willson was the first Sunday school superintendent. Services were held at intervals, and in 1887 Rev. W. G. Woolford became the first resident minister. While he only remained two months, cleven baptismis occurred during his pastorate.
Rev. George Davis Adams came in November, 1887, and remained until 1890, when the Rev. Lewis F. Cole became rector, and the present church edifice was built, ground being broken June 23 and the corner- stone laid July 23. The beautiful stone church is the result. The building site had been acquired from the trustees of the Wesleyan Methodist church, the curideration being $1,000, and $10,000 repre-
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sents the original expenditure, although a parish house has since been acquired immediately north of the church, and all business and social meetings are held there. The Cary play ground is in the rear of the parish house. After Rey. Cole came Rev. A. J. Purcell, Rev. E. A. Pres- sey, Rev. G. P. Torrence, Rev. H. R. White and Rev. F. B. B. Johnston, and since St. Paul church was established in Chas tity in JeD' the fifth sematte rector has served both congregations.
'The meetings in the St. Paul mission were held in various churches in Jonesboro and Gas City, and in the annealing room of the Moure- wood Tinplate Factory, its superintendent. J. H. Rogers, dong mich toward establishing the church in the town. The ground on which St. Paul's church stands was given by the Gas City Land Company, and the two Protestant Episcopal congregations have many things mit common between them. Gethsemane and St. Paul have both attracted many members, and while each church has a parsonage the rector urrupies the Julia Norton homestead left by will to the parish for the use of its rector. Miss Norton had an abiding interest in Gethsemalte church, and there is a tablet in the auditorium sacred to ler memory. The ritualistic service appeals to some, and music is always a feature of the worship. In the Gethsemane Year Book and Reference M: nual for 1912 is the statement : "The church is taking an active part in the social work of the town. She is doing a part out of proportion to her relative size." The Gethsemane and St. Paul Protestant Episcopal churches are in the diocese of Michigan City.
NOV. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
There are three Presbyterian churches in Grant county, and all of them date back many years. The Jonesboro Presbyterian church was organized. May 29. 1831, and is as old as the county itself. It was at a place along the Mississinewa known as Pleasant Hill. Int in isto it was removed to Jonesboro and in 1867 the site now ocenpied was pur- chased from Sylvester Bankboner. The two story mick church was dedicated there in 1872 which was destroyed by fire twenty years later. It was called Hopewell church in the beginning, and among the carly members were the Wallace, Roush, Candy. Horne, Allen Conder, Wilson, Med'urdy, Knight, Coleman and Pierce Families.
The early records were written by the local ministers, and there was a Sunday school established while the church was still beated in the country. The desk and library were taken from Pleasant Hill 10 1h . Candy schoolhouse, where they were left and sometimes used during the war. Although visited by tire abont twenty years ago, another church edifice marks the site in Jonesboro, and in the memberstop there are descendants from many pioneer families in Grant county. During booth days there was another church in Glas City served by this Jonesboro minister. The Jonesboro church owns a parsonage, and it is an excel- Jent community.
The first Presbyterian sermon ever preached in Marion was in 1836, and the organization of the church was October 3. 1813, that date prominent on the cornerstone of the present magnificent edilice. Novem- her 26, 1843, was when the first new member was received, and from that time there has been continued growth. The first Presbyterian Sun- day school was established January 26, 1845, and on July 4 a Sunday school celebration was held. Mrs. Miriam Wallace, Jong honored as the oldest living member, was admitted April 3. 1852, coming into the
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church by letter. It was in 1853 that the first church was built, and April 7. 1858, the College of Indiana opened in Marion under Presby- derian auspiers, with Rev. Samuel Sawyer its president.
It was from 1871 to 1873 that the old brick church at the corner of Brauson and Fifth streets was built, the basement being used for church services several years before the building was dedicated, September 1, 1878, and on October 8, 1893, a fine semi-centennial anniversary service was held there. Early in the new century active preparations were begin looking toward building the present modern church editier. On March 10, 1902, the present site was purchased at a cost of $6,500. and August 18th of that year activities began on the new building. The old church was sold and the last service there was on Washing- ton's birthday, 1903. The cornerstone of the new building was laid on June 17th of that year. During the building interim regular serv- ices were held in the Temple (Congregational, and in the library, The first service was held in the new church November 11, 1901. One month later it was dedicated and all the town was glad of such a com- mocious church structure.
The building is gothic and constructed of native blue limestone, trimmed in Bedford, which gives to it a massive, cathedral-like appear- ance, making it conspicuously prominent and particularly attractive. The church was built at an approximate cost of $65,000 and is well adapted to the requirements of conventions, concerts, etc. The Sweet ser Free Memorial concerts frequently test its seating capacity. The magnificent Estey organ, with its more than 1,500 speaking pipes, was presented to the church by Mr. and Mrs. James Vermilyen Sweetser. in memory of their daughter, Mrs. Delight Sweetser Prentiss. At his death Mr. Sweetser left a fund providing for concerts to be given by the best available musical talent, and more than forty such entertain ments on the Sweetser foundation have already lien enjoyed by the Grant county and visiting publie, and Marion audiences never the of these splendid concerts.
The art windows in the church are beautiful, and the furniture is of the latest design-everything of the best. The parlors adjacent to the main auditorium are the gift of F. D. Prentiss in memory of Mrs. Prentiss, and the chimes in the bell tower are a gift to the church from -J. Wood Wilson, and a charming adjunct to all Marion church worship as they peal out upon the morning air or call the worshippers together at eventide a gift to the Presbyterian church direct, but to all Marion citizens who enjoy their saered peals and think of worship even though they may not wend their way to any service. There is a hermitaically sealed copper box deposited in the corner stone containing many articles, records, pictures, books and pamphlets, which may prove instructive and interesting when the next building committee is appointed- - but that is likely to be a long time off', as the present structure was built for future need- all that taken into consideration. A committee of three, Dr. W. A. Fankboner, Mrs. Lee Hall and Captain H. O. Heichert, was designated to name the building committee of five: Philip Diels, II. M. Elliott, Maynard B. M.Feely, T. C. Ruble and W. H. Wiley, who had charge of the business, and the Rev. Freeley Rohrer was minister.
The church issued a souvenir booklet in connection with the dedica- fory service, and for the second time in its history a dedicatory sermon was delivered by Dr. Charles Little, for more than forty years the min- ister in the Wabash Presbyterian church-September 1, 1878, and December 11, 1904, in the sixty-second year of Marion Presbyterian history.
The Matthews Presbyterian church has had a varied experience.
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being the ontgrowth of a church originally established at Elisabethtown across the Grant-Delaware county line, and later removed to New f um berland, where it was always a flourishing congregation. There were many prominent pioneer families enrolled in this New Cumberland church and their descendants are still members in New Town, the Old Town building having been sold in boom days and converted into fart property. The Presbyterians of the county have many interests in cum- mon, and all meet in the same synod the Muncie Presbytery. The Presbyterian and Congregational boards cooperated in an early day, and while the two denominations have many points in common, Indiana was considered Presbyterian territory and the Presbyterian churches were all planted early in Grant county. Because of the American Board of Congregationalism and the Presbyterian board cooperating in the past, some one defined Congregationalism as a theological stream rising in New England and flowing westward into Presbyteriansm. Both are evangelical churches, and in some instances ministers serve one and the other without changing their conference relation.
XOVL. CATHOLICITY IN GRANT COUNTY By Rec. J. P. Darkum
In the last ten years the membership of the Catholic church in Grant county has greatly increased, due mainly to the migration of Catholic families from the eastern states, and the reception of converts into the church. There are approximately about three thousand Catholics in Grant county .
The first Catholic families came to Marion with the construction of what is now the Michigan division of the Big Four Railroad in IS55, although for many years there was an mudfinished grade, finally utilized in 1875. At that time, and for a number of years the pastors of Peru, Wabash, Kokomo and Union City visited here.
The list of pastors from 1868 to 1913 is the following: Rev. B. T. Borg, from 1865-1870; Rev. P. Frawley, From 1875-1876; R.v. M. F. Kelly, from 1876-1882; Rev. James A. Twigg, From 1882-1883; Rev. 1 1. Strueder, from 1883-1881; Rev. M. Joy, one month; Rev. John Grogan, 1884-1891 ; Rev. W. J. Quinlan, from January 4. 1591, till April 14, 1906: Rev. P. J. Crawley, from April 11. 1906 to January 1. 1909. and the present inenmbent, Rev. J. P. Durham, from January 1, 1909. In 18GS, under the supervision of Father Borg, a small frame church was ererted on the corner of Branson and Ninth streets, in which Holy Mass was said for the first time on the second Sunday of July, I80s. The first parochial residence was erected by Rev. P. Frawley, and in the summer of 1897 was enlarged by Father Quinlan, at a cost of $1,000. Owing to an increase of families it was necessary to enlarge the old frame church, which was done in 1894, but soon it was apparent that a more commodious church was necessary, hence ground was broken for the present St. Paul's church on September 30, 1995. The corner støtte was laid on May 7, 1896, and on November 7, 1597, the new church was solemnly dedicated hy Rt. Rev. Joseph Rademacher.
In September of 1909 a parochial school was opened by Rev. J. P. Durham in the basement of the church. Three sisters of the order of St. Joseph were brought to Marion, and the school was given into their charge. Previous to the opening of the school a residence and prop- erty had been purchased south of the parochial residence as a convent
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for the sisters. In 1910, on ground north of the church, a large brick school building was created, and in September of the same year the chil. dren of the school entered. More teaching sisters were engaged, and soon the capacity of the new school house was taxed. Marion Catholics have as fine a church property as there is in the county ; they value it at $100,000. St. Paul's congregation has about three hundred families, numbering one thousand and five hundred souls. The societies of the parish aggregate a membership of seven hundred. There are the Knights of Columbus, the Foresters, the L. C. B. A., the C. M. B. A., the Rosary Society, the Young Ladies' Sodality, the Ladies' Aid Society, the St. Vincent De Paul Society.
Gas City has. likewise, a strong congregation. The foundation of its parish dates back to 1892, when the first mass was said in the barracks of the United States Glass Company.
The Holy Family church property consists of eleven lots, located on North A street. The Rev. T. C. Wiechmann was the first resident pastor, continuing until December 15. 1905, the date of his death. Ile was succeeded by Rev. C. Metabe, who, on account of ill health, was forced to resign July 15, 1913. The present pastor, Rev. James 11. Durham, succeeded the Rev. fhas. Mel'abe. The pastor at Gas City is also chaplain of the Marion branch of the National Soldiers' Home.
The Gas City church property is valuable, consisting of a splendid brick and stone building that cost $27,000, a commodious brick parochial residence and a parish hall.
In 1860, priests began to visit Fairmount as a station. Once every three months priests came to minister to the spiritual wants of the Catholics, who numbered at that time about one hundred. From 1860 to 1894, the following Fathers had charge: Revs. John Ryan. Bernard Kroeger, John Kelly, B. T. Borg. C. Morgan, A. .. Strueder, T. (' Weichmann, J. Grogan.
In 1899, ander Rev. Joachim Baker's supervision who attended Fair- mount from Alexandria, a beautiful small frame gothic church structure was erected, and in 1902, the priest's house was built by the first resident pastor. In 1905, Father Kappel died, and on the demise of the good Father the Rev. Thomas Travers took charge. Father Travers remained a year or so when Fairmount once again became a mission, and was attended by the priests at Marion, Wabash, Alexandria, and at present by the Rev. A. Boers, C. M., of Anderson. The Father comes oner a week to conduct services. There are quite a number of Catholics in the smaller scattered towns of the county, who are enabled by the splendid railroad and traction line facilities to attend services either at Marion, Gas City or Fairmount. Many of the leading business men of Grant county profess the Cathohe faith, and in every line of activity their efficient inthence is felt.
XUVIL. THE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
By Prof. Otho Winger
This elmich had its origin at Schwarzenaw, Germany, in 1708, when eight persons, led by Alexander Mack, decided to break away from the cold formalistie state church of Germany and found a new fraternity, based solely upon the teachings of the Bible. Persecution drove them from place to place in Germany and finally, in 1719, they migrated to America, settling at first in Pennsylvania. Here one of its leaders,
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Christopher Sower, became a close Friend to Benjamin Franklin, estab- lished a large printing business and published the first German Bible printed in America. Because of its non resistant principles the church endured many persecutions during the Revolutionary war. It then spread westward and southward with the drift of migration to Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Minois.
The first preaching in Grant county by a minister of the Church of the Brethren was by Elder John Whiteneck. He came from Union county in the spring of 1847, and located on the Mississinewa river, three miles east of Somerset and one-half mile north of the Grant county line. He was a very prosperous farmer and soon acquired much means and several hundred aeres of land in Wabash and Grant counties. Though a man of small learning, yet he had large native ability. As a pioneer preacher he was in great demand. He held meetings al private homes and in log school houses in many places all over thant county.
In 1850, another minister of the church, Isaac Lawshe, came from I'mion county and joined Elder Whiteneck. Eller Lawshe was a man of learning and a powerful preacher. These two ministers soon gathered about them a large membership, that met in private hommes, school-houses and in large barns, Elder Whiteneck's large barn was the scene of many Love Beasts, at which meetings the church coldnated the three ordinances of Feet-washing, the Lord's Supper, a full meal, and the Holy Communion. The Kiss of Charity was the greeting need by the brethren and sisters rospretively towards one another.
To these meetings came pioneer preachers from a distance. Among others should be mentioned George W. Studebaker, of Delaware county ; John Metzger, of Clinton county ; Hiet Hamilton, of Howard county ; and Sammel Murray, of Huntington county. These brethren traveled from place to place in Grant county, preaching wherever the Word was desired by the pioneers. A number of families soon had united with the fraternity. In Richland township Har w. r Aunes lhighkey, John brook, John Eller and John Haynes In Phasont township were Martin Winger, Henry H. Haynes. Elizabeth Winger, Michael Frantz. Samuel Whiteneck, and George Streih, In Washington and Van Buren township were Henry Tinkel, Henry Baker, Jacob Tinkel, Albert Bur ris and William Baker. In Franklin township and elsewhere were other members of whom the writer does not have the names.
For many years there was no permanent organization within the county. The Somerset congregation, as it was called, included all of Grant county and the southern parts of Wabash and Miami counties, with its center about Somerset, the large barns of John Whiteneck. John Drook and Martin Cable Furnishing places For the large meetings, and the private dwelling and school-houses the places for ordinary services. A large house of worship was built at Vernon, one mile cast of Somerset. in 1871.
Before this The Brethren in the eastern part of Grant county began to plan for a separate organization. In 1869, the membership had called to the ministry, Jacob Tinkel, who lived near Landess. He soon proved himself a very able speaker and exerted a line influence over his people.
In 1874, a large brick church was built in the village of Landess. This was partly destroyed by a cyclone in 1877, but was soon repaired. The membership of the Landessville congregation increased under the good preaching of Rev. Tinkel, who. in 1879, was advanced to the eldership, the highest position in the ministry of the Church of the Brethren. Elder Tinkel was assisted by an aged minister, John Baker.
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Among the early deacons of this congregation were Albert Burris, Wil liam Pulley, Daniel Tinkel and Martin Whitencek.
Elder Tinkel died in 1889. His work was taken up by Elder Joseph Spitzer, a native of Virginia, who has preached in many places in the county. In the fall of 1891 the Landess church called to the ministry William Tinkel, but he only lived until the following March. For a number of years Elder Aaron Moss served the church as minister and presiding elder. In 1896, D. B. Garber, also a native of Virginia, Imt who had seenred his education at Valparaiso, and was at that time in the service of Congressman George W. Steele, served the church. Rev. Garber served the church for a number of years and moved to Markle, Indiana. In the meantime Andrew . Miller was elected, but shortly afterward moved to Delaware county.
Death, emigration and the lack of a resident minister cansed the work to slacken and the membership somewhat decreased. In 1909 Elder . W. Norris moved to Landess from Sidney, Indiana. Under his direction the church took on new life and increased its membership until it soon regained its former number of about ninety members. This included the members who lived in the city of Marion. Since a church has been erected in Marion and a new organization effcelea there, the Landlessville congregation is not so large as a few years ago, but it is still in a prosperous condition.
The second house created in the county was what is known as the C'art Creek house, three miles north of Sweetser. in 1893. This was built on the farm of Joseph Winger, Sr., who, though not a member of the church, was a firm believer in its principles, and was the most liberal donor in the building of the new house. The Cart Creek church has never been a separate organization, but has always been mited with the Somerset congregation.
Harrison Undson, who lived in the northern part of Pleasant town- ship, was a minister for several years before his death in 1883. About. this time Aaron Moss, who lived one mile north of Sweetser, and a little later Joseph Rife, John Strausburg and Martin M. Miller, all of whom lived about two miles west of Jalapa, were placed in the ministry. They, with other men from the Somerset house held meetings at the Cart Creek school-house until the new house was built in 1893. In 1897, Otho Winger, a grandson of Joseph Winger, Sr., was called to the min- istry. He later became a student, then teacher, and finally president of the Brethren College at North Manchester, Indiana. The membership of the Cart Creek house now numbers about forty. The preaching is largely done by Obed C. Rife and Elsworth Weimer, who live north of Converse, in Miami county. The deacons are Henry Haynes, Joseph Winger, Jr., and Oscar E. Haynes,
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