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 91
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A younger member of the family of Methodism, this church was still in her infancy when that agitation began, the climax of which was only to be reached in the terrible crucible of civil war. Dismemberment resulted to the churches, but the Methodist. Protestants were among the first to outgrow the sectional animosities of the conflict, and the two branches, north and south. were happily united in 1877, and the Mason and Dixon line is unknown to the church of today. Reformers came 10 Grant county as early as 1835, and were allied to the Ohio conference until the year 1839, when the Ohio conference set off as a new district the state of Indiana. The first session of the Indiana annual conference was held in John Burton's church, near Gosport, in the year 1810. Robert G. 11. Hanna was chosen as conference president. Of the pioneer laborers were Joseph Simpson, Samuel Morrison. Thomas and Joseph Shipp, John Alter, Harvey Collins, Solomon Daling, Ezra Conn, Joseph Boxell, Hugh Fulton, Rameth Hussey. J. I. G. Prim and George W. Boxell. Our work in Grant county, while largely confined to the smaller towns and the country, has been attended with a very encouraging degree of prosperity. We have fifteen churches well distributed in the
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county with den resident ministers and one thousand two hundred mem bers. There are two churches, Salem and Pleasant Grave; in the Fowler ton circuit, the Salem church in Fowlerton stood for many years in the Duling neighborhood, but later was moved to town to better arom odlate the members there.
There are four churches on the Hanfield circuit, with a comfortable parsonage at Banfield, a point for all the appointments. There are attractive, modern churches at Hantield, Antioch, Locust and Bethle hem, and all but the Bethlehem church have been remodeled in recent years. Jonesboro is an independent station and the church was rebuilt in 1913, making it one of the attractive churches of the county. The churches on the Pipe Creek circuit are, M1. Olive, Jalapa and Miertown, and all are substantial church properties. The Swayzee virenit includes the church in Herbet and one in Howard county. The Swayzee church is among the best congregations in Grand county.
The Upland church includes Monroe Center and Grithn, and while most Methodist Protestant churches in Grant county are rural congre gations, the fact remains that no other denomination has more churches in the country, and that all are in prosperous condition. The era of church repair that has swept the country has touched most Methodist Protestant churches, and there is reason for neighborhood pride in every Methodist Protestant community in Grant county.
CL. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
By Rev. Fred Il. Thờig
In order to form a fair idea of the relative numerical strength of the Lutheran church it is necessary to go into German communities, when as a rule Lutherans outnumber any two other denominations. In fact taken the world over, there are more Lutherans that all other Profes tants combined. the figures of 1910 being seventy nine million Lutherans
In the United States the Lutherans are outnumbered only by the Methodists and Baptists, thus ranking third among Protestants. The average rate of growth since 1900 of all religious bodies is twenty eight per cent, whereas the laitheran increase in the same time is thirty five per cent. However, in English speaking communities, as in Grant county, the Lutherans are not strong, there bring only two congregations, one in Marion and one in Sweetser. The history of the Sweetser congrega tion dates back more than fifty years. It was in December, 1860, that Rov. S. Ridenour began the work of assembling a congregation in the vicinity of Sweetser. Having other congregations to care for the work at Sweetser progressed slowly, and it was not until 1565 that the roll gregation was organized under the name of St. Paul's Lutheran church and a constitution adopted. This was under the pastorate of Rev. T E Harsh. There were twenty-three charter members, of whom only one is living, Mrs. Betsey Ann Rennaker. On account of the small number of members it was out of question to think of erecting a church home, and for thirty years the meetings were held in private homes, the Jalapa school house, Cart Creek school house and the Mark school house. Other pastors during this period were Revs. A. Birch. G. Harter, II. J. Rieman, G. W. Umbaugh, II. J. G. Bartholomew, B. E. Kemmer and W. E. Arnholt.
Most of the foregoing served only from one to three years, but Rev.
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Kemmer served from 1882 to 1893, and since that time lo has made his home among his former parishioners. He is now one of the most widely known and highly respected agriculturists of the county. It was not until 1596 that the building of a church was undertaken, during the pastorate of Rev. C. 11. Pence. Members furnished most of the material and labor. and the result was a very neat and commodious sillas church, hong one of three churches in Sweetser.
Rev. 0. 1. Rhiel succeeded Rey. Pence, and was the last minister of the combined Wabash-Sweetser charge. After his time Wabash became self supporting, and Sweetser united with the Lutheran mis sion in Marion, the pastor dividing his time between the two charges This has been the arrangement since 1901, but September 1. 1915, Marion assumed a pastor's support alone and Sweetser was again con nected with the Wabash charge. The pastors of the Marion Sweetser circuit were: Revs. I. D. Call. R. V. Schmidt, 12. O. Burry, and I' UI Ihrig. resident Marion pastor who served both charges until Key. Dexhammer of Wabash assumed his duties at Sweetser The present official board at Sweetser is: Henry Jacob, B. R. Kommer. Clarence Konnaker, Fred Jacob, William Brinker, John Shum, Karl Jacob and William Kommer.
The Lutheran congregation in Marion was begun as a mission by Rev. W. Lehman, who was then serving Hartford City and is now pas for of a large Lutheran church in Union City. It was organized Octo ber 28, 1891. Meetings were held in the homes and later at the > M. C. A., until the congregation was able to build its present church on Fourteenth street. The first regular pastor was Roy. P. G. Bergener, from 1892 to 1594, and he was succeeded by the widely known and still well remembered Rev. J. C. Shacht, who was also professor of fier man in the Marion high school. Rev. Shacht removed to Columbus, Ohio, where he taught in the Lutheran University. He died in October, 1906. Rev. Shacht labored diligently in the interest of the Marion mis sion from 1894 to 1903, and he had the satisfaction of helping his mom- bers build both a church and parsonage. His successor was HI. D. Cull, who died in 1904. not having served quite one year.
Rev. R. V. Schmitt succeeded Res. Cull and in 1906 he was elected to a professorship at the synod's college in Columbus, Ohio. His she ressor was Rev. L. O. Burry, 1906 to 1911, when the present pastor. Rev. 1. 1. Ihrig, succeeded him in September, and has now entered his third year of local pastorate. With September, 1913, the Marion church became self-sustaining and it now has regular weekly services, and the members feel that this will greatly aid the church in Marion.
The present church officers are: Gus ilman, Charles Paul. John Hetfehnan, S. Arkbuckle, Joe Kuhlencamp, William Roser and Charles Knotz. Doctrinally, the Lutherans believe in the verbal inspiration of the scriptures, and therefore in the doctrines of the natural depravity of man, free grace, justification by faith, infant baptism by sprinkling. though other modes are not condemned, and in Christ's presener in the Lord's Supper are regarded not only and merely as a sign of grace received, or a memorial to Christ, but as a real means of grace, along with the preached word of God.
Lutherans believe that through baptism a childl hecomes God's child. and is thus brought into full membership in the church of Christ, and needs no subsequent conversion. The germ of Christianity is planted through baptism, and this is nourished and grows as the child grows in wisdom. The baptismal vow, however, is reaffirmed and confirmed at maturity by the rite of confirmation through which the baptized mem- ber becomes a communicant member. Statistics prove that the Lutheran
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method of careful instruction followed by confirmation, causes a more substantial growth than the revival system, and therefore the Lutheran church does not encourage or participate in the latter.
CH. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
By Ree. T. C. Noul
The Methodists, ever aggressive and progressive, hearing the com- mand "go ye into all the world." went and carly in the history of Grant county they appeared holding their first meeting, as we are told, midler an old ehm tree. Jonesboro had an organization very early, and the society has prospered to this day. Of course Marion is the great venter of Methodism in the county. It is like the hub of a great wheel. In the city we find today tive live churches, all stations but Highland avenue, which has Fletcher and Morris Chapel attached.
First church. ( Marion), has over one thousand members and it has well been called "a great church." strong and steady for all that is good and right. lis church property is valued at some $10,000. Many of the men and women whose sterling qualities made Marion what it now is were members of old First church. We can only mention a few as representatives: Samuel Horton. A. C. Swayzce, Simon Gollthait, T. J. Neal, J. D Bireleg. Joseph Workall with their wives, valiant soldiers of the cross. Ninth street has a handsome frame church and a lively society of some three hundred members. Vahte of church prop- erty about $6,000. Grace church, as was Ninth street, organized during the "boom days," is now one of the most flourishing churches in the city. It has a membership of over three hundred and property valued at $8,000. Home Park church, near the Soldiers' Home, is a new society, with membership of nearly one hundred and property valued at about $1,200. Highland avenue is one live northern outpost. Here, as at the other smaller societies in the city, we find splendid men and women, Jaboring faithfully in the Lord's vineyard. At Highland avenue, Fletcher and Morris Chapels we have some two hundred and fifty mem- bers and property valued at $7,500.
Outside of Marion, we have Fairmount, with a membership of three hundred and fifty and a fine new modern church, complete and beanti- ful. The estimated value of church and parsonage is given at. $16,000. The growth of this church has been phenomenal. At Gas City we have a neat brick church, modern, with a society of two hundred and fifteen members. Church and parsonage valued at abont $11,500, Jonesboro has a modern brick church and a commodions parsonage, valued at a total of $13,000. In spite of a disastrous fire a few years ago, which laid in ruins their lovely new church, these brave people rallied and today their newest buikling affords a delightful place for worship to its over three Imdred members, and many friends. At Point Isabel we have a fine church, which, with a neat parsonage, is valued at $16,000, and a membership of one hundred and sixty-nine. Sims has one hundred and sixty-three members and property vahed at $5,000. Swayzee has uearly two hundred members and property valued at some $12,000. This is a very lively and influential society, abounding in good works. Epland. our college city, has a fine church and parsonage, valued at near $20,000, and a society of two hundred and seventy-five members. Van Buren has a membership of over two hundred and property valued at near $14,000. This is a prosperous church. At Matthews, the handsome Epworth
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church stands, as a monument to the faithfulness and wal of the Meth odists in that section. It has a membership of two hundred and forty- one and property valued at some $10,500. Jalapa, on Lafontaine virenit, has some eighty members and a church valued at near $2,000. Sweetser has a live society of nearly two hundred members, and is now ( 1913) a station and on the high road to victory. Rigdon has a society of seventy-four members. Thus we have a total of nearly twenty churches with an approximate membership of five thousand and prop erty valued at nearly $200,000. The faithful pastors of these Meth odist flocks, receive about $20,000 per year for their services.
But these facts and figures only give us a view of the framework of the great temple of Methodism in Grant county. The mighty influence for the betterment of our people by these earnest preachers and lay men can never be expressed in figures. And the fathers, mighty men of God, who have gone to their eternal reward -who can minaber the Sheaves they have gathered for the Master. A record of the work done by these true, tried and faithful ones would fill many a volume. Only when we look upon the books " kept" by the All-seeing One will we know how great has been the good done by the Methodists of Grant county.
It is not difficult to explain the wonderful growth of Methodism, and its hold upon the people today. With, as a foundation, the Word of God and with souls on fire the circuit riders of Methodism came to the daring pioneers of these western wilds proclaiming a free, full and Messed salvation through the Lamb of God, the crucified and risen Redeemer. It was a message that struck a popular chord and mightily moved the hearts of the common people. Vast circuits were traveled by these men of God at a sacrifice of which we can scarcely conceive. Day and night, over roadless regions and bridgeless streams, with their lips set on tire by "a live coal from the altar," these devoted men swept. like a holy cyclone over the land and Methodist progress berame one of the wonders of the world. In log cabins or under the leafy trees, the voire of preaching, penitence, prayer and praise could be heard ascend- ing to the throne of grace and merey and the truly converted ones at once became workers for the kingdom. Intensely emotional was the religion of those early days. It is sand that one saintly man went into his barn to "pray in seeret." He became so carried away that neigh- bors a mile distant heard his voice of prayer and praise. Modern cold ness and fastidiousness may sheer at this, but many a poor millionaire would today give all he possesses to have an experience like that, The songs, while perhaps not "classical," were sound in doctrine, faithful in warning and tender in entreaty, while clothed with soulful melody and the gathered people were swept by hundreds to the " mourners bench," and into the fold of the church, Such a combination of faith and works could not result in failure.
During the great war of 1861-65, the loyalty of the mighty Meth- odist church was especially made manifest. On account of slavery a vast host of Methodists had seceded from the church and organized the church South; but faithful to the great cause of freedom this loyal organization stood faithfully by the star-lit flag of the Union. Presi- dent Lincoln said in substance: "It is not the fault of other churches, that, from its greater numbers, the Methodist church has sent more prayers to heaven, more mirses to the hospitals, and more soldiers to the field, than any other." Many today remember how grandly old First church, Marion, in those dark days stood by the government, under the leadership of that fearless preacher, Rev. Thomas Stabler.
These then, were some of the features of Methodism in Grant county.
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and all over the land, that draw as a mighty magnet the proph to the cross of Christ and into the fellowship of those " peruhar people" called Methodists. And while today methods are somewhat different, chang. ing. as the times demand, in substance and essentials, Methodism is how as it was a hundred years ago, a mighty force in our Jand for righte- ousness, sobriety, purity and honesty. Some "old landmarks" have disappeared. Stately temples have taken the place of log hints and groves. The time honored Presiding Elder is transformed into the vigilant district superintendent. The common cup used in the com- minion servier has largely given place to the individual cup, and the splendid Epworth League tills worthily the place once occupied by the class-meeting. But these minor changes have not in the least broken down the real points that have planted Methodism in the affections of the people and made it what it is.
Editor's note-All except Epworth church in Matthews belong to the Wabash District of the North Indiana conference, while Epworth is in the Muncie District. For several years Mr. Neal has written the opening hymn for the conference, as well as for many other special occasions, and because the matter is so near his heart he has written them in advance, having the 1912 hym and all intervening years in type. If he does not live to attend the conference, his byumns will be sung there. The Methodists of the North Indiana conference are as used to Mr. Neal's special oreasion hymns as the rest of the world to the Famy Crosby productions, and all enjoy them.
Mr. Neal began writing conference hymns in 1993, and for twenty years he has not failed, but the bymm he likes best of all: "king of Eternity." was written for the 1910 session at Bluffton. Because it is his choice, it is herewith reproduced, and Grant county Methodists may sing it again. The song follows:
Tune-Something for Jesus. Hymmal No. 319
1 King of Eternity, Our Father dear. With gladsome songs of praise, Gather we here. Thou who art great and high, Sov'reign of earth and sky, Hear thon our prayer and ery .-- Draw very near.
2 King of Eternity ; Thing we would In ; Each day thy loving face We Jong to ser. Help us to glory bring To thee, our Lord and King;
By word and life to sing Grandly for thee.
3 King of Eternity, Keep us thine own ; Help us to live for thee, And thee alone. When hell's dark hosts assail, Help, Lord, or we must fail; Help, and we shall prevail; Viet'ry he won.
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4 King of Eternity, Our Conf'renee bless ; All we could do for thee, Crown with steress : Make this a Pentecost, Helpful to saved or lost, Peace-crowned, or tempest-tossed, Bless, Father, Mess!
CI1. THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH
By Luella B. Myers
Early in the history of Grant county the itinerants of the J'aitel Brethren church extended their circuits within its fimits. This was usually done because of the invitations given by residents of the romdy who had formerly been members of the church in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Appointments were made for preaching, the services some times being held muider the forest trees, and sometimes in the primitive residences of the pioneers.
It was an event of no ordinary interest when those ministers made their rounds. Most of them were not classical scholars. hutt they knew how to adapt themselves to the times, and to the conditions under which they worked. Often the people for miles around gathered to hear them. These ministers traveled on horse back, and were often called circuit- riders. The country owes a debt of gratitude to those men who preached the Gospel and the better ideals of civilization along the Frontier when our institutions were in the formative period. Usually when enough people become interested in religious work to justify, they were organ- ized into churches, and meeting-houses were built. This general delinca- tion accounts for the origin of the older country United Brethren churches in Grant county.
Liberty church and Salem were organized about the year 1-35. Union Chapel had its origin not long afterwards, and a little later Oak Chapel and Knox Chapel came into being. These churches have exerted an influence of no small significance in the promotion of Christianity in this comdy, and influences were set in motion that are still working for the general good. Even the material prosperity of the communities where these churches were located has been promoted by them. In the 'seventies a church was organized in Van Buren, and at a comparatively recent date Otterbein Chapel was built west of Marion and Michaels Chapel, southwest of Marion.
Among the early members of Liberty church are to be found the names of Carter, Perry and Thomas In the Salem church the names of Woolman, Hillsamer and Shank. At Union Chapel, the names of Bradford, C'revision and Hout. At Oak Chapel, the names of Pierce, Maddox and Farr. At Knox Chapel, the names of Knox, Rybolt and Keller. At the Van Buren Chapel, Cochrane, Walker and Shimp. This is a very limited list of the names of the families who gave the weight of their influence and means to the support of these churches in the carly times.
Some of the ministers of the United Brethren church who preached at an early period in different localities in Grant county are Revs. Pugs- ley, Cyrus Smith, Alexander Carl, Benjamin Holcomb, William Hall, Cornelius Ketner, Milton Wright and J. R. Brown. Some of the min-
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isters of a later period, and before the churches in the city were organ- ized, are David E. Myers, A. C. Wilmore and L. N. Jones. In a few instances 'organizations have disbanded, but these instances have been in the interest of the churches started in the city of Marion. There are five churches within the city limits, and in these are to be found rem- nants of the few country churches that have disbanded.
In 1889, a division occurred in the church over the secrecy question. Those who were radically opposed to seeret socities, and to a change in the constitution pertaining thereto, organized into separate societies, but continue under the same name. This division seriously affected the church south of Fairmount and the one at Salem.
The conference missionary who led in the work of erecting the first church in Marion at Dephi Avenue and Second streets, was D. O. Dar ling. The lot was given to the church by R. d. Spencer. The money realized from Liberty Chapel, south of the city. was used to pay for the foundations of this, the First church of Marion. The corner stone was laid by Dr. T. J. Sanders, president of Otterbein University, and the house was dedicated by Bishop J. W. Hott in 1893.
Within the pastorate of Rev. Darling the Christy Street church was built. In the year 1900, Dr. J. E. Shannon was appointed pastor of the First church. One hundred and fifty members were received each of the first three years of his ministery, and the house was enlarged at a cost of several thousand dollars. The cornerstone of the new addition was laid by secretary, now Bishop W. M. Bell, and the building was dedicated by Dr. E. B. Kephart. As a result of the activity of the mem bers of the First church, the Spencer Avenue and Sway zee Street churches were organized. Each of these organizations now has its own house of worship, and paid for. Horton Street church was organized about the time of the disbanding of the Salem church.
The ministry and the people are advancing, and these conditions are a prophesy of greater things to come to the United Brethren church in Grant county.
CIV. SEVENTH DAY ADVENT CHURCH By Elder P. M. Roberts
Why are we here when we have so many other great Christian denom inations ? We as a denomination arose about the year 1810, and in the study of the Scriptures we found a most fearful, threatening record in Revelations 16:6-14, and seeing that this message was world wide, and must go in this generation, and seeing that no other people were preach- ing it, we felt compelled from the force of honest conviction and Chris- tian duty to undertake the proclamation of the greatest message that has ever been committed to man.
Hence the question is often asked : "Why the Advent church ?" and we further reply that there is a wide difference in doctrine between us and all other churches. First we believe in the perpetuity of the moral law as written upon stone and handed down to Moses; that this law is a transcript of the character of God himself, being the mind of the law- giver and can no more be changed than the mind of God can be changed, and being Protestants in the true sense of the word we take the Bible, and the Bible alone, as the rule and guide of our faith; and searching the Bible from lid to lid, we find all through it the divine authority for keeping holy the Sabbath day. Searching still further we find that the
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only day God ever made holy is the Seventh day, which is Saturday. according to the old family Bible of one hundred years or more ago, and according to the almanac and according to all records of any conse quence, and being honest and Christians, we are bound to obey this com mandment as well as all the rest written on tables of stone with the finger of God. See Exodus 31. 18. also Exodus 32, 15 and 16. We find this law is not written by Moses as many teach, but by God himself and it is a dangerous thing to lamper with and undertake to change a law which means life or death to us. See First Samuel 6. 19, and Second Samuel, 6, and 6, 7. We find also that the Sabbath is a perpetual cove nant, see Exodus 31, 16. and mich more evidence of equal weight might be cited.
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