USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 15
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here, and proposed to the congregation to have a resident priest, to which the members gladly agreed.
In August. 1837. Bishop Brute, of Vincennes, Indiana. sent the Rev. Vincent Bacquelin to take charge of the congregation as a resident pastor. He was a native of France, a man of zeal and activity, and soon gained the love and esteem of his people. From here he also visited the Catholics at Indianapolis and Columbus. In July, 1838. Bishop Brute visited the congre- gation and administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to thirteen persons. The zealons Father Bacquelin, anxious to have a church, held a meeting of his people January 6. 1838, to consider the matter. They determined to build a church, and September 6. 1838, the contract was let for six hundred and nineteen dollars. Thomas Worland donated two acres of land. In October. 1839, mass was first celebrated in St. Vincent's church, and in October. 1840, Bishop de la Hailandiere visited the congregation, blessed the church, and confirmed seven persons. He was accompanied by the Rev. M. Shawe, who preached the sermon. Father Bacquelin was paster of St. Vincent's for nine years and one month. While returning from a visit to Peter Hirschaner's, in Rush county, on September 2. 1846. he was thrown from a horse and killed. This sad event caused deep and lasting regret among his people, who followed his remains to their last resting place in St. Vincent's cemetery.
Father Bacquelin was succeeded by the Rev. John Ryan, who remained but a short time. In 1847 the Rev. John McDermott became pastor and had charge less than a year. He was succeeded by the Rev. Patrick Murphy, who stayed only a few months. Then the Rev. John Gueguen had charge for about four years. The Rev. Daniel Maloney came in 1853 and remained two years.
In May, 1855, the Rev. Edward Martinovicz, or Father Martin, as he was popularly known, became pastor of St. Vincent's church. In 1861, with the assistance of the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Indiana, he established the parochial school. During his stay was built also the first brick parsonage. which is still used together with the addition built during Father Rudolf's pastorate. Father Martin left unexpectedly in the beginning of 1863, and against the wishes of the people, for he was loved and revered by them.
In July, 1863. the Rev. John Gillig took charge of St. Vincent's and remained its pastor for about three years. In the beginning of 1867 the Rev. William Doyle was appointed pastor, remaining until June, 1868. The con- gregation had so increased that it was found necessary to build an addition to the church.
In November, 1868, the Rev. Francis Rudolf became the pastor of St. Vincent's, and for nearly thirteen years labored earnestly to further the interests of his charge. In 1870 a large addition was built in the parsonage. In 1877 arrangements were made to buikl a new church, which was completed in 1880. The church is a fine brick building, one hundred and twelve by forty-
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three feet, with a steeple one hundred and thirty-eight feet high. In May, 1881, Father Rudolf was assigned to Connersville, Indiana, where he died in 1906.
The Rev. Francis Torbeck was assigned to St. Vincent's as successor of Father Rudolf, and had charge until July, 1886. He was succeeded by thc Rev. M. L. Guthneck. During his pastorate the church was frescoed in a most tasty manner, the church grounds were beautified. the new cemetery plot was secured and laid out in lots. Father Guthneck remained in charge until near the end of 1890. Then the Rev. Joseph Hegger had charge for a short time. After him came the Rev. Ferd. Hundt, who remained about a year. In the beginning of 1892 the Rev. G. M. Ginusz took charge. remaining until July. 1896. During his pastorate the natural gas well was drilled, and con- tinnes to the present day to furnish light and fuel for the various church buildings. Beautiful vestments and statues also were secured during the pas- torate of Father Ginusz. In August. 1896, the Rev. A. Danenhioffer became pastor. He introduced the Gregorian chant at services. Early in 1898 he was succeeded by the Rev. Charles Stricker, who remained only a few months, after whom the Rev. Joseph Hass had charge for a short time.
In March, 1899. the Rev. Joseph Bauer assumed charge and remained nearly seven years. During his pastorate a pipe organ was secured. beautiful stations of the cross were purchased, the church was re-frescoed, and other improvements were made, so that the church is complete in all details. In January, 1906, Father Bauer was succeeded by the Rev. Frederic Ketter, who is the present pastor. . At this time the congregation has about four hundred and seventy-five members, and is in a most flourishing condition.
METHODISM IN SHELBY COUNTY. (By Hattie E. Robins. )
The Methodist Episcopal church was the first denomination to effect a per- manent organization within the limits of Shelby county. Methodism followed the course of the early pioneer in his westward march, and a complete history of the progress of the church would be a history of the county and its growth. For the material growth of the county, its towns and villages, has never more than kept pace with the development of the church.
When the sturdy pioneer had cleared a little patch of ground and built his cabin home the ascending smoke from his rude chimney was a signaling hand, beckoning the faithful preacher of righteousness where he might find those needing his ministrations. And so the cabin homes became the first preaching places in Shelby county.
The first regular preaching place in the county was at the house of Mrs.
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Jane Sleeth, alternating with that of William H. Sleeth, one mile north of where the town of Marion is now located. This was in the fall of 1821. The next year ( 1822) the newly built school-house became the meeting place, and so continued for eighteen years, when the meeting place was changed to a larger school-house which had been built in Marion. The society continued to meet in this school-house until 1862, when a frame church was erected. This is the oldest church organization in Shelby county, and is still flourishing. A few more years will mark its centennial of constant Christian service.
The Second Methodist Episcopal church, known as Robert's Chapel, is sit- nated about three miles below Flat Rock Station, and is within twenty feet of the county line, between Shelby and Bartholomew counties. This society was formed in IS22.
The Wray Methodist Episcopal church, sometimes called Center church, was the third in the list of Methodist Episcopal churches in the county. The organization began in 1822, in the Wray neighborhood about three miles northwest of Shelbyville, and the house of James Wray, a local preacher in his former state of North Carolina, was the meeting place for many years. Final- ly a church built of hewed logs was erected and used for all denominations. It has passed away, having served its purpose, while the grounds on which it stood are now occupied by a cemetery.
A good and commodious frame church has been built by the Methodist Episcopal people, south of and adjoining this little "God's acre." while the Methodist Protestants have one to the north.
On the 4th of July. 1822, Shelbyville was made the county seat. During 1823 an occasional prayer meeting was held in the newly organized town, at a private house, and a few times a Methodist minister preached. in passing, to the settlers. In 1824 the ordinance of baptism was administered for the first time in Shelbyville, to a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Van Seyoc, who afterward became Mrs. Elias Thompson, mother of S. J. Thompson, a member of our church today.
THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
It was not until 1825 that a class was formed, however. This class was composed of seven members, who united to form the First Methodist Episcopal church of Shelbyville.
Would that the story of hardships and privations, and the earnest efforts of these fathers and mothers of the church might be fittingly told. They are gone from us long years ago. but they have left a monument in the Methodism of Shelby county and' this city that commemorates the work they accomplished in planting the new settlement, and in establishing the church.
This nucleus of a church which now numbers nearly one thousand mem- bers was composed of the following persons : Elisha Mayhew and Abigail,
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his wife: their two daughters. Sarah and Abigail; James and Jerusha Van Seyoc and Mrs. Catherine Goodrich. Also, possibly, David Thatcher and others, who legally formed a church May 7. 1831. They met in two log shops. one standing where the city building is now located on Washington street, and the other on the southwest corner of Franklin and Tompkins streets. The building on Washington street was a cabinet shop, belonging to Jacob Shank. and an apprentice of his. Isaac Wilson, who died when over ninety years of age at his home. He used to tell of these early day experiences, and how some of the attendants whittled the edges of the benches until strips of hard- wood had to be nailed to them in order to protect them from the jack-knives of those frontiersmen.
The other cabin used for services was built by J. C. Sleeth for a chair shop, but was also used as a post-office. Mr. Sleeth joined the new church at the first meeting that was held after its organization. These two historic buildings resounded to the eloquence of more than ordinary men, among whom were John Strange and James Havens.
In a few years the society met in the court-house, then located in the pub- lic square. Later it moved to a brick school-house which stood on the site of the present Franklin Street school. Finally in 1832 they went into their own church building which had been erected where the present parsonage now stands, on West Mechanic street. It was a frame building. thirty by forty- five feet in size. Here the church worshiped and prospered for twenty years.
During the early years the meeting's were well attended. even when the preaching was on week days, as often happened where circuits were large and preachers few. After the sermon the preachers led the class meeting. . All the membership was expected to remain to this service, and woe to the unlucky weight who absented himself without cause. The church did not deal with de- linquents with gloved hands, but with the purpose of reforming them and re- storing them to the correct way.
Quarterly meetings were seasons of great spiritual uplift and blessing. Large crowds from far and near attended : official members sometimes coming from long distances to be present at the meeting. "Love Feast" on Sabbath morning, was a great occasion. It was held with closed doors, and tickets of admission were given the faithful. All present were glad to take part, and wonderful influences went from these testimonies of personal experience. The doors were then opened for the public worship. Often, during the sermon. the spirit of God came upon the people and conversions were numerous and powerful. The first quarterly conference held in Shelbyville was held in the meeting house on West Mechanic street. December 31. 1836. It was followed by an old-fashioned watch-night meeting. Reverend Havens and Reverend Whitten preached-preached with power and the results of that meeting were seen many years. In "Reminiscences of Early Indiana." O. H. Smith writes concerning James Havens in these words :
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"He was the Napoleon of Methodist preachers in Eastern Indiana-his great characteristic as a preacher was his good common sense. The state of Indiana owes him a greater debt of gratitude for his long and valuable life to form society on the basis of morality, education and religion. than any other man, living or dead." MIr. Havens commenced a ministry in Shelbyville in 1827, which continued with intermissions as pastor, presiding elder and vis- itor. until 1864. when he passed away -- to join the church "triumphant."
In 1851 the church buikling having became too small for accommodation of the growing congregation, a new church home was built on West Washing- ton street, where the present church now stands. Shelbyville church had now come to be a station. Prior to 1851 the church had been a part of a circuit since its organization. For ten years-from 1825 to 1835-it had been one of the appointments on the Rushville circuit. This cirenit included the towns of Rushville, Greensburg. St. Omer. New Castle, West Liberty ( now Knights- town) and Shelbyville, and was known as the "Four Weeks Circuit." In 1836 a new circuit was formed with Shelbyville at its head. There were twenty-two appointments on this circuit. The amount of money paid for the support of the Gospel that year on the circuit was two hundred forty-five dollars and forty- nine cents, of which Shelbyville society paid sixty dollars and seventy-five cents. Small this sum seems now. but then it was large and in keeping with the times.
A Union Sunday school had been formed in Shelbyville as early as 1833. and was principally officered and maintained by Presbyterians and Methodists. It only held its sessions during warm weather. In 1838 a Methodist Episcopal Sunday school was organized-and. like its predecessor, it discontinued during the winter months. It was not until 1844 that the school succeeded in living the entire year, winter as well as summer.
Since that time the altar-fire of the Methodist Sunday school has never gone out. The first organ for the use of this school was purchased in 1863. and greater attention was given music in the school, with gratifying results. But it was not until three years afterward-in 1866 -- that the church was per- mitted by her quarterly conference to use the organ in public worship.
In 1855, beginning September 25th. the session of the Southeast Indiana Conference was held in Shelbyville. Bishop Scott presiding. It was a time of great blessing for the church.
Again in 1864. September 21st. the conference met at Shelbyville, Bishop Simpson presiding. This was during the Civil war, and church affairs as well as secular matters were at white heat. The conference was memorable for two things-the opening prayer of the conference, by Dr. E. G. Wood, who having two sons in the Union army, had received word that morning that the third had been drafted. He poured out his loyal. yet fatherly heart. to God in a prayer never to be forgotten by those who heard it. The second remark-
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able event of that conference was the sermon by Bishop Simpson. There are still persons living in the city who sometimes speak of that sermon, of its al- most divine eloquence. On every heart there seemed to rest the impression of more than ordinary influences which lifted into a realm not often reached by mortals.
Three more times in the history of this church has the conference been entertained in Shelbyville-in 1881, 1894 and in 1908. Each occasion has been of a great spiritual uplift and profit, both to the church and the entire com- munity. The two conferences known as the "Indiana" and the "Southeastern Indiana." were united in 1895, and the resulting conference body is the largest in Methodism. In 1871 or 1872, the "Woman's Foreign Missionary Society," then a new organization in the Methodist church. formed an auxiliary society of ten members in our church. Mrs. Nancy MI. Wright is the only charter member now living. She has been corresopnding secretary through all these years : faithful and efficient. always. This society now numbers one hundred sixty in its membership.
The "Woman's Home Missionary Society," a younger organization, by several years, is also a large and flourishing society, enthusiastic and zealous of good works. Young people's and children's missionary societies have been formed under the auspices of these older societies and are all flourishing. One of them-"Queen Esther Society," composed of young ladies. numbers eighty. There is also a large "Mother's Jewels" organization, composed of the little ones under six years of age. Other organizations are "The Standard Bearers." of larger children, and the "King's Heralds."
There are two Epworth League Chapters, organized several years ago that complete the list of young people's societics in the church.
Another ladies' society, called the "Ladies' Reception" and composed of a number of the ladies of the church and congregation. is of much help to the pastor in a quiet and unostentatious way, besides looking after some of the material affairs of the church building. This society long since abandoned money-making plans of all sorts, and depends entirely upon the contributions of its members for its revenues. The weekly meetings are purely social in charcter, and are enjoyable and profitable to all who attend.
An organization among the men of the church-the "Methodist Brother- hood." has just been effected, which is expected to accomplish much good in reaching the men of the community.
CHURCH BUILDING.
The church building has twice been remodeled and enlarged. It now has a seating capacity of about fifteen hundred persons. A beautiful pipe organ long ago replaced the small reed organ of the "sixties" and in its turn was sup- planted by a much larger and better instrument.
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The Sunday school, which has its home in the basement of the church, is led in music by a chorister, accompanied by a piano and orchestra of eight pieces. Here every Sabbath rise songs of praise by nearly four hundred young voices connected with the school.
In the month of March, 1871. a convention was held in the church of Shel- byville, on the question of "Temporal Economy in the Church." It was a dele- gated body, consisting of one steward from each quarterly conference, in the Southeastern Indiana Conference. The result of the discussion was a financial plan that provided for the maintenance of the church and support of her min- isters. by assessing the membership, according to their ability to pay. The plan worked very well throughout the churches, and is yet in practice general- ly. However, about eight years ago-in 1901-a few of the members of the Shelbyville church banded themselves together in a "tithing covenant." and have since poured into the treasury of the church one-tenth or a tithe, of their incomes. The church has been able to do greater things for missionary work since that time, as well as for other benevolent enterprises of the church.
The fame of this church has gone abroad throughout the country for what she is doing in the matter of giving. The list of "Tithers" grows a little con- stantly, but what might be accomplished if all the members tithed! Increased giving has brought new responsibility. and opened the doors of new opportu- nities that cannot be shunned. So this current year, the church through its Sabbath school, assumed the entire support of a pastor in Africa for five years. By so doing our church is working day and night for our pastor in Africa. the Rev. S. D. Coffin works while we sleep. Only seven Methodist Episcopal churches in the United States are doing this special work.
In the eighty-three years that this church has been in existence it has had forty-one different preachers in charge, with seventeen junior preachers. The Rev. George MI. Smith is the present pastor with Rev. Clyde Black, as- sociate pastor. Many of these men have been men of ability and all have been men of God. Of the nineteen presiding elders during our history, one, E. R. Ames, was made bishop in 1852.
WEST STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In 1891 the city of Shelbyville having grown so large as to demand the organization of a new Methodist church a beautiful structure of brick was erected on the northwest corner of West and Colscott streets. Later additions were made to it. The new church started with a large and flourishing Sunday school and a fine Epworth League, and has proven satisfactory. The church is incorporated under the name of "West Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Shelbyville."
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The vari mus organizations of the church are as follows: Sunday school, Epworth League, Junior Epworth League, Woman's Home Missionary So- ciety. Mother's Jewels and Ladies' Vid.
Both the First church and West street church own good parsonages. The first church parsonage is on West Mechanic street where the first Methodist Episcopal church stood so many years ago. The parsonage of the West street church is on the church lot. to the north of the church building. These houses are not only the homes of the preachers and their families, but their doors are open always in hospitality and friendship to the church, and in sympathy and comfort to those who seek it.
In Walkerville, a suburb of Shelbyville to the east, and only recently in- corporated as a part of the city, a very neat church building was erected about six years ago. It is a part of what is now known as Shelbyville circuit. It has a good Sunday school and is doing good work for its locality.
CHURCH FINANCES.
The financial value of the Methodist church property in Shelbyville is about as follows: First church, forty-five thousand dollars; parsonage. seven thousand dollars: West street church, ten thousand dollars. parsonage, two thousand dollars : Main street. Walkerville, eight hundred dollars.
Besides these Shelbyville Methodist Episcopal churches is the small church at the corner of Franklin and Vine streets. known as the Methodist Reformed church. Shelbyville owes much to the faithful pastors of this little church and its members. in the moral influence they wield in this part of town.
In all it is believed that from the early day to now there have been several thousand people connected with these various Methodist churches in Shelby- ville. Many have removed from the city, many are dead. and their memory is precious. A goodly number are alive at this writing-may they live long to carry on the work of the church adown the years.
OTHER METHODIST CHURCHES.
Aside from the Methodist Episcopal churches named by Mrs. Hattie E. Robins, the author has discovered the history of the following churches within the county, a partial list of which she kindly furnished, while other data we secured ourselves.
What was for many years known as the Boggstown Methodist church was organized at the house of Mr. Hough and later meetings were held at Adam McFadden's, a mile to the south of the village. In 1850 a frame church was erected at Boggstown. In 1886 this church numbered eighty-six.
At Brandywine, in the autumn of 1827, at the home of Mrs. Seena, near
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Fairland, a society was formed. Services were held until 1849 at private houses, including those of G. G. Harsins, the Dements and Quinns. During that year ( 1849) a building was erected. Two parties of rough squatters. one on either side of the town, insisted on disturbing public worship, and joined one another in holding mock prayer meetings, in hearing of the ser- vices held by these pioneer Methodists, and when the settlers could no longer stand the abuse. they arose and scon put a stop to such lawlessness.
Sugar Creek (now Fairland) was organized in 1847. The church at Fairland, properly speaking, was formed in 1855. Thomas Hacker and family and Doctor Lewis and wife and a Mrs. Hoskins formed a class. . \ place of worship was provided and a Sunday school had been running sometime before the completion of the church building.
At Flatrock, in 1852, a frame church was erected by the Methodist people, three miles southwest of Norristown, near Girton's Mills. The society worshiped here until i870, when it moved to Flatrock station.
At Norristown a class was formed in 1866 by twelve members. In 1886 this church had a membership of ninety and worshiped in the old Union church.
At Marietta, in the forties, was organized a Meth «list church. Services were at first held at private houses, but later in a school-house. About 1876 many members withdrew and helped from the Methodist Protestant church.
Morristown circuit was formed at an early date. Asbury church was the first organized on this circuit. Soon after land had been surveyed in 1822 a log cabin church was erected. It had a brick chimney and had its pulpit in one corner. Jonathan Johnson and family were prominent in this organization. Rev. John Stover was the first circuit rider there and a most excellent worker.
In 1839 a frame building was erected, at a cost of four hundred dollars. The present Morristown church was built in 1885. W. W. Woodyard was the architect and lived in the community until 1908, when he died. In 1886 it is recorded that the membership was ninety-five, but today they have two hundred members and in a flourishing condition. The cost of their present building was four thousand six hundred dollars. W. . \. Bodine, an old mer- chant of the town, has ever been liberal in his support of this church, of which he is a worthy member today.
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