USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 16
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At Fountaintown a class was reorganized in 1857 and in 1876 a new church edifice was completed. In 1887 this was a thriving church, doing much good. Its first class leader was Isaac Robinson.
Pleasant Hill church was formed at the house of John Glenn, in 1830, and retained the name of Glenn's Society for thirty years. Mr. Glenn was the first class leader. Near by, later on, a frame church was built. The society is still doing an excellent church work, but data is not at hand for this work of a county record.
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At Waldron the church was originally connected with that of Middle- town and Conn's Creek. it was established in 1836, with Frank Toler as a class leader. Conn's Creek was organized in 1849, at the cross roads, now Waldion. The Knight family were prominent in this work. Also the Van Pelts and Bliss families. School-houses and private homes served until a church was erected. in 1858, when it took on the name of Waldron. Soon after that the society at Middletown abandoned the site and united at Waldron, making it a strong church. From an old record it appears that the following were officers in 1886: Trustees, J. J. Curtiss, Henry R. Ming. and A. H. Hay- mond ; Stewards, Mrs. R. R. Washburn, Mrs. Elizabeth Washburn and A. H. Haymond. The membership then was about fifty. At this date -- 1909-the membership is one hundred and forty-seven and the society is strong in in- fluence for good in the community.
At a point on the Norristown pike that was named Winchester. a Meth- odist church was formed. called Shadley's Society. They met at the house of Mr. Hadley until 1848. then moved to the house of Thomas Maddy. In 1850 a frame house was built twenty-six by thirty-six feet. Prominent among the members were the Shadley family, Charles Thompson and wife. Mrs. John Monroe, T. H. Wherret and wife and Kitura Green. The frame church was replaced by a substantial brick building, dedicated in 1872. Among the active builders of this church were: Andrew Maple, Thomas Thompson, Job D. Tindall, John A. Gore and John W. Wilson. In 1886 the church had a mem- bership of eighty. It is still in the field.
Union Methodist church was formed by Ripple's class in 1833 and many years later called Union church. The first preaching was at an old settler's house named Ripple. The class occupied a school-house until 1849, when a frame church was erected. Fifteen years later a new church was built, in 1864. The Greens. McFalls. Fosters and Jacksons were prominent in this organiza- tion. The church is still doing good service.
Toner's Chapel. four miles from Shelbyville, is another Methodist point. Preaching commenced there in 1836. School-houses were used until 1845. when a frame building was erected. Services are still held at this place.
A church was formed at Geneva and a thousand dollar building erected there.
Canaan Methodist Episcopal church is located in Moral township. four miles south of Palestine. In an old frame building the early settlers by the score met and heard the word preached with old-time power.
Cynthianna church of this denomination was organized and a church built in 1854. Henry Fisher, Thomas Jones, William Fisher, J. N. Marshall and others were zealous in the work. The society never became large or very prosperous.
There is also a Methodist church at London, Shelby county. All in all,
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Methodism has sought out almost every nock and corner of this county, at one date or another, and hence has become a strong denomination today.
THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION IN SHELBY COUNTY.
With the numerous religious denominations within Shelby county, the Baptists have from an early day been very strong, and have organized and kept alive many churches.
The Missionary Baptist church was organized in the spring of 1823. From the pen of Rev. John Reece, the author here takes the liberty to copy what he said many years ago concerning this denomination :
"In the settling of Shelby county, persons came from different sections. some from one state and some from another. As they came they settled in neighborhoods. One of these settlements was northeast of Edinburg and among their number were a few Baptists. In their new homes, rude as they were, they longed for Gospel privileges. Hence in this little neighborhood the few Christians met alternately at their houses and held prayer meetings, until in the spring of 1823. when nine persons, viz. : Thomas Russell, Polly Russell, William Barnet, Nancy Barnet, Lewis Bishop. Elizabeth Bishop. Simon Shafer and Merit McGuire were organized on the first day of March into the Missionary Baptist church. They held meetings until 1826, at various houses, then built a hewed log building in the elge of Johnson county. Here they worshiped until 1832 when a frame house was constructed on the same lot. In 1843 this house was destroyed by fire, and the church immediately commenced to build a third house one mile to the northeast and in Shelby county, at a cost of $1.200.
Of the constituent members it may truthfully be said that they were true and faithful Christians. The first pastor was Rev. John Barnet, sustaining that relation until 1825. a very Godly, earnest preacher. He was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Harding, who served until his death in 1835. Subsequent pastors were: T. C. Townsand. A. R. Hinkley, B. Reece, A. P. Titton and S. G. Miner, all pioneer ministers who names should not be forgotten by later generations. Rev. Samuel Harding was among the men sent out to found Franklin College, in Johnson county. He also formed the Second Mount Pleasant church.
The next Baptist church to be organized in Shelby county was that at Shelbyville. Rev. Samuel Harding and Rev. D. Stogsdil were induced to visit the town and preach to the few Baptist families there found. It was on the third Sunday in October, 1826, when the Baptist church was organized at this point. The charter members were: George Titus, William Morris, James Emmit, Hannah Titus. Patsy Morris, Phoebe Emmit. Sally Gatewood, Cath- erine Wingate, Morning Simpson and Sally Hippers, making ten in all.
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This church was called "Shelbyville" until the location of the church was changed to a point four miles to the east and the name changed to that of Bethel. It. however, retained this name only a short time because of its re- moval to Shelbyville, when it took the name of Mount Pisgah. For about eight years the services were held in private houses, but in December, 1832, the church resolved to build a house in which to worship. This was a log house twenty-eight by thirty-six feet in size. For seats, rude benches were hewed out of legs. While rough was the place the people who there worshiped had the true spirit of Christianity in their souls. This house was used until 1853. when the log house was removed and a frame house erected, that was twenty-two by thirty feet. This was occupied until 1865. when two thousand dollars was expended for the erection of a frame building, thirty-six by fifty feet. The first pastor was Rev. Samuel Harding and among the first was Rev. D. Stogsdell. who was a very earnest minister, and not infrequently walked sixteen miles to meet his appointments. Rev. J. Reece served this church for twenty-seven years, and in 1887 it had a membership of one hundred and ten. At present the membership is one hundred and thirty-five.
The First Baptist church of Shelbyville was organized in March. 1849. when Shelbyville had but five Baptists. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Jolin Reece in the old court-house that stood in the center of the public square and the services were attended by twelve persons. . Meetings were held every other two weeks and preaching had by Reverend Reece. The con- stituent members of this church were: William E. Midkiff. Mary Midkiff, Samuel Midkiff. Agnes Midkiff, Olive Bassett, Reuben DeBoard. Eliza De- Board, Elizabeth T. Brown, Lydia Rodifer, Eliza Robertson, Mary Veach, John Bassett and Katherine Bassett. For several years this church had a hard struggle for its existence as it had no church home, although in 1849 it had commenced the construction of a building of brick situated on East Wash- ington street, but the building was not finally completed until sometime in 1863. Then followed several years of steady growth, until 1876. Then the society decided to sell its property on East Washington street and build upon the present lots in West Broadway. This edifice was the handsomest in the city. costing seventeen thousand dollars, and although bravely begun required many years of tedious struggle and self-denial before it was finally completed and paid for. In fact this band of Christian workers had planned to burn the mortgage upon the fifty-fourth anniversary, which would have been March 25, 1902, but just six days before this date the building burned to the ground. leaving a crushed and discouraged people: nevertheless from the ashes sprung new zeal so enthusiastic and a spirit so courageous that in just eighteen months, September 20, 1903. was dedicated the present magnificent building. more commodious and more beautiful than the burned structure.
The pastors who have served this church are as follows: Revs. John
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Reece. J. P. Barnet. J. R. Phillips. M. B. Phares. J. M. B. Tisdale. A. S. Ames, J. L. Irwin. J. B. Shaff. W. A. Coplinger. W. T Jolly. J. M. Whitehead. C. HI. MeDowell. J. H. Groff. W. A. Pavy. A. R. Stark. L. A. Goukl, H. IF. Hulton. J. H. Decre and O. A. Cook.
The church is now in a very flourishing condition, and has a membership (April, 1909) of five hundred and sixty-four.
The Mount Gilead Baptist church, located in Hendricks township, was organized May 27. 1830. Among the early and charter members of this so- ciety were : Alexander Miller and wife, Levy Laingor and wife, Thomas Me- Ferrin and wife, Mrs. Lucy Miller. Mrs. Updegraf. Among the early min- isters are now recalled the names of Rev. Samuel Harding Rev. J. Reece. Sr .. and Reverend Reece. Meetings were held at private houses until 1843. when a log house twenty-four feet square was provided-the same was on John Mc- Crary's land. This building was used until 1848. when a frame house was erected on land belonging to Jesse Laingor. In June. 1872. it was voted to build in the village of Smithland and this house was dedicated a year later. In 1858 a number of the members withdrew and constituted the first member- ship of the church at Marietta. The church was soon dissolved. however, and its members came back to the mother church. At this date ( 1909) the Smith- land church has a membership of one hundred forty-eight. It uses the last named building. .
Brandywine ( later known as Fairland) Baptist church was organized July 30, 1832, with the following as first members: James V. A. Woods. Lewis Morgan. D. A. M. Morgan, William C. C. Morgan. Henry Serber. A. M. Morgan. Levi Bishop, Sarah Oldham, Nancy Morgan, Nancy Oldham, Naney Hubble and Mary Bishop. The church was first located near the town of Brandywine, six miles northwest of Shelbyville. The location was changed in 1859 to Fairland. From 1832 to 1837 services were held from house to house, but in June, 1833. it was decided to build, but the edifice was not com- pleted until 1837. Rev. William G. Eaton preached the first sermon in this building. The church building at Fairland was built and first occupied in 1860, and Rev. John Reece was the first to preach in the same. The present membership is one hundred and forty. The edifice erected in 1860 still serves.
The Second Mount Pleasant Baptist church was organized July 11, 1835. at a school-house in Hendricks township. For two years this people worshiped in private houses and under the broad canopy of heaven beneath the spreading branches of forest trees, etc., but at the end of that period they built a house of worship six miles northeast of Franklin. in the edge of Johnson county. This was used from 1836 to 1865. when a forty by sixty foot building was erected, near the old site. costing four thousand four hundred thirteen dollars. Rev. Benjamin Reece was the first pastor and served until his death in 1853. Up to 1887 there had been received into this one church organization eight
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hundred and fifty persons. It now has three hundred and sixty members and worships in the last named building.
Little Blue River Baptist church was established in Union township. Shelby county, about seven miles northeast of Shelbyville, in March, 1828. Thomas Golding and the following persons constituted the charter member- ship : Sarah Gokdling, Jane Golding. William G. Morris, Jacob Rosel, Barbara Rosel. John Golding. John Derrickson. Elijah Cotton. Peter Dewitt, Tally Wicker. Bettie Ann Wicker, Jane Cherry and Elizabeth Brown. At first meetings were held at private houses, but a church building was erected of logs and served well its purpose for a number of years. Subsequently a frame building was provided which was forty by sixty feet. In 1887 this church had a membership of about two hundred and fifty. From this one Baptist church in Shelby county no less ( possibly later ones) than six ministers have been sent forth from its ranks. These are Rev. James M. Smith. Rev. M. B. Phares, Rev. D. J. Huston, Rev. John Phares, Rev. William Golden. and Rev. George W. Zike. In 1909 the membership of this society was one hundred and eighty-four.
The Baptist church at Waldron, organized at an early day, went down prior to 1885. but was reorganized and is now a prosperous church owning its own edifice.
Goodwill Baptist church, of Hanover township. East Union, is in the Central Association that meets at Indianapolis, and data is not at hand for these churches. The following is concerning these societies :
The Goodwill Baptist church was formed in Hanover township in May, 1859, with the following membership : Presley Morris. Rebecca Morris, Oliver Morris, Elizabeth Merideth. Archibald Canedy, Eliza I. Love, Thomas Merideth, Delilah Talbert and Jesse A. Gibson. The church was formed by its first pastor, Rev. John Phares.
East Union Baptist church, of Moral township. was organized in March, 1867, by members as follows : Lindsey and Lucinda Leonard. A. J. Joyce, H. R. Joyce, Margaret T. Joyce. Archibald Mann. R. C. Mann, Letitia Mann, B. P. Mann and Eliza E. Mann. This church was located at the Center school- house and used the same as a meeting place for a number of years. In Sep- tember, 1867. Rev. J. M. Smith was made pastor of this church, spending one- fourth of his time with them, for which he received thirty dollars per year. In 1868 a frame building was ereced and the society grew rapidly, having in 1886 a membership of ninety persons.
Pleasant View Baptist church, located in the northeast corner of Moral township, was organized December, 1836, consisting of the following mem- bers : James Bobbett, Archibald Mann, Elijah Mann, George Hume, Jacob Ba- lor and J. M. Johnson. One peculiarity concerning this church is the fact that no women were members at first, but at the meeting held in January, 1837,
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the following united : Susan Vise, Elizabeth Mann, Margaret Bobbett, Eliza- beth Crain and Mary Joyce. Rev. T. C. Townsend, the first pastor, received the sum of ten dollars and twelve cents for his services.
Brookfield Baptist church, in Moral township, was organized March 24. 1866, and Rev. J. M. Smith was chosen first pastor. In 1887 it is learned from old historical accounts that this society had a good brick edifice valued at two thousand dollars.
From the foregoing it will be observed that Shelby county has had organ- ized more than a score of Baptist churches within her borders, including those extinct in 1885-Hopewell, Sugar Creek, Waldron. Forks of Blue River and Marietta.
The Second Baptist church of Shelbyville (colored) was organized and perfected as a society February 19. 1860. There were present at that meeting Revs. William Moore. J. Reece, J. B. Shaff. M. Brayles. W. Singleton and William Neal. William Moore officiated as the moderator. The meetings for this purpose, as well as for the general use of the church, for the first six years in the history of the church were held in the third story of a brick build- ing. later occupied by Julius Joseph. When first organized this church had but seven members connected with it, but in 1886 had a membership of seventy. A brick church was built on Hendricks street, costing two thousand five hun- dred dollars, and its size was thirty-three by fifty feet. This building was ded- icated in 1875. Rev. Moses Brayles delivering the sermon on that occasion. This brick church edifice is still doing good service for this, the only colored Baptist church society within the county.
The Separate Baptists is a branch of the Baptist denomination, holding some special and rather peculiar notions on certain points, hence many years ago formed themselves into a society of their own and are known as the Pleas- ant View church, located in Jackson township. Meetings were held at school- houses until the old Lutheran church, which stood two miles south of Mt. Auburn, was purchased in 1868 and moved to its present place. Rev. Martin Layman was the organizer of this branch of the Baptist church. Prominent among the members were Abner Connor and wife. Joel D. Scott and wife, John Layman and wife. Sarah Davis. John Shauer and wife and T. French and wife. In 1887 this church numbered sixty-four communicants. This society with kindred branches are still in existence in Jackson township and perhaps no where else in this county.
The New Lights was an early-day church in this country, but aside from holding a few meetings in Shelby county ( in Marion township) nothing further developed of it here. It is claimed, in fact, that it originated with a few minds living at one time in Marion.
The Lutheran church was formed in Jackson township by a class which inet about 18.47 or 1848 the first time. Meetings were held at various resi-
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dences and at the district school-house. Sometime during the forties, what is known as St. George's Lutheran church was established, and a thirty-six by forty foot frame building provided in which to worship. This stood two miles south of Mt. Auburn. In the sixties a brick edifice was built at a cost of five thousand dollars. In 1887 there was a membership of one hundred and twenty. This church organization is still in existence, but the membership is unknown to the writer.
St. Paul's Lutheran church was organized the latter part of the sixties by families including the Wertzes, Stines, Lamberts and Niebels. Rev. D. A. Kuhn was a prominent pastor of this church.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.
First Church of Christ-Scientist, had its origin at Shelbyville in 1905. when eight persons of this faith met and held meetings in three rooms in the post-office block. In July. 1907, the church organization was perfected by about twenty-five members. The original officers were the board consisting of the following persons : Ray Deprez, chairman : Mrs. Harry Downey, vice- president : Mrs. R. Harrison, treasurer ; Walter Randall, secretary ; the other member of the board being Mrs. Daniel Deprez.
Upon the organization of the society new quarters were secured on the second floor of the post-office block ; a neatly planned and finely furnished chapel, with a seating capacity of about one hundred, was provided: also a reception and office room, together with a library. The reading room is open every day in the week and services held Sunday and mid-week night.
The readers have been, Harry Downey, first reader : Miss Bertha Spel- man, second reader. These still serve, except that Mrs. Harry Downey is act- : ing now as second reader. Mrs. Downey is also the efficient librarian. The present chairman is Ray Deprez and the vice-president is Mrs. Daniel Deprez.
This newly organized church has met with success and well represents the cause nearest the hearts of its membership. Literature and books treating on the faith of Christian Science are freely distributed among the people who read them eagerly. With this excellent reading room there can be no good excuse for one living in Shelbyville to live longer in ignorance of what this people believe and teach.
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AFRICAN CHURCHES.
The colored people of Shelbyville and vicinity enjoyed but few religious privileges before 1872. The few representatives of this race who found their way here at the close of the Civil war which had set them free were indeed illy prepared to pay a minister or support a church organization. All efforts to organize a Methodist Episcopal class for these people failed until the com-
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ing of Robert Watkins, to whom must be given the credit of founding the African Methodist church of Shelbyville. The first meeting was held at Mr. Watkins' own honse and the only resident member of the church was Frank Allen. An organization was perfected in the autumn of 1872 and after hold- ing meetings in various places. Wise's hall was leased and used as a place for worship until the church building was completed. This was a frame struc- ture, erected at a cost of about two hundred and fifty dollars, which amount was largely contributed by the white people of the town. This church was within Lexington conference and among the early-day pastors may be men- tioned the names of Revs. Daniel Tucker, Straws. James Molan, George Zeig- ler. Daniel Heston, Reverend Steen and C. Nickols. In the year 1887 this church had a membership of forty-eight and much interest was manifested in the work of the society. At the present date -- 1909-the old church edifice still serves the congregation which now has a membership of fifty-one. It is the only colored Methodist church within Shelby county.
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CHAPTER XIL.
FREEMASONRY IN SHELBY COUNTY.
Freemasonry was first introduced into Shelby county, Indiana. through a dispensation from R. W. Abel C. Pepper, D. G. M .. November 15, 1824. The charter issued bears date of October 5. 1825. when the lodge received the title of Lafayette Lodge No. 28. leaving it discretionary with the members to locate the lodge in such part of the county as they might deem expedient. Brothers: David Tracy, W. M .: Justus Ferris, S. W. : Joseph Adams. J. W. The names of the first petitioners were: Dr. David Tracy. Justus Ferris, Jo- seph Adams. Percy Kitchell and John C. Walker. At first this lodge had no fixed quarters, but met at members' houses. Even for the three years that the lodge had to meet from place to place. it had a good growth, many of the best citizens of Shelby county becoming members of the order during the time. Among the more prominent are the following : Calvin Kinsley. Chan- dler Huntington, Erasmus Powell. Abel Cole. William Hawkins. Nathan Johnson, William Goodrich, William Little, and possibly others whose names have been lost sight of with the passing of so many years.
The charter was surrendered and a new charter issued under the date of November 25. 1828, constituting Erasmus Powell, worshipful master; Jo- siah Reed, senior warden: Nathan Johnson, junior warden, requiring the communications of the lodge to be held alternately at Hanover and Shelby- ville, still retaining its original name and number. Under this arrangement, for several years more the lodge seemed to prosper and other prominent citi- zens became its members, among whom may be mentioned : Austin W. Morris, Amaziah Williams, Mathias Vanpelt, Harmon Updegraff, Jacob Rice, Richard S. Cummins and William Hacker.
At the semi-annual election there were elected on July 4, 1835, William Hacker, worshipful master : James Lisher, senior warden ; Harmon Updegraff. junior warden ; William Goodrich, treasurer: John Walker. secretary : Chan- dler Huntington, senior deacon: Joseph Thrasher, junior deacon, and John Stout. tyler.
In consequence of having to sustain two lodges-the one at Hanover and the other at Shelbyville, it soon became necessary to dissolve and on June 25. 1836, by formal resolution the charter was surrendered to the grand lodge but remained in the hands of Worshipful Master William Hacker, until the meeting of the grand lodge in 1845. when the grand lodge granted permission to the lodge to re-organize and resume labor. The location was permanently fixed at Shelbyville. The following were the petitioners for re-organization :
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Stephen D. Ludlow. William Hacker. James Elliott, William W. McCoy, Jacob Rice. Woodville Browning. Jesse Smith. John Morrison, Nathaniel Teal and Harmon Updegraff. May 26. 1852. the grand lodge changed the title from Lafayette Nc. 28 to that of Shelby Lodge No. 28. under which it is still known. From records of 1886 it is found that this lodge up to that date had furnished two grand masters of Indiana, two high priests and two eminent grand commanders. The membership in 1887 was one hundred and fifty-two.
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