USA > Indiana > Historical data and life sketches of the deceased ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Evangelical Association, 1835 to 1915, Volume II > Part 14
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Church members in 1871 were: John and Lovina Smith, John and Rebecca Stoll, Geo. and Eliza Stoll, Geo. Stoll, Jr., Henry and Matilda Price, Anna and Priscilla Kring. A. Hartzler built the first church, 33 x 55 feet, in 1872, in the S. W. edge of Hieksville. It was dedicated September 22, '72, by Editor R. Dubs of Cleveland, Ohio. The cost of the church was $2,680.00. $1,100.00 was raised on the day of dedication. In the winter of 1881 Savilla Kring held a re- vival here which resulted in many conversions and 40 accessions to the church. At the first communion after this revival 125 partook of the Lord's Supper. Under Thompson a temperance schism arose, from which the society never recovered, and by deaths and removals the society gradually dwindled down to a few members when it was discontinued.
HOPEWELL, INDIANA
This elass was about five miles N. E. of Cumberland, Indiana. There was a small church here in 1890. J. Rees reported January, '90, that a revival re- sulted in some conversions and aceessions. It belonged to Julietta Mission. The elass was discontinued in 1896.
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HUNTINGBURG, INDIANA
Jacob Trometer, a local preacher of the Evangelical Association, and a member of the Conference, was providentially led to move to Huntingburg, Indiana, in 1840. This country was then "a veritable moral wilderness of rough and stiffnecked people". Constrained by the love of God, and by a great passion for saving lost souls, T. resolved to preach here every alternate Sunday. The people lived in log cabins wherein he preached. Soon he preached every Sunday, which was oftener than some cared for, as it uncovered their gross sins more and more, which they were not willing to confess, or part with. Often when T. was through preaching, and the meeting was closed, people would surround him, and deny his interpretation of the Scripture. This neces- sitated him to restate and reiterate statements he made in sermons for further elncidations to avoid miseoneeptions, and to make the Word effective and fruit-
Emmanuel Church, Huntingburg, Ind.
ful. He was very conscientious in his efforts. Gradually he gained favor witli the people. In his characteristic way he pushed the battle to the gates. Then he began holding prayer-meetings which was a diversion from old customs in the Lutheran Church. After hard labor for eighteen months, amidst severe op- position, he saw stubborn wills yielding, and hard hearts breaking open to the wooing of the Holy Spirit. Conversions now followed. Fr. Wiethanp was the first convert, who later entered the ministry. He organized a class of 20 mem- bers.
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In May, 1843, Chr. Lintner and A. Nicolai were sent here. They held the first "Big Meeting" in Gerhardt Niehaus' home, just west of Huntingburg, November, '43. The class increased in numbers and was reorganized. The members were: Fr. Wiethaup; Gerhart and Gertrude Koch; Wm. and Mrs. Wesseler; Gerhardt and Mrs. Niehaus; Fr. and Mrs. Wesseler; Margaret, Henry, Christian and mother Katterhenry; Henry Niehaus; Wm. and Mrs. Katter- henry; Fr. and Mrs. Steffen; Henry Kuhlmeyer; Christopher and Mrs. Duffen- dach; Geo. and Mrs. Ott; Chr. and Mrs. Schwartz; Wm. and Mrs. Hemmer; Fr. and Mrs. Hemmer; H. W. and Mrs. Hemmer; C. Arnsman and Herman Elshof. These were mostly Trometer's converts. He had sent a "Macedonian Call" to Lintner and Nicolai who were missionaries on Mt. Carmel Mission in Illinois, which was then a part of the Ohio Conference. They came and in- spected T's work, found it good and took up this place as a regular appoint- ment. When these men came the people wept for joy. Their first meeting re- sulted in twelve seekers and six accessions.
In May, 1844, when the Illinois Conference was organized it included this place. A. B. Schafer, P. E. of Wabash District, made a visit here this year. He reported, "I found T. surrounded with two classes of 18-20 members each. These united in buying a camp-ground of 40 acres in 1843 near Huntingburg, knowr as Maple Grove." Cost of this camp-ground bought from the Government was $50.00. The charter-members above named constituted these two classes, one in Huntingburg and the mother society at Maple Grove. A log church was built at M. Grove and dedicated September 14, '45, by A. B. Schafer. It was a time of "great solemnity and joy. The people re-dedicated their hearts to God." A number of conversions and accessions occurred on this occasion, as God's seal upon their work. There were this year 24 conversions and accessions. At a meeting held September 13, Fr. Wiethaup and G. Koch had quarterly con- ference license voted them. Under date October 9, '45, T. as pastor, reported 14 appointments on Dubois Circuit, extending over southern Indiana, and that opposition was waning and the truth gaining ground.
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On June 27-28, '46, Bishop John Seybert visited this place and rejoiced over the work done. Ph. Bretsch became pastor June '46. A. B. Schafer, P. E., be- gan a meeting at Maple Grove, August 28, resulting in great good. June, 1847, A. Nicolai and Henry Esch became pastors. On August 12, '47, the first camp- meeting started on the camp-ground. Bishop Jos. Long was present. He de- scribed the camp-ground in the Christliche Botschafter thus: "The pulpit stand is well arranged with seats for the people in front of it. The 22 uniform log-huts were built close to each other on three sides of the meeting place, in straight rows. The ground was lighted up at night with campfires which gave it a heavenly appearance, and was awe-inspiring." He further said, "The people took an active part in singing, praying and working at the altar with penitents. The preaching was spiritual and showers of blessings fell upon the people from
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God's throne." The bonfire was on a high mound of carth. Enclosed in a pen of posts was the fire-altar on top of which the fire was kept burning. People walked from Warrenton, Evansville and Rockport in these days to the camp- meeting here. Later they came in ox-carts, farm wagons, spring wagons and buggies, and now in fine automobiles. On December 31, '47, a "Watch Night" service was held in Maple Grove church that resulted in conversions and 11 accessions. Camp-meetings continued annually in August. Many persons were saved here and God's children requickened spiritually. In 1849 Chr. Glaus and Jacob Keiper were pastors. They had nine accessions. The latter being a car- penter by trade, worked on the new church which was now built in Hunting- burg. Preaching in H. had been in private homes and schoolhouses. This church (brick) was dedicated April 28, 1850, by A. B. Schafer. June, 1850, Fr. Wiethaup and B. Uphaus were pastors, and Geo. A. Blank, P. E. Fourteen persons joined church this year. In 1851 Fr. Wiethaup and Fr. Scheurman, pastors. They had five accessions. In 1852 when the Indiana Conference was organized, it embraced Dubois Circuit. Pastors this year were P. Burgener and G. Franzen, and C. Glaus, P. E. This year Wm. Bockman of Rockport, In- diana, received quarterly conference license. 1853, B. Uphaus and Wm. Bock- man. In 1854 the following were members of the classes: Huntingburg-Chris- topher Wesseler (leader) and wife; Herman Buhmer and wife and son, Chris- tian; Michael and Chr. Krueger; J. and Ben Schaly; J. and Anna L. Miesner; Anna E. Wiethaup; Ludwig and Louisa Voelkel; Geo, and Elizabeth Warm- brod; Carl Heiden (Ex.) and wife. Zion-Fr. (leader) and Mary Wesseler; Christopher and Elizabeth Dufendach; Fr. and Mary Arnsman; Henry and Mary E. Meyer; Domikus and Mary Salat; John and Mary Voelkel; and John Harms. Bethlehem-Henry (leadcr) and Mary Hastedt; Ger. and Kath. Nie- hause; Wm. and Kath. Wesseler; Sophia Mangels; Christoph Heiden; Fr. and Christian Steffen; Herman and Christian Reutepoehler; J. and Mary Rausher; Wm. Blesch; Fr. Erkstein. Zoar-Henry and Christian. Katterhenry; Wm. Bockman (pastor) and wife; Gottlob and Eliza Rauscher; Geo. and Mary Ott; Wm. and Sophia Stroh; John, Mary, Wm. and Fred Heikerman. Salem-Fr. and Christina Sunderman; Wm., Christina and Elizabeth Katterhenry; Herman, Christian and Elizabeth Elshoff; Peter and Fredricka Mangels; Fredricka Hem- mer; Henry Sunderman. Hebron-Henry (leader) Alpers; Henry Hemmer: Henry and Mary Huelsmeier; Wm. and Elizabeth Hemmer; Mary Arnsman; Fr. W. and Christian Stockhowe; Seibold Sunderman.
In 1855 Win. Wesseler and Mel. Mayer. Wesseler was licensed by a quar- terly conference here. The field now extended into Dubois, Spencer, Warrick, Gibson, Vanderburg, and Posey Counties. Fifteen persons were added to the classes here. 1856, Ph. Bretsch. This year while the camp-meeting was in progress Saturday afternoon, Bretsch's house was set on fire, presumably by incendiaries, and house and contents were consumed. Distraction of mind, and
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prevailing moral darkness militated against success in the camp-meeting. The friends of pastor B. nobly helped him to clothing, etc. The parsonage which was under construction at this time was far enough along so that he could move in. He had 11 accessions. A young people's class was organized with Fr. Wesseler and Ger. Niehaus as leaders. In 1857 Ph. Bretsch was elected P. E. for Wabash District. M. Hoehn and Chr. Wessling became pastors. Dubois and Warrenton Circuits and Rockport Mission were served jointly this year. 1858, C. Wessling; '59-60, John Fuchs and E. L. Kiplinger. For pastors from 1860 to 1915 see Volume I. In 1866 steps were taken to build a new church in H. In January, 1867, M. Hoehn, P. E., reported that the society was building a parish schoolhouse. The second brick church was dedicated December 15, '67, by Chr. Wessling. The cost of the church was $3,700.00. Size 40 x 56 with a tower and a 527-1b. bell. In 1876 the south portion of the Indiana Conference, including Cincinnati, Ohio, Louisville, Ky., and southern Indiana and Illinois, became South Indiana Conf. In 1880 G. R. Koch built the frame church at Maple Grove and it was dedicated August 8, 1880. G. M. Hallwachs was licens- ed as preacher on probation in 1880. In 1881 a two-story frame parsonage was built at a cost of $1,075.00. In 1883 Gerry Koch was licensed to preach. The conference session was held here in 1886. No changes were made in sta- tioning as the conference year was only six months long. At the camp-meeting, August, 1900, on the 6th evening, 25 penitents came to the altar and nearly all were gloriously saved. The shouts of God's people filled the air with thanks- giving. Bishop S. C. Breyfogel preached the fourth and fifth nights with power and effect.
At the camp-meeting, August, 1913, $551.00 was given in cash and subscrip- tions toward the founding of Linwood Ave. Mission, Evansville, Indiana. Everv dollar was paid and all but $50.00 was given by the two congregations, Emman- uel and Salem. This noble offering made it possible to purchase the lots for the new mission. At the camp-meeting of 1915 six members pledged $100.00 each, to be paid in four years, for the education each of a boy in China. Four of these were members of the same societies.
The third brick church in Huntingburg was built in 1904 on a new site. The cost of the lot was $2,000.00. The cornerstone was laid by the pastor June 12th. Also a new parsonage was now built at the new church. The church was dedicated November 20, '04, by Bishop S. C. Breyfogel. This church has a large auditorium with a S. S. annex and two class-rooms. The illumination is by electric lights. It is heated by furnace and has art-glass windows. The floor is inclined with circular pews, and beautifully decorated walls. The cost of this church was about $20,000.00. Luehring in '08 secured the pipe-organ gift from Carnegie. The organ was installed at a cost of $1,541.00 including the gift. It was dedicated Feb. 14, 1910. W. G. Bracckly died here soon after the
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Conference session of 1913. A. B. Haist, 1913-16; D. A. Kaley, 1917-19; W. R. Kimmel, 1920-22; C. P. Maas, 1923.
A Woman's Missionary Society was organized August 20, 1883, on the last day of the camp-meeting, with 43 charter-members. Later this society drifted into a Ladies' Aid Society, but annual missionary offerings were made to the church and conference. The W. M. S. spirit was again revived under the labors of A. B. Haist. The Sunday Schools on this charge were organized early in the history of this charge. The Sunday School in H. is one of the larger ones in the conference and is doing splendid work. Also a Y. P. A. was duly organized and maintained as a live institution in the church, and willingly contributes to the various enterprises of the church and conference.
HUNTINGTON, INDIANA
The community around Huntington was first taken up in 1855 by Peter Goetz of St. Mary's Circuit. He organized a class at the Henry Stoetzel and Adam Beck Settlement, two miles up the little Wabash River from Huntington. The charter-members were: Henry Stoetzel and wife, Adam Beek and wife In 1856-57, Peter Burgener with Fr. Geisel and Josh. Panlin, the first and second ycar respectively. In 1857 B. and P. held a meeting, nine miles south of Hunt- ington, resulting in 21 conversions and accessions. Exact location of this place not found. 1858, A. Nicolai and E. L. Kiplinger.
In 1859 the Huntington Circuit was formed of the appointments west of the "Reserve" or Bethlehem in Wells Co., five miles east of Ossian, Indiana, of the St. Mary's Circuit. It comprised the Stoetzel, Leininger, Meyer, Zion and Young's appointments. B. Ruh was assigned to this field. He took up Jacob Backe's appointment, 31/2 miles N. E. of Huntington. In 1860 this circuit was changed to a mission being too weak to support a preacher, M. Krueger, mis- sionary. 1861, Josh Paulin. He had ten appointments. He reported blessed meetings. A parsonage was secured at the Leininger Church, this being the most central class. For pastors sce Volume I. In '66 this mission was served conjointly with St. Mary's Circuit. In '68 it was again made a cirenit. In '71 this field was transferred to Ft. Wayne District; '74, served with St. Mary's; '75, Five Points, Zion or Mygrant, Stoetzel, Leininger and Meyer appointments again constituted Huntington Circuit. In '80-81 it was again a mission.
HUNTINGTON CITY
In 1882 D. J. Pontius was assigned to Huntington Mission. The Stoetzel Society now had nine members and a small chapel one mile east of the city. It was 16 x 32 feet and stood on Adam Beck's farm near the little Wabash River. Pastor and people got a vision, and concluded to transfer their place of worship to the city. In the fall of 1882 a brick church was erected in the S. E. part of
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Huntington, on Front St., now River Drive. At this time Leininger, Meyer, West Point (Bippus) and Stoetzel' Classes constituted Huntington Mission. Pontius, the church builder, two months after Conference session, canvassed the members and friends for funds to build the church. Then a lot was bought. On August 5th a board of trustees was elected, namely: Adam Beck, Geo. Daub, and Jacob Leininger. The first two and Pontius were the building committec. The erection of the church started September 18, and the church was dedicated December 17, '82, as Bethel Church by Bishop R. Dubs. The dimensions of the church were 34 x 56 feet with tower in front and high arch ceiling. It was built in 88 days.
In 1883-85 I. B. Fisher was pastor. In '84 Conference permitted him to collect money on adjoining fields toward the debt on this church. The Leininger parsonage was now moved into the city, west of the church, and has since been the preacher's home. On May 12, '84, Fisher closed a revival here with 33 saved and 31 accessions, mostly heads of families. Membership in church and S. S. doubled this year. On March 5, '86, he closed a nine-week's revival with 55 conversions, and 50 accessions, mostly married folks. In 1886-87, Jos. Fisher was stationed here. 1886 being political campaign year, Satan caused a political division. The promising society was well-nigh ruined. Some of the most sub- stantial members left the church. Bro. F. was a radical R. and many members were unconvertably firm D's. Thus wounds were made that left an ineffaceable scar. In 1888-89, D. Martz followed. After hard work he got the divided so- ciety partly reunited and it again started on the upward grade. 1890, H. W. Fisher, pastor, but due to illness, he resigned before the year closed. 1891, Wm. Ackerman pastor with Zion and Markle added. In Feb., '92, he had a glorious revival, 38 being saved, mostly S. S. scholars. In 1892, J. Wales, pastor, this society borrowed $750.00 from the Conference under mortgage security return- able in two years. The trustees gave W. permission to make such church im- provements "as he saw fit". This was giving him quite a latitude. W. held to the theory that to wipe out an old church debt, it was necessary to make new improvements to arouse the people to a renewal of church interests and activi- ties, and then lump the old and new debt, and have a re-opening by a prominent churchman to get new pledges to wipe out the whole debt. So he did here with marked success. In '93 the Conference made this society a donation of $500.00 from the Conference Missionary Society to be paid in five $100.00 installments to lift the final indebtedness. H. Steininger in '97 reported, "a great revival, city is moved, church crowded, two services held nightly to accommodate the people, scores saved, 87 have united with the church". He urged the enlarge- ment of the church, but the main members, fearing a slump, prevailed against immediate enlargement, which plan proved to be wisest. In 1905, under J. J. Wise, the church underwent a complete remodeling by adding an alcove on the
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west side for the choir, an extension on the east side with a gallery, and the south part reconstructed into class-rooms and gallery above. The front tower was taken down and a corner tower built, an inclined floor with new circular pews, art-glass windows, electric lights, and furnace were installed, all at a cost of $3,000.00. The church was rededicated by Editor S. P. Spreng. Wise had good revivals here. '15-18, R. W. Loose. Evangelist C. A. Glass held a revival here November-December, 1915, with 59 saved. 1919-22, P. L. Browns. During his pastorate a new parsonage fund of $3,000.00 was raised. 1923, L. E. Smith.
This society organized a S. S. in 1882 and has since been maintained. It has a working Ladies Aid Society and a Y. P. A .. This society sent forth into the Gospel ministry, Samuel Beverly, 1892, died Feb., 1894, after serving as pas- tor only six months; R. F. Jamison, 1892, who served a number of years in the Conference, then moved to Oregon and entered the Presbyterian ministerial ranks; D. D. Sult, 1896, who never actively engaged in the ministry; G. D. Eastes, 1907. He served a few years with us, and then joined the "New Light" Christian Church.
HUSSELMAN CHURCH
This society was a few miles S. W. of Waterloo. It existed already in 1846. G. A. Hertel built a church here in 1861 which was dedicated November 23, '62. In 1876 A. Geist built a new church, which W. H. Mygrant moved into Water- loo in 1889. At this time the class ceased, and its members were transferred to Waterloo.
INDIAN CREEK SOCIETY
This society had the names, "Kloepfer", "Indian Creek", "Sulphur Springs", and "Spring Valley" Class. It was located in the N. E. corner of Marion Co., Indiana, just at the N. E. edge of the Ft. Benjamin Harrison grounds, on the bank of the Spring Valley Creek. Preaching began here about 1840 in Geo. Kloepfer's home, and in a schoolhouse. In 1843 A. Nicolai and P. Hahn held a camp-meeting here. It was reported as fruitless, "because adherents of another church here prejudiced the settlers against the Evangelical Association". In 1852 this class belonged to Hamilton Mission (now Cicero) which was composed of Indian Creek, Stoney Creek. Dick's, Clarksville, Cicero, and Pendleton Classes. M. W. Steffey was pastor. In 1855, J. Keiper named the following members here: Geo. Kloepfer's, Hassenfuss', Schneider's, and Becker's. On December 31, '55, a "Watch Night" service was held here. There was a small parsonage here at this time. In 1867 these classes, except Cicero, constituted Cumberland Mission. In 1869 the field name became Sulphur Spring. In 1871 they were added to Cicero, and in 1873 renamed Noblesville. There was an old abandoned church here, which our people bought in later years, but the class was discon- tinued in 1896.
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INDIANAPOLIS FIRST CHURCH
A number of ministers of the Evangelical Association, pre- vions to 1852, sought entrance into Indianapolis, but failed. There were then a few awakened and converted members in the Zion Church who desired a church government that would grant them the privilege of holding prayer-meetings, to which the majority of the church was opposed. Then the awakened members, with Pastor Reile, withdrew, and organized themselves into an inde- pendent society with Reile as their pastor. First they worshipped in a schoolhouse and held prayer-meetings in their homes. Then they built a frame house for worship, and united with the Congregational Church. Soon after this they built a brick church on N. Jersey Street, and dedi- cated it as the German Congregational Church. For some time all seemed to move along well, but the pastor's zeal waned, and he became negligent to his trust. On a certain Sunday while Reile was preach- ing, some deeply convicted persons began calling on the Lord for mercy. He stopped preaching and came down from the pulpit, saying, "My God, what can I do?" Then he took his hat and left. The society at once voted him out of his pastorage. They now sought for another minister, but soon learned that their denomination had no German preachers. They sought affiliation with a live German denomination in which they could worship God in truth, and hear preaching by converted ministers. These people often gathered in a basement praying for each other until midnight, and counseling together whether they should unite with the M. E. Church, or the Evangelical Association. They de- cided to unite with the latter.
Before this time, Geo. G. Platz, pastor of Whitewater Circuit, left an ap- pointment in this city for September 16, '53, but "by falsehood, trickery and un- friendliness", the meeting was not announced and his purpose was thwarted. The Congregational Church, not having a German Hymnbook, this society had bought such from the Evangelical Association for worship. Through the use of these, they became more acquainted with the Ev. Association, and were led to the above decision. Usually a denomination seeks her field for operation, but in this case, the field sought the denomination under whose banner it could wor- ship God truly, and save men. The society therefore sent ont a committee to find a preacher of the Ev. Association on a nearby field. Wm. Koehler went to Greenfield and there learned of one living at Indian Creek. Carl Helwig then went there and found Geo. Kloepfer, a local preacher, and also met G. G. Platz. Arrangements were made for these two men to come to Indianapolis to . preach alternately every two weeks in their church until Conference would meet in June, 1855. This society then made this proposition to the Indiana Confer-
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ence, viz: that if the Conference would buy their church property and assume the indebtedness thereon, and give them a missionary, then they, as a society, would join the Ev. Association. This was done. Indianapolis was taken up as a mission, and M. W. Steffey became the first missionary in June, 1855.
The Beginning of the First Church
The first Sunday after Conference session, G. G. Platz preached in the morning, and then introduced Steffey as the first pastor. In the afternoon an experience meeting was held, opened by Platz. He and Steffey were to have charge of this meeting, one on each side of the auditorium. During this meeting S. went to a man who sat back, and asked him, "What have you to say?" This man, Geo. Stump, in rage replied, "You think that you have Christians to deal with, but you are mistaken, they are a set of hypocrites, scoundrels, a good-for- nothing, miserable, dishonest set, etc." S. thought possibly he was demented, but Platz knew him, and said, "Let us pray". Before S. was on his knees this man in ridicule said, "O Lord, have mercy on these miserable, good-for-nothing scoundrels, and hypocrites, this miserable, unjust and unrighteous set, etc.," and then left.
Soon after Steffey arrived, as agrecd by Conference, their property was bought, the debt of $1,900.00 was assumed and the legal transfer was made. The purchasing committee was Steffey, S. Dickover, and Geo. Kloepfer. Some of the society refused to join the Evangelical Association, because the rules were too strict for them. The charter-members were: John and Elizabeth Schaub, Wm. and Anna K. Koehler, Daniel and Henrietta Miller, Carl and Anna Helwig, Carl and Wilhelmina Aldag, Aug. and Mrs. Aldag, Ludwig Aldag, Carl and Maria C. Hartman, Carl and Sophia Rehling, Charlotte Westplialen, Geo. and Dora Belzer. At the first, the growth was slow. There were 33 members after three years.
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