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 18
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In February, 1853, A. Nicolai and L. Scheuerman, pastors of St. Mary's Circuit, held a protracted meeting in the Gottschalk settlement, lasting eight days, resulting in eight conversions and nine accessions. In 1853 Nicolai and Fuchs had considerable success in Salem vicinity and also in Newville where the meeting was held, in the home of Emmanuel Niederhauser. N.'s diary shows that as he read the Word of God audibly to a public assembly, Niederhauser declared that the French Bible did not read as Nicolai's Bible did. But by ma- king comparison he was surprised to find that his harmonized exactly with N.'s. This deeply affected him and led him to repentance and salvation. The first class organized in Newville was in 1853, by S. Dickover, P. E., and Nicolai. The members were: Emmanuel and Mary Niederhauser; Wm. and Anna Mertz; Ulrich and Christian Mosiman; Jacob and John Sutter; Samuel and Verena Baumgartner; Jacob and Elizabeth Gottschalk; Fr. Mosiman; Luisa, John and Magdalena Merilat; Jacob and Elizabeth Mosiman; John and Kath. Gentis; Chr. and Marg. Kober; Michael and Maria Miller; Anna Barbara, Sarah, and Elizabeth Moser.
On June 30, 1854, S. Dickover reported that at a revival held in Nieder- hauser's home, "there was such a divine power present in this meeting that the ministers present could not remain on their feet, and the noise of the meeting could be heard at quite a distance. At the same time there was a dance held ncar by in the hotel. The dance suddenly 'broke up'. The participants, as in fright, rushed out of the dance-hall, and came to the religious meeting, to learn
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the meaning of this strange noise and shouting." This village was then des- perately wicked. J. Fuchs said of this meeting: "There were so many seekers that they could not be counted, as there was no room to keep them apart from . the rest. Some found the pardon of their sins." In a personal letter to the historian in 1914, he said, "This protracted meeting in the field continued for six months, resulting in 113 conversions. Some were converted while in the harvest fields. Many of them were Mennonites." Bishop J. Scybert was with Fuchs, November 3-7, at a quarterly meeting at Gottschalk's Class; preaching six times. S. Dickover was also present. He mentions the names of the fol- lowing converts in particular: Father Mosiman, S. Baumgartner, Peter Lehman, Emmanuel Niederhauser, and father Ellenberger. He said, "One evening there were 28 seekers, 17 found pardon, 18 united with the church, many were still sceking. There were 300 German families in this section of Wells and Adams Counties. Some were so afraid of Fuchs, that when he called at their homes. they would run out and leave him alone in the house, fearing that he would per- vert them from the faith. There arose great opposition to the spiritual work of the Ev. Association. Great confusion among the churches generally prevailed, and as C. C. Baumgartner put it, "Some were teaching this, and others that, but all tenaciously holding to their particular creeds, and forms of worship, more than to vital godliness and experimental religion. There was a religious war raging between the various sects." Some converted sons and daughters were compelled to leave home for conscience's sake and others for being persecuted and bemeaned.
In 1854 preaching began in the French Township Election Schoolhouse which then stood on the N. E. corner of Samuel Baumgartner's farm. In 1855 this east country class had regular weekly services, alternating week-day eve- nings and Sunday afternoons. Sometimes preaching was held in barns to better accommodate the crowds. The ungodly, also, would gather at such times, pri- marily to disturb the meetings. There never was a church built by this class. It was discontinued about 1884, and was merged with the Vera Cruz Class. In 1872 J. K. Troyer reported 38 conversions and 25 accessions at Vera Cruz.
The church at Newville was built under Wiethaup's administration in 1856 and was dedicated November 9th, by Bishop J. Seybert. About 1877 a tower was added with a bell, and the interior was re-arranged. Many blessed revivals were held in this church. Here the historian attended Sunday School and church services. For many years this class was the leading society on the field. But through death of the old members and the removal of the younger people, this class gradually decreased in numbers, and was discontinued in 1918, at which time the church was sold.
Salem Society was organized into a separate class about 1854. In 1855 this society built a small frame church which was dedicated by Bishop J. Scybert in September, 1855. Fr. Wiethaup was the pastor. Many glorious revivals were
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held here. The second church was built on the same site under E. R. Troyer, and was dedicated September, 1877, by Bishop J. J. Esher. This church was completely remodeled under J. H. Rilling's labors, and rededicated February 16, 1902, by Bishop T. Bowman. In 1913 the church was raised several feet, and a furnace installed. D. R. Heil was pastor. In the second church Geo. Roederer closed on January 2, '80, a six-week's revival with 44 conversions. He had no seekers until the 5th Sunday night. This meeting was followed by one at Linn Grove, where many were saved, among them the historian. The third meeting was held in Vera Cruz where also some were saved. In all about 100 were converted and about 80 joined with the church this year. Many blessed expe- riences linger in the memory of S. H. B. that occurred on this field. This is still one of the best country charges in the Conference.
LOGANSPORT, INDIANA
This city was occasionally visited by J. Keiper in 1853. He found lodging with David Klapp. He preached here on September 25, '53, to a small German audience, but no definite steps were taken to preach regularly in this city until 1873, when Wm. Koenig of Bunker Hill Circuit started to hold services in the Eighth Street Schoolhouse for German families who already had in part es- poused the faith and practice of the Evangelical Association. In 1874 an or- ganization was effected, composed of Gottlieb Schafer and wife, John Kies and wife, Fred Market, Dan. Rumbold, Chas. Felker, Wm. Kies, J. Jacobus and Herman Bettischer and his wife. There was a Sunday School here before a church was organized. In 1875 Logansport, Ford's Crossing, Common Centre, and White County Ridge Class constituted Logansport Mission with Wm. Koenig as pastor. In 1876 the mission was merged with Fulton Circuit, and was served hy Wm. Wildermuth and a supply. 1877-78, August Iwan had charge. He undertook a public discussion with a Lutheran minister on church doctrines, etc., hoping to defeat him, and gain favor with his flock and the Ev. Association. But this did more harm than good. Services here were held in a schoolhouse and in the court-house. On January 1, 1878, a church-lot was bought on corner Prown and Wheatland Streets. A small frame church was built, and was dedi- cated December 15, '78, by Bishop R. Yeakel. The cost of church and lot was $1,625.00.
In 1879 M. Hoehn was pastor. He says in his autobiography, that his in- come here was very meager, and that their table expenses for seven members was 8c a day, or $30 a year. They were not in debt one cent at any time during the year. In '80, C. Tramer was preacher; '81-82, J. C. Schuh. In his second year Logansport Mission was re-established. The German services gave way to English. In 1883 H. Arlen served; '84, J. H. Schnitz. He soon resigned and D. J. Pontius filled the year; 1885-86, H. E. Overmeyer; '87, D. D. Speicher. He had a gracious awakening, resulting in 20 conversions and 27 accessions.
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In 1888-89, G. B. Holdeman was pastor. He died just after Conference '89, be- fore he could return. This was a hard stroke for the society. The charge was supplied by In 1890-93, Jos. Fisher served the charge. He added a corner tower with a bell and a class-room to the south, placed new win- dows and repainted the church at a cost of $800.00. D. S. Oakes rededicated the church. The Conference, on request, granted the society the right to sell the rear end of the lot, and to apply the proceeds on the church debt. In '96 when W. E. Snyder was pastor, the church again underwent remodelling at a cost of $1,039.00, and was reopened by Bishop S. C. Breyfogel. Business men contribu- ted freely. The membership then was 60. For pastors from '94 to 1915, see Volume I. In '15-16, J. W. Carter served the charge; '18-23, F. C. Wacknitz.
The flood of March, 1913, did great damage, entailing great loss to the struggling society. New pews, pulpit and organ had to be replaced, causing an expense of $400.00, which friends of the Conference donated. On March 8, 1916, this society unanimously decided to relocate their church. The Conference in 1917 granted the society this right. On March 13 the Conference Committee on Location and Erection of Mission Churches met here and decided to relocate on the corner of Third and Columbia Streets. The local trustees took an option on said property for $2,300.00. On April 16th the sale was consummated. A Sunday School auditorium, with 14 class-rooms; and basement was built and dedicated as the First Evangelical Church of Logansport, Indiana, May 20, 1917, by Editor Chr. Staebler. The moving of the old church to this site was at- tempted, but the building collapsed enroute, and had to be torn down. The lun- ber in it was utilized in the new brick structure. The cost of the church was $12,000.00. including the lot and a five roomed cottage on it which serves as a parsonage. At the dedication a considerable sum remained uncovered by pledg- cs. In 1918 the Conference ordered that one-half of the proceeds of the Mission Building Fund during the years, 1918-23, be paid on the indebtedness. Under the pastorate of Wachnitz this society enjoyed a steady increase in Sunday School attendance, and the church membership grew to 101. The Y. P. A. was first organized April, 1892.
LOUISVILLE, KY., ZION
The history of this society began with a Sunday School organization in 1864. At this time the Conference located a mission in Louisville, but left it unsupplied for one year, likely from lack of ministers. In 1865 the Conference sent Melchior Mayer here as first missionary. M. Hoehn says in his autobi- ography, "When ministers of the Ev. Association first came to Louisville, therc were no members of our church here. M. Mayer one day stood by the Market House looking towards heaven. A good German saw this, and on returning home, said to his wife, 'Today I saw the new Evangelical preacher by the Mar- ket House looking up into heaven . He has no members yet. We must go and
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hear him and help him.' They did so, and were among the first members of the Ev. Association here." Many German people lived in this city. Our visiting preachers to this place felt impressed that God had a mission here for our church. At the Conference session in September, 1865, M. Mayer reported that a good brother Schmidt who owned a church here offered it rent-free to preach- ers of the Ev. Association. This liberal offer was accepted. A Sunday School had already been organized with 40 scholars enrolled, and the S. S. Messenger introduced. When Mayer arrived he soon gained adherents. Jos. Fisher was the P. E. He held his first quarterly meeting November 5, '65, and organized a society with 20 members, namely: Erasmus and Henrietta Gripf; Marg. Meyer;
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Zion Church, Louisville, Ky.
John, Catherine, and Elizabeth Fisher; Jacob and Marg. Miller; Henry and Wilhelmina Mansz; Jacob Appel; Henry Kraemer; Henry and Magdalena Hartman; Caroline Meyer; Fred and Mrs. Schmidt; Mrs. Sauer; and Cath. Baner. Sister Elizabeth Fisher is the only surviving charter-member now, 1923. The members of the quarterly conference were: H. Kraemer, H. Hartman, J. Fisher, J. Miller, and E. Gripf. First board of trustees were: H. Kraemer, H. Hartman, G. Miner, J. Fisher, H. Mansz.
In 1866 M. Mayer was returned, and with Jos. Fisher and J. Fuchs, con- stituted a committee who were empowered by Conference to borrow money to buy the church on Walnut Street between Campbell and Wentzel Streets. They were not to pay more than $6,000.00 either for the purchase price of a church or
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the building of one. A collector was appointed to obtain funds. After some delay an agreement was entered into for $5,500.00, including parsonage, with $1,500.00 cash and the balance in payments of $1,500.00, $1,000.00, $1,500.00; with 6% interest from date of purchase on January 1, May 1, '67, and January 1, '68, re- spectively. After necessary improvements the total cost amounted to $6,200.00. J. M. Gomer was appointed by Conference, to be collector for the year with a salary equal to those of his standing. At the next session, September, 1868, he reported cash applied on debt $3,303.25; unpaid pledges, $1,935.81; unprovided, $514.89. A few years later the debt was fully paid. M. Klaiber reported this year 25 accessions. In 1872 the society, six years old, had 114 members. M Speck reported in '74, 35 conversions and 30 accessions.
In 1891 this church was rebuilt at a cost of $4,000.00. A new front was added and below a Sunday School was provided. The first parsonage was in the basement consisting of a few rooms only. The second parsonage was built in 1884 on the rear of the church lot at a cost of $1,500.00. This society was a mission for only six years, becoming a station in 1872. About 20 years ago this society started a new Church Building Fund. All church organizations helped in this project. After a number of futile efforts to relocate, the society, in 1919, bought a new site for an up-to-date church on the corner of Hepburn Ave. and Edwards Street for $5,250.00. This included the large dwelling on the lot. In 1922 this house was moved to the rear end of the lot, facing on Edwards Street. It was reconstructed for a parsonage at a cost of $3,500.00. Also this year the foundation of the church was laid. E. W. Praetorius laid the cornerstone and new pledges were taken for the new building. On October 21, 1923, the new church was dedicated by Bishop L. H. Seager as Zion Church, Geo. S. Lozier, pastor, and J. O. Mosier, P. E. The total cost of church and equipments is $55,000.00. It is classic in design. The first floor is adequately equipped for modern Sunday School activities. The seating capacity of the main auditorium with balcony is 450. The main floor is seated with pews and the balcony with chairs. The heating plant is the vapor system. The lighting is semi-direct. The windows are art-glass, the colors showing good taste in their harmony. A $3,500.00 pipe organ was installed also. On dedication day $13,000.00 was raised to cover the balance of indebtedness. The first communion service in this church was held October 28, 1923.
The Sunday School was organized in 1864. The first Y. P. A. was organ- ized in 1891, also the W. M. S. and the Ladies' Aid Society in the same year. All these organizations have ever since been active. From June, 1922, to 1923, the society with all its departments contributed $20,000.00.
From this society went forth the following ministers and ministers' wives; Fr. Maurer, 1869; Geo. Roederer, 1874; John Bruckert, 1875; Geo. F. Winter, licensed by Ger. M. E., but joined Zion, Louisville, 1890, from whence he went ont; F. C. Stierle, 1892; G. A. Stierle, 1899; J. J. Maier, 1904; I. G. Roederer, 1911;
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Mrs. Geo. Roederer, Mrs. J. C. Young, Mrs. F. C. Stierle, Mrs. Braeckly, Mrs. Lutz, Mrs. Erne, Mrs. Winter, Mrs. McConnehey, Mrs. Maier, and Mrs. D. B. Koenig.
For ministers who served here sec Volume I. In '15-17, B. E. Koenig served here; '18-23, Geo. S. Lozier. Under L.'s pastorate the new church was built, and he serves at this writing, 1924.
LOUISVILLE MISSION, NO. 1
This mission was ordered in 1865 to be located in the western part of the city and was to receive a pastor. But it went by default. In 1872 the location was taken up with Jacob Maurer, missionary. The Conference gave authority to build a church which was not to cost more than $4,500.00, including the lot, and donated $3,500.00. Zion Church and friends in the city were to make up the balance. J. Fuchs, C. Tramer, J. Maurer, and two laymen, E. Kripp and II. Schambier were the committee to buy the lot and build the church. It was done. The church was dedicated December 15, '72, by Bishop R. Yeakel. In 1873 it was reported that the church cost $4,276.65 with the accrued interest of $295.00. Cash and pledges secured to the amount of $2,419.50; unprovided, $2,152.15. In the winter of 1874 a society with 20 members was organized, and had a prosperous Sunday School with Kripp as Supt. In 1876 the field was ceded to South Indiana Conference. The mission was abandoned in 1877 and the membership incorporated with the Zion Church.
LOUISVILLE, TRINITY
In September, 1888, the S. Indiana Conference re-established the West End Mission in Louisville. H. Schleucher, P. E., and C. Stockhowe, pastor of Zion Church, and the lay members, Ernst Miller, Geo. Maier, and Wm. Braitling were appointed to locate the mission. They selected an upstairs hall on the S. E. corner of 19th and Duncan Strects. Here a Mission Sunday School was started September 18, 1888, with 30 scholars. At 3 p. m. Stockhowe preached to 25 persons. In July, 1889, this committee bought a lot on N. W. corner of 24th and Cedar Streets, 65 x 140 feet, for $1,750.00. The pastor of Zion Churchı served this mission. At the Conference session of 1889, C. Stockhowe becanic the first missionary. A frame church, 28 x 48 feet was built and was dedicated November 24, '89, as Trinity Church by Bishop Thomas Bowman. On October 27th, the first Sunday School and preaching service was held in it. The cost of the church, shed and fences was $2,392.00. A six-roomed parsonage was also built at a cost of $1,200.00. It was ready to move into on November 18th. The first prayer-meeting was held in the class-room, December 4th. The attendance at Sunday School and church services now increased 25 per cent. S. served two years. In 1891 J. C. Young was the missionary. Stockhowc left the Ev. Asso- ciation and joined the United Evangelical Church. His effort to persuade the
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mission to join the United Evangelical Church failed. J. C. Young reported a Watch Night service, December 31, '91, when some souls were converted and then continued an evangelistic campaign for 11 weeks, resulting in 46 accessions. The Sunday School now numbered 100. $300.00 was paid into the Sunday School and church treasury this year.
In 1892-93, B. Schuermeier was pastor. In 1893, the society became a part of the Indiana Conference. In 1894-95, I. H. Griesemer served as pastor. He had a great loss in '95 by removals of many of the main members. He had seven accessions, and took up a new appointment Mar. 4th in the southern part of the city. Here he had four conversions. In 1896-97, D. B. Koenig was the
Trinity Church, Louisville, Ky.
inissionary. After a revival in November, '96, he reported 38 conversions and many accessions. Many of these were English. K. called a society meeting in December, '96, when the society decided that from henceforth all public services should be held in English except the first Sunday afternoon of each month when a German service should be held. In 1898 S. I. Zechiel was pastor; '99-02, R. F. Jameson; '03-06, F. S. Erne; '07-11, E. W. Praetorius. The first years of the latter's labor here he created a desire for a modern church. There was no money at hand. All the members were day laborers. Faith and prayer brought pledges. The old building was turned to face south for a Sunday School audi- torium, and a new auditorium, class-room, study and corner tower was built facing the east. The church was seated with circular pews, and organ and choir
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loft was provided, furnace and electric lights installed. The windows are of art-glass. The new church was dedicated December 8, 1908, by J. H. Lamb of Cleveland, Ohio. The cost of the church was $11,000.00. Things now began to move forward. A special men's Sunday School class was organized the last ycar.
In 1912-14, D. O. Wise was pastor. The church and parsonage were re- painted and refrescoed, and a piano for the Sunday School was purchased. A gas furnace was set up at a cost of $600.00, and $1,000.00 was paid on the church debt, leaving only $1,800.00. In 1915-18, L. E. Smith was pastor. He bunt a new Sunday School auditorium in 1916 at a cost of $8,500.00. The Sunday School equipment is modern. The basement is well adapted for social gather- ings. The S. S. auditorium has a balcony on three sides, divided above and below into 23 class-rooms. separated by sliding doors, with a maximum seating capacity of 500. It has separate departments for beginners and cradle roll work. This addition was dedicated November 5, 1916, by Bishop L. H. Seager. $2,600.00 was pledged on dedication day. Pledges are taken yearly on the anni- versary Sunday until the whole debt is paid. '19-22, Geo. C. Pullman was pas- tor. He introduced a new financial system. The intellectual and spiritual life continued to develoo. Success marked his adiministration. 1923, A. B. Haist.
LUCERNE, CASS CO., INDIANA
Lucerne is about seven miles north of Logansport. A Sunday School was organized in 1890 and held in Williams Hall. The society was organized by S. S. Albert in 1890. J. Wales built the church which was dedicated Nov. 1, 1891, by Editor S. P. Spreng as Nebo Church. The cost of the church was $1,550.00. The charter-members were: Adam Unbehauen. wife, two sons and daughter; J. Baker and wife; S. Sweigart; J. Crites and wife; L. Newman (class-leader) and wife. Here L. Newman was recommended for the ministry. This appointment was discontinued in 1910 due to removals. The church was sold in 1911 for $1,000.00 and the proceeds flowed into the Conference treasury. This class belonged al- ternately to Logansport and Bruce Lake.
LYDICK, ST. JOSEPH CO., INDIANA
This society is seven miles west of South Bend. On October 18, 1908, F. F. McClure of Beulah Chapel, South Bend, began preaching here. Services were held in the W. O. W. Hall. In 1909 L. Newman took up the place regularly every two weeks on Sunday night. He built a small cement block church in 1909. In March a revival was held. N. F. Platz assisted, and at the close of this meeting he organized a class with seven members. Soon seven more joined the class. In 1910 this class was allied with Beulah Chapel, and Platz served it two years. On April 28, 1910, a board of trustees, a class-leader and a steward were elected. In 1912 Lydick was added to Lakeville Mission. In 1913, with So.
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Bend Grace, service was supplied. In 1914, with Coal Bush and Anten, it be- came So. Bend. Circuit, H. H. Reinoehl, pastor; 1915, F. Rausch; 1916, C. L. Haney; 1917, W. H. Mygrant; 1918-19, L. S. Fisher; '20, W. H. Flurkey; '21, E. Zoller; '22-23, E. F. Snyder. In 1922 a parsonage was built here by the Coal-Bush and Lydick people.
MADISON, ST. JOSEPH CO., INDIANA
This society is located in Madison Twp., St. Joseph Co., Indiana, four miles north of Bremen. G. G. Platz, of our Church, began preaching here in 1845. Originally this class was known as "Zimmer's" Class of Elkhart Circuit. It was later organized in 1846. The membership in 1853, as given by Jos. Fisher, was: Michael Zimmer (leader) and Elizabeth Zimmer; Michael Smith (exhorter) and Marg. Smith; Jacob and Magdalena Zimmer; Geo. and Mary Frei; Geo. and Sophia Wies and Geo. Wies, Sr .; Philip and Elizabeth Berger; Kath. Ziegler; Chr. Eslinger; Wilbert Newhart. Fisher reported this class* as being very faithful. Preaching was in a schoolhouse.
The first church was built by Uphans and dedicated October 29, 1865, by In 1873 this society was anthorized to sell a part of the large church lot, and to apply the proceeds on the church debt. Again in 1896, 20 feet more along one side was sold. In 1880, under E. R. Troyer, the church was enlarged. Many glorious meetings were held here. In 1902-03, the diagonal public road passing this church on the west was closed up, and the one on the east side, running north and south, was opened up. This necessitated the church to be swung around to face east. New pews were then also installed and other improvements made. Up to 1902 the same pastors served here as at Bremen (see Bremen, Volume I.) This year this society with Hepton and Jerusalem was constituted Yellow River Circuit and was served by J. W. Feller for four years. In the winter of 1899, W. G. Braeckly had a great revival here resulting in about 40 conversions and many accessions. One night the P. E. was present and preached. In his sermon he mentioned the fact, that in a certain place, a man thought his religion consisted in possessing a certificate of confirmation, and one day, after being in a heart-searching revival meeting, he brought out his religion from his musty trunk to inspect it, and to his surprise found that mice had nibbled through the folded edges. He thought seriously about this, inspected his own religions condition, and then concluded that his moral being was like his confirmation certificate, ragged and full of holes, utterly unfit to trust in. Then he besought the Lord for the true Christian religion, and soon possessed it. This statement aroused the curiosity of a young man in B.'s re- vival meeting. He went home and inspected his confirmation certificate, and considered it insufficient to mcet death with, and shortly afterward he was out at the altar seeking to become confirmed to the Word and will of God, and soon was gloriously saved.
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