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 6
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CLUTTER'S CLASS, OHIO
This class was taken up by J. Beck of Celina Circuit in 1881., He received six members into the church, just before Conference convened in April, 1882. Wm. Koenig succeeded him and organized the class with John Weaver as class-leader. The class being English B. and K. could not give them proper service. It was then that D. J. Pontius of Van Wert took it in charge and had six accessions. In 1883 J. E. Smith of Van Wert was in charge but he soon discontinued the class.
COAL-BUSH, BETHEL
The work of the Evangelical Association here dates back to 1848, when thic same men labored here as at Bremen and Mishawaka. The members in
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1853 were: Geo. and Anna Kiefer; Adam and Mary Kunz; Ulrich and Katherine Heim; Chr., Anna, and Elizabeth Wiess; Mary Bucher; Leopold, Genevieve and Mary Beitler; Valentine and Barbara Bieker; Chr. Rief; Philip and Elizabeth Novice; Jos. and Anna Beiter; Fr. and Charlotte Ort; Henry Novice, and Timothy Smith. Geo. Kiefer was the first class-leader. Preaching was in a schoolhouse. In 1856 this class was added to South Bend Circuit. This year the first church was built and dedicated November 2, 1856, free of debt. The society now had 34 members. During a quarterly meeting held here in 1858 there were 16 conversions and 19 accessions. In 1872 the name South Bend Cir- cuit was changed to Mishawaka. In 1883 this society with Mishawaka became Mishawaka Mission. In the fall of 1886 a heavy wind and hail storm badly wreck- ed the church. After consultation the members decided to rebuild at once. On May 29, 1887, the church was dedicated by D. S. Oakes, P. E., the previous P. E., C. C. Baumgartner, preached the dedicatory sermon. This year the mission was added to Mishawaka Circuit. The new brick church was built in 1905, under L. Newman, and was dedicated December 3rd, by L. H. Seager, editor of the English Sunday School literature. In 1919 this class was detached from Misha- waka and with Auten Chapel formed the new Mishawaka Circuit, and was served three years by E. J. Nitsche. In 1922 Coalbush with Lydick became Lydick Mission, served by E. F. Snyder. This society for years has maintained a Sunday School and a Young People's Alliance.
COAL-HILL, ILLINOIS
This society was in Shelby County, Illinois, about eight miles N. E. of Stewardson, Illinois. It was served by N. F. Platz in 1876, being then a part of Shelby Mission. It soon ceased.
COALSTONE, ILLINOIS
This class was founded about 1870, in or near Coalstone, Illinois. In 1872 this class was detached from Shelby Mission and added to Vandalia Mission. The work here was soon abandoned.
COAL-TOWN, OHIO
This class near Greenville, Ohio, belonged to Miami Circuit. In 1856-57 the members were: the Fr. Silber's, the Spittler's, and the John Schmidt's fam- ilies. Preaching was in homes and in a Methodist Church in Coaltown.
COMMON CENTRE, INDIANA
The first missionary of the Evangelical Association that seems to have preached in this community, 11/2 miles south of Royal Centre, Indiana, was B. Uphaus of Fulton Circuit, in 1854. In '55 he organized a society here. The people were very poor and the land was marshy. Progress toward building a
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church was therefore slow. In 1866 Common Centre, Zion, Bethlehem near Medaryville, Indiana, and Pleasant Hill, near Lake Bruce were detached from Fulton Circuit and formed into Pulaski Circuit with A. Parker as pastor. In '67, J. Keiper served here. In '68 this class was joined to Fulton Circuit again with J. Keiper, and J. Wales, pastors; '69-70, C. Schamo with Wm. Lueder first year, and Wm. Wildermuth second year. In 1870 the church was built and dedicated. In '71, Wm. Koenig and S. S. Albert were pastors, and in '72-73, Fred Launer. In '74 this society was joined to Logansport Mission and Wm. Koenig served as pastor for two years. In 1876 it was placed back on Fulton Circuit, Wm. Wildermuth, pastor. In '77-78, D. J. Pontius was pastor, assisted by J. Bruckert the second year. In '79 Wm. Wildermuth and J. M. Dustman served and in '80, J. M. Dustman. In 'S1 Royal Centre Mission was formed, embracing Common Centre, Zion, and Ford's Crossing, Wm. Ackerman, P. C. In '82-83 Common Centre was again served with Logansport by J. C. Schuh. In '84 it was joined to Tippecanoe Mission and served by H. E. Overmeyer and J. H. Schnitz. The latter soon resigned. In '85 Common Centre was put back with Logansport Mission, served by H. E. Overmeyer two years. In '87 D. D. Speicher was pastor and in '88-89, G. B. Holdeman. The latter died a few days after Conference. In '90-91, Philip Buehler served; '92-93, J. M. Smith; '94-96. W. S. Tracy. In '95 with Bruce Lake and '96 with Royal Centre, in '97-99, W. E. Snyder served with E. Werner assisting him, the first year; 1900, J. Wales; '01-02, A. F. Wiesjahn; '03, W. S. Tracy; '04-05, D. R. Heil; '06-07, D. A. Kaley; '08-09, J. S. Kroft; '10-12, W. A. Stowell; the last year being served with Thorn Hope; in '13, this society was again named Common Centre, and served by J. M. Kistler; in '14, J. M. Dustman; '15, the class was discontinued and the members merged with Royal Centre.
In the summer of 1911 the church here was badly wrecked by a tornado. Against the advice of the P. E., the society straightened up the church and built a corner tower to it, and re-seated the church with circular pews, altered the seating to face the east, partly carpeted the floor and installed a new lighting plant, all at a cost of $1,500.00. It was re-dedicated by Editor S. P. Spreng this year. But the society did not rally. In 1915 the church was ordered sold by request of its trustees, and the proceeds given to the new Royal Centre Church. Also the money of the Ladies' Aid Society, and Sunday School, and Y. P. A. were ordered to be transferred to the respective treasuries of the Royal Centre Grace Church. Many souls were converted in the C. C. Church, es- pecially in 1880 when there were 33 conversions and 38 accessions. For years a Sunday School was maintained here. A Y. P. A. was organized in September, 1895, with 26 members. Several blessed camp-meetings were held near this church in 1888-89. D. R. Heil came from this society and was recommended to preach in 1901.
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COMMON CENTRE, ZION
In 1853 Peter Goetz began preaching in this locality and organized a class. Zion is on the White and Cass County line, about eight miles S. W. of Royal Centre, Indiana. The class was locally known as "Sand Ridge", or "Yenney's" Class. (See list of pastors under Common Centre.) J. Kronmiller held a re- vival here of great spiritual power. A heart touching scene occurred when mothers with their sons and daughters came to the altar with tears, and wrestled for pardon of sin and peace of heart. The history of this class varied little from that of Common Centre. In 1915 this class with Mt. Hope became Common Centre Charge, but was served with Royal Centre by L. A. DeWitt. In '16-22, Common Centre was served by the Royal Centre pastors. A church was built here in 1868 by J. Keiper and J. Wales. Later a tower was added. The church has a cemetery here.
BELL CENTER CLASS
This class belonged to Common Centre. It was located about five miles north of Zion and was organized by W. S. Tracy, in 1905-06. The services were held in a Union Church called Bell Center. The work was soon abandoned.
COMMON CENTRE, FORD'S CROSSING
This class was five miles S. E. from Royal Centre on the Fr. Lutman farm, near the east branch of the Pennsylvania R. R. It was organized by J. M. Dustman in 1880 and in '81, became a part of Royal Centre Mission. In 1881 a church was built and dedicated by E. L. Kiplinger, P. E. One man, F. Lutman, furnished the greater part of the money and labor in this project. The deed to the ground had a reversionary clause in it. By removals and lack of interest of the community, the work here ceased in 1892, and the church was ordered to be sold, the proceeds thereof to be applied to the best interest of the Conference. It was never sold. In the spring of 1901, L., who now lived in Elkhart, not wishing to claim the church as he had a right to do by law, proposed to the P. E., S. H. Baumgartner of Elkhart District, to take the church apart and re-erect it in Royal Centre, where that society needed a church. Thus it would be used for the Evangelical Association for which it was built. The proposition was accepted and a contract written up, and forwarded to Pastor A. F. Wics- jahn with instruction to move it at once to Royal Centre. This was promptly done. L. died the night before the church was moved. This removal aroused the community. They tried to serve an injunction, but soon learned that thev had no legal, or financial, or even moral, claim on it. L's wish was carried out.
COMMON CENTRE, GREEN'S CHAPEL
About 1900 Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Green built a small chapel on their farm, near their dwelling with practically their own money, in order that they with
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their neiglibors might have occasional preaching, since they were advanced in years and far from Royal Centre, or any other Evangelical Society. Later they deeded their whole farm to the Indiana Conference and otherwise liberally supported the church. They gave $1,000.00 to N. W. College Endowment Fund. Both parties died prior to 1917. After some litigation as to the rightful owner- ship of the farm, the Indiana Conference trustees and opposing contestants to the property, agreed to a settlement without a final court decision, but the In- diana Conference received only about half of the value of the farm. Services at Green's Chapel ceased prior to the death of Mr. and Mrs. Green.
COMMON CENTRE, MT. HOPE
This society is four miles west of Royal Centre. It was organized by W. S. Tracy in 1895, after a revival was held here. At this time the old Hope Church was bought. It is a weak class financially and numerically. It has been served with Common Centre and Royal Centre since its organization. The so- ciety maintains a small Sunday School.
COMMON CENTRE, TRINITY
H. E. Overmeyer, in 1885, held a revival in a schoolhouse about three to four miles N. W. of Royal Centre which resulted in the organization of Trinity Society with 38 members. They at once built a church which was dedicated in the summer of this year, three miles N. W. of Royal Centre on or near the Winamac Road. They also conducted a Sunday School here. The field proved to be unfruitful. Some folks moved away and others began going to Royal Centre because it was more convenient. In 1905 the church was sold for $100.00
COVINGTON, FOUNTAIN CO., INDIANA
This appointment was taken up about 1860. It was located on the Wabash R. R., west of Lafayette, Indiana. In '62 it was a part of Danville Mission which embraced Covington, Lafayette, Indiana, and Danville, Illinois. In '64 it belonged to Medaryville Mission. Soon thereafter it ceased as an appoint- ment.
COVINGTON, OHIO
Covington Class, four miles east of Bradford, Ohio, was a preaching point in 1856 when J. Keiper of Miami Circuit in Ohio, preached here, in the home of Jacob Erisman. A. B. Schafer, P. E., this year held a special meeting in the Christian Church in Covington. In '66 it was detached from Greenville Circuit and added to the newly formed Montgomery Mission. There were many Ger- mans in this village, and services were held in the German language. But dne to the use of the German we soon lost out, on this entire circuit. J. Hoffman reported to the Christliche Botschafter at this time that the English language should be introduced in the services. No record is found when work here ceased
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COVINGTON, KENTUCKY
When G. M. Hallwachs was pastor in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1886, he con- ducted a Sunday School on Sunday afternoons in Covington, Kentucky, and at the close of the sessions he preached for the people. He stated to the historian, "that the prospects were good here", but after abandoning Cincinnati, this field also was abandoned.
GROVERTOWN, STARK CO., INDIANA
In 1860 this place was taken up as an appointment. On December 23, '60, an evangelistic meeting was begun here. People were attentive. Some were converted and three united with the Evangelical Association. Nothing further could be found regarding this class. It was located in N. E. corner of Stark County.
ยท CULVER, INDIANA
The Emmanuel Society of the Evangelical Association in Culver, Indiana, had its origin in the Zechiel Schoolhouse, four miles S. W. of Culver. The or- ganization was effected by J. Keiper in 1852, pastor of Miami Circuit. The charter members were: Jacob and William Zechiel and their wives, Mrs. Ried, Mr. Bechtel and wife, Ruben Kaley and wife, Mother Jacob Zechiel is still living (1923). Three of her sons entered the ministry, namely: Fred, Daniel, and Samuel, and one grandson, D. A. Kaley. At the time of organization there was here a Union Sunday School, composed of Evangelicals, Reformed, and U. B.'s. Not much has been found on record of this society's early life. In the fall of 1871 E. E. Condo, and a M. Protestant minister held a union meeting here which resulted in 100 conversions and these united with the Evangelical, Reformed, U. B. and M. P. Churches. The M. P's later disbanded and united with the Evangelical Association.
Amidst much opposition our people built a church three miles south of Culver. This church was built in 1872 by S. S. Albert, pastor of Twin Lake Circuit. In the fall it was dedicated by E. L. Kiplinger, P. E., as the "Emman- uel Church". The building committee was Wm. and Jacob Zechiel, Henry Cromley, and Henry Lohr, who were also trustees. Wm. Zechiel was the class- leader for many years. After the dedication a strictly Evangelical Sunday School was organized which has continued since.
Quite early in the history of Twin Lake Circuit a parsonage was secured in Culver. Later this was sold and another was bought in the N. W. corner of the town. This had four rooms in it. In 1893 Twin Lake Circuit obtained the privilege of selling this property and applying the proceeds to the building of a new parsonage in a more suitable location. But not until 1902 was a new one built on the south end of the present church lot containing seven rooms with modern conveniences.
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By permission of Conference the Emmanuel Church, in 1899, was dismantled and the material utilized in the construction of a new brick veneer church in Culver. The old church lot was sold and the proceeds applied to the new one. This church has a corner tower in which is the entrance to the auditorium, a class-room and gallery. It is lighted with electric lights and heated with a furnace. The building committee was composed of the trustees, Daniel and Ben Easterday, J. Cromley, and pastor, L. Newman. The church was dedicated Aug. - , 1899, by Noah Shupp of Oregon, then on a visit here with his brother-in-law. In 1917 the old church site in the country was sold and the proceeds applied to the Culver Station building fund. Culver became a mission in 1917.
A Great Revival
In the winter of 1905, Presiding Elder, S. H. B., conducted a revival of 12 days for Pastor McConnehey who was ill. Such marked divine manifestations he never saw before nor since in a revival. On invitation, four penitents came to the altar the second night, more the next night, and one night 32 crowded around the altar while others knelt at the seats. Conviction siezed the young and old mightily over the entire audience. Young converts rushed forth to lead others to the altar. Some had great struggles before they had peace. One wicked young man declared, "I will go to hell and there shovel coal into a hell furnace before I will go out to the altar". But the next night he was at the altar seeking pardon. Another who had abused a boy in the beginning of the meet- ing, had been arraigned before a magistrate and heavily fined, the next night he came to the altar, but before he could find peace and pardon he had to go to the boy's parents and ask forgiveness of them for his misdeed. An angry dancing master could no longer rally his dancers on his flat-boat, "White-Swan", on Maxinkuckkee Lake and declared that his dancing parties were broken up for six months. The preacher renamed his boat the devil's "Black-Swan". During these 12 days over 100 persons bowed at the altar, many of them were gloriously saved, and joined one of the five denominations that participated in this meeting. Two, not Jewish women, but wives of two Jews, were among the converts. The men attended some meetings and expressed their pleasure over the good results of this meeting, though they did not accept Christ.
In 1913 by request of Culver Society it became a station. This was a great undertaking. The society retained the parsonage and refunded to the Culver Circuit $500.00. For pastors up to September, 1868, see under Akron. In '68 Twin Lake Circuit was formed, to which this class belonged. D. J. Pontius was pastor in '68; '69, E. E. Condo; '70, C. Schamo and Wm. Wildermuth served jointly with Fulton Circuit; '71, R. Rassler; '72, S. S. Albert; '73-74, A. R. Shafer; '75-76, A. Hartzler; '77, D. S. Oakes; '78, Wm. Wildermuth; '79-80, H. Prechtel; '81, W. Wildermuth: '82, H. E. Overmeyer; '83, B. F. Dill; '84-86, R. Rainey; '87-88, E. E. Meyers: '89-90, J. M. Dustman; '91, H. E. Overmeyer;
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'92-94, J. Rees; '95, J. M. Dustman; '96, P. L. Speicher; '97-1900, L. Newman; the name Twin Lake was changed to Culver in 1899; 1901-03, P. L. Browns: '04-05, C. McConnehey; '06-08, F. B. Walmer; '09, W. S. Tracy; '10-12, T. J. Russel; he resigned January, 1913, and J. E. Young filled the vacancy, and serv- ed two years more; '15-17, F. L. Snyder; '18-20, WV. H. Wygrant; '21-22, G. A. Weishaar; '23, B. F. Walmer. The Presiding Elders of the Elkhart District served this charge.
CUMBERLAND, INDIANA
This society was near Cumberland, 15 miles east of Indianapolis. It was taken up as an appointment in 1867, with Indian Creek and Julietta became Cumberland Mission, with Wm. Wesseler as pastor for two years. In '68 the field name was changed to Sulphur Springs. In '69-70, J. C. Schuh served. In 1871 it became a part of North Side Indianapolis Mission and remained here until '76, when it became a part of Julietta Mission. In 1884 it was attached to First Church, Indianapolis, but back to Julietta in '85. In '86-87 the Mission was supplied. In '88 it again had regular pastors. J. Rees began to preach in a Baptist Church. He obtained some members. In the winter of 1890, D. D. Spangler had a revival in this church, resulting in 10 accessions. Objections being raised by some Baptist people to the holding of services in their church, the class built a church, 28 x 40 feet, in Cumberland. It was dedicated in Octo- ber, 1891. The cost was $1,000.00. Most of the timber was donated. In '93 it was served with East Germantown. In '94 it with Mt. Comfort and Spring Val- ley, constituted Cumberland Mission. In '96 it was served with Second Church in Indianapolis, and was a few years later entirely abandoned.
DANVILLE, ILLINOIS
This town was taken up as an appointment in 1859 by M. Mayer and D. J. Pontius of Marshall Circuit. In December, 1860, J. M. Kronmiller made a visit here and found five members. He purposed to organize a class, but it was de- ferred. In September, 1862, this place was served with Wabash Mission, com- prising Lafayette, Danville, and Covington, county seat of Fountain Co., In- diana. In '63 Philip Schwartz served; '64 it belonged to Medaryville Mission, served by D. Bartholomew. In '65 Wabash Mission was re-established with D. S. Oakes, pastor. He organized a society here and built a church 30 x 40 feet, which was dedicated in the fall of '66. The services were all English. In '66-67, E. L. Kiplinger served; in '68 the western part of Wabash Mission be- came Danville Mission, E. E. Condo, pastor. In '69 S. S. Albert served Spring Grove Mission, including Danville. In '71 H. E. Overmeyer served. In '72 Danville Mission was again re-formed with S. S. Condo, pastor; '73, J. Rassler: '74, left to be supplied, and likely was served by S. S. Condo with Spring Grove. From '75-78 with Spring Grove again served two years by L. W. Crawford and two years by E. D. Einsel. In '79 the church was ordered to be sold.
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DAYTON, COMMERCIAL ST.
The annals of this society begin with 1839, or spring of 1840, when Long- break preached the first sermon in Dayton that was preached by a preacher of the Evangelical Association. Many Germans lived here then ,which induced our Church to do missionary work among them. The people lacked the true Gospel and true shepherds. In May, 1840, the Ohio Conference sent A. B. Schafer and Levi Heiss on Miami Circuit, which covered 11 counties in south-western Ohio, and extended into Wayne Co., Indiana. By order of Conference special at- tention was given Dayton. Once every three weeks they preached here. In May, 1841, S. organized a society with 21 members: namely, Peter and Otilla Schneider, John and Mary Guenther, Mary Meyers, Albert and Barbara Ress- ner, Chr. Ament, Fred and Elizabeth Meyer, Henry and Rebecca Lutz, were among the charter members.
The Need of a Church
In May, 1841, the Ohio Conference detached all Indiana appointments. Shafer was returned to Miami Circuit with-A. Nicolai as helper. They, alter- nating, preached once a week in Dayton. This year ended with 30 members, May, 1842, J. C. Zinser, P. E .. and Fred Mayer, P. C. October 12, Z. reported in the Christliche Botschafter, "On October 15th we began a Big Meeting in the M. E. Church in Dayton. Weeping penitents filled the altar. Mayer held an extra meeting in a private home, as the M. E. Church was not longer available. The crowded condition in the house was convincing that a church was sorely needed for effective work." Zinser was asked how the means to build a church could be secured. This greatly stirred him in sympathy toward his Gospel- hungry people. He made an appeal through the Christliche Botschafter, saying, "Shall we abandon this city for the want of a church? No, these people, new members of the Evangelical Association, are dear to me, their needs lic heavy upon my heart. With present conditions our work here will largely be lost to us, and Christ's canse must suffer. Those who know city conditions know that without a church little can be done for the Lord. City folks hesitate to go to meetings in private homes. But how shall we proceed to get a church and pay for it? I scarcely have courage to appeal to country friends for aid, who already responded to other appeals, lest I weary them." Members in the Ohio Confer- ence previously had agreed to help, so he now appcaled to them. He planned a $1,000.00 brick church, and believed 200 men could be found on the district that would give $5.00 each. He headed the list with $5.00. But money was scarce. Responses came slowly. Another appeal was made. Early in 1843 after another "Big Meeting", he reported, "Oh, how depressing to the people that they have no church." The M. E. Church was available only afternoons on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday nights they worshipped in densely crowded homes which was a disadvantage in working with penitents.
On May 31, 1843, A. B. Shafer, pastor, again held a revival service in a
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home. Afterwards it was decided to find a more convenient place for worship and for Sunday School which had been organized. The next day S. and a brother, to their great joy, secured a hall in the City Seminary, corner 4th and Wilkinson Streets, and no rent was charged. On Friday, June 2nd, steps were taken for building a church. Trustees were elected, namely; A. Rossner, P. Schneider, and J. Guenther. Nearly enough money had been pledged on the circuit and in Dayton to build a roomy church. The location of the church lot was at the corner of Walnut and 5th Streets. The price paid for was $200.00. The first church building was erected on the rear end of the lot, costing $400.00. The front of the lot was reserved for a larger church building. On Pentecost Sunday, 1843, Shafer preached his first sermon in the Seminary Hall. Meetings held here were highly spiritual. The new church was dedicated on September 3, '43, by Shafer as "Bethel" Church of the Evangelical Association. In the celebration of the Lord's Supper 100 participated. God's blessings were gra- cious. The giving of the emblems was repeatedly interrupted. At the evening service penitents were at the altar. It was felt that this was God's approval upon this new enterprise. S. held five short revivals this year. Fifty persons were saved and joined church. From April 4-8 he witnessed the most powerful meeting he ever saw. Penitents from 50-73 years of age sought and found pardon.
In May, 1844, John Hall became pastor, '45, Fr. Mayer again; '46, Jacob Burket, J. J. Klopp, P. E. The work progressed. The Sunday School was growing. A girl in six months memorized the epistles of James and Jude, and 133 other Scripture verses. In '47, L. Heiss was pastor and J. G. Zinser, P. E .. On July 23, Bishop Jos. Long visited Dayton this year. A quarterly meeting service was in progress. The bishop preached three times to the great enjoy- ment of God's people.
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