USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 38
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Until 1863, the services of the church were held in the court house. At that date, the building of the commodious brick church on Broadway Street was put under contract in a reasonably short time, at a sum little in excess of $6,000. The lot on which
the house was erected being 110 feet front, had been previ- ously, in July, 1859, purchased at the low price of $1,500. The church was dedicated to the worship of the All-Father, on the 13th of May, 1866, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. J. H. Tuttle, then of Chicago, Ill. In the meantime Rev. W. W. Curry, then recently from Madison, Ind., had been selected as pastor, and, as such, was in charge on the occasion referred to. Mr. Curry was succeeded by Rev. N. S. Sage, on the 1st of Oc- tober, 1868, and remained during the succeeding two years. His pulpit efforts were of a high order of oratory, and for a time very popular.
On the 17th of September, 1871, Rev. S. S. Hebbard became pastor, but after remaining with the church for six months he closed his labors in that relation. From that date until March, 1874, the church was without a regular pastor. At that time Mr. Sage was again called, and accepted the pastoral charge. He closed his labors in that relation finally, in December, 1876, with a membership of nearly 100. During the four years succeeding, services were held at irregular intervals by transient ministers, no regular pastor being employed. In the summer of 1881, Rev. Townsend P. Abell was chosen pastor, and occupied the pulpit reg- ularly, discharging the duties pertaining to his charge with consci- entious fidelity and superior ability until some time in 1883. The church was again without a pastor until about the close of the year 1885. when Rev. I. B. Grandy was employed to preach two Sundays in the month. Under his administration a new interest has been awakened, and a Sunday-school is in successful operation.
James Wilson
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Soon after the organization of the society; in 1857, it came into possession of a large fund bequeathed by the late Philip Pollard, for the erection of a church edifice and securing a comfortable property. The building and property above referred to stand as an enduring monument of his liberal benefaction. A marble slab in front has this inscription: "First Universalist Church-Philip Pollard's Legacy-1863."
St. Jacobi-German Evangelical Lutheran .- This branch of the German Lutheran Church was organized in Logansport, in the fall of 1848, with a membership of nine persons, of whom but three, perhaps four, are now living in the city.
The organization was perfected by Rev. Carl Sturcken, who be- gan to labor in this field with that end in view, some time in the summer of 1848, with such good effect that in the fall of the same year the formation of a society was consummated under the regula- tions prescribed by that branch of the Christian Church, and Mr. Sturcken chosen pastor. He was a man of good executive ability, and his success in the management of affairs pertaining to his pas- torate was well indicated in the excellent results accomplished. During his administration of these affairs, indeed in the earlier years of his experience here, steps were taken by him for the creation of a fund to be appropriated toward the erection of a suitable house of worship. In 1852, the means thus accumulated were utilized in the construction of a respectable church edifice on Canal Street, 50x32 feet in dimensions, and two stories in height, fully equal to the requirements of his congregation. The first story was ar- ranged for and occupied as a schoolroom, the second for meetings of the society and for church services. Both these departments were amply provided for, and the school for the education of the children of his charge was early supplied with efficient teachers, by whom the school, which was large, was well conducted, with good discipline and careful instruction. Mr. Sturcken remained with the church, laboring with commendable zeal and energy for its up-build- ing and usefulness, until some time in the year 1864-a period of about sixteen years. He subsequently moved to Baltimore, Md., where for several years he was in charge of one of the principal churches of the city, and died there a few years since.
On the 1st of May, 1865, Rev. J. H. Jox, until then of the State of Wisconsin, became pastor, succeeding Mr. Sturcken, and
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
has since labored with eminent success in that relation. He is a man of quiet, unobtrusive manners, of much learning and great en- ergy of character. Possessing these elements he seems to be ex- actly adapted to the wants of his people, and has, thus far, shown himself to be just the right man in the right place. During the years 1867-68, the congregation-which had grown from the orig- inal nine communicants to a number so greatly increased as to make necessary a house of worship of greatly enlarged proportions, -un- der the personal supervision of its excellent pastor, built a magnifi- cent brick edifice at the northeast corner of Spear and Ninth Streets, at a cost of about $14, 000.
This building, as originally constructed, had a large tower above the front section, containing a chime of three bells, surmounted by a tall, graceful spire. It was one of the finest specimens of church architecture in the city, and had a seating capacity of 800. At a later date a large pipe organ was placed in the auditorium, of greater capacity than in any other church of the city, and every way supe- rior in construction. This church edifice was destroyed by fire on the morning of March 7, 1883, but the people of the congregation were not disheartened. The excellent pastor taking the lead, the congregation put forth renewed energy, and, going to work with characteristic zeal, soon the rebuilding process was in active operation, and the structure rapidly forwarded toward completion. On Christmas day, of the same year, services were held in the new auditorium, the building, in its several apartments, being fully com- pleted just anterior to that date-with a new organ of superior workmanship and power-the whole at a cost of $15,000.
Connected with the church property, there is a parsonage, schoolhouse, and dwellings for each of its teachers. The society, therefore, is in possession of elements developing into the means for promoting the greatest good to those for whose present and future well-being these judicious and painstaking efforts have been be- stowed. Mr. Jox, in keeping open and in healthy condition these avenues of success, performs an amount of labor that would scarcely be recognized outside of his congregation, were not the results at- tained speaking monuments, so carefully and quietly is it done.
The schools here, as at present conducted, are under the imme- diate management of two or more teachers, the average daily attend- ance being from 150 to 175 pupils. In these schools, religious in-
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struction is a leading feature, the branches usually taught in our public schools receiving the attention necessary to qualify the in- structed for all the practical duties of life.
Evangelical English Lutheran .- For more than thirty years ministers of that denomination, at irregular intervals, have met with such believers in the city and country as could be found, and preach- ing to them kept alive the waning zeal for the ancient faith. Dat- ing back to a period almost contemporaneous with the organization of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Logansport, there were believers in the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, who, upon many questions not essentially vital, dissented from the usages of the German branch and were unwilling to worship at that altar. Hence, with the appearance of Rev. J. J. Purcell, in the spring of 1884, a rich field awaiting cultivation at the hands of the skillful husbandman was presented. The result was eminently successful, .. and June 22, 1884, the society was organized with a membership of eighteen. In the beginning, services were held in the schoolhouse at the foot of Market Street, where a Sunday-school was also organ- ized. Later a lot was purchased at the southwest corner of Market and Second Streets and the preliminary steps taken toward erecting a brick church edifice thereon, of sufficient dimensions for present purposes. The building was completed late in the fall of 1885, and dedicated to public worship on the 13th of December, 1885. Though not large it is substantially built and tastefully finished. Mr. Purcell is entitled to great credit for his excellent judgment, and for the sue- cess attending his zealous labors. The cost of the church and lot aggregates about $5,500. There is now a membership of sixty- seven in the church and 110 in the Sunday-school. Both are in a healthy and prosperous condition.
Christian (Disciples) .- About the 1st of October, 1842, Elder John O'Kane, then of Crawfordsville, Ind., was invited by some of the friends accepting his form of religious belief, to visit Logans- port and minister to their spiritual wants. Pursuant to that invi- tation, he came here and labored successfully during his sojourn of several weeks. The result of his evangelizing at that time was the organization of the first Christian (or Disciples) Church in Logans- port, and, indeed, in Cass County. Elder O'Kane was a man of superior ability, and exerted a powerful influence for good in the line of his calling by his genial manner and excellent social quali-
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ties, in addition to his eloquent presentation of the doctrines pecu- liar to that branch of the Church of Christ, calling many to com- munion with him. Occasionally, for several years afterward, he visited this city and county and preached to large audiences, in- cluding the congregation to whom he was the first to break the bread of life. These occasional ministrations by Elder O'Kane ex- tended though a period of four or five years, and were the means of keeping alive and active the working elements of the original or- ganization.
Subsequently, Elders Nelson, Hopkins, Mullis, Franklin, and other ministers visited the church at intervals, as opportunity offered, and delivered their messages to the people, keeping alive the interest, almost latent, that the mission might eventually be accomplished. There were, however, no regular services held nor pastoral care be- stowed upon the congregation until the year 1857, at which time Elder William Grigsby settled here. Under his care, the church increased in numbers, and a good influence was spread abroad, serv- ices being held with some degree of regularity, notwithstanding a stated house of worship had not yet been provided. To supply this want, different public halls were used for congregational worship for several years, the court house being secured for that purpose. Elder Grisby continued in charge of the pastorate for about ten years, and was then succeeded by Dr. H. Z. Leonard, who preached regularly for the congregation during a period of two or three years.
In the meantime Elder Carpenter, of Wabash, and others came and held series of meetings by which means a lively interest was awakened, and the church was inspired with new vigor in the pro- mulgation of its work. The result was the employment of Elder J. L. Parsons, who was called to the pastoral charge of the church in the year 1870. Elder Parsons remained with the church during the three years succeeding, laboring with great efficiency and zeal. Under his administration of affairs, the long-felt want of a place of worship, permanent and of proper dimensions for the growing con- gregation, was supplied. Soon after his settlement here he set about devising means for the accomplishment of this most desirable enterprise. His labors, seconded by the active co-operation of the congregation, were crowned with success, and the close of the year 1871 found the society in the occupancy of a neat and commodious stone chapel, situated at the southwest corner of Ninth and Spear
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Streets, in the city of Logansport, erected and furnished at a cost of $8,200. From that time, during the seven years next succeeding, the membership was increased nearly 200, and the congregation continued otherwise in a healthy and prosperous condition, enjoying the fruits of zealous labor in the dissemination of gospel truth.
At the close of Mr. Parson's term of service Elder C. M. Rob- ertson was called, sustaining the relation of pastor of the church with distinguished ability during the years 1873-74. His labors were crowned with eminent success, and the evidence of his devotion to the cause he represented will long remain to remind his people of the master-spirit who ministered to them in times past. While engaged in the special work of this congregation, during the year 1874, mainly through his instrumentality, a branch church was or- ganized on the south side, and a beautiful brick edifice erected as a house of worship, the congregation supplying it with the necessary furniture.
After Mr. Robertson closed his term of service, the church was without a pastor for a short time, yet services were conducted with considerable regularity by leading lay members of the church. Ultimately another pastor was called in the person of Elder C. W. Martz, who remained in charge during the following year, but his labors were less efficient than those of Elder Robertson. Upon the close of the term for which Elder Martz had been employed, serv- ices were again held by lay members, who thereby prevented the subsidence of interest in the observance of Christian duties. In the meantime traveling elders occasionally occupied the pulpit, until some time in the spring of 1877, when Elder John Ellis was engaged as pastor. He remained in charge for about three years, the inter- val between the close of his term of service and the appointment of his successor being supplied as heretofore by lay members, who took it upon themselves to conduct services with a good degree of regularity rather than let the interest subside.
Elder W. R. Lowe became pastor some time in 1881, and remained in that position during the two and one-half years suc- ceeding. In July, 1884, Elder L. R. Norton was called to the pas- torate, and has discharged the duties of that station faithfully from that time to the present. His administration of affairs has been more than ordinarily successful, more than 100 members having, in the meantime, been added to the church. At present the mem-
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bership numbers 240, and the society is in every way in a healthy condition and prosperous, indicating, unmistakably, that pastor and people are mutually satisfied with existing relations.
The Sunday-school is large, and all the workers therein are active and zealous, doing all in their power to make their work interesting and beneficial. The school numbers now about 125, including pupils and teachers.
North Side Christian Church .- This church, which is an off- shoot from the one just noticed, was organized on the 18th of April, 1874, on the north side of Eel River. Anterior to that date a series of meetings had been held in that locality, which resulted in the organization referred to, under the auspices of Dr. H. Z. Leonard and others. On the 12th of February, 1873, a series of meetings was commenced, looking to the organization of a separate society, and continued with general regularity until the work was accom- plished. At that time there were 27 original members, Dr. Leon- ard being the officiating minister. Of those 27 members 22 were baptized by Dr. Leonard from October, 1873, to the date of organi- zation.
The organizing services were conducted by Elder William J. Howe, of Chicago, in the brick meeting-house previously erected on Sugar Street, east of Michigan Avenue. The instituting ceremo- nies being completed, the Elder delived an elaborate discourse on the subject of church officers and their duties. On the conclusion of the discourse, Elder Howe was called to the chair, and Benjamin Sparks appointed secretary. Then H. Z. Leonard and S. A. Cus- ter were appointed elders by the presiding officer, which appoint- ments were confirmed by a rising vote of the members of the new church, and by the presiding elder declared to be the regularly con- stituted elders of the congregation. In like manner, Levi D. Horn, Amos Mobley and James Wilson were appointed and confirmed as deacons. Thus, also, Mrs. Clary and Mrs. Morehart were selected as deaconesses.
Since the organization of this society and the conclusion of Dr. Leonard's labors, services have been held with only partial regu- larity. In 1876-77 Rev. S. K. Sweetman was the pastor in charge. At a later date Rev. John Ellis, pastor of the Ninth Street Christian Church, officiated at stated periods. Subsequently a similar course has been pursued, but the services are irregular. For the past
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
eighteen months the building has been occupied by members of the First Presbyterian congregation, for whom Rev. B. S. Clevinger has been preaching.
South Side Mission (Christian) .- Some time in 1874 a society was organized, composed of members residing in that vicinity, the meetings being held in one of the public halls in Shultztown. Dur- ing the course of that year a brick church edifice of fair dimensions and comfortably furnished was erected on the corner of Sherman and Lincoln Streets. The organization of the society and the building of the church were chiefly the work of Rev. C. M. Robert- son, pastor of the Ninth Street Church, who appropriated a consid- erable portion of his time to that special work, and the interest cre- ated through his instrumentality was a sufficient reward. After Mr. Robertson had retired from the pastorate of the older church in the city, services, from time to time, have been conducted by Revs. Ellis, Lowe and Norton.
St. Vincent de Paul (Catholic) .- During the two years pre- ceding the year 1838 the members of the Catholic Church, at that time becoming quite numerous in consequence of the great influx of laborers engaged in the construction of the Wabash & Erie Ca- nal through this portion of the county, a large majority of whom were either members of that church or from childhood had been reared under the influence of its teachings, were frequently visited by traveling clergymen looking after the interests of the church in new and uncultivated fields, who, mingling with this people, exerted an influence in favor of establishing a place of worship, where their ancient faith might be renewed at stated intervals in coming years. The first work of this character, so far as is now disclosed by the records extant, was performed by Rev. Father John Claudius Fran- cis (or Francois, as it was then written), about the beginning of the year 1838 purchased a small tract of five acres in the northeast corner of Lot No. 2 of the subdivision of three sections of land re- served to the children of Joseph Barron, by the treaty with the Pot- tawattomies, in October, 1826, of Harvey Heth and wife, the con- veyance bearing date February 27 of that year. Subsequently, within that and the following year, other purchases were made by him from the same parties, and immediately adjoining the first named tract, making in the aggregate 20.13 acres. On the tract first purchased, and a few rods southward from the south bank of
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the canal he erected a small frame building, of moderate dimen- sions, and a story and a half high, suited to the purposes of a resi- dence and a temporary place of meeting for the members of his flock, prior to the erection of a more permanent church edifice. In this unpretentious domicilian retreat, away from the bustle of the outside world, this venerable father frequently, in that early day, celebrated mass according to the forms of the church, and otherwise administered to the spiritual wants of his congregation. For nearly a quarter of a century afterward the building was popularly known as the "Priest's House."
Shortly after the consummation of the work just noticed, Father Francis set himself about the further work of erecting a small, but sufficiently large, stone church on Duret Street, and a little to the westward from Knowlton & Dolan's machine shops, to meet the wants of his congregation for many years. This church was first used some time in the year 1839, and continued to be so used until the summer of 1860, when the increased membership made the con- struction of a church house of greatly enlarged proportions a necessity. The new building was put under contract under the supervision of Father Hamilton, and the work so far progressed that in August, 1860, the corner-stone was laid with appropriate cere- monies. About one year from that date the stately edifice near the southwest corner of Ninth and Spencer Streets was dedicated to the worship of God, in due form.
Since the dedication of the new church the old one is no longer used for the purposes of its original construction. The projection of the new building and the schoolhouse near by, and their subse- quent completion, are chiefly due to the untiring energy and zealous labor of Rev. Geo. A. Hamilton, deceased. Other extensive and much need improvements were made afterward, in the erection and completion of a substantial and comfortable brick pastoral residence immediately east of and adjacent to the church.
The following priests have officiated as pastors of the congrega- tions worshiping in this church since the date of organization: Rev. Father Francis, from 1839 to 1841; Father Martin, 1841 to 1844; Rev. Michael Clark, in 1844; Rev. Maurice De St. Palais, in 1845; Rev. F. Fischer, from 1846 to 1848; Rev. P. Murphy, from 1848 to 1850; Rev. Patrick McDermott, in 1850; Rev. F. O'Connell, in 1852; Rev. Fr. A. Carius, from 1852 to 1855; Rev. William Doyle.
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from 1855 to 1857; Rev. Charles Zucker, from May, 1857, to August, 1859; Rev. George A. Hamilton, from August, 1859, to January, 1864; Rev. Bernard J. Force, from January, 1864, to April, 1868; Rev. M. E. Campion, from April, 1868, to January, 1869; Rev. F. Mayer, from January, 1869, to July, 1871; Rev. Fr. Law- ler, from July, 1871, to May, 1878; Rev. E. P. Waters, from May, 1878, to June, 1883, and Rev. M. E. Campion, from June, 1883, to the present time. Of those early priests, Father Martin was after- ward a Bishop in the South, and Father St. Palais was afterward Bishop of Vincennes. In connection with Father St. Palais' pas- torate in Logansport, is a historical incident worthy of especial mention.
On the occasion of his visit to Paris, in 1845, he was presented with a bell to be placed in his church at Logansport. It was of ex- cellent tone, unique in design and of superior workmanship, the metal of which it was composed containing an unusually large pro- portion of silver, made, so it was said, under the especial super- vision of the donor and for the only proper use of the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, in this city. In due time it was received here and put in its place with the most solemn ceremony. When the old church ceased to be used for its original and legitimate purpose, this souvenir bell was transferred to and now occupies a position in state, in the vestibule at the door of the new church. The new church is now entirely out of debt, Father Campion, during his present administration, having removed the last vestige. The whole church property is valued at not less than $20,000. And about 325 families now compose the membership.
St. Joseph's (Catholic) is an offshoot from St. Vincent de Paul, a considerable proportion of its original membership coming from that congregation. The first building is of brick, situated on Second Street opposite the new Barnett Hotel, and was erected some time in the latter part of 1869, and mass was first celebrated in it by the first pastor Rev. Jacob Meyer, on the 2d of February, 1870. Father Meyer was succeeded by Rev. Von Schwadeler, who in turn was succeeded by Father Wittaw, and he by Father Meili. The present pastor, the Rev. Henry Koehne, assumed charged August 24, 1872. There were about sixty families in the congregation when Father Koehne came, and about $6,000 of debts. These debts were paid off in about two years under his careful management. Subse-
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quently, other and valuable improvements were made. The school was originally small and secular teachers were placed in charge. In September. 1877, the Sisters of Notre Dame came from Mil- waukee, Wis., and took charge of the school, since which time it has continued to prosper, and at this time there is not room enough to accommodate all the children who desire to attend. The school now contains about 250 children. The congregation of the church at this time embraces about 200 families.
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