USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Indiana > Part 35
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SECOND MT. PLEASANT CHURCH.
The Second Mt. Pleasant Baptist church, which is near the Shelby county line in Needham township, was organized on July 11, 1835, with eight mem- bers. Five more united with the church before the close of that year. . Meet- ings were held in private residences and school houses for some time, when the first church building was erected, which was a frame structure built in 1836. This was a fair building and answered the purposes for which it was intended until the year 1865, when the present brick building was erected. The following is a list of the pastors and their terms of service: B. Reece, 1835-1853; I. Gleason, 1854-1855; John Reece, 1855-1857; D. J. Hunter, 1857-1858; W. Golding, 1858-1859; E. J. Todd. 1859-1861 ; C. Blood, 1861 - 1864: I. N. Clark, 1864-1869; A. C. Edwards, 1869-1872; R. M. Parks, 1872-1873; John Reece, 1873-1876; I. W. Hammack, 1876-1877! J. W. Ragsdale, 1877-1879: W. T. Jolly, 1879-1882; L. E. Duncan. 1882-1883 ; F. M. Huckleberry. 1883-1884; G. H. Elgin. 1884-1886; W. T. Vancleve, 1886-887; P. O. Duncan, 1887-1901 ; John G. York, 1902-1903: I. M. Flem- ing, 1903-1904; E. T. Carter, 1905-1906; F. M. Huckleberry, 1906-1907; I. F. Huckleberry, 1907-1910; O. A. Cook, 1910-
HURRICANE BAPTIST CHURCH.
Hurricane Baptist church (Clark township) was organized about the year 1840 or. 1841 as a branch of the Franklin congregation and continued as such
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for about three years, when it was constituted an independent organization. The following were among the earlier members: Stephen Tilson, Lemuel Tilson and wife, James Tilson and wife, Mrs. John Brown, John. White- sides, Even Barnett and wife, Conrad McClain and wife and James White- sides and wife. The organization was effected by the Rev. Benjamin Reece, who preached for several years thereafter, holding meetings in the old log building known as Friendship church. Later, about the year 1851, a frame building was erected on the ground where the old house stood and served the purposes of a place of worship until the growth of the congregation made the erection of a larger house a necessity. In 1879 the present handsome temple, a brick edifice, representing a capital of three thousand two hundred dollars, was erected. The following as a list of the pastors of Hurricane church. Revs. Benjamin Reece, John Reece, Miner and Todd, who were pastors prior to 1861. Since 1861-J. L. Irwin, 1861 ; Caleb Blood, 1862; Q. N. Clark, 1863; John W. Ragsdale, 1865; M. D. Gage, 1865; F. Moro, 1866; A. J. Essex, 1867; L. D. Robinson, 1872; G. H. Elgin, 1874; J. R. Edwards, 1875; John W. Ragsdale, 1877; Charles Boaz, 1879; in May, 1880, Columbus H. Hall, professor of Greek in Franklin College, was called to the pastorate and he has served the church continuously since.
BEECH GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH. 1
This church is located in the northwest corner of Hensley township and was organized in 1867 in the "Old Log Church," a quarter of a mile west of the present church edifice, which is three miles west of Trafalgar, and appears to have been the outgrowth of the Primitive and Separate Baptist churches, organizations of which denominations. were founded in the neigh- borhood prior to the Civil war. The following is a list of the pastors: J. W. Ragsdale, 1867-1872; J. M. Barrow, 1872-1879; J. W. Ragsdale, 1879-1882; J. M. Barrow, 1882-1887: E. E. Stewart, 1887-1889; F. A. Aspey, 1889- 1891 : F. G. Cather, 1891-1893 ; F. A. Aspey, 1894 -- : George F. Ragsdale, 1895-1899: W. G. Everson, 1899-1903; C. H. Hall, 1903-1905; WV. Hen- drickson, 1905-1906; C. A. Wade, 1906-1909; H. C. Merrill, 1909-1910; J. I. Slater, 1910-1911; J. G. Brengle, 1911-1913. The church property is valued at twenty-two thousand dollars and is in good repair. The church maintains a good Sunday school and also a Ladies' Aid Society.
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SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF FRANKLIN-COLORED.
This church was organized in August, 1871, at the home of George Young on East Monroe street with a membership of nine members. Services were held in the old academy building. From there to the Union Hall on East Court street, now the Durbin building. From there to West Madison street, the property now owned by George Robinson; from there to East Monroe street. in property owned by Samuel Dirty; from there to Madison and West streets, its present location. The church property is valued at seven thousand dollars. A Baptist Young People's Union is maintained, also home and foreign missionary societies.
The following is a list of the pastors and their term of service: William Singleton, 1871-1872 ; Thomas Robinson, 1872-1874; E. E. Tyler, 1874-1880; George Smith, 1880-1881 ; D. S. Slaughter, 1881-1882; W. P. Thornton. 1882-1883 ; S. C. Manuel, 1883-1885; C. C. Louis, 1885-1888: Henry Polk. 1888-1889; P. P. Hollins, 1889-1890; F. P. Green, 1890-1893; Alexander Smith, 1893-1894: C. H. Duvall, 1894-1900; G. N. Thompson, 1900-1901 : H. Smith. 1901-1902: W. H. Patterson, 1902-1910; R. D. Leonard, 1910- 1912. In April, 1912, Samuel Howard was called to the pastorate and is still serving the congregation.
EDINBURG BAPTIST CHURCH-COLORED.
This church was organized in the fall of 1881 by Rev. John R. Miller, with the following constituent members: Henry Gooden and wife. Esther Canady. Thomas E. Hill, Mrs. Hill, George Quinn, David Beeler and wife, David Johnson and wife, Elizabeth Gooden, Letitia Lee and Elizabeth John- son. Rev. A. R. Miller served as pastor four years and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Walker, who preached one year. Then came Rev. David Slaughter.
The building used by the church was erected a short time before the organization went into effect. It is a substantial frame edifice and will comfortably seat a congregation of three hundred persons.
LICK SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church is located in Nineveh township and was organized in the year 1836. Among the early members were the following: Aaron Hen- dricks. Merida Wilkerson, Separate Hendricks, Susan Hendricks and Nancy
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Handy. The church building was erected about 1839 and rebuilt in 1850. In the latter year there was a good membership, about one hundred, but since then the number has greatly decreased. The following were among the pastors of this church: Samuel Randolph, Jariah Randolph, James Mc- Queen, Joshua McQueen, Pond and Asa Dowd.
WHITELAND BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church became a mission of Emanuel Baptist church of Indianapo- lis, then under the pastorate of Rev. J. R. Henry, February, 1905. One year later the organization of the Whiteland Baptist church was effected, and the following officers were chosen: Clerk, Bertram Brown; church treasurer, R. A. Roberson. In January, 1906, John M. Phipps, J. I. Scott, George W. Veath and J. F. Smiley were elected trustees. Rev. Truman was called to the pastorate in February, 1905, and resigned on July 11, 1905. In November, 1905, Rev. Hamilton was called to the pastorate and began work in Decem- ber, resigning in August, 1906. The church was pastorless until the spring of 1907, when Rev. T. A. Child was called and continued in this service three years and six months. The church had occasional supplies until September, 19II, when Rev. Childs was again called to the pastorate and still continues his labors.
In 1905 the Methodist Episcopal church of Whiteland built a beautiful brick structure and their former church building was purchased by the Bap- tists and refitted. It is a very respectable church home and serves its purpose well. It is valued at twenty-five hundred dollars and in size is thirty by forty-five by eighteen feet, will seat two hundred persons and is supplied with comfortable furniture, also a piano. The church maintains a Sunday school, Ladies' Missionary Circle, Ladies' Aid Society and prayer meeting. The present clerk is Archie Pierce and the treasurer is C. M. Durham, who is also superintendent of the Sunday school.
BETHEL PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH.
As noted elsewhere, this church, then known as the Bethel Regular Bap- tist church, was organized in the thirties, obtaining a church site from Zelek McQuinn on the 25th day of May, 1839. It is located five miles south of Franklin on the Franklin and Nineveh road, and has a substantial brick house of worship. It is the strongest and best known church of the Primitive
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Baptist faith in the county and, while not numerically strong, its membership is zealous and faithful.
Among its pastors have been Elders Riley Knowles, Asa Nay, Willett Tyler, Peterson K. Parr and Isaac Sawin. For the past twelve years Elder Lawrence Reagan has preached acceptably.
BETHLEHEM PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church is located in Hensley township, and was organized a number of years ago and is now one of the oldest religious societies in the southern part of the county. Of its early history but little is known save that the Bass, Roberts, Hensley, Davenport, McNutt, Holman and Hughes families were among the first members. The organization was brought about by the labors of Elder Hiram T. Craig, a preacher of fine ability. He preached for the Bethlehem congregation a number of years. The first house of worship was a log structure which stood near where the present one now stands. It was used several years, but finally gave place to the frame building in which the congregation now meets. The society is not as strong in numbers as in the early days of its history, having lost quite a number of its members in recent years by deaths or removals. Services are still held in the church building and the present membership is very small.
SOUTH STOTT'S CREEK PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was located in Union township and was organized April, 1836, at a school house near the present site of Trafalgar. The following were among the first members: Thomas Sturgeon and wife, Simpson Stur- geon and wife, William Clark and wife, Frederick Ragsdale and wife, Henry Musselman and wife, Jane Forsyth, Jane Allen and Mary Catlett. Frederick Ragsdale was the first moderator and J. R. Callihan first clerk. For a num- ber of years Rev. Asa B. Nay ministered to the congregation and much of its success was due to his efforts. Revs. Ransom Riggs and William Tyler preached for the church at different times. School houses and dwellings were used for meeting places until about the year 1845. at which time a frame temple of worship was erected in Union township, section 25. The building was afterward improved and is still used by the congregation, which has a membership of about twenty-five. Elder Robert Thompson has been acting as supply for several years.
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STOTT'S CREEK BAPTIST (OLD SCHOOL).
Some time in the thirties there was erected in section 10, near the present site of Union village, a log building which served as a place of worship for several denominations. In this house what is known as Stott's Creek Bap- tist church (Old School) was organized over sixty years ago. The following are the names of a few of the early members of the organization : Bennett Jacobs and wife, Austin Jacobs and wife, William Burkhardt and wife, David Vidito and' wife, James Jacobs and wife, William Utterback and wife and Andrew Wysick and wife. Elder Bennett Jacobs was an early minister, Hiram Craig and Enoch Tabor preached for the congregation, as did others whose names are not now remembered. The building in which the congregation worshiped for many years was a small frame structure near Union village, erected about the year 1856 or 1857. The society was never strong numerically and the organization has been disbanded.
FRANKLIN CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The first authentic history of the Franklin Christian church dates back to the year 1846, when a small band of disciples met at the home of Sister Herriott Henderson for the first time and Brother Elijah Goodwin was in- vited to visit them and arrangements were made to hold a series of meetings in the old court house, which resulted in much good, encouraging the little · band to stand by the principles underlying the Restoration movement. Prior to this William Irwin and William Keaton did valuable services in preaching the gospel in this vicinity.
In 1847. through the kindness and invitation of the Baptist denomina- tion, the Christians held meetings at stated intervals in the Baptist church for one year. But as the little band began to make inroads into the community they were compelled to give up worshiping in the Baptist church and return to the court house. In the meantime George and Jesse Braham, with their families, moved to Franklin from Vernon, Indiana, accompanied by John B. Cobb, who rendered valuable service in the early days of the church. Elder Goodwin was again called and a second series of meetings resulted in the first organization of the church. The following account is taken from early records :
"Franklin, Indiana, July 3. 1848.
"We, the undersigned members of the Church of Christ, residing in and
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near the town of Franklin, Johnson county, Indiana, agree and do now enter into the organization of a church for the purpose of keeping the ordinances of the Lord's house, to be known as the Church of Christ in Franklin, and that we may grow in grace and the knowledge of the truth, we will meet for public worship as often as circumstances will permit, not having any place of public worship of our own. Signed :
"JOHN B. COBB,
W. M. BRIDGES,
"HORATIO JONES,
JOHN McCOULE,
"JOHN W. PARRISH,
RHODA KOYLE,
"ELIZABETH HOWARD,
NANCY JONES,
"MARY BRANHAM,
MARY E. BRANHAM,
"LUCRETIA BRANHAM,
J. N. BRANHAM,
"WILLIAM KOYLE, SANDERSON HOWARD,
"HERRIOTT HENDERSON,
MARY PALMER,
"MARY BRIDGES,
ELIZABETH BRIDGES,
"CATORA CHENOWORTH,
ELIZA HOWARD,
"GEORGE W. BRANHAM,
ELIZABETH HAGUE."
John B. Cobb and G. W. Branham were elected elders and W. M. Bridges and Jesse V. Branham were elected deacons. John B. Cobb, now of Columbus, Indiana, is the only living charter member of this church so far as known.
A daughter of Brother Branham is supposed to be living in Minnesota. She united with the church at the organization meeting.
During the summer of 1848, when the organization was perfected, the New School Presbyterians owned the building now occupied by the Catholics, at Home avenue and Wayne street, and this house was secured when no meetings were held by them. John B. Cobb was called to preach for the. church at a salary of three hundred dollars per year. He continued as pastor until 1851, when inroads were being made on the Presbyterians and the Disciples were forced to abandon this place of worship.
The court house in the meantime having been destroyed by fire, this little band of undaunted disciples found themselves wholly without a place of worship. At this time George and Jesse Branham, charter members, erected a two-story brick building on the northeast corner of Water and Jefferson streets, and when completed, in March, 1852, deeded the upper room to the board of trustees, elected by the church, to be held by them so long as used for church purposes. During this time Elder Henry R.
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Pritchard came from Columbus, Indiana, and held a meeting, resulting in several accessions to the church. Elder J. L. Jones in 1852 served as pastor, after Brother Cobb had resigned. Brother Jones was followed in 1854 by Samuel F. Miller, who continued to preach for the church until the close of the year 1858. During the pastorate of Brother Miller, Alexander Camp- bell visited the new church and, as the room was too small, the meetings were held in the new court house, Alexander Campbell preaching during the daytime and Isaac Errett, founder of the Christian Standard, of Cincinnati, Ohio, preaching at night. In April, 1859, J. J. Moss began his services as pastor and continued until May, 1860. It was during his pastorate that the great debate was held with Col. Samuel P. Oyler upon the subject of "Uni- versalism." In January, 1862, Elder John C. Miller held a series of meetings, resulting in fourteen accessions to the church. A call was extended to Brother Miller, but he declined, preferring to work with the Nineveh con- gregation and other charges, which he did until he fell asleep in Jesus, Sep- tember, 1901. In December, 1863, John B. New and O. A. Burgess held evangelistic services, resulting in nine accessions. January, 1864, Elder A. Q. Bartholomew, now of St. Louis, Missouri, began his first pastorate with this church, continuing until 1866. H. T. Buff served the church as pastor at two different times, from 1867 to 1870. From 1870 to 1872 the church was in charge of Mr. Davis, but resulted in little good being accomplished. In January, 1872, Live H. Jameson, the "sweet singer," was called as supply pastor for a few months. He was followed by W. F. Parker, of Lagrange, Kentucky, who remained less than a year. These short pastorates were fol- lowed by Elder James Land, of Hamilton, Ohio, who began in 1873 and remained with the church until 1875. It was during his ministry that the church building was erected on the southeast corner of Yandes and Madison streets. Elijah Bronson, having fallen heir to a large sum, started the sub- scription with six thousand dollars, and Ebenezer Baldwin, owning the lot, agreed to donate the lot, valued at twelve hundred dollars, and eight hun- dred dollars in money, providing the building was erected on that site. This ofer was accepted and the building committee was composed of Dr. W. A. webb, Leland Payne and John T. Vawter, all large givers to the church. rne building was erected at a cost of eighteen thousand dollars and was dedicated in April, 1874. The room at Water and Jefferson streets, having been abandoned for church purposes, it reverted to the owners of the first floor without consideration on April 8, 1876.
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Thus passed into history the first church building of this congregation and the history of the second building was begun. On October 1, 1875, Elder E. L. Frazier, of Marion, Indiana, began as pastor and continued until De- cember 31, 1881. This was the longest pastorate in the history of the church and its greatest growth to that time was obtained, two hundred and seventy- five having united. Elder John C. Miller, of Nineveh, Indiana, and Evan- gelist Robert T. Matthews held successful meetings. In 1882 Elder A. W. Connor preached for nearly a.year. He resigned to attend Butler College. The next call was extended in January, 1884, to Elder Samuel F. Fowler. His pastorate is next to Elder Frazier's in point of duration, remaining until the fall of 1888. During his ministry over two hundred united with the church. On June 15, 1885, during a severe storm, the church was struck by lightning and destroyed by fire, only the walls remained standing. It was rebuilt at once at a cost of five thousand dollars. The building was in charge of Dr. James Richardson, Nelson Richardson and John T. Vawter, commit- tee. Elder H. H. Nesslage was pastor from 1889 until the close of 1890. During the pastorate the Christian Endeavor Society was organized. George E. Platt was pastor in 1891, followed by Thomas M. Wiles, 1891 to 1893. Elder Amzi Atwater, of Bloomington, Indiana, accepted a call in 1893 and remained until the fall of 1895. During his pastorate the Christian Endeavor library was established. Elder J. S. Ashley was pastor part of 1895 and 1896. and J. Z. Armstrong from the fall of 1896 to the summer of 1897. October 1. 1897, Elder Charles R. Hudson was called to the pastorate and continued as such to July, 1903.
Since the church was established in 1848 eight of her sons have entered the ministry and today are preaching God's word. They are Wiley Ackman, Wesley Vandiver, L. E. Sellers, Robert Sellers, Harvey McKane. W. G. McCauley, Thomas Mavity and Edgar F. Daugherty.
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During the pastorate of Brother Hudson, from October, 1897. to July. 1903, three hundred and forty-five persons were received into the church, the greatest in its history in point of membership. He solemnized seventy-one marriages, conducted one hundred and two funerals and inculcated the spirit of work within the church. Three successful revivals were held by Brother Hudson, the last one was from January 6th to 31st, inclusive, 1902, when one hundred and fifty-one persons united with the church, through the match- less teaching and pleading of the grand and eloquent servant, Elder Victor W. Dorris, of Georgetown, Kentucky, who assisted Brother Hudson.
The membership of the church having grown to over eight hundred
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souls, a new house of worship was inaugurated. Sunday, June 2, 1901, at a regular meeting of the official board the following resolution was unanimous- ly adopted :
"First, that the board take steps at once toward the erection of a new Christian church building in Franklin, Indiana, amended that the building be centrally located.
"Second, that Lord's day, June 9, 1901, be set apart as rally day for the new church and that Brother Z. T. Sweeney; of Columbus, Indiana, be in- vited to be present and address the meeting on the occasion."
The following members were appointed soliciting committee: Dr. H. J. Hall. W. V. King, George 1. White, Samuel Harris, H. M. Fisher, Samuel C. Yager. H. C. Barnett. J. M. Coble and James L .. Vawter. At this rally- day meeting Brother Sweeney secured the sum of fourteen thousand seven hundred and eighty-five dollars. After this meeting of June 9, 1901, the committee on location of new church was composed of Samuel Harris, George I. White and Henry C. Barnett. The finance committee was Dr. H. J. Hall, John W. Terman, H. M. Fisher, James R. Fleming and Will Featherngill. The building committee was W. V. King, chairman; Dr. H. J. Hall. H. C. Barnett, Frank Garshwiler, Samuel Harris and Charles R. Hud- son, secretary. The committee on location secured the "Hamilton lot" on the southwest corner of Water and King streets. in August. 1901, for three thousand three hundred dollars. The lot was cleared of buildings and bids were advertised for on plans and specifications prepared by Messrs. Harris & Shopbell, of Evansville, Indiana. The contract for the new building was awarded to George Anderson, of Martinsville. Indiana. Ground was broken on Tuesday, December 3. 1901, appropriate exercises being conducted by the pastor, assisted by the other city ministers. The first shovel full of dirt was removed by Barnard Peter, the oldest member of the church and a life-time elder : the second by Miss Margaret Jones, aged thirteen, the youngest mem- ber of the church. In March. 1902, work began on the new building and on the 8th day of July, 1902, the corner stone was laid with appropriate exer- cises.
The new building was completed the last of June and dedicated Sunday. July 5, 1903. It is constructed with blue limestone foundation. buff Bed- ford stone wall. trimmed in Kentucky white limestone. The style is the old Spanish mission, revised. Gothic in design. Two tablets have been placed at the entrance : "Christ. the Only Creed." on the left : "That Ye All May Be One." upon the right. The auditorium is seated with circular pews to ac-
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commodate five hundred people, is octagonal, with pulpit, organ and choir in the corner. It has been decorated in the most artistic style by B. F. Harris, of .Union City, Indiana, and Daniel Stewart & Company, of Indian- apolis, glaziers. It contains four pictures, setting forth the four phases of the Christ life, worked out in art glass and painted on canvas. The first, "Christ Among the Doctors," by Hoffman, has been placed as a memorial of Hugh Mullendore, and represents the growth life of the Christ; the sec- ond, "The Good Shepherd," by Plockhurst, represents the working life of Christ; the third, Hoffman's "Gethsemane," represents the suffering Christ; the fourth, "The Ascension," by Bierman, represents the glorified Messiah who reigns as Head over the church, filling the church with his spirit and the church filling the world.
The chapel is equipped for work, being surrounded by two parlors. thir- teen class rooms, toilet rooms, reading rooms, robing rooms and hallways. .The pastor's study is at the corner of the auditorium, convenient to the pub- lic. The basement contains corridor, ladies' sewing room, dining room and kitchen, with furnace and fuel rooms to meet all demands.
Almost the entire first floor space and galleries can be used for the auditorium and will seat about twelve hundred; all at a cost of near twenty- five thousand dollars.
Brother Hudson remained with the church as pastor until November. 1904, when he resigned to become minister of the Christian church at Frank- fort, Kentucky, in January, 1905. A call was extended to Rev. Harry Granison Hill to become supply minister in January, 1905. During Brother Hill's pastorate a permanent call was extended to him to become resident minister. but as he had just completed a new home at Irvington, Indiana, he was unwilling to remove to Franklin. Ile resigned at the close of September, 1905, and a call was extended to Rev. Robert E. Moss, of Maysville, Ken- tucky, in October, 1905.
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