USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnston County, Indiana. From the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 86
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Lick Springs Baptist Church (Nineveh Township) was or- ganized in the year 1836. Among the early members were the following: Aaron Hendricks, Merida Wilkerson, Separate Hen-
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dricks, Susan Hendricks and Nancy Handy. The church building was erected about 1839, and rebuilt in 1850. In the latter year there was a good membership, about 100. Since then the number has greatly decreased, until at this time there are only about forty belonging. The following were among the pastors of the church : Samuel Randolph, Jariah Randolph, James McQueen, Joshua McQueen, - - Pond and Asa Dowd.
South Stott's Creek Regular Baptist Church ( Union Township) 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 Sturgeon 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 number of years, Rev. Asa B. Nay ministered to the con- gregation, and much of its success was due to his efforts. Revs. Ransom Riggs and Willett Tyler preached for the church at differ- ent times. The present pastor is Elder R. W. Thompson. 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 im- proved, and is still used by the congregation. The membership at this time is quite small, numbering about fifteen. The moderator is S. T. Riggs; clerk, Henderson Ragsdale.
Franklin Christian Church. - The Christian Church of Frank- lin was organized on the 3d day of July, 1848. Previous to that time ministers of the current Reformation visited the town at intervals, and held public worship in the court house, the immediate results of which were quite a number of conversions. Among the early preachers were: Elders Love 11. Jameson, J. M. Mathes and John O'Kane, who were widely and favorably known throughout the United States, where the Disciples have gained a footing. The meetings held from time to time eventually crystallized into an organization, July, 18448, of which the following were the prime movers: John B. Cobb, J. V. Branham, Horatio Jones, John V. Parrish, Herriott Henderson, Elizabeth Howard, Margaret Bridges, Mary Branham, Catorah Chenoweth, Lucretia Branham, George W. Branham, W. M. Bridges, Sanderson Howard, John McCorkle, Margaret Palmer, Rhoda Koyle, Elizabeth Bridges, Nancy Jones, Elizabeth Howard, Mary H. Branham and Elizabeth Hogue. At the next meeting Joseph P. and Margaret Gill united with the congregation by letter from a sister church, and Barney Clark was received upon confession.
Thus organized, the church next looked around for a suitable
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place of worship. This was found for some time in the court house, but shortly after the organization went into effect a movement was inaugurated for the erection of a building for the especial use of the congregation. A lot on the corner of Jefferson and Water streets, was procured, upon which in due time was built a substantial two- story brick structure with auditorium above, while the lower part was divided into two commodious store rooms. The chapel was formally dedicated to the worship of God on the 17th day of July, 1852, by Elders John O'Kane, J. M. Mathes and T. J. Edmon- son. From the date of organization until the erection of the build- ing in 1852, no records appear to have been kept. For some years the church had no regular pastor, but was ministered to from time to time by transient preachers, a number of whom conducted suc- cessful revivals, resulting in many additions to the congregation. Elders Jameson, Mathes, Edmonson, O'Kane, Cobb and others preached at intervals, and in 1858, Elder J. J. Moss was called as as evangelist, at a salary of $700 per annum. He preached the al- lotted time and was successful in awakening an interest and build- ing up the church. In 1864, Elders John B. New and O. A. Bur- gress held a series of revival meetings, and the same year O. A. Bartholomew became pastor and served during 1864 and 1865, and was succeeded by Elder 1I. T. Buff, who served until about the year 1867. Thenext regular preacher was Elder - - Parker, who served one year, after whom came the following pastors in the order named: Elders John Davis, a little over one year: J. M. Land, served three years: E. L. Frazier, eight years, and A. W. Conner, two years. In December, ISS3. the present pastor, Elder S. F. Fowler, began his labors with the church, since which time, through his efforts, about 350 members have been added to the congregation. Elder Fowler is a man of splendid powers, superior oratorial abilities, and great pulpit earnestness. In I871, a suitable lot on the corner of Yandes and Madison streets was pro- cured, and in the same year, a magnificent brick structure, costing $26,000, was erected thereon. It was formally dedicated by Elder O. A. Burgess, and at the time of its completion, was the largest and most commodious church edifice in Johnson County. The building was struck by lightning in June, 1885, and greatly injured, all the wood .work being completely destroyed. It was immediately rebuilt at an expenditure of $6,000, and now ranks among the best houses of worship in the city. The membership of the church at this time is much stronger than at any previous period of its history, numbering 685. The Sunday school connected with the church, from the time of its organization, a number of years ago, has been regularly and successfully kept up.
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Edinburg Christian Church .- The first attempt to establish a Christian Church in Edinburg, was made in 1834, although travel- ing ministers had visited the village at intervals, previous to that date, and held meetings in the houses of the few members in the town and vicinity. Among these early preachers are remembered, Elders William Irvin, J. Fawcett and James M. Mathes, under whose joint labors, on the 23rd day of February of the above year, a small organization was effected, with the following members: Gavin Mitchell, Rebecca Mitchell, David McCoy, C. McCoy, J. W. Dupree, Thomas W. Thrailkeld, Elizabeth Thrailkeld, Abram Dupree and Hannah Dupree. Of the above little band who constituted the organization, all but one, Hannah Dupree, are dead. Elder J. M. Mathes, the chief mover in the organization, is also living, at his home in Bedford, Ind. The society held its first meetings in the residences of the different members, and later ob- tained the use of the building erected by the Edinburg Benevolent Association in 1834. Here the church met and prospered until IS46, at which time the increasing growth foreshadowed the ne- cessity of a building of enlarged proportions. Accordingly, in that year, a movement was inaugurated to erect a house of worship for the exclusive use of the congregation. A lot on Walnut Street was procured, and a frame house, 40x50 feet, erected, which is still standing. The building is a commodious structure, and at the time of its completion was the best temple of worship in town. At the close of 1834 the membership of the society numbered twenty-two, and among the additions of that year were the Thompsons, Knowl- tons. Waylands, Smiths, Vaughns and others, whose names cannot be recalled. In 1846, Abram Dupree was licensed to preach the Gospel, and for that year the records show a membership of 198.
For a number of years after its organization the church was ministered to in word and doctrine by Abram Dupree, William Irvin and William Oldham. From 1834 until 1870, the church en- joyed the labors of twenty-eight transient preachers. The following is a list of the ministers thus employed : Elders McFadden, Lockwood, Roberts, Woodfill, Egan, New, Brewer, Cobb, Pritchard, Jones, McCorkle, O'Kane, Hall, Walden, D. Franklin, Benjamin Frank- lin, Snoddy, Gosney, Miller, Hoshour, Mccullough, Buff, Ludwig, Davis, Holton, Goodwin, Brazzleton and Lanham. The first regu- lar pastor appears to have been Elder B. K. Smith, who began his labors in 1852, and served one year. Following him in the order named, came J. R. Frame, Knowles Shaw, D. H. Gary, T. J. Tom- linson, R. T. Brown, J. F. Sloan, W. L. Germane, W. T. Sellers, William Ilough, A. W. Conner, W. W. Carter, E. W. Darst, J. II. O. Smith, N. S. McCallum. The pastor at this time is
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Elder P. S. Rhodes, who began his labors for the church in ISS7. He is a minister of fine ability, and has already won an abiding place in the affections of his congregation. The present official board is composed as follows: Elder, J. B. Rubush; pastor, P. S. Rhodes; clerk, C. W. Davis; treasurer, A. C. Thompson; dea- cons, D. Melville, A. J. Loughery, William Hood; trustees, A. C. Thompson, E. C. Thompson, H. C. Bailey, S. Cutsinger and Adam Mutz.
In 1886 a new building was commenced on that part of the lot lying south of the old house, and, when completed, will be the finest specimen of church architecture in Johnson County. The building covers an area of 90x60 feet, and the ceiling of the auditorium is twenty-eight feet high. Sunday school room in front will seat 300, gallery 100, and, when all the rooms are thrown together, which can be easily done, a congregation of Soo persons can be con- veniently accommodated. The aggregate cost of the structure will be about $18,500. Not the least among the potent working forces of the church, is the Eureka Aid Society, organized Decem- ber 8, 1883, for the ostensible purpose of raising funds for furnish- ing or assisting in furnishing the new house of worship. These ladies deserve great credit for their untiring efforts in behalf of the church. By weekly contributions, festivals, sociables, lawn fetes, lectures, and by making quilts, carpets, bonnets, etc., etc., they have succeeded in raising quite a large fund, thus materially aiding the completion of the present handsome temple of worship.
Williamsburg Christian Church .-- Among the early settlers in the vicinity of Williamsburg, was Elder William Irwin, a Baptist minister, who, having been convinced of the correctness of the views promulgated by Alexander Campbell, went into the cur- rent Reformation, and in the spring of 1831, was instrumental in or- ganizing a small congregation. Among the earliest members of the society were William Keeton and family, Alonzo Gale and family, Aaron Dunham and family, Jeremiah Dunham, Emily White, Richard Gosney and family, John Prime and wife, John Elliott and wife, Milton McQuade and wife, John Wilkes and wife, and David Dunham and wife, the majority of whom had previously belonged to the Baptists. Elder Irwin is remembered as a man of eminent social qualities, and a good preacher. Under his ministra- tions the little band of worshipers soon increased until a house of worship became a necessity. Accordingly, a small log building was erected a year or two later, about a quarter of a mile northwest of the present site of the town. It answered the two-fold purpose of church and school-house, and was used until about the year 1840, at which time the place of meeting was changed to Williamsburg,
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where a more commodious frame structure was erected. In the early years of its history the society enjoyed the ministerial labors of Elders Irwin and Joseph Fawcett, the latter a learned and logical preacher. Elders John L. Jones, J. M. Mathes, Aaron Hubbard, Asa Holingsworth and Hardin Watson visited the congregation at intervals, and in the meantime, Elan Richard Gosney, a local evan- gelist, preached for the church, when not similarly employed in other fields. Since 1850, the congregation has been ministered to by Elders James Blankenship, Henry R. Pritchard and Prof. J. C. Miller, the last named having filled the pulpit the greater part of the time since 1858. During Mr. Miller's absence Elder Alfred Elmore preached for the church at different times. Present mem- bership, 225. The brick temple of worship now in use was erected in 1860, at a cost of $3,000. It stands in the southeastern part of the village and is one of the best church edifices in the southern part of the county.
Greenwood Christian Church is the successor of an old society which was organized a short distance north of the town in Marion County, as early as 1838 or 1839. In the fall of 1837, George Short- ridge moved to the locality from Wayne County, and being a de- voted member of the church, soon induced preachers to visit the neighborhood, and hold public services in his dwelling and barn. In order to build up a serviceable church of his own . choice, Mr. Shortridge, about the year 1840 or 1842, erected a small house of worship on his farm, in which an organization was soon effected. Among the earliest members of this society, were Mr. Shortridge, Charles Robinson and family, James Webb and wife, and a few others, whose names have been forgotten. Services were held regularly for several years, by Elders L. H. Jameson, Asa Holings- worth, and other pioneer ministers of the Reformation, but owing to the unsettled condition of the early residents of the community, many of whom were transients, the society soon lost the majority of its members, and was in course of time abandoned. Early in the fifties, exact date unknown, a society was organized in Green- wood, with which several of the members of the old church at once became identified. Among the early members of the Greenwood society, were the following: William Blake and wife, Joseph Har- mon and wife, John Shortridge and wife, George Oldaker and wife, Edward Pate and wife, James Pate, Simeon Frazier and wife, Mrs. James Stewart and Hugh A. Morris. The village school-house had been purchased a short time previous, and fitted up for church purposes, and it was in this building that the organization took place. The school-house was used as a meeting place for several years, but the constantly increasing con-
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gregation eventually made the erection of a building, of enlarged proportions, necessary. Accordingly a lot in Dobbin's addition was donated by Dr. Guthree, and within a short time thereafter the present beautiful brick temple of worship was erected at a cost of $4.500. The building is well finished and furnished, and will com- fortably seat an audience of 500 people. The church has enjoyed the labors of a number of able ministers, among whom may be mentioned Elders R. T. Brown, Elijah Goodwin. William Patterson, W. R. Couch, Dr. Huff, E. L. Frazier, John C. Miller, S. R. Wilson, J. A. McCallum, and ---- Hall. The first ellers of the congregation were Hugh A. Myers, William Blake and Joseph Harmon. There is at this time but one elder, George Robinson. Average attendance about seventy-five, including teachers.
Trafalgar Christian Church .- The early history of the Tra- falgar Christian Church is enveloped in considerable obscurity. From the most reliable information it appears that services were held at the residence of Thomas Lynam as early as 1848, and among the first members were the Lynam, Watkins, Duckworth and Thompson families. Henry Branch, Benjamin Branch, Mr. Bridges, William Clark, E. Clark, Absalom Clark, with others, be- came members in a very early day also. Elders Thomas Lvnam and Asa Holingsworth did the first preaching for the congrega- tion. A small log building with one door and a single window was erected about 1849 or 1850. It stood about one mile southwest of the village on Indian Creek, and was used by the congregation until replaced by a frame structure a few years later. The second build- ing stood a short distance south of the present house of worship, and answered the purposes for which it was intended until about the year 1870. For a number of years the organization was known as the Hensley Town Christian Church, and among the members in 1860 were the following: George Duckworth, Thomas Gillaspy, G. T. Bridges, Jerry Dunham, Thomas Lynam, Nancy E. Lynam, Eliza II. Lynam, Matilda M. Lynam, James S. Lynam, Thomas O. Lynam and John D. Lynam. Others who became members a little later were: William J. Lynam, Mary J. Lynam, Lorinda Lynam, Sarah Duckworth, Sarah Morgan, Mary J. Dunham, Sarah A. Daniel, William Daniel, Alonzo Dunham, Lydia Bridges, Susan Peffley, Mary Peffley, Catherine Zook and others. The following preachers labored for the church at different times: J. C. Miller, J. H. Phillips, G. R. Gosney, Mr. Blankenship, J. R. Surface, Knowles Shaw, Asa Holingsworth, Thomas Lockhart and W. V. Trowbridge. Since 1865, the church has been ministered to by Elders W. V. Trowbridge, George E. Flower, J. B. Ludwig, J. C. Miller, John Ilenry, Marion Boles, Henry R. Pritchard, J. H. Phil-
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lips, John Brazzleton, Mr. Elmore, Richard Gosney, and the pres- ent pastor, A. M. Ilall. The membership at present is about 150. The present house of worship was erected about the year 1870. It is a frame building, 35x44 feet, and represents a capital of $1,400.
Union Christian Church (Nineveh Township) was organized June 12, 1853, Elder Richard Gosney officiating. The organiza- tion was the outgrowth of a series of meetings conducted by Elder Asa Holingsworth, during the progress of which a great religious awakening was experienced, resulting in the conversion of over thirty persons. The organization was effected with the following members: Clark Tucker, Sr., Margaret Tucker, Lydia Tucker, George Ilargan, Benjamin Branch, Matilda Branch, Susan S. Branch, Mary Sattewhite, Henry Branch, Sarah A. Branch, Fran- cis Branch, John T. Tucker, Jenette Ann Tucker, John Sattewhite, Paulina Branch, Delia M. Tucker, John H. Featherngill, Job B. Parkhurst, Mary Parkhurst, David F. Featherngill, Martha J. Featherngill, Thomas Branigan, Paulina Branigan. James Kimber- lin, George F. Featherngill, George Huston, Emily Beadles, James Townsend, John Morgan, James Lawhorn, Sarah Kerby, Joseph Lee, Sarah Duckworth, Mary A. Huston, Sarah J. Hunter, Samuel Brown, Mary G. Brown, Parthena Tucker, Loven G. Pritchard and Nancy Pritchard. The first church officers were Benjamin Branch, elder: Thomas Tucker and D. F. Featherngill, deacons. Meetings were first held in a log school-house, but soon after the organization, a frame building was erected on land do- nated for the purpose near the line of Franklin and Nineveh Township. This was a substantial editice, 30x40 feet in size, and served as a place of worship until 1869. In that year the present handsome brick structure was built at a cost of $9,000. It is a two-story building, 40x60 feet. The following preachers have ministered to the church at different times since its organization : Elders Richard Gosney, Asa Holingsworth, B. K. Smith, Uriah Watson, William I. Welsh, Henry R. Pritchard, John Brazzleton, - Phillips, Perry Blankenship, R. T. Brown, Dr. Tingley, Mr. Couch, Samuel Piety and John C. Miller, the present incumbent. Present membership, 120. Whole number enrolled since organiza- tion, 442.
Clarksburg Christian Church was organized in what was known as the Leatherwood school-house, about one mile north of Clarksburg, on the 14th day of April, 1846, by Elder Love H. Jameson, of Indianapolis. The charter members were C. G. Dun- gan and wife, John Irwin and wife, David C. Mitchell and wife, Joseph Dupree and wife, John Eastburn and wife, L. M. Dupree and wife, Moses F. Clark and wife, Robert Ross and wife,
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Oliver Harbert and wife, John Harbert and wife, Richard Harbert and wife, Stephen Tinker and wife, John W. Curry and wife, James Williams and wife, Silas Breeding and wife, John J. Dungan and wife, R. B. Green and wife, Thomas Parttock and wife, Joseph Irwin, James Tinker, Amos Williams, Parcus Har- bert, Mary A. Parttock, Hisler A. Green and Father Harbert. The first officers were as follows: Elders, C. G. Dungan and Joseph Dupree; deacons, M. F. Clark and J. J. Dungan. Shortly after the organization went into effect, a frame house of worship was erected about a quarter of a mile west of the village on land do- nated for the purpose by J. J. Dungan. The building was not fully completed until 1849, and was used as a meeting place until 1873. In the latter year the present handsome frame edifice on the same lot, was built at a cost of $3,300. It is a substantial structure, 38x56 feet in size, and will seat an audience of four hun- dred persons. During the first few years of its history the church had no regular pastor, but was ministered to from time to time by different preachers, among whom are remembered Elders L. H. Jameson, Thomas Lockhart, Asa Holingsworth, John O'Kane and George Campbell. In 1849, Elder Giles Holmes became pastor, and labored as such the greater part of the time until his death, in 1860. Following Elder Holmes came the following preachers: John Campbell, D. R. Vanbuskirk, Perry Hall, -- Jewell, R. T. Brown, Daniel Utter, George E. Flower, W. R. Couch, Huff, J. M. Canfield, J. W. Connor, E. L. Frazier, S. R. Wilson and W. S. Tingley. The present pastor is Elder S. J. Tomlinson. The membership at this time is about 200, a number considerably smaller than formerly, owing to the numerous removals during the last few years. A flourishing Sunday school is maintained.
Mt. Carmel Christian Church, in Nineveh Township, was or- ganized by Elder John C. Miller, on the 28th day of March, IS70. The original members were: Valentine Burget, Aaron V. Burget, Sarah D. Burget, Louisa Burget, Rebecca Burget, Nancy Burget, Lucinda Burget, James B. Bell, Mary Bell, Cynthia A. Cook, John W. Collins, A. B. Dunham, Nancy Dunham, Mary Gillaspy, Cath- erine A. Linton, J. W. Linton, Noah F. Linton, Charles M. Linton, Nancy Mathews, Sarah E. McFaddin, Cornelius McFaddin, T. J. McMurry, Christina McMurry, Lethana McMurry, Mary McMurry, Sophia Jacobs, P. C. Jacobs, Sarah J. Slack, Rebecca A. Smyser, Sarah J. Smyser, Amelia Smyser, Mary E. Smyser, James Shoe- maker, Susan Shoemaker, J. F. Wheaton, Lucinda Wheaton, James Work, Margaret Work and W. W. Wilkerson. The present membership is seventy; the house of worship, a neat frame building, was erected in 1870. The following ministers have had charge of
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the church: Elder J. C. Miller, J. M. Tilford, A. E. Elmore, Shutts, - - Brinkerhoff, Elijah White, W. I. Young, H. Tritt and W. H. Ilarrison.
Samaria .- The Christian Church at Samaria, was organized several years ago, and for some time met for worship in a store building, which had been fitted up for church purposes by the Christians, Methodists and Baptists. In the fall of 1887, a house for the especial use of the Christian congregation, was erected, since which time the church has grown and prospered. There is a good membership at this time, ministered to at stated intervals, by Elder J. C. Miller. There is a congregation of the Christian Church at the village of Needham, where a neat and substantial temple of worship was erected several years ago. The society, although weak numerically, has accomplished a good work in the com- munity, and bids fair to become a flourishing organization at no distant day. The membership at this time is small, and no regular pastorate is sustained. There is also a flourishing Christian Church in Blue River Township, a few miles from Edinburg, which has a large membership. The house of worship is a commodious frame structure, and the society has been a potent factor for good in the community.
Union Village .- The Church of Christ, at Union village, was organized at the residence of Wesley Deer, as early as the year IS34. The following were early members: Wesley Deer and wife, Samuel Park and wife, George Byers and wife, John Harris and wife, Cornelius Luyster and wife, John Garshwiler and wife, and others. Elder Thomas Jones was among the first preachers, and the permanency of the organization is largely due to his untiring efforts. Soon after the church was organized, a house of worship (log) was erected on the land of John Mullendore, on Section 14, but as no deed for the property was obtained, a subsequent owner of the land refused the congregation the use of the building. Later, a frame building was erected on the farm of Wesley Deer, which after being used for some time, was burned, the fire supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. It was replaced by another frame structure, which was also destroyed by fire during the late Civil War. The present temple of worship at Union village was built soon after the war, and is a very neat and commodious edifice. The church has grown and prospered, numbering at this time about 250 communicants.
Bluff Creck Christian Church ( White River Township) .- This society was organized a number of years ago, as early, perhaps, as I834 or 1835, in a Baptist Church that stood near the village of Far West. The Baptist society had been in existence for some years,
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