USA > Indiana > Knox County > History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present; with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. ; together with an extended history of the colonial days of Vincennes, and its progress down to the formation of the state government > Part 65
USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present; with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. ; together with an extended history of the colonial days of Vincennes, and its progress down to the formation of the state government > Part 65
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ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
Daviess County has a large Roman Catholic population. The finest churches, the largest congregations and the only private schools belong to the Catholics. We shall treat of these congre- gations in detail. The Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington, is the youngest of Daviess County's Catholic so- cieties. For several years previous to 1870 it was evident that, for the good and convenience of the German Catholics of Wash- ington, a church building, in which German services could be held, was necessary, but it was not until the year mentioned that any definite steps were taken. In 1870 forty German families determined on building a church for German Catholics exclusively. Preparations were at once made to begin the erection of a church building. In January of 1872 the society was formally organ- ized by Rev. John P. Sassel. His first work was to start a Ger- man school, and the wisdom of his course was apparent. The church building was begun in the spring, and the corner-stone was laid in August. December following the building, although unfinished, was used for church services. It was completed at a cost of $13,000, and is an imposing brick building, situated at
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the corner of West Second and Van Trees Streets. Father Sas- sel labored with heroic self-denial for the good of the little con- gregation until his death, which occurred on the 10th of August, 1879. To its first pastor this church owes its prosperity. He was devoted to his work, and the privations he endured in the prosecution of his labors probably were the means of bringing about his early death. Father Sassel was succeeded by the pres- ent pastor, Rev. L. M. Burkhardt, who was called to the charge in September, 1879. The society now owns, besides the church edifice, a two-story brick school building, that was erected in 1881 at a cost of $4,000, and a handsome rectory, which cost $3,000, and was built in 1885. The schools are conducted by the Sisters of Providence, and have an enrollment of 140. The church has a membership of 110 families, and is in a highly prosperous condition. St. Simon's Catholic Church, in Washington, is one of the strongest religious societies in this part of the State, and owns considerable valuable church property. It has a member- ship of some 200 families, and is prosperous to a very flattering degree. It owns two large brick school buildings, one for boys and a day and boarding school for girls, and a commodious hall, . which is used for festivals, fairs, etc., but is now occupied as a church room, and will be so employed until the magnificent new church edifice, now in course of erection, is completed. The new building will be the finest church in the county. It will cost in the neighborhood of $25,000, and will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 1886. The foundation was laid during the fall of 1885.
When Bishop Flaget visited Washington, in 1819, he found a few Catholic families in the county. In 1821 Michael, James, Dennis and John Murphy, four brothers from Ireland, came to Washington, and one year later Francis X. Spink, from Kentucky, made the vicinity of Washington his home. These were among the very first Catholic families in the county. Spink then occasionally attended church at Vincennes. In June, 1829, Father Abell spent several days in Washington, preaching the Jubilee. In 1830, and for several years afterward, a few of the Catholic families attended church at St. Peter's, Montgomery. During this period mass was occasionally said at the residences of Judge Richard Clements, Thomas Brown and Francis Spink,
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
who were early members. Among other pioneer members were George Ballow and Patrick M. Brett. Rev. Simon P. Lalumiere was placed in charge of the little congregation in 1837, and one year from that time a substantial brick church was built. This building was used until last year, when its walls were torn down to make room for the new church. Father Lalumiere made frequent visits to New Orleans and Baltimore, soliciting aid for his church, and in each city he was successful. In 1840 twelve pews accommodated the entire congregation, but a few years later the building of the Wabash & Erie Canal brought an influx of Catholic families to the county, and since that time the society has prospered greatly. Among the pastors of St. Simon's since Father Lalumiere were Rev. Anthony Parrott, until 1844; Rev. H. Dupontavice, until 1847; Rev. John McDer- mott, until 1850; Rev. P. Highland, until 1855; Rev. J. B. Chasse, until 1866; Rev. John Gueguen, until 1874; Rev. Hugh Peythieu, until 1879. Rev. John W. Doyle is the present pas- tor. St. Mary's Catholic Church is situated in Barr Township, one-half mile west of the Martin County line, and a mile and a half north of the Ohio & Mississippi Railway. The first Cath- olic services in the vicinity of St. Mary's were held in the house of Nathaniel Spaulding, in 1828, by Father Lalumiere. A few years later, about 1833, a small log church was erected and consecrated by Bishop Brute, who named it St. Mary's, the name it has proudly borne since that time. When the little log chapel was dedicated, according to Bishop Brute there were about 150 Catholic families in the neighborhood, most of whom were from Kentucky. The first resident pastor of St. Mary's was the Rev, Maurice De St. Palais, afterward bishop, who took charge of the congregation in 1836, and remained three years. During this period a new brick church was constructed, the log church being entirely too small to accommodate the rapidly growing congregation. Rev. John Gueguen became the pastor in 1839, and continued until 1848, when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. J. P. R. Murphy. Father Murphy also had charge of Mt. Pleasant, in Martin County, and built a church there. Rev. John Mougin resided at St. Mary's from 1858 to 1860, and was succeeded by Rev. J. Leblanc, who attended
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
the charge until 1873. Rev. G. M. Ginnsz came next, and was the pastor until 1875. He was followed by Revs. John W. Doyle, L. M. S. Burkhardt and Timothy O'Donahoe, who is the present pastor. Father Doyle made preparations for a new church building, and it was completed by Father O'Donahoe in 1881, at a cost of $9,000. The church is a handsome structure, 55x110 feet in size, one story in height. It is built of brick, and is well furnished. This church owns twenty-three acres of land, valued, exclusive of improvements, at $1,300, a frame school building, a frame church and brick pastoral residence, and has a membership of 600.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church is situated in Section 30, north- western part of Reeve Township. The Rev. Father Lalumiere secured ground near the place called Glendale at an early date. Rev. Julian Delaune succeeded Rev. Lalumiere, and erected a log church, which was a missionary church, and continued so until 1870. Revs. Dupontavice, Sorin and Dncaudrey had charge from 1840 to 1847. The Rev. Piers, pastor of St. Peter's, visited St. Patrick's as a missionary from 1847 to 1870, a period of twenty- three years, during which time he changed the location of the church in 1860, which at that time was in Harrison Township, but one and a half miles east, and built a brick church, where services are now held. Rev. William Doyle, who was the first resident minister, was appointed in 1870. In 1875 he built a pastoral residence. In 1880 Father Doyle resigned on account of ill health, and in August, 1883, died at St. Vincent Hospital, at Indianapolis, Ind. He was born twelve miles south of Pitts- burgh, Penn., in 1834. His parents settled in Indiana, and he en- tered the seminary at Vincennes in 1842. He was ordained by Bishop Bazin, December 18, 1842; was at St. Vincent, Shelby County, previous to his appointment at St. Patrick's. His fun- eral sermon was preached by Bishop Chatard, who delivered a masterly tribute to the illustrious dead, for he had long been on missions of Indiana, and possessed a great mind and memory. Rev. Father G. M. Ginnsz took charge January, 1881, and was the pastor till September, 1885, during which time he made the finishing repairs of the church and premises. In September, 1885, the Rev. Charles Curran was transferred from St. Martin's,
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
Martin County, to Patrick's, of which he is at present the pastor. St. Patrick's is among the oldest congregations of the county, and has prospered under its able and Christian pastors. During the early mission the congregation was but a families, and serv- ices were held in a small log church. Now they have a beauti- ful, large and substantial brick building, with a congregation of 125 families, or 600 souls, and is in a prosperous condition at present, having paid for their church and pastoral residence, which speaks well for the small but thriving and truly Christian congregation.
St. Peter's Church, at Montgomery, is an old and strong con- gregation. At present it numbers about 600 members, has a large, substantial brick church building that cost in 1869 about $8,000 to build, and a good, two-story brick schoolhouse that was com- pleted two years ago at a cost of $5,000. St. Peter's Church was organized about the year 1818, and was attended at that time by Rev. Anthony Blanc, later archbishop of New Orleans, who then resided at Vincennes. The church at that time was called Black Oak Ridge Church, and was a small log affair about a mile west of the place where Montgomery is now located. Bishop Flaget visited the place in 1829, and confirmed forty- seven persons. In 1834 Rev. Simon P. Lalumiere attended this church, and for about six years later the log church was aban- doned and a new brick building constructed, and called St. Peter's. The church was used until the one occupied at present was erected in Montgomery in 1869. Rev. Bartholomew Piers has been the pastor of St. Peter's Church continuously since 1847, he having been ordained that year by Bishop Bazin. For nearly forty years he has stood at the same post of duty, and every man, woman and child in the large and growing congre- gation has the highest reverence for the aged pastor. Among the predecessors of Father Piers were Revs. T. Courjault and L. Ducondray.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of . Washington was organ- ized in 1816. At that time the hamlet of Washington had a pop: ulation of less than seventy-five souls, and the few devoted fol-
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
lowers of John Wesley met in private houses to worship. Among the dwellings used for the purpose were those of Samuel Miller and Thomas Meredith. Rev. John Shrader had charge of the circuit that included Washington at that time. He preached here once each month. The society increased slowly but surely and added new names to its list of membership each year. Two members of the church in 1822, Robert Stephens and Mrs. Eliza- beth Meredith, are living at this writing, but both are aged and invalids. Another member of the society in 1822 was the late William Pratten, who was the class leader. The worship was con- ducted in private residences, and sometimes. in the schoolhouse or court house, until 1827, when a small brick church was erected at the corner of Hefron and First Streets. This building was only used two years, as on account of having been poorly con- structed, it had to be abandoned. The dwellings were again re- sorted to for eight years, when a lot at the corner of Third and Flora Streets, upon which stood a small dwelling, was purchased by Lewis Jones, John Fryer and William Bratten, who remodeled the dwelling and made it a church. It 1837 it was dedicated by Rev. John Wood. The membership of the church at that time was about 125. In 1858 the building now in use was erected under the direction of Rev. James F. McCann, and dedicated by Rev. Calvin Kingsley, afterward bishop. The building is frame and cost about $2,000. In addition to the church the society owns the parsonage adjoining. An effort is being made to erect a costly brick church, and it is probable that the work on it will be begun in a short time. Some notable revivals have taken place in this church, the largest of which was in 1863, at the time Rev. Stephen Bowers was pastor, and 200 conversions occurred. Following are the names of the ministers who have had charge of the church since its organization: Revs. John Shrader, James Slocum, James McCord, W. H. Smith, E. Ray, Miles Huffaker, E. P. Farmer, H. Vanderburg, J. Whiten, John Julien, J. Taylor, Isaac McElroy, Silas Rawson, J. R. Williams, Elijah Long, A. W. Striker, Daniel Cloud, Jacob Miller, D. Williamson, Stephen Ravenscroft, Nathan Schumate, John Talbott, Thomas Ray, L. Forbes, George W. Walker, M. W. Benton, T. Alexander, T. A. Whitted, James F. McCann, James M. Hamilton, H. B. Hibbon,
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
I. M. O'Fling, T. A. Long, Stephen Bowers, W. F. Harned, Daniel McIntire, Aaron Turner, Hayden Hayes, Francis Walk- er, John Walls, F. A. Friedley, J. H. Ketchum, W. McK. Hes- ter, John A. Ward, W. Underwood and T. C. Danks. The present membership is about 285, and the society is in a highly prosper- ous condition. The Sunday-school is flourishing, and is one of the largest and most influential in the county. The church pays its pastor $1,000 per year and the use of a dwelling house.
The Maysville Methodist Episcopal Church has been in exist- ence for thirty-five years. The large and commodious church building at present in use was erected in the spring of 1851, under the direction of Rev. John W. Julien, pastor, and is worth about $1,000. It has a neat parsonage in connection with it. This society owes much to its first pastor, the Rev. Mr. Julien, who is yet living, a superannuated member of the Indiana Con- ference. The laymen who aided in the construction of the Mays- ville Church Building were Solomon Thomas, William Thomas, Wiley Wright, Solomon Frank, Joseph Lyndall, John Bachelor, W. T. Ballow, J. H. Wright and Thomas A. Long, all of whom have gone to claim their eternal reward except the last two named. The pastors of this church since its organization have been Revs. J. W. Julien, Daniel Cloud, A. W. Stryker, M. W. Benton, Amasa Joselin, G. W. Walker, T. A. Whitted, Thomas Alexander, J. F. McCann, J. B. Hamilton, S. W. McNaughton, N. J. Bell, Levi Johnson, W. W. Puett, R. B. Martin, J. H. Les- ter, T. H. Willis, J. M. Baxter, David Swartz, J. W. Kinkaid, R. A. Kemp and Elias Gaskins. There are at present 100 members. The Sunday-school has been in working order since 1865, and is in a highly prosperous condition.
Morris Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church is situated on the Bedford road, in Barr Township, six miles from Washington. The building is a frame one, and was erected in 1870 at a cost of about $1,000. It was first called Shiloh, but the name was after- ward changed to Morris Chapel, because of the existence of a church called Shiloh in Van Buren Township. The minister who dedicated the church was Rev. John J. Haight. Among the original members were Reuben Bennington, Samuel Carpenter, Col. Sparks, and John Honey. John Everett was the first class
46
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
leader. This society belongs to the Loogootee Circuit. It is not prosperous, and only occasional services are held here. The usual summer Sunday-school of the country churches is kept up.
A Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at Elnora, in Elmore Township, a few years ago by Joseph Kinnaman, William Myers, and others, and a church building was put up that year. Just about the time the building was completed it was burned by an incendiary, and this unfortunate circumstance left the society in desperate straits. However, an effort is being made to build a new church.
Fifty years ago a society of Methodists was organized in the neighborhood of Epsom, in Bogard Township. The organization was effected by Revs. Miller and David Williamson, and among the members were George Tomey, Jacob Groves, Peggy Groves, Joseph Myers, Pauline Myers and Charles Groves. A log church was built in 1847, and called Talbert's Chapel. In 1870 the old log church was abandoned and a frame one constructed at a cost of $1,200, which still stands. It is located about one mile south of Epsom. The church was named in honor of the first minister who attended it-Rev. John Talbert. It is one of the oldest church societies in the township, and many pleasant memories of the pioneer Methodists cluster around the hallowed spot. The membership at present numbers about sixty. In the summer a Sunday-school is kept up.
Pleasant Union Methodist Episcopal Church, which adjoins the farm of William Fulbright Myers, in Bogard Township, one and a half miles east of Epsom, was originally organized in 1836, under the direction of Rev. James Williams. This organization was effected by the consolidation of the Widow McGinnis and Johnny Doherty classes, and a log church was built. In 1862 the log church was supplanted by a frame structure that cost $800, and is yet standing. Among the early members of this church were John Groves and wife, Isabel Smith, Betsy Gabbett, John Hinkle and wife. At present the society is weak, the mem- bership being only about forty.
Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal Church is situated in Bogard Township, two miles northeast of Cornettsville. It is a log church, and has been built thirty years. It has now about
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
seventy-five members, and a summer Sunday-school. Among the pioneer members of this church were Benjamin James, Jack Bray and family, Jeff and Mack Carroll, and Daniel Slinkard.
The Odon Methodist Episcopal Church was originally organ- ized in 1858, by Jesse Trueblood (who was the first officer of the church), Charles Correll and wife, Howard Crooke and wife, Roe Crooke and wife and others. The first minister was Hayden Hayes. At that time the presiding elder was Rev. H. Woody. The society did not put up a church building until 1881, when a commodious frame structure was completed at a cost of $1,700. The minister in charge at the time the church was built was Rev. J. W. Payne. The present resident minister is Rev. George W. Culmer. The membership numbers about eighty. The Sun- day-school has an enrollment of 127, and is highly prosperous. Goodhope Methodist Episcopal Church, one mile north of Odon, was built in 1860 at a cost of $1,400. It is a frame building. The society is not so strong at present as in former years, many of its members leaving it to join the Methodist Episcopal Church of Odon. Among the prominent members of the Good- hope Church have been John, Jacob and Andy Shaffer and William Boyd, and their families. Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church, three miles northeast of Odon in Madison Township, is the old stronghold of Methodism in the northeast- ern part of Daviess County. A society was organized there in 1845, and a log church was built, the first Methodist Episcopal Church in this part of the county. About twelve years ago & new church building was put up at the site of the old Wesley Chapel. It cost about $1,200. Among the early members of Wesley Chapel were Susan Webster, Solomon York, Joseph Summers and wife, Emsley Odell and wife, William Odell and wife and others. The society is in a prosperous condition, and has a membership of about 100. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Raglesville was first organized in 1837, or 1838, by Ozias Crooke and wife, Nancy Wadsworth, Peter Ragle and wife, Sylvanus Lee and others. The first minister was Rev. John McElroy, and after him were Revs. James Forbes, Joseph Williams, Thomas Ryan and others. Among the prominent members of the present day are Rev. Thomas Wadsworth,
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
Jesse Trueblood, Peter Wadsworth, Peter Ragle, James Myers and wife and Dr. William P. Hobbs. A church building was put up at Raglesville in 1852. This building burned in 1871, and the following year a new house was erected at a cost of $1,200. This church has eighty members. A Sunday-school is conducted in it during the summer months.
Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church was organized about 1861, and shortly after a church building was put up a short dis- tance west of Cornettsville in Bogard Township. This building is a frame, and is valued at about $800. The society is in a tolerably prosperous condition. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Glendale has been in existence since 1859, the organization having been effected by Retta, John and William Clark, Harri- son and Freelove Bivens, Mary Webber (nee Gregory), and oth-
ers. The class has never been very large, and now numbers some twenty-five members. This church does not own a build- ing, but holds an indefinite lease on the lower story of the Odd Fellows' building. The Odd Fellows do not charge the church any rent for the building. This is in the Maysville Circuit.
Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church, which is located two and one-half miles south west of Glendale, in Harrison Township, was organized more than forty-five years ago, and among the early members were Thomas, William, Frank and John Bald- win, Henry Stone, who was a local preacher, Priscilla Stone, Randolph Delk, William Wallace, John T. Everett, another lo- cal preacher, and his wife, Elizabeth Everett. About 1841, or 1842, a log church was built, which did duty until 1878, when a new frame church building was erected at a cost of $1,200. This has always been a prosperous society, and now has a mem- bership of about sixty. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Hud- sonville, Harrison Township, has a membership of about eighty, and is very prosperous. The society was organized about 1851, by John and David Jackson, William Wratten, William Wilson, George W. Glover, William Woods, Dr. John S. Mitchell, Thomas Coleman, John Ragsdale and others. A log church was built and used until 1875, when a new frame building was erected at a cost of $1,000, and the old church sold to the Christian con- gregation for $25.
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Alfordsville has been built some six years, and it cost about $700. The society was organ- ized about 1865, but prior to the building of the new church, services were held in the Sugar Creek Union Church. Among the early members of the church were the Jackman family and Joseph Kelsey. This church now has sixty members, a Sunday- school, and a parsonage worth about $600.
During the war a Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at High Rock, in Reeve Township, and called Mount Zion. Among the early members were Capt. Sam Slicer, Fleming Ballow, 'Squire Ballow and Thomas Scales. A frame church was built and oc- cupied until 1881, when a new building was erected, costing $600. The present membership of this church is about forty.
BAPTIST CONGREGATIONS.
The First Baptist Church of Washington is forty-six years old, its organization having been effected in 1840. The society is in a good financial condition; is out of debt, has a handsome bal- ance in the treasury, owns a $4,000 church building that was put up in 1860, on Walnut Street, in a fashionable part of the city. The church membership is 150. The meeting for the organiza- tion of the society was held February 4, 1840, in the old Presby- terian Church. The council was composed of Elders William Reese and John Graham, and four members of the Veal Creek Church. The first named was appointed moderator, and James Johnson was elected clerk. The Articles of Faith, which are printed below, have the following names attached: William Stan- sil, Celia Stansil, W. G. Cole, Margaret Cole, Reason W. Brand, Frances Brand, John Brand, Mary S. Clapp, Louisa McDonald and Eunice W. Packhard:
ARTICLES OF FAITH OF WASHINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH.
We whose names are annexed, having given ourselves to the Lord, and be- lieving it to be the bounden duty of all those who hope for salvation through Christ to make a public profession of His name, do voluntarily agree to unite and live in peace together, under the following Articles of Faith, to wit:
ARTICLE 1 .- We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are of divine authority, and the only rule of faith and practice.
ART. 2 .- We believe that there is one God, the Creator of all things that exist, who is infinite in all His perfections.
ART. 3 .- We believe that there is a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and a unity in God, but how distinct and how one is to us unknown.
ART. 4 .- We believe that God created man upright, and his will, though
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
mutable, set only to good, but by his transgression of the divine command his affections became corrupt and his will averse to holiness, and in this situation are all his natural posterity.
ART. 5 .- We believe that according to the determinate council of God, and in order to fulfill the conditions of the Covenant of Grace, the Son of God took on Himself humanity, honored by His presence this earth, which had been defiled by sin, and hy the sacrifice of Himself which He offered on Mount Calvary, made full atonement to the divine government for all that shall reign with Him in glory.
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