USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana, and its townships, towns and cities > Part 33
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LA PORTE CIRCUIT THE SECOND.
This circuit embraces Salem, Bald Hill, Summit and Coolspring churches; the latter however belongs to our Congregational brethren though occupied by us as a place of worship.
This circuit was organized in the Fall of 1859, John Leach as pastor. A good revival of religion attended the labors of Mr. Leach, and the society was so strengthened at Bald Hill, that they erected the chapel at that point. It is one of our best country churches, though the membership has been very much reduced by deaths and removals. Mr. Leach was succeeded in 1860, by B. H. Bradbury, who remained two years. He was succeeded in 1862-3 by N. Green: 1864. J. HI. Holloway; 1865. E. Holdstock ;. 1866-7 and 8, by M. Stolz. During his pastorate which was very successful, the church at Summit was built. It is a neat little brick house tastefully finished. In 1869, '70 and '71, J. H. Cissel was pastor. He was followed in 1872-3 by T. C. Hackney : 1874-5, A. B. Bruner. the present pastor.
DOOR VILLAGE CIRCUIT.
In the absence of official documents, we will assume that Union circuit was divided in 1856, and the east end was called Dormain circuit: W. Graham, presiding elder: J. W. Green, preacher. It contained Stilwell, Roselle, Marshall Grove, Dormain, and South America classes. I cannot inform the reader where the latter class was located, but I presume it was on the north end of this conti- nent, and somewhere in La Porte county. In 1857, this territory was called Door Village circuit, and W. S. Harker was sent as the preacher, who was returned the next year with B. Winans, presi-
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
ding elder. In 1859, the circuit was placed in Plymouth district, J. Johnson. presiding elder: F. Cox, preacher. In 1860, same preachers. In 1861, B. Winans was again presiding elder; J. C. Mahin. preacher. In 1862, same presiding elder; B. H. Brad- bury, preacher. In 1863. S. T. Cooper, presiding elder; B. H. Bradbury, preacher. Mr. Cooper remained on the district four years. In 1864, S. J. Kahler, preacher. In 1865, W. Hamilton, preacher. In 1866, J. Johnson, presiding elder; J. H. Cissel.
pastor. In 1867. D. A. Grimes was appointed to the circuit. In 1868. Thos. E. Webb. In 1869-70, T. C. Hackney was pastor. In 1871-2, L. Nebeker, presiding elder: R. H. Sanders, preacher. who remained on the circuit three years. In 1873, G. M. Boyd. presiding elder. In 1874, sone presiding elder and preacher. In 1875. same elder. with F. Mikels. pastor. During the adminis- tration of Rev. T. C. Hackney the church was refitted and beauti- fied in a very tasteful manner. During the second year of R. H. Sanders' term of service, the church at New Durham was also very nicely improved and refitted.
MICHIGAN CITY.
From the commencement of this city. the Methodist Episcopal church held service there. In the sale of lots, Major I. C. Elston, of Crawfordsville. the proprietor. reserved and donated two lots for. the use of the church.
In. or about the year 1838, the friends under the lead of Mr. Porterfield Harrison and others, erected a small frame church on the site donated. This served the society for several years, but the encroachment of the sand which threatened to bury the house, ren- dered it an unpropitious place for a church. and the members aided by their friends, purchased the lot and built the present house of worship, and secured a parsonage also. I am not sure as to the year this was done, but I believe Rev. W. Copp. or Capt. Copp, "the fighting parson," as he was called during the rebellion, was the preacher at the time.
For the want of necessary means of information, I cannot trace the appointments at Michigan City from the time it was last disconnected from the circuit; but in 1853, as per conference min- utes, B. Winans was pastor. In 1854-5. J. G. Osborn : 1856, N.
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CHURCH RECORD.
L. Brakeman : 1857, J. W. Green; 1858, H. Smith; 1859-60, W. Copp; 1861-2, L. C. Buckles; 1863, A. C. Cunningham ; 1864-5, J. L. Boyd; 1866-7, A. Wood; 1868-9-'70, Thos. Meredith ; 1871-2, N. L. Brakeman: 1873, R. D. Utter; 1874-5, J. H. Claypool.
UNION MILLS CIRCUIT.
This circuit as such was formed in 1873, and G. R. Streeter was sent as preacher. It embraced the vicinity of Union Mills, Hanna Station and Clinton chapel; but at the end of the year Union Mills was re-connected with Door Village circuit and Clinton chapel, to Westville. In 1875, the brethren having erected a very neat little church at Union Mills, a new circuit was formed and the present pastor, J. B. Smith, was sent. The year opened very pleasantly by the dedication of the Church, by Rev. J. H. Hall of Battle Ground. This circuit now embraces Union Mills, Hanna Station, Morgan Station and Wanatah.
WESTVILLE CIRCUIT.
In 1843, the first house of worship was built in this place by our people. It was served for several years by the preachers from Union circuit, but in 1857 it was organized as a circuit-F. Taylor, pas- tor. 1858, J. Johnson: 1859-60, Thos. Bartlett. This last year Clinton chapel was built. 1861, S. T. Cooper: 1862, J. E. New- house; 1863-4-5, M. L. Green : 1866-7, C. B. Mock; 1868, it was made a station, and J. H. Claypool served as pastor for three suc- cessive years. 1871, R. H. Sanders: 1872-3. J. Johnson ; 1874-5. W. P. Mckinsey.
In 1860, by the munificent will of Mr. West, some five thousand dollars were bequeathed to the church in Westville for the erection of a new church, and by the subscription of the friends in addition to this. the present comfortable church was erected, and a good congregation and sabbath school meet there every Sunday.
From the commencement of the operation of the church in the county, the question of Sunday schools and Sunday school inter- ests have been prominent in her operations. It has been the advice in our discipline, and to a great extent our practice, wherever we could collect ten children together in a neighborhood there to organ- ize them into a school. In many places we have not been able to
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
do this, but have acted in conjunction with other churches. and members of no church.
There are now in the county fifteen Methodist schools, with two hundred and fourteen officers and teachers. and one thousand four hundred and eighty-two scholars. The expenses for these schools for '74, was 8497.74.
We have 1,018 members in the county : thirteen churches with probable valne. $56.700: six parsonages, valued at $9.750.
The local preachers in the county are. Levi Moore. J. G. Me- Casky. James Waxham and A. Cowgill.
In connection with the Methodist church in La Porte county. there should be mentioned also, the German Methodist Episcopal church at La Porte, whose commodious church edifice stands on the corner of Clay and Harrison streets. The church is a plain and neat frame structure. Over the entrance door are the words in German, "The Lord is in his holy Temple." The congregation is German. and the services are conducted in that language. Ever since the organization they have received the faithful ministrations of devoted pastors, changing frequently in accordance with the Methodist practice. Rev. Wm. Keller is now the pastor.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first Baptist church in La Porte county was organized in the vear 1834, an i was the fruit of the labors of Rev. Phineas Colver, of Washington county. New York. It was located on Stillwell prairie. Elder Colver had come to this county to visit relatives in the year 1833. and while here commenced preaching in the neigh- borhood. and gathered together a considerable congregation. IIe left the same year, intending to return. but died before he reached his eastern home. This was known at the time and for a few years afterwards as the La Porte Baptist church. and is so called in the minutes of the Northern Indiana Baptist Association. After the organization of the church at the village of La Porte. the former became known as Kingsbury Baptist church; Rev. T. Spaulding was the first pastor. The church at La Porte was the fourth in the order of organization, being preceded by the church at Kingsbury, one at Rolling Prairie, organized in 1836; and one at Michigan City organized in 1837. the last of which soon ceased to exist.
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CHURCH RECORD.
It seems that the early church records of the La Porte organiza- tion were destroyed and there is consequently some uncertainty attending the date of its organization, but it occurred probably in 1838. At any rate it was prior to the meeting of the Association in 1839. The organization took place in the brick church edifice, then owned by the Methodists, which was situated on the lot now occupied by the residence of Dr. Teegarden. The arrival of Elder Benjamin Sawin in La Porte in 1838, is an event worthy of note in the history of this church. Soon after the arrival of himself and family, he opened his house for prayer meetings. It was the sickly year, and very many were inclined to seek the consolations of the Christian faith. "Good Father Sawin," as he was afterwards for many years affectionately called began to preach in La Porte and the surrounding country ; and just previous to the organization of the church at La Porte. he was called to preside over the mother church at Kingsbury. The new organization was composed largely of those who were dismissed from the Kingsbury society for the purpose : and for a time it had no regular pastor. Rev. Mr. Bowles of Connecticut, preached for a time, but did not become the pastor in consequence of his wife's desire to return to the East. Preaching was. however. secured with considerable regularity. though not always by preachers of the Baptist denomination. Among others who preached occasionally for this new society was the Reverend, or better known now, as Judge, Wm. Andrew.
The Northern Indiana Association met at Rolling Prairie in June, 1835. and Elder Sawin was chosen moderator. When the invitation was given for the reception of churches, several were presented, among them being that at La Porte. The delegates were I. H. Evans, G. Sawin, O. Mix, Samuel Gregory, and Elnath- an Gregory. The membership of the church was thirty. At the close of this associational meeting, two of the preachers in attend- ance, Rev. Chas. Harding, formerly of Goshen, and Rev. Mr. Ford, of Middlebury began preaching in La Porte and the country around. Their meetings were largely attended, and resulted in a general spiritual revival. In a supplemental note to the minutes of the association for the year are the following words: " A glorious revi- val has commenced at LaPorte, since the sitting of the Association,
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
which is spreading into all the country around. Over a hundred have been hopefully converted to God. The revival has extended eastward to Rolling Prairie." The reports at the next meeting of the association showed the most favorable results from these meet- ings. The membership of Rolling Prairie church was increased from twenty-one to fifty-five: Kingsbury from forty to seventy La Porte from thirty to ninety-one, and a new church just organized at Door Village was reported. with a membership of one hundred and ten. In the same year Elder Chas. Harding was selected as the pastor of the LaPorte church, the first who occupied that position. For the purpose of laboring as home missionary, he resigned in the second year of his pastorate. He died in 1843 and the association placed on record the following resolution : "That we have heard with deep regret of the death of our much-esteemed brother. Elder Chas. Harding, once a missionary of this association. The cause of truth has in him lost an earnest advocate. and the church a faith- ful minister.'
Rev. Silas Tucker became the next pastor of this church in 1840. and entered upon his duties in the month of December. He had sisters living in the county, and while visiting them, had preached here with so much acceptance that it resulted in his settlement as the second stated minister of the church. Soon after his arrival. a small building which stood on the north-west corner of Jackson and North Main streets, belonging to the Disciple society, was pur- chased by the Baptists, enlarged to double its former size, and was used for many years as the house of worship of the Baptist denom- ination- The ministry of Elder Tucker extended over a period of about four and a half years, during which time over one hundred were received into the church by immersion, and the whole number of members was increased to one hundred and ninety-five. The resignation of Elder Tucker being attributed to the action of some of the members, considerable dissatisfaction was produced. and thirty-two asked for letters of dismission in consequence.
For a time, the church was destitute of a pastor: but the one man to whom this society never looked in vain. Father Sawin, preached two Sabbaths in each month. Elder Tucker became pas- tor of the church at Racine, Wisconsin, and at his request. Rev.
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CHURCH RECORD.
E. W. Hamlin, of Chicago, visited La Porte, and was soon after- wards, in 1846, settled as pastor of the church. He continued his labors here through the year 1847, and then resigned, as is said for the same reasons which induced the resignation of Elder Tucker. Good Father Sawin again supplied the pulpit temporarily.
In the year 1849, Rev. Morgan Edwards, who was known as "the sailor preacher," united by letter with this church. The church was not at this time prosperous. By exclusions and dismissions, the number of the membership had been reduced from two hundred and seven to one hundred and twenty-four. Elder Edwards became pastor in June. and his labors as such ceased in Oct. of the same year. His religious labors, however, continued in different parts of the country, in Ohio, Michigan, &c., his home and family remaining in LaPorte. Not being engaged the entire year in holding "protracted meet- ings," he was desirous of becoming pastor during the months in which he was not so engaged. Rev. R. H. Cook had been called as pastor, had accepted, and begun his work, which was contrary to the private wishes of Elder Edwards, and he brought to bear such influences that Elder Cook was induced to resign the pastorate, and did so July 12th, 1851. It would seem that in the matter of his course in the church here, he was blameless. He died very sudden- ly in the Spring of 1874. From the time of Elder Cook's resigna- tion until February, 1852. the church was temporarily supplied by different preachers, chiefly by Father Sawin, Elder Alexander Hastings, and Eider John Benny. At this time Elder Morgan Edwards was again called to the pastorate. His ministry was very irregular: and on the eighth day of May, 1862, the church book contains the following entry :
" Resolved that we invite Elder Chandler to visit us with a view of becoming pastor after the labors of Elder Edwards shall cease."
Mr. Chandler's connection with this church proved to be an event of much prominence; and from a statement written by Rev. John Benny, we take the following: "The rail road was finished from the East only to La Porte at that time, and passengers halted for the night on their way east, while those journying west stopped at Michigan City, being conveyed there from La Porte; and by the return of the same carriages, the eastward bound passengers were
-
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
brought here, so as to prosecute their further journey by rail. Our hotel accommodations were at times unequal to the demands made upon them. Mr. Chandler arrived from the west at this time, and not liking the crowded condition of the La Porte House. inquired for accommodations at a private house for the night, and was di- rected to Mr. Griffin Treadway's who had kept the largest hotel in the place on the corner where the Merrill House now stands. Mr. Chandler dressed with white cravat. and had the appearance of an eastern clergyman. He was welcomed by Mr. Treadway, and asked if he were not a preacher, and further if he belonged to the Baptists. The answer was in the affirmative. Mr. Treadway then asked if he could stay and preach a few weeks for the church, while Elder Edwards went off to hold some meetings. Mr. Chandler replied that he could do so, if agreeable to Bro. Edwards and the church. And thus, without knowing anything of the man, of his ministerial standing or previous history, he took the place of the pastor, which he occupied for three weeks. This was in the early Fall of 1851. Bro. Treadway, himself a Kentuckian, took much interest in the man whom he called "the Yankee preacher," going to the stores, and inviting people to hear the 'smart Yankee.' The result was that the little meeting house was well filled during the three weeks in which Mr. C. filled the pulpit."
There was a strong disposition manifested to call Mr. Chandler to the pastorate, but there was one member who opposed it on the ground that the doctrinal views of the new preacher were not those of the Baptist denomination. He was overruled, and Rev. S. C. Chandler became the pastor in 1852. He began his regular preach- ing in November, and displayed a great deal of ability ; but it became generally evident that his views of Christian doctrine did not accord with the orthodox faith as held by the Baptist denomin- ation. He pushed his own views by degrees, which appeared to be those of the Adventists. He held to the belief in the sleep of all the dead until the resurrection, including the whole man whose spirit is incapable of existence apart from the body. He denied the existence of a personal Holy Spirit, and of a personal Satan. and there were other points of his doctrines that to the orthodox were extremely heterodox. As was to be expected, his course
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CHURCH RECORD.
aroused strong opposition to his being allowed to preach any longer as the pastor of the Baptist church, and on the 12th day of Feby., 1853. it was resolved that he should not occupy the Baptist pulpit, after the following day. for which his appointments had been pub- lished. But his views were assented to by several members of the church, and they rented for him a hall in Allen's block, where he continued preaching for a time, when on the last Sabbath in the year 1853, he announced in the hall in the morning that he would preach in the church that afternoon. A boy was let in through a window: he unbolted the doors; the bell was rung, and Mr. Chand- ler preached, advocating the doctrines which he and his followers had espoused. The next regular church meeting was held Janu- ary 7. 1854. The venerable Elder Alexander Hastings was invited to occupy the chair, and by resolution unanimously adopted, six of the most prominent of those who had embraced Chandler's views, were excluded from the fellowship of the church. Among those thus excluded was Elder Leland, who had been pastor of the Bap- tist church at Door Village.
In May, 1854, Rev. Gibbon Williams visited the church at La- Porte. and accepted a call tendered him to become pastor. He was a man of large experience, had been many years pastor of churches in the States of Maine and New York, but had lately been in the book trade at Indianapolis. He established a book store here, ostensibly for his son, but it took so much of his own time and attention, that inasmuch as the church needed a pastor as well as a preacher, he retired at the expiration of six months. The associa- tion met in 1855 at Valparaiso, and this church was reported with- out a pastor and that the total membership had declined to fifty-five. It was supplied for a few weeks by Elders Snyder and Hastings. In the Fall a member of the church, W. D. Wright, who had joined by letter from New York, was invited to occupy the pulpit, although not ordained as a preacher. A council was called for his ordina- tion, which was effected, and soon afterwards he received and ac- cepted a call from the church at Rolling Prairie. During this year thirty-four were added to the church, and the prospects of future prosperity and usefulness became brighter.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
On the 12th of April, 1857, Rev. J. L. McCloud commenced a successful pastorate; and the following year the report made to the association showed that fifty-four had been added to the member- ship. At this time the late venerable Oliver Wescott was the clerk of the church. During 1858. the church was occupied in building the edifice in which they now worship, and which was dedicated in the Fall of that vear. Elder McCloud preaching the dedication dis- course. He resigned the charge of the church in October, 1860, after three years and a half of devoted and able service.
In the year 1859, on the 6th day of April, good Father Sawin, who had been so intimately identified with the interests of the La- Porte church in all its history, was called from his labor on earth to his rest in Heaven. Between him and his fellow-laborer. Rev. Father Hastings, there had been an agreement that the latest survi- vor of the two should preach the funeral discourse of the one who was first to go. Accordingly, his aged brother preached the sermon at his funeral from the words selected by the departed; "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Elder Hastings lived after this something more than three years, when he too passed away.
Early in 1861, Rev. Henry Smith, who had been pastor of the Baptist church at Valparaiso, and then at Greensburg, took charge of this church as its pastor, and the next report to the association showed a still further increase of membership, which then numbered one hundred and seventy-seven. Elder Smith resigned in August, 1863, having been invited by Col. I. C. B. Suman to become Chaplain of the Ninth regiment of Indiana Volunteers, which posi- tion he accepted. and departed at once for his new field of labor.
The last pastor of the church, and the present one, is Rev. J. P. Ash. He entered upon his work here in the month of April. 1864, having now nearly completed twelve years in his pastorate. His has been a ministry of eminent success and usefulness. Elder Ash is a man of great industry, laboring untiringly in the Master's cause. Besides preaching in his own church, morning and evening on Sunday, and superintending his Sabbath school, which is always in a flourishing condition, he preaches every Sabbath to the church at Door Village.
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CHURCH RECORD.
Concerning the Baptist church at Kingsbury, whose organization has been noticed, it may be added that after the death in 1837 of Elder T. Spaulding, who was its first pastor, Elder Benj. Sawin became pastor, dividing his labors between this and some other churches. Among the ministers who have at different times preach- ed to this church have been Elders Barns, Whitehead, Maxwell and Mills. In 1837, it bad a membership of seventy. Of this number some were dismissed to aid in the formation of the La Porte and Door Village churches; some withdrew under the Second Advent influence, and at the last report the membership mustered but twenty-cight. In 1874 Rev. R. P. Stephenson was pastor who has been succeeded by Rev. I. W. Read.
The Rolling Prairie Baptist church was organized in 1836. Elder Alexander Hastings was the first pastor, and labored for the church at different times during many years. Their first report to the association showed a membership of twenty-three. In 1862 they had one hundred and eighty-nine, which number is now somewhat diminished. Some of the ministers who have preached to this church have been Elders Sawin, Edwards, Whitehead, P. H. Evans, and a son of the first pastor, Rev. W. S. Hastings, who is now preaching there.
The church at Door Village united with the association in 1840, reporting a membership of 110, the number being now much less than that. Among others who have preached here, are Elders Sawin, Hastings, Maxwell, Brayton, Post, Fletcher and Ash.
The Baptist church at Westville was gathered and organized chiefly by the exertions of Elder J. M. Whitehead, who afterwards was appointed Chaplain of the Fifteenth Indiana Volunteers, and resigned the pastorate. Since that time the church has not been prosperous. In 1857, the number of the membership was sixty-one, which was rapidly increased, reaching one hundred and sixty-six in 1861, yet although a good house of worship was erected, the mem- bership in 1874 numbered but nine. Since then Rev. J. C. Read has preached there, regular services are held, the number of the members has increased, and the prospect is more encouraging than it has been for several years past.
The African Baptist church of La Porte joined the association in
27
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
1871. They have a membership of about twenty. and own and occupy, holding regular Sabbath services. a neat frame chapel, situated in the west end of the city. The pastor is Rev. Henry Gregory.
The Baptist denomination has had several other preaching places in the county. in some of which there have been temporary church organizations, but without houses of worship. The work of the denomination is now confined to the six places named.
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