USA > Indiana > Orange County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 63
USA > Indiana > Washington County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 63
USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 63
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THE CHURCHES OF CHAMBERSBURG.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Chambersburg was organized during the early part of the decade of the forties, and for ten or twelve
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years met in private dwellings and in schoolhouses. Then a frame church was built largely from the donations of outsiders and other denom- inations, which building is yet standing and used. Among the early members were Daniel Robbins, Jane Robbins, and several of their chil- dren, Alexander Kearby, Joel Kearby, Edward Kearby, and others of the Kearbys to the number of half a dozen or more, Robert Paschal, Mary Paschal, John G. Cadle and family, Milton Hobson, Hiram T. Lindley, Mrs. Caroline Baker, several of the Boyd families, Mary Stewart and others. At times the society has been on the point of dissolution, and at other times has been quite strong and prosperous. It has usually been supplied with ministers from Paoli and elsewhere. At present it is weak and meets irregularly.
The United Brethren Church of Chambersburg was not organized until after the Methodist had been in good working order for several years. The Methodists really had an organization in the country near Chambersburg for a number of years before their removal to that village, and after the removal did not erect a church until about 1856. The United Brethren formed a society about 1851-52, and for some time, also, occupied the schoolhouse alternately with the Methodists. About the year 1858-59 they were strong enough with the help of the Methodists and other denominations and outsiders to build a frame church of their own, at a cost of about $800. This building is still used by the society. It is said that the founder of this church was the Rev. Linus Chittenden. Among the early members were Solomon Danner and family, Joseph Cox and family, William Gray and family, and others; and a little later were Joseph Moore, Elijah Purkhiser, J. T. Wolf, R. S. Dillinger and others. The society has at no time been very strong numerically, though at times it has been prosperous. For several years the two denomina- tions, Methodists and United Brethren, have conducted a Union Sunday. school in the town with much greater effect for good than either or both could alone.
CHURCHES AT ORLEANS.
Following close upon the earliest settlements in Orleans came the pioneer preachers, who were the "holy men of old," and dispensed the Gospel in all its original austerity. These early and advance ambassa- dors of God were, and always have been, noted for their earnest devotion to the cause in which they labored. It is said that as early as the year 1816, Bishop Roberts began preaching at Orleans, with all the zeal that characterized that eminent divine while working for the Master, and which earned for him a place among the foremost ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In those primitive times, there were no costly church edifices where the pious could worship in luxury, but as "the groves were God's first temples" and ever dedicated to His cause, the first meetings of the religious were held in their friendly shelter,
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unless the inclemency of the seasons drove the worshipers to some of the log dwellings that then studded the frontier. In this way religious meetings were held for about four years by Bishop Roberts, and under his lead was founded the Methodist Church at this place, and his efforts were crowned with success. A church building was erected, and the society grew and prospered. In 1850, a nice brick house was built at a cost of about $2,000, and besides this a parsonage is owned by the organization, valued at about $600. The first deed of property to the Methodist Church at Orleans, was Lot No. 273, in the town of Orleans, Francis Wood to Shadrach B. A. Carter, John Seare, Henry Redfield, Samuel Worrel, Joshua Brothers, Lewis Haller and John McCoy, "Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States," for $17.50. This was sometime very early in the twenties, and is the first deed of church property in the records of Orange County. The deed for the parsonage property was in 1837, from John B. Mayer and wife to David Bruner, John Holmes, Henry R. Williamson, Eleazer H. Taylor and Henry Lingle, Trustees to build a parsonage. This was for Lots Nos. 275, 276, 297, and 298, the church paying $100 therefor.
This church now has a membership of 140, and is at present under the charge of Rev. J. V. R. Miller as pastor. Here as elsewhere, the Methodist Church is energetic in maintaining a Sunday school. In this about eighty scholars are in regular attendance, and it is presided over by Mr. William C. R. Kemp as the Superintendent. When this society was organized in 1820, the following were among the principal mem- bera: John and Mary Sears, Henry R. and Catherine Williamson, S. B. A. and Margaret Carter, David and Jane Worrel, and four others, whose names have gone from the recollection, the records having been destroyed. The first church house was built in 1822, of logs, and was 30x36 feet in size. It was furnished with the old style high pulpit, whence the preacher looked out upon his congregation with a magisterial complacency, and retailed his religion in no homopathic portions to the spiritual invalids.
What is now the Orleans Presbyterian Church, was first organized on the 24th of August, 1818, nine miles northwest of Orleans, at the house, it is said, of Mrs. Nancy Fisher. It was at first called Concord Church, and started with a membership of nine, and Rev. W. W. Mar- tin as pastor. In October, 1820, the place of meeting was changed to Orleans, and the name to the one it now bears. The ground on which the church is built is Lot No. 87, in Orleans, and was donated to the society in 1835, by John B. Mayer and wife. At that date Samuel Campbell. William Fisher and James Shields were the Trustees. The first house of worship was a frame, and it served for about ten years, when it was taken away to give place for the present brick building. This is a nice one in every respect and was built at a cost of nearly $3,000, being one of the best
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churches in Orange County. A part of the old frame is now used by Mr. Irwin as a barn. The present membership of this society is seventy. five, but a lethargy has of late years been over the association, and it is rather declining than advancing. There has formerly been a very good Sunday-school in connection with this church, but that has been abandoned within the past year and there is no regular pastor in charge at this time.
On the 26th day of March, 1852, the following Elders of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church met in the Methodist Church at Orleans, for the purpose of considering the propriety of constituting certain members of that denomination a regular Baptist Church at Orleans: E. P. Bond, of New Albany, J. D. Crabbs, William McCoy, R. M. Parks and J. Black- well. Besides these a council from each of the following churches was present: Spice Valley, Mount Horeb, Mount Pleasant, Lost River, Free. dom and Bedford. A sermon was preached by E. P. Bond, after which the council organized by electing J. D. Crabbs, Moderator, William Mc- Coy and R. M. Parks, Secretaries. After proper examination the council expressed satisfaction with the articles of faith and covenant adopted by the members and decided to recognize them as a legal Baptist Church as soon as the proper officers should be appointed, and accordingly extended the right hand of fellowship to the following members: T. N. and Edna Robertson, Z. C., Mary A. and Martha J. Smith, Catherine Yandall. Levisa Shields, Reed and Phoebe Walden, Mary Back, Anna Shevedien. J. M. and Jane Archer, Perlina Dean, Robert Patton, Anna Moore, Sarah A. Long, Charles Tiensch, William, Sarah, Catherine and Sally Gal- lihar, Letty Paul, Allen and Mary Stevens, Jeremiah V. and Margaret Alexander. Frederick Baker, William, Elizabeth and Ellen Duncan, thirty one in all. At this meeting Elder T. N. Robertson was unani- mously called to be their pastor. The first regular meeting was held on the fourth Saturday of April, 1852, and at that time Allen Stevens was elected Clerk, Z. C. Smith and J. M. Archer, Deacons. The Trustees elected then were J. V. Alexander, Z. C. Smith and J. M. Archer, and on the same day Elder Robertson accepted the call of the church to the pastorate. To this Board of Trustees Benjamin Blackwell and wife soon afterwards deeded Lot No. 225 in Orleans for $5, and Lawrence Brad- ley and Albert Allen and their wives deeded Lot No. 6 in Bradley and Allen's Addition for $10. At the second regular meeting of the church it was decided to furnish a house and lot for Elder Robertson and wife for life. This was done. and from that time forth he continued mostly in this place, and among the flock which he had helped to form and care for. Such a long and continued confidence between pastor and congregation is seldom seen, and examples of this kind are surely worthy of emulation. The society at once began the erection of a church house. and it was finely completed in 1854, at a cost of $800. It is a very good
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frame building and is yet in use, although it has been several times repaired and once reseated. A good Sunday-school has been organized in connection with this church for over thirty years, which now bas an attendance of eighty scholars. This church now has sixty-six members, is flourishing well, and under the charge of Rev. J. H. Wright as pastor. Among the important ministers have been W. L. Boston, R. M. Parks, B. J. Davis and J. K. Howard. About the year 1568, Elder Boston held an important and interesting revival, in the course of which a large number of recruits in the cause of the Master were added to the church. and much moral regeneration in the community effected.
The Orleans Christian Church was organized in the fall of 1867. Prior to that time a good frame house of worship had been erected at the cost of over $2,000. The original membership was about twenty-five, and the first Trustees were' E. D. Laughlin, William Wright. Sr., and George Hon, who had superintended the church building. The first minister was James Mathews, who remained but a short time. Since him the following pastors have been in charge: Moses Smith, L. B. Bray, Samuel Moore, Mr. Littell, Mr. McGowen, George Terrell, Jonathan Stanley and Enoch Bower. About the year 1880, Rev. Stanley held an important revival, in which great interest was manifested, nearly one hundred professing religion, many joining the church. This association is out of debt and in a prosperous condition. The salary paid to its minister is $400 per year for service every two weeks. The total number of members is now about 100, and a flourishing Sunday School of sixty scholars, with Thomas Sculley, Superintendent. E. D. Laughlin, William Montgomery and Moses Lewis are the present Board of Trustees.
THE ORANGEVILLE MISSION.
Until 1852 the Methodist Church at Orleans was connected with several other churches of that denomination in the northwestern part of the county and forming the Orleans Circuit, but in that year it was made an independent station. The other churches were then formed into the Orangeville Mission, and consisted of the following classes: Bruner'e, now Wesley Chapel, Henderson, Faucett, Wadsworth, Bond, Bryants. ville, Woodville and Hick Chapels. Robert Wadsworth, John Bond, William P. Hobbs and Samuel Hicks were local preachers, Alfred Bruner was Recording Steward, while Eli Faucett, Marion Davis, Harlan Pope and Davidson Carter were Class Leaders. In the following year the mission was changed to a circuit with the same appointments. During the year of the mission a revival was held at Orangeville by the Rev. Thomas A. Whitted and 104 accessions were received into the church, joining the various classes. Camp meetings were held about 1825 and several succeeding years by the old circuit at a grove near the Jacob Shirley School House, about three-fourths of a mile south from Orange-
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ville, and at these considerable interest was always manifested. From these early grove meetings may undoubtedly be traced the growth of & large number of the present organized classes in this section of the county.
The society now known as Wesley Chapel was called at its organiza- tion Bruner's Chapel, and it was organized some time prior to 1830, prob- ably at the house of Henry Shirley. The first meetings were held at the Henry Shirley Schoolhouse, and afterward at the house of A Bruner. A house of worship was built abont the year 1858 at a cost of $625. It is a good frame, and is now in use by the congregation. Among the early members of this church were Henry Shirley, his wife, mother and family, Nathaniel B. Wilson, wife and mother, Manley McNabb and wife, John Britton and wife, John Cook and wife and others. This society now numbers sixty-six, and has been of steady and substantial growth from the beginning, having nearly always maintained one of the best Sunday-schools in the county. This has greatly aided the church in bringing the youth of the community to a proper appreciation of the great Christian truths, and thereby making good members of both church and society.
Faucett's Chapel society was organized in 1837 at the house of James Faucett, under the labors of the Rev. William McGinnes. The first members were James and Elizabeth, William and Hannah Faucett, John and Rachel Brown, William Hamilton, James and Elizabeth Perine, Joseph Hamilton and Susan Hamer. In 1847 a log church was built, Samuel Hicks being the minister then in charge, and the Trustees were then J. L. Brown, William Hamilton, James Perine, Eli H. and Will- iam Fancett. The old log church continned to answer the purpose of the congregation until 1979, when a new and convenient frame was erected at a cost of $1,000. Its present membership is forty.
The Orangeville class was organized about the year 1840, and has had a prosperous career now numbering something over sixty members. In November, 1851, Nathaniel B. Wilson and wife deeded to Alfred Bruner, Robert Higgins, Lewis B. Wilson, Harvey Denny and William P. Hobbs, Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Orangeville, the ground on which the church at that place now stands, for the sum of $15. In August. of the following year, Samnel Hicks and Harvey Denny deeded to the same Trustees a piece of land in Orengeville for the purpose of building a parsonage upon. The church house was built immediately, and is a good ond substantial frame, costing about $800. At this time the circuit rider was Rev. Thomas a Whitted, who figured largely in the affairs of the Methodist Church of this section of country for several years. The minister in charge of the Orangeville Circuit resides at Orangeville, in the parsonage at that place. The present pastor is Rev. S. L. Culmer, who rendered assistance in this work.
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SOCIETIES OF FRENCH LICK TOWNSHIP.
A society of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at the house of William Marley, near the French Lick Springs, about the year 1825 by John Miller, one of the pioneer circuit riders of Orange County. Among the first members were William Marley, Clayton Taylor, Alex - ander McGrew with their wives and families, Joseph McGrew and wife. The first church was a log structure built some time early in the thirties, but after being used for a short time was burned down. Another was soon after erected. This was on the farm now owned by Ross Grigaby. The third church was built about the year 1856, at its present site on the farm of Capt. William D. Moore. This is the old French Lick class at Moore's Chapel. John Miller, William Crane, John Decker and Samuel Brinten were among the early preachers here. It now has a member- ship of about sixty and is in a good healthy condition.
The Scarlett Ridge class of the Methodist Church in French Lick Township, was organized about the year 1840, by a minister named Johnson. First members were Samuel and William Scarlett and their wives, Isaac Damewood and family, William Wininger and wife, Harri- son Hankers and others. For a time they met at the Scarlett School- house and then built a church at French Lick Springs. This soon after burned down and after some time meeting at the schoolhouse, again built another house of worship at its present site and is called Mount Lebanon. The cost of this last building was about $600, and it is a good frame. Until about 1850 it was a mission but it was then changed to a circuit, which it has ever since been. For the past fifteen years a good Sunday-school has been maintained with an average attendance of about thirty-five scholars, while the church membership is about sixty. Among the early ministers were John Julian, George Walker, Thomas Ray and James Charles.
The Church Association at what is known as Ames Chapel, in the eastern part of French Lick Township, was formed in the year 1880, by a union of the clases at Smith's and Nelson's Chapels. There is nearly 100 members now belonging at this place, and it is said to be one of the most energetic, prosperous organizations of the kind in the county, and a good Sunday school is maintained with James S. Porter as Superintendent. The church edifice which was built in 1880, at a cost of $1,300, is one of the neatest in Orange County, and stands in the border of a pleasant and shady grove. It belongs to the Paoli Circuit.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP CHURCHES.
The Cane Creek Christian, or Campbellite Church, in the north part of Jackson Township, was probably organized about the year 1825. Promi- nent among the first members were Jacob Wise and wife, Christopher Flick and wife, Thomas Cox and wife, Joshua Hubbs and wife, William
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Pinnick and wife, Charles Drake and wife and some others. Soon after the organization of this class a primitive log house was erected for worship, which was used until 1844. In that year a good hewed house was built in its stead, the work being done by the members of the church. The present frame was built in 1872, and is a good and commodious building, its cost being $1,000. Christian Hostetler, Solomon Hostetler, and David Lewis, who lived near Orleans, were among the early preachers at this place. Other ministers have been Christopher Flick, Phillip Shively, John Mavity, Christopher Cox, Thomas A. Cox and B. T. Goodman. Iu the old log church during the fall of 1843, Phillip Shively and Christian Hostetler conducted an interesting revival in which about forty members were added to the church. Another by B. T. Goodman was held in 1850 and nearly sixty converts were made among the best citizens of the community, and it resulted in great influence for good on the morals of the neighborhood. Several attempts have been made to maintain a Sunday school, but all have failed. This is one of the strongest societies in the county, and now has about 150 members.
GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP CHURCHES.
The United Brethren Church at Unionville was organized at the house of John Apple about the year 1947. Nearly all of the first members belonged to the Apple family, and were John and Jesse Apple, and their wives, Thomas, Moses and Alfred Apple, with a few others. The first minister was a man named Falkenberg, and after him were Daniel Shuck and Lyman Chittenden. Rev. John A. Richardson is the pastor now in charge. An old log church house was soon built after the organ- ization and was in use until 1877, when the present frame building was erected at a cost of $600, and the society is now reasonably prosperous, with a membership of thirty-nide.
Providence Baptist church, at Pittsburg, in the southern part of Greenfield Township, is said to have been organized as early as 1819, in what is now Crawford County, at the house of Robert Sands, although there is some doubt as to the date. Robert Sands, Cornelius Newkirk, Samuel McMahan and James McMahan were among the first preachers at this appointment, and together with their wives and Mrs. Rachael Pitman, Mrs. Mary Peters and others were the first members of the soci- ety. Prior to 1880, when the present church was built, there had been in their turn a round and a hewed log-house and a frame that served each a period of usefullness and then abandoned. The first frame cost in the neighborhood of $400, and the one now in use about $700, besides a large amount of work done by the members. There are now about 140 enrolled as belonging to the class, and it is in a growing and healthy condition. Samuel McMahan is the present minister.
In the spring of 1843 an organization of the Christian or Campbellite
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Church was made at the house of Absalom Gobble, near the present town of Unionville. Absalom and Julia A. Gobble, Valentine and Mary Cook, Absalom and Anna McCabe, John and Rebecca Davis were the first mem- bers. The ministers that were instrumental in establishing this church: John Bobbitt, Phillip Shively and John Wright. For a considerable time after its formation the meetings were held at the house where it was organized, but a hewed log house of worship was built about the year 1850, and as nearly all the work was done by the members, the actual cost of the building in cash is said to have been only about 840. There is now a good frame church erected in 1873, costing $1,100. There is now a total of 147 members, and this society is one of the strongest in the county. A number of important and interesting revivals have been held here by various preachers, and at two different times seventeen were baptized at once, and at another time sixteen were baptized. There is a flourishing Sunday-school in connection with this church, that has an average attendance of about thirty scholars and four teachers, and of which Isaac Young is Superintendent.
A society of the Old School Regular Baptist Church was organized at Unionville in the fall of 1972. The temporary organization was effected on the 4th of October, by persons having letters of " Dismission and Rec- ommendation " from Rock Spring and Providence Churches, and at this meeting Elder T. N. Robertson was Moderator, and L. H. Wright, Clerk pro tempore. On the 23d of November following, the church was for- mally established and the right hand of fellowship was extended to the following persons as members of the new organization: Elizabeth Lamb. din. Lensford Lomax and wife, Harriet McDonald. William and Rebecca Willyard, John Cook and wife, Ruth J. Lomax, Lovisa Hancock, Martha Lomax, Mary E. Lomax, Sarah Hill, Leander H. Wright and wife. Nel- son Willyard and wife, Emma Lomax, Albert Mayfield, Rachael Ham- mond, Minnie Tarr, George T. Mayfield, Susannah Hammond, Daniel R. Lambdin, Nancy Lomax, Tamor A. Lomax. Elva Truax, Martha Lamb- din. T. N. Robertson was called as the first minister, and Albert May- field was elected Clerk. A good and substantial frame house of worship was built in 1873, costing about $600. Samuel McMahan and George T. Mayfield have been the preachers at this place ever since Elder Robert- son's time.
CHURCHES OF SOUTHEAST TOWNSHIP.
The Rock Spring Regular Baptist Church in Southeast Township was organized in the year 1826, at the house of Charles Vandeveer, on the farm now owned by Thomas Clements, in Stampers Creek Township. The first members were: Charles, Aaron, Joel and George Vandeveer with their wives: - Phillips and wife, and A. Pearson and wife. The first minister was Aaron Vandeveer and since him have been Charles Vande- veer. Jonathan Jones, William Robertson, T. N. Robertson and the pres- ent one, Samuel McMahan.
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The first church house was built in 1841, where the present frame was erected, costing about $500. Elder T. N. Robertson held an interesting revival in 1876, and succeeded in gaining about a dozen converts to the church.
There is a class of United Brethren about three miles north of Valeene that was organized about 1855. For the first fifteen years they held meetings at the schoolhouse near by, and then built the hewed log-house which they now own and which cost about $300. There has been a num- ber of revivals held at this place and the church has been instrumental in doing a large amount of good in the community.
Two miles southeast of Valeene is an organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church which was effected about the year 1850. The church known as the Crossroads Meeting House is where the meetings are held. This is log and when new cost about $200. Among the early members were the families of May, Lowe, Maxedon, Agan and others. Andrew May was the first and last minister. This class has never been very pros- perous and at the present time has no regular pastor.
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