USA > Indiana > Shelby County > History of Shelby 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 33
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Robert's Chapel in Flatrock Circuit, about three miles below Flatrock Station, and twenty feet from the line between Shelby and Bartholomew counties, is a church representing the second oldest Methodist society in Shelby County. The society was formed in the fall or winter of 1822. Alfred Phelps came to Shelby County in 1824, settled in this neighborhood and immed- iately united with the church, and to him much credit is due. The original members were Alfred Phelps and family. George Holmes and wife, John Ensley and wife, Mrs. Sallie Chambers, William Callet and wife. Dr. Sanders, although not a charter member
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deserves to be mentioned among the oldest. Alfred Phelps be- came a local preacher at an early day and did much effective work in that line. The meetings for ten years were held in the house of Mr. Phelps, and it was not until IS46 that a church house was erected. In 1845 was held one of the most famous camp meetings ever held in this section of the State, resulted in the conversion of many souls. In 1870, the present large and commodious brick house was completed and the congregation is now one of the most prosperous in the county.
Flatrock Methodist Episcopal Church .- In 1852, a frame church was erected about three miles southwest of Norristown. on Flat- rock near Girton's Mill. Among the members of the church at the building were: Thomas Wooley, Richard Drake, Peter Messick and Mr. Vansyckle. The society worshipped here until 1870, when it was removed to Flatrock Station. and used the school until the present beautiful brick church was completed. This church was built at a cost of $3,000. two-thirds of which was se- cured by subscription through efforts of Rev. A. M. Thornton. The remaining $1,000 was a bequest by Mr. Warner, a wealthy citizen of Flatrock. The church is at the head of the circuit. and has a large and flourishing congregation, with many opportunities for doing good. In the winter of 1878, Rev. J. G. Hood, the pastor in charge, was accidentally drowned while trying to ford the river. He was returning home from Tomer's Chapel, where he had been holding church. A heavy rain had fallen in the afternoon and the stream was considerably swollen, making an attempt to ford exceedingly hazardous. The ford where he attempted to cross. a few rods above the railroad bridge, is deep and swift, and it is supposed that he could not withstand the force of the current and was swept away to a watery grave. Although hundreds went in search of the body it was not recovered for one month after the accident had occurred. The pas- tors who have served the church since the death of Rev. Hood, are: Rev. Morrow, J. E. Gullett, C. E. Line and L. N. Jones. The present pastor, Mr. Jones, was educated at Hartsville Univer- sity, and was ordained by the United Brethren in 1875, in which church he preached for ten years when he joined the Southeastern Indiana Conference.
Norristown Methodist Episcopal Church .- This is among the youngest of the Methodist societies of Shelby County. There had been preaching here occasionally by ministers of this denomination prior to the coming of Rev. William Maupin, of the Hope Circuit, in 1866. A class was organized with twelve members, John Rench, now deceased, being the first class leader and S. D. Spellman, first
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steward. Mr. Spellman and wife, George Newton and wife, Squire Deiwert and wife and Thomas Andres are the old members who are still living. It has been a growing church, losing many by death and removals, but at present has a membership of ninety. The class has no building of its own, but has from the beginning used the old Union Church, which was erected many years ago.
Marietta Methodist Episcopal Church was organized some time in the forties. For several years meetings were held occas- ionaly by itinerants, in the residences of the citizens of Marietta and vicinity, and in the school-houses. The early ministers were those who have been mentioned as active in the organization of churches of other communities of the county. The Marietta class as it is known, was prosperous for many years, and large ac- cessions were made in its history at different periods. In 1876, something in the nature of a calamity came, when many of the most active members withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church, and assisted in the organization of the Protestant Metho- dist Class, of which class they became active members. The building is a frame, and although it has been built for several years, is still in fair condition. The membership of the church is about seventy, and the value of the church property is probably $1.000. A well regulated Sunday School, under the supervision of Mr. H. A. Hageman, is maintained throughout the year.
Morristown Circuit .- Of the church organizations which now constitute the Morristown Methodist Episcopal Circuit, the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church was the first established. Soon after the land of Shelby County had been surveyed, and the land office opened for the sale of the same; emigrants came rapidly and in a short time a settlement was made in the northwest portion of Han- over Township. Those settlers had come from sections that had long enjoyed the comforts of civilization, and they did not long forego the pleasure of religious worship. They at once began to gather at the cabins and have some kind of religious services. It is probable that the first meeting, at which a minister was present, was held at the house of Jonathan Johnson in 1822. In the follow- ing year, as nearly as can be ascertained. a hewed log-house to be used for both school and church purposes, was erected. This was a very comfortable building with a brick chimney and the pulpit in one corner. The families that constituted the organizing members were: Jonathan Johnson and wife, Thomas Gadd and wife, Henry Watts and wife, and Joshua Wilson and wife. Two of the earliest and most prominent members were John Strange and James Havens. They are the pioneer preachers to whom the Methodists of Shelby County owe much. There was scarcely an early class in the
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organization of which they were not the most potent factors; Rev. John Stover was the first regular circuit rider. Other early ministers, who afterward became distinguished in the church work, were : Bishop Ames, L. W. Berry and J. V. R. Miller. In 1839 the present frame build- ing which now belongs to the cemetery association was completed at a cost of $400. S. W. Ingram was the contractor and Henry Watts, Joshua Wilson and Jonathan Johnson, building committee. In 1883, because of the inconvenience of the location the old house was abandoned and in the same year the new brick edifice was completed and dedicated, Simpson Tincher preaching the sermon. Mr. W. W. Woodyard was the architect of the new building and superintended the work. The name of W. A. Bodine deserves to be especially mentioned because of his liberal contributions, and active interest taken in the work. The total cost of the building was $4,600, all of which has been paid. The Stewards are: Frank Tyner and Mrs. John Miller. Trustees-W. A. Bodine, J. M. Tyner, W. W. Woodvard, the last named being the Secretary. The society which at present number ninety-five, is under the pastoral care of Rev. B. F. Morgan, a native of Franklin County, where he was born in 1831. He received his elementary training in the district schools after which he spent one year in Hartsville University. He was ordained in the United Brethren Church in 1859, with which church he worked until 1870, when he joined the Southeastern Indiana Conference.
Fountaintown Methodist Episcopal Church .- After the aban- donment of the old Methodist Episcopal Church which stood east of Fountaintown, a new class was formed in the town in 1857, by Revs. P. I. Rosecrans and Thomas Ray, and attached to the Pales- tine Circuit, of which William G. Ransdall was preacher in charge. The church had for its first class leader Isaac Robinson, and for steward, Ezra Fountain. A house of worship was commenced in 1874, and finished in 1876, Rev. W. B. Nichols, pastor. The church was dedicated free from debt and remains so yet. The church which for several years had a small membership, was re- cently blessed with a revival which resulted in fifty accessions to the church.
Pleasant Hill Church was formed at the house of John Glenn, in 1830, and retained the name of Glenn's Society for thirty years. John Glenn, as well as Andrew Derickson, who was the first class leader, long ago left the neighborhood. Near the old Glenn resi- dence a substantial frame church has been erected; for which Rev. David Whitcomb and Benjaman Walker deserve the credit. The present board of trustees is composed of John Yearling, John Briley, John Gaines, Oscar Gatewood and George Phares. Stewards,
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John Yearling, John Briley and John Mohr. The following pastors have supplied the pulpit for the last several years: Rev. Jamison, Tincher, Gullett, Clancy, McCair and the present pastor, Rev. B. F. Morgan.
Waldron Methodist Episcopal Church. - This is the consolidation of the Middletown and Conn's Creek societies. The Middletown Society was established in 1836, with Frank Toler as class leader, and Revs. Whittien and Birt, preachers. Conn's Creek was organized in 1849, at the cross-roads, now the site of Waldron. Some of the original members were: William Knight, Elizabeth Knight, Levi Knight, Reitter Chaplett, Washington and Mary Bliss, and Mar- garet Vanpelt. The meetings were held at the school-house and at the residences of the members until 1858, when the present brick church was erected. From this date the society took the name of Waldron. Soon after the erection of the church at Wal- dron the society at Middletown disbanded and almost the entire membership absorbed by the Waldron society. The pastors who have served this church for the ten years last past are : George Win- chester, J. C. Gullett, Alexander Jameson, William Grubb, and the present member John Scull. The officers are : Trustees, J. J. Curtiss, Henry R. Ming and A. H. Haymond. Stewards, Mrs. R. R. Wash- burn, Mrs. Elizabeth Washburn and A. H. Haymond. The mem- bership of the church is about fifty. The Sunday School and mis- sionary societies are the auxiliary organizations.
Winchester .- Shadley's Society known as Winchester, is five miles south of Shelbyville, on the line of the Norristown pike. The meetings were held at the house of Mr. Hadley until 1848, when it was moved to the house of Mr. Thomas Maddy. In 1850, a frame church 26x36 feet was built at a cost of $420. Thomas Maddy and Willis Wills were president and secretary respectively of the board of trustees and were the most active in the building of the house. Prominent among the early members were the Shadley family, Charles Thompson and wife, Mrs. John Monroe, T. H. Wherret, Hannah Wherret and Kitura Green. The frame church above mentioned was replaced by a substantial brick house, dedi- cated by Rev. Sampson Tincher, D. D., in October, 1872. The church and its surroundings, which include a cemetery, are kept with serupulous care. Among those who were active in the build- ing of the church, the following deserve special mention: Andrew Maple, Thomas Thompson, Job D. Tindall, John A. Gore and John W. Wilson. Other old members are, Susan Tindall, Jacob Guill, Mary Guill and Adaline Young. The membership is eighty.
Union Church .- Ripple's Class was formed and officially or- ganized in 1833, and continued to be known by that name until
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recent years, when it was changed to Union. The first preaching was held at the house of Mr. Ripple, one of the old settlers, who afterward moved west, but is now long since dead. The class next occupied a school-house until 1849, when a frame church was erected. After worshipping there for fifteen years, the old build- ing was abandoned for a new one which was dedicated in r864. The Greens, McFalls and Thompsons are among the few of the old members who still remain. Washington Green, Thomas Fos- ter and Andrew Jackson are Stewards, and Rev. John T. Skull, pastor.
Toners' Chapel, four miles west of Shelbyville, became a preaching place in 1836. The services were first held in a log house erected as a union church near the site of what was long known as the Hill Graveyard. After a few years a school-house was built near the residence of Mr. Hill, not far from the present brick school-house, and in this the society worshipped until I845, when the present frame building was completed. The leading and most active workers were Edward Toner, Martin Toner and J. M. Barwick.
Geneva .- The oldest and most active members of the Geneva class are David J. Conger, Delilah Conger, John M. Edward and Fidelia Edward. Meetings were held in the school-house until the completion of the frame church. This house was built at a cost of $1,000, and is yet in a good condition. The trustees are: John M. Edward, James B. Israel, W. W. Keeling, David J. Conger and John T. Conger. James Bowls and William H. Jones are Stew- ards, and Dr. W. W. Keeling, Sunday School Superintendent. The membership of the church is forty-one. .
Acton Methodist Episcopal Circuit .- Two of the churches of this circuit, viz., Landan and Canaan, are in Shelby County. The former has been organized for many years, the precise date being unknown. This class has never been strong in numbers, but there has always been a display of earnestness in the work that is char- acteristic of the true Christian. There are at present about fifty active members, of whom William Clayton, John Sleeth and family, Joel Crum and wife, Jordan Perry and wife, and Margaret House are among the oldest members. The present frame building, which has been used for more than twenty years, is still in good condition. The trustees are: Marquis Case, Joel Crum, William Clayton, Jor- dan Perry and F. Sleeth. A Sunday School, which is well at- tended and from which much good has resulted, is now under the supervision of William Clayton.
Canaan Methodist Episcopal Church is located in Moral Town- ship, about four miles south of Palestine. The house is an old
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frame, in which the people have for many years gathered to- gether to listen to the word as it fell from the lips of the many who have served them as pastor. The old members are: Amos Wilson and wife, Amelia Campbell, John Willis and wife, J. C. Wilson and wife and Samuel Rollings and wife. The trustees are: Amos Wilson, Samuel Rollings, Robert Phares, James Moore and Wright Borning. James Reed is Superintendent of Sunday Schools. The names of those who have been in charge of this circuit since 1880 are as follows: Revs. William Nickols, R. L. Kinnear, Albert Cain, Alexander Jameson and J. H. Burton.
Cynthiana Methodist Episcopal Church was organized and a church built in 1854. Henry Fisher, Thomas Jones, William Fisher, M. E. Macaughley, J. N. Marshall were the most active in the establishment of the church. The church is weak and at times has almost been abandoned. The membership at present is about sixteen. The Christian Union members hold meetings occasionally in the same building.
First Presbyterian Church .*- In the rude and primitive log cabin home of Zebulon Wallace, in the centre of Hendrick's Town- ship, on a calm, serene Sabbath morning, July 7, 1824, a small company of worshippers met to hear the preaching of the Cross of Christ by the Rev. John McElroy Dickey. It was then and there that thirteen Presbyterians were constituted into a church, under the care of the Presbytery of Salem, and the Holy Communion was administered for the first time. In honor of Providence Church, of which some of them had been members in their former places of abode, they named it New Providence Church. Those who, on that memorable morning, subscribed to the solemn cove- nant of Christian fellowship as a church of the Presbyterian faith and order, were: Elijah Kirkpatrick, Martha Kirkpatrick; Archi- bald Gordon, Nancy Gordon, James Hill, Elizabeth Hill, Catharine Hill, Miss Lizzie Hill, Zebulon Wallace, Seneh Wallace, Thomas Vaughan and Sarah Vaughan. Father Kirkpatrick was the first Elder, and Mr. Vaughan the first Deacon.
The founders of this church, however, so deeply felt the import- ance of the Sanctuary to the well being and safety of a community, that they planted the church in the wilderness. On the IIth of October, 1824, it was duly enrolled by the Presbytery, and Rev. Dickey was appointed to supply it one Sabbath during the interim of six months till next Presbytery. Nine months before the church was established, the Presbytery of Salem had been begun. It was then in the Synod of Kentucky, but in the year 1825, the Synod of Indiana composed of the three Presbyteries, Salem, Madison and
*Taken in part from a sketch by Rev. George Sluter, A. M.
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Wabash, was formed, and on the 10th of April, 1826, this church was transferred to the Presbytery of Madison, and Rev. Dickey again appointed pastor. At the full meeting of the Presbytery, October 7, 1826, the church reported to the Presbytery, fifteen, one added during the year, and an increase of two since organization in 1824. Mr. Dickey was admirably adapted to the work of church planting on the frontiers. He devoted several years to it, and founded a number of churches now on the roll of the Synod. He was in the very prime and vigor of his manhood at the time, having been born in the State of South Carolina, December 16, 1779. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, that so honorably enter into the history of the Presbyterian Church. He served successively the churches at Washington, Lexington, Pisgah and Graham, and died Novem- ber 21. 1849, much lamented. From 1827 to 1829, inclusive, the following ministers served this church: James M. Duncan, Joseph Trimble, 1827: Samuel Gregg, 1828: Samuel G. Lowry and Will- iam Sickles, 1829. During the same period. Rev. George Bush served at times. Rev. Bush was the first minister of the Presby- terian church ordained in Indiana. He afterward became a great Oriental scholar and professor in the University of New York.
To Rev. Eliphalet Kent belongs the honorable distinction of being the first permanent clergyman who had charge of the church. Rev. Kent was a native of Vermont; graduated at Williams' Col- lege in 1825, and at Auburn Theological Seminary a few years later. He came to Shelbyville under the direction of the American Home Missionary Society in 1829, and preached at various places until 1835, when he was assigned the church at Greenwood. After Rev. Kent the church was supplied by Rev. W. W. Wood. Then came the interesting ministry of Rev. Wells Bushnell, a native of Connecticut, and a graduate of both Jefferson and Princeton Col- leges. After seven years' pastorate at Meadville, Pa., he came west and divided his labors between Greensburg and Shelbyville. Rev. J. G. Monfort, Rev. Charles Mckinney, Rev. Samuel Orr, Rev. A. T. Hendricks, Rev. James Gilcrist and Rev. John M. Wampler, and Rev. Caldwell, were each assigned by the Presby- tery of Indianapolis. The necessity for a church building became so urgent that steps were taken in this direction, and in December, 1839, Messrs. Thomas H. Fleming, Aaron Bennett, Thomas Vaughan and Dr. William McCoy were elected trustees, in view of the erection of a church building. They first purchased the entire square upon which the old brick church now stands. Several lots were sold to good advantage and the proceeds applied on the build- ing. The house was a frame structure 40x50 feet in dimensions, and cost about $2,500. The building was plain, the lumber used
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being undressed. A plain cupola adorned the roof, in which the now historic bell, that has so often called the worshippers to the house of God, first sent forth its sonorous sounds. This church was completed and dedicated early in the forties, and was used as a place of worship until the completion of the old brick building, which until recently stood on the corner of Harrison and Broadway streets, and which was dedicated the first Sabbath in September, 1853. It was under the management of Rev. Caldwell that this church was built. Besides property valued at $1.000. liberal con- tributions were made by the members, the largest of which were by Thomas Vaughan, Major Hendricks and Samuel Hamilton. The contractors were Messrs. Malone & Baker, and the entire cost, including furniture, was $4.500.
Among early clergymen of the church the name of Abram T. Hendricks, a brother of the late Vice President Hendricks, de- serves prominent mention. He was one of the first of the clergy of the Presbyterian Church who received their education and theological training west of the Alleghany Mountains, he being an alumnus of Hanover College. He served as chaplain in the late war with fidelity and usefulness. He died at Petersburg, Ind., July 24, 1866. Rev. Caldwell served the church until 1858, with marked ability, and he is yet remembered by the older members with affectionate tenderness. Rev. William Bishop served the church for a short time. and was succeeded by Rev. James J. Smythe, a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and of the Univer-
sity of Glasgow. He served the church seven years, and his ministry here was most successful and prosperous. Next came Rev. Charles P. Jennings, who had several years before served the church very acceptably. The church was never more prosperous than when under his pastoral charge. IIe is described as a man of fine personal appearance and dignified manners, a ripe scholar, of varied and extensive acquirements in theology, general literature and physical science, and as a pulpit orator easy, graceful and always interesting.
During the year IS70, known in the church as Memorial year, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. J. R. Walker, of Greensburg. Rev. George Sluter, A. M., was elected pastor in December, and in January, 1871, entered upon the discharge of his duties. He was a man of scholarly attainments and of much intellectual strength. Like most men who live more with books than with people he was generally believed to be selfish. It is probable that he lacked the necessary social qualities to secure uniform support, and to insure unity in church work. He served the church for nine years and during the time there was much good accomplished. In Decem-
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ber, ISSO, Rev. George D. Marsh was elected to succeed Mr. Sluter. He was a young man with but few years' experience, but by his uniform courtesy he soon won the esteem and confidence of his congregation. He was a man of much intellectual force and an orator of great brilliancy. He was fluent in speech, and in rhetorical finish, his sermons are said to have been beyond criticism. During his stay here he was a great sufferer from a complication of diseases; he died in the fall of 1883, much lamented by his congre- gation who almost idolized him. During the ministry of Rev. Marsh the movement which resulted in the erection of the present elegant church edifice, was set on foot. The building was completed under the pastorate of Rev. Hughes, to whose influence the success of the undertaking is very largely due. The work was put into the hands of a building committee composed of the following gentle- men: John Blessing. John C. Deprez. Silman Morris, Joseph R. Stewart, G. W. F. Kirk, and F. C. Sheldon. The plans and speci- fications by D. A. Bohlen, architect, and the contract for the erec- tion of the builiding was purchased by Elijah Victor. The building was completed in less than nine months, and was dedicated in April. 1885, the sermon being preached by Rev. J. L. Evans D. D., of Cincinnati. The entire cost of the church building was $21.000. The congregation owns a frame building on East Franklin Street, which through the instrumentality of Mrs. Dr. S. D. Day, was erected for the benefit of a class that was beyond the reach of the other church. This division of the church is under the pastoral charge of Mr. Sanford Morris, a lay preacher, and be it said to his credit that he has accomplished what, perhaps, no one else could have done.
Rev. Thomas L. Hughes. the present pastor of the First Presby- terian Church, entered upon the discharge of his duties in December, 1883. He is a regular graduate of Princeton College and Lane Theological Seminary. After completing his literary course at Princeton, he studied and practiced law in Cincinnati, but soon aban- doned the profession, and in 1876 was ordained to preach. His sermons are delivered without notes but never without the most careful preparation. His discourses are clear and logical, and always appeal to the reason rather than the emotions of his audi- tors. As a pulpit orator Rev. Hughes has but few equals. He is much beloved by his church, and is the pride of every member.
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