USA > Indiana > History of the Church of the Brethren in Indiana > Part 18
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In the thirty-three years that the church has served the community there have been over seventy-five baptisms, and a large number have been added by letter.
A basement has been added to the building which accommodates a furnace room, kitchen, Sunday School rooms, Aid room, rest rooms and a large fellowship room. The sanctuary has been re-arranged with class rooms at the front and back of the auditorium. A baptistry is located back of the pulpit. Brother M. D. Neher painted a beautiful picture of the baptism of Jesus on the wall back of the baptistry.
On August 15, 1943 the remodeled church was dedicated with Brother Harry K. Zeller as speaker. The church was dedicated free of
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debt. It was at this service that the baptistry picture was unveiled. Brother Estel Mccullough and O. H. Zirkle have served this church with little, and much of the time no money consideration.
The Middletown church has an active Aid society which has helped much in the advancement of the remodeling program and continues to do much good in the town and community.
W. E. Hamilton is the pastor and Carl Hilbert presiding elder. The membership is eighty.
MUNCIE
September 28, 1897, four churches, Mississinewa (Union Grove), Killbuck (Antioch), Upper Fall Creek and Buck Creek which sur- rounded Muncie, met to consider the urgent request of the members living in Muncie to open a church. This request was granted and Elder George L. Studebaker and wife, Mollie, were secured to take charge. The first meeting place was 310 South High Street. Brother Studebaker was given a term of six months with the understanding that if the church responded favorably he should continue for one year. He was to receive a sum not to exceed $200.00, with house, barn and fuel fur- nished. He had the privilege of conducting three series of meetings outside of Muncie. His work began October 1, 1897. Brother Stude- baker was given permission to organize a Sunday School. The school began the second Sunday in June, 1898 with 47 present. All members living in Center township were privileged to vote.
The present church building and a personage adjoining the church were purchased for $1,900. Some remodeling was done and the church was dedicated June 5, 1898 with Elder I. D. Parker preaching the sermon. There were twenty-seven charter members which are as fol- lows: Jobe W. Hockenberry, Wm. A. Warrell, John Hahn, Silas Arnold, Fanny Arnold, Esta Arnold, John Fausett, Mary A. Fausett, W. H. Cooper, Henry Brown, Abraham Wright, Mary Wright, Charles Witter, Joseph McBride, A. D. Bowman, Carrie Bowman, George L. Studebaker, Mary E. Studebaker, Phoebe J. Yount, Nora Accord, Mary E. Dick, Emma Hockenberry, Laura Mahoney, Dora Rhoades, Lizzie Witter, Emile Warrell and Arbell McBride. At this time the adjoining churches withdrew support and the District Mission Board sponsored the church. The first council meeting was held July 14, 1898, and the first Aid Society was organized September 10, of the same year. The first communion was held Nov. 5, 1898.
Brother George L. Studebaker was Pastor and presiding Elder which office he held until he moved to North Manchester in the fall of 1906. After moving, he continued to be elder for one year. From 1916 to 1922 he again served as elder. J. W. Rarick served 1908-1909, I. E. Branson 1909-1910, A. C. Young 1910-1912, L. T. Holsinger 1912-
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1914, H. L. Fadely 1914-1915, D. E. Bowman 1915-1916, F. E. Hay 1922-1925, J. W. Norris 1923-1926, J. A. Miller 1916-1918, 1926- 1928, 1934-1946, R. L. Showalter 1928-1934, L. S. Shively 1946 -.
G. L. Studebaker served the church as pastor 1897-1906. During these years the church grew in membership and spiritual interest. A basement was made adequate, a balcony was put in, and stained glass windows replaced the old ones.
When Brother Studebaker left, the church was served by various ministers for fifteen months. S. C. Miller served as pastor 1908-1909, L. T. Holsinger 1909-1911, Frank E. McCune 1911-1913. At this time Brother George L. Studebaker came back and was pastor until 1932. R. L. Showalter followed, then Ralph G. Rarick served two years, J. A. Miller two years, Paul W. Wingard two years, Reuben Boomer- shine three years, R. K. Showalter two and one half years, I. E. Ober- holtzer two years, H. Jesse Baker six years. Brother Edward T. Angeny then became the pastor. In 1951 C. C. Sollenberger became pastor.
Different additions and repairs were made in the building in 1930, 1936 and 1945. A fire damaged the property with a loss of $2,000.00. The church purchased a parsonage at 319 Glenwood Ave., in 1948.
Ministers elected in the Muncie church are A. D. Bowman 1902, ordained 1906, Samuel G. Greyer 1905, J. O. Winger 1920, M. L. Brinson, Willard Shively 1930, Forest Shively 1946.
In the early history of the Sunday School, Sister George L. Stude- baker was the able leader and builder. Other Superintendents were Sister Phoebe Yount, Brother Kitterman, Herman Branson, G. M. Peckinpaugh. Since 1929 the following have been Sunday School Su- perintendents : Este Arnold 1929, Willard Shively 1930, Mark Rarick 1931-1933, 1935, 1938, Cletus Bowers 1933, Floyd Bowman 1934, Mrs. L. S. Shively 1936-1938, 1939, 1941-1945, Mrs. E. R. Burke 1940, Robert Heeter 1945 -.
The church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary October 10, 1948.
Mrs. L. S. Shively is a member of the General Cabinet of Children's Work of the Church of the Brethren, and the Director of Children's Work of the Central Region.
Reverend Edward T. Angeny and wife, missionaries to China, were interned in the Philippine Islands during World War II. Some time after their release they began their service in the pastorate of the Muncie Church. The present membership is 135.
Betty Rogers Blickenstaff became a member of this church while she was taking nurses' training in preparation for foreign mission work. She is now serving on the India field.
NETTLE CREEK (Including Brick, Locust Grove, and White Branch)
Nettle Creek is the second oldest congregation in the State. The
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ministers from the Four Mile congregation began preaching in the northwest part of Wayne County. A nucleus of members was formed west of Hagerstown. An organization was effected about 1820, with Elder David Miller, who had come from Ohio, in charge.
For more than twenty years the members had no house of worship save their homes, their barns, and the groves. The meetings were dis- tributed to accommodate all members as much as possible. It was under- stood that dinner would be served for all who attended, whether mem- bers or not. The Love feasts were largely attended. The members com- ing from long distances by wagon, when the roads were passable, on horse back at other times.
In this way public services were held up and down the Nettle Creek and West River valleys, from Cambridge City in the south, to five miles north of Hagerstown. The ministers were always expected to be at the services regardless of weather. Their humble efforts were blessed and there was a steady increase of membership, both by conversion and migration.
The church had its problems. By 1840 private distilleries became quite common. In accordance with the decision of conference in 1781, the church took up the cases of some brethren, and tried to persuade them all to abandon the business. One brother claimed he was in debt and that he would be ruined financially if he had to close his distillery. He was disowned from the church and died a poor man. Another brother preferred the church. He took up an honorable business and became a rich man.
As the country was improved and the membership increased there was a pressing need for a church building. In 1844 and 1845 a large fifty feet by ninety feet brick building was erected. This was a well built house. It was centrally located, and became a church home for all of the members. Nettle Creek house was built shortly after the Four Mile house and thus became the next to the oldest Church of the Brethren in Indiana.
In 1859 it was decided to build some chapels about equally distant from the central house. White Branch was built in 1858, four and one half miles northwest, Locust Grove was built three miles southwest in 1859, and Olive Branch was bought from the Methodists. Services were held at the chapels on the first and third Sundays, while at the central house there was a united service on the second and fourth Sun- days. The church had an interest in another house called Maple Grove where services were held on fifth Sundays.
In 1874 the first church building was razed and a new brick house 52x90 was built thirty rods north of the old site, the ground where the old church stood is now a beautifully kept cemetery. Many of the
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first members of Nettle Creek lie beneath the spot where they once worshiped.
The first ministers were David Miller and Aaron Miller, who moved to Northern Indiana in the thirties. They were followed by Benjamin Bowman and David Hardman. Zachariah Albaugh and John Hollar were German preachers. Then followed Daniel Bowman, John Bowman, Jacob Bowman, David Bowman, Lewis Kinsey, William Robey, William Lindley, Daniel Smith, Jacob Hoover, B. F. Wissler, Lewis Teeter, Samuel Eiler, Abraham Bowman, Levi P. Dilling, John A. Miller, D. E. Bowman, Clessie Miller, Perry Hoover, Oscar Werk- ing, and A. D. Bowman. Since 1917 the following ministers have been ordained; Oscar D. Werking 1918, Martin M. Hoover and Clessie Miller, 1919, Carl Hilbert, 1921, Floyd Breneman and Lloyd Hilbert, 1948, and Howard Breneman, 1949.
Clemmie Miller was elected in 1918 and later became a Methodist. Presiding elders are: David Miller, 1820-1833, Benjamin Bowman, 1833-1850, David Hardman, 1850-1864, Daniel Bowman, 1864-1885. L. W. Teeter was presiding elder from 1885 until August II, 1923, when O. D. Werking was chosen. Brother Werking has served con- tinually and is now the presiding elder. All the ministers in Nettle Creek served in the free ministry until Nov., 1939. Bro. Oscar Werking then became pastor at the Brick Church. Carl Hilbert serves at White Branch and Clessie Miller in the Locust Grove territory.
In the Church history closing 1917 Bro. Teeter reported sixty- four deacons. They are: Aaron Miller, John Bowman, John Ulrich, Benjamin Hardman, John Hardman, Jacob Caylor, Samuel Eiler Sr., David Hartman, Abraham Zook, Zacariah Albaugh, Daniel Bowman, John Hart, Daniel Ulrich, Abraham Replogle Sr., George Countryman, Christian Holler, Abraham Myers, Daniel Welty, Daniel Zook, Jacob Bowman, John Werking, John Crull, John Hollar, David Lontz, Ed- ward Raffe, Aaron Richardson, Abraham Garver, Frederick Dilling, Henry Shultz, Abraham Bowman, Lewis W. Teeter, Joseph Holler, B. F. Koons, Abraham Hollar, Ithamar Bowman, Jacob Replogle, Ben- jamin F. Crull, Levi S. Dilling, Henry Moore, M. W. Robertson, Jacob Deardorff, Martin Werking, Daniel Bowman, Amos Ellenberger, Isaiah Brennaman, Charles Bowman, Jonathan Hoover, Abraham Replogle Jr., Franklin Bowers, Harrison Johnsonbaugh, Daniel Brennaman, Samuel Shock, Frank Dillon, Charles W. Miller, Clinton Stonecipher, David Shellenbarger, William Bowman, Arthur Hoover, Lewis Himes, Lawrence Sherry and John Herr. Since 1917 there have been four elections of deacons. Charles Wampler, Frank Wampler, Seba R. Lan- nerd, and Estel Mccullough were elected in 1919. Harlan Ammerman, Charles Hoover, Eber Holler and Mahlon Rinehart were chosen in 1931. Wilson Lindsay, Paul Weimer, Edward Ulrich, Howard Brennaman,
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and Ivan Dilling were selected in 1935. Wayne L. Goar, William T. Stout, Elmer Bowman, Elmer Wampole and D. L. Miller were elected in 1946. Eleven of this last number are active. Frank Wampler became a member of another church, Estel Mccullough became a minister and serves Beech Grove, Eber Holler is deceased and Wilson Lindsay and Paul Weimer have moved away.
A Sunday School was begun in 1868 and by 1873 there were three organized Sunday Schools; work at the Maple Grove chapel having been discontinued. The work at Olive Branch was discontinued in 1922.
The Nettle Creek Church observed its one hundredth anniversary in 1920. In 1928 the church began a remodeling program which was completed in 1940 free of debt. Brother J. O. Winger conducted the rededicatory service.
The Sisters' Aid Society was organized in 1902 and has grown into a group of organized Women's Work. Men's Work was organized in 1947.
Betty Rogers Blickenstaff is supported by this church on the India Mission field. Lynn Rogers Blickenstaff, a son of Dr. and Mrs. Leon- ard Blickenstaff, is supported by White Branch. White Branch has an active Aid Society, having been organized since 1914.
The combined membership of the three congregations is four hun- dred and fifteen.
NEW HOPE
When Elders D. L. Miller, L. W. Teeter, H. C. Early, J. J. Yoder, Charles D. Bonsack, and Galen B. Royer were serving on the General Mission Board of the Church of the Brethren, they gave consent to Brethren Jacob and Sherman Rider to do mission work. It was the desire of the Rider brothers to be led by the Holy Spirit, and to carry out the command of Jesus to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. They went to Jackson County and held a revival in the number one school house near Uniontown Indiana. The people were devout and re- sponded to the preaching and the New Hope church was organized Feb- ruary 3, 1891.
Brethren J. J. Spall and W. L. Ross gave timber and stone for the structure and foundation of the church building and donated much of the labor along with other people of the community.
Some of the pioneer ministers who worked with the Rider brothers were L. W. Teeter, N. E. Baker, D. F. Hoover, Davis R. Richards, H. L. Fadely, A. C. Young, Jacob Rarick, Jacob Secrist and Isaac Branson. The first election of deacons was in 1890, they were: Luther Bedel, J. J. Spall, W. L. Ross, W. P. Carpenter, W. Collins and C. Bedel. About 1900 J. J. Spall, W. L. Ross and Luther Bedel were elected to
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the ministry. Brother Bedel moved away leaving Brethren Spall and Ross as local ministers.
A Sunday School was organized and a prayer meeting established and the church grew spiritually.
Near 1908 the Mission Board sent W. L. Ross to work with the Sampson Hill church in Martin County, he served there for ten years and was ordained to the Eldership.
By 1916 the church was under the supervision of the District Mis- sion Board who at that time were E. O. Norris, John Herr, Jeremiah Barnhart, J. A. Miller, and John W. Root. In 1949 the church was released from the District supervision, being able to maintain a pastor and the work of an ongoing church.
Deacons chosen later were: W. H. Ross, Ashbury Gudgel, Amos Spall, J. C. Bedel and Carey Carpenter. Brother Carpenter was chosen for the ministry in 1925, he moved to Jeffersonville, Ind., but still serves in the New Hope Church.
Women's Work was organized in 1917 and has done much good work for the church.
A few years ago a tornado damaged the church house beyond re- pair. Difficult times followed but the light of faith still burned. The men organized and by faithful labor and co-operation the work con- tinued. In 1948 an additional plot was purchased back of the old church. A chapel was purchased from the United States Government. It was taken down and moved to the church ground where it was rebuilt back of the old building. It was dedicated September 12, 1948, Brother Estel Mccullough preaching the dedicatory sermon. The old church of pre- cious memory was removed.
Elders who have served the church are : L. W. Teeter, N. E. Baker, A. C. Young, D. Miller, E. O. Norris, D. W. Bowman, O. D. Werking, Jeremiah Barnhart, J. A. Miller, and Estel Mccullough.
Ministers who have served as Pastors are: Arthur Hoppes, John Greenhaugh, John Smeltzer, Noah Shidler, J. W. Root, Moses Smeltzer, E. O. Norris, Jeremiah Barnhart, Carnie C. Carpenter, J. W. Garrott, Estel Mccullough, Joseph Campbell, J. S. Alldredge and Floyd Bren- naman.
The deacons are: Granville Murphy, Thornton Borden, and Ho- bart Murphy. Brother Estel Mccullough is presiding elder and Brother Kenneth Fisher is Pastor. The present membership is ninety eight.
PYRMONT (North Fork)
In 1828 David Ulery and family emigrated by wagon from Mont- gomery Country, Ohio, and settled along the North Fork of the Wild Cat Creek, in Carroll and Tippecanoe Counties. There were sixteen persons, of whom eleven were members of the church; David Ulery and
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wife, son, Samuel Ulery and wife, son-in-law, John Shively and wife, David and Leonard Ulery, Christian Replogle and wife, and Joseph Replogle.
The father, David Ulery, was a deacon. A church was partly or- ganized in 1829 and Samuel Ulery was chosen deacon. There seems to have been some little association of this band with those who were set- tling along Deer Creek in the north part of Carroll County. In 1830 Jacob Brower and a Brother Garber came from Ohio and did some preaching. At this time Samuel Ulery and John Shively were called to the ministry. In 1831 the first communion was held in a barn just errected by David Ulery. The framework of this barn is still standing on the farm which until recently was owned by John Root.
In 1832 the congregation was fully organized. There were sixteen members. In addition to the ones already mentioned, there were John Wagoner and wife, John Cripe and wife, Samuel Wagoner, Esther Wagoner and Joel Fouts. Leonard Ulery had died in 1830. "Meetings were held every two weeks at the cabins or barns of members and in pleasant weather they worshipped in the groves-God's first temples."
In 1833 the church lost by death one of its ministers, Samuel Ulery. The next year there came from Ohio John Metzger and wife, who set- tled in the southern part of the district near the Middle Fork of Wild Cat Creek. The Brethren at once recognized his fitness for service. He was elected deacon 1834 and called to the ministry in 1835. He at once magnified his holy calling and soon became a power as a preacher in these early days. In 1843 he and John Shively were ordained to the eldership.
In 1845 the church had grown to such an extent that it was con- sidered best to effect a division. Elder John Shively took charge of the north organization, then called the North Fork, now Pyrmont, while Elder John Metzger had the oversight of the southern part, then known as Middle Fork, now Rossville. From now on their histories diverge, though in recent years the two churches are served by the same pastor.
The pioneer family was already passing away. Susan Ulery, wife of David Ulery died in 1845 and her husband followed in 1849.
Leonard Blickenstaff and Eli Troxel were elected to the ministry in 1847 and 1851, respectively. Jacob Wagoner and Aaron Ulery were elected deacons. "In 1852 Jacob Wagoner donated a plot from his farm at the village of Pyrmont, on which was erected the first church of worship. It was 40x60 and was built of heavy timbers such as walnut, poplar and oak, in which the forests so richly abounded. The building committee was Daniel Wagoner, Jacob Wagoner, and Christian Shively ; Henry Burkholder and William Freeze were carpenters. No dedication services were held, but a communion opened the forty eight years of serv- ice of this "noble structure."
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1856, Jacob Ulery was elected to the ministry; Isaac Ulery and Jacob Cripe were elected deacons, and Daniel Wagoner died. Daniel Metzger and Daniel Cripe were elected deacons in 1857 ; Jacob Wagoner and Jacob Cripe were called to the ministry. The latter died in 1858. 1859 Daniel Cripe was elected minister; 1860, Samuel W. Ulery and John Felix, deacons.
During the years that followed a number of members moved to Illinois. Some of them later moved back. In 1865 Isaac Cripe moved in from the Howard church. Two years later he and Jacob Wagoner were ordained to the eldership. In 1872 the church territory was again di- vided, the part in Tippecanoe County being called Fairview. Of this new division John Shively became elder, assisted by Samuel Ulery, a minister. Isaac Cripe and Jacob Wagoner retained charge of North Fork. The privilege was given to the members of the original congre- gation to hold their letters in which ever congregation they chose.
A Sunday School was organized and conducted for a while in 1866. In 1881 the Old Order element took from this church about ninety mem- bers, including Joseph Wagoner, minister, Abraham Wagoner and Daniel Metzger, deacons. In 1888 the Sunday School was reorganized, with John Reiff as superintendent. Soon after this regular quarterly council meetings were held and reports kept of proceedings. For the accommodations of those living in the east part of the district a church 30x40 was erected. The house is still standing, though the work was abandoned years ago.
Since 1873 the church has called the following brethren to the ministry : John Ulery and Joseph Wagoner, 1873, David A. Hufford, 1877 (moved to North Dakota, 1897), D. L. Barnhart and Grant F. Wagoner, 1907, Willard H. Hufford and Fred Replogle, 1915 (Wil- lard H. Hufford died in 1927 and Fred Replogle moved in 1924), Glenn Wagoner was elected to the ministry in 1927; installed, 1928, and died in 1931, Frank Replogle, a minister, and wife, moved into the congrega- tion in 1920 and moved out in 1931. From time to time ministers moved into the congregation: George W. Strong came from Pennsylvania, 1877, Leonard D. Wagoner from Middle Fork, 1877 and died the next year, L. T. Holsinger and E. M. Cobb came in 1899, also Merton Hol- singer, son of L. T. and a minister. Brother L. T. Holsinger moved to Rossville in 1907 and E. M. Cobb to Elgin, Illinois, 1908, Merton Hol- singer moved in 1907, Brother Jeremiah Barnhart came from Fairview in 1909. S. S. Neher moved in, in 1921 and moved out in 1922, Isaac R. Beery came in 1923 and moved out in 1925.
When brethren L. T. Holsinger and E. M. Cobb came in 1899, the church at once thought of a new house of worship. The old house was torn down March 12, 1900, and the same day work was begun on the new one. Much of the hauling was done by the members. The new house
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was dedicated November 18, 1900, D. L. Miller of Mount Morris, Illi- nois, preaching the dedicatory sermon. Brother H. B. Brumbaugh of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and a number of adjoining ministers were present. Brother Miller gave a series of Bible Land talks. These closed with a love feast, which was also the beginning of a series of meetings held by Elder Isaac Frantz.
This church house, built and dedicated in 1900, burned to the ground December 27, 1925. Services were held in the nearby school house until the church was rebuilt. In less than a year a new church was erected on the old foundation. Brother Otho Winger preached the dedicatory sermon November 14, 1926, which was followed by a series of meetings led by Brother Isaac B. Wike.
In 1932, the church celebrated its one hundred years of service. At that time the membership was one hundred and fifty. The church had had a Sunday School and Aid Society for many years. The Men's Work was organized in 1940. Since that time the men have operated a farm for half. The fellowship of tilling, sowing, and reaping has con- tributed much to the financial and spiritual growth of the church.
A Missionary Society called The Fellowship Circle for all women and girls of the church was organized in 1950. The church was re- modeled in 1950, adding a modern kitchen and rest rooms.
Pyrmont is the birthplace of two India missionaries. A. Raymond Cottrell was born March 21, 1884, and has served as a medical mission- ary since 1913. He with his physician wife, have ministered, not only in physical healing, but in spiritual health to multitudes of India's needy folk. Rosa B. Wagoner was born February 5, 1885 and married John I. Kaylor in August, 1911. Together they went to India in Oc- tober, 1911. Rosa died at Bulsar, October 24, 1917 and was buried there in the English cemetery. She was the first missionary wife to die on the India field. She was a loyal worker and a noble Christian. Ray- mond Cottrell is a grandson and Rosa Wagoner Kaylor was a great- granddaughter of Jacob Wagoner who donated the land where the church now stands.
The Pyrmont Church has elected twenty-four deacons, twenty-two moved in, twenty-one have moved out, thirteen died while serving the local church and seven were elected to the ministry. Six deacons are now living in the church. Deacons who have served here are the following : Stephen Metzger, Daniel Wagoner, David Ulery, Samuel Ulery, John
White Branch
New Hope
Pyrmont
Richmond
Rossville
Sampson Hill
Union Grove
Upper Fall Creek
2
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