USA > Indiana > History of the Church of the Brethren in Indiana > Part 19
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Metzger, Jacob Wagoner, Aaron Ulery, Isaac Ulery, Jacob Cripe, Da- vid Wagoner, Daniel Metzger, Daniel Cripe, Samuel W. Ulery, John Felix, Abraham Wagoner, Daniel C. Wagoner, Samuel W. Wagoner, David Reiff, Samuel Gibble, Andrew Metzger, Thomas C. Welch, Noah Ulery, Eli M. Cottrell, David D. Blickenstaff, Andrew Wagoner, John L. Wagoner, Daniel Wagoner, Solomon Ulery, Allen Wagoner, David L. Barnhart, Zimri Sensenbaugh, William Steward, Benjamin Metzger, Bernard Jacot, Jerome Shigley, George W. Wagoner, Hershel Metz- ger, Elmer Swartz and John W. Vetter. The deacons who are now serv- ing are : Michael A. Barnhart elected 1916, Floyd Smeltzer elected 1924, Frank Barnhart elected 1924. John Boyd moved in 1925, J. Thomas Laprad moved in 1928, and John Wagoner moved in 1942.
Presiding elders serving from 1843 to the present have been and are : John Shively 1843-1872, Isaac Cripe 1872-1893, D. C. Campbell 1895-1899, L. T. Holsinger 1899-1905, A. G. Crosswhite 1905-1907, J. G. Stinebaugh 1907-1910, Jeremiah Barnhart 1910-1913, 1914-1918, 1921-1922, 1924-1928, 1935-1936, David Dilling 1913-1914, D. L. Barnhart 1918-1920, 1930-1935. Adjoining elders 1920-1921, W. L. Hatcher 1922-1924, Frank Replogle 1928-1930, 1934-1937, Walter Replogle 1937-1938, R. L. Sink 1938-1946, G. L. Wine 1946 -.
In 1921 it was decided to employ a pastor. There have been five pastors. They are : S. S. Neher Oct. 1921-1922, I. R. Beery 1923-1925, Milton Early during the summer of 1938, Robert L. Sink 1939-1946, G. L. Wine became pastor 1946 and is the present pastor.
After the death of Lulu Root, daughter of Solomon Ulery, Elder John Root offered the church the Solomon Ulery farm of 134 acres at a reduction of ten thousand dollars, his gift to the church. They accepted the farm Dec. 1, 1950.
Brother David Barnhart as has been shown served the church as Elder. He lived here for forty-two years. He was a devoted man of God, with him was his brother Jerry Barnhart, these two men have been of much service to the church not only locally but have been men of influence in the District serving on many boards and much loved by those who work near them. Brother Jerry is a faithful servant of God who lends inspiration to the Pastor and all the congregation. The men- bership is one hundred and seventy-two.
The early history was made available by Brother John W. Vetter of Ohio who lived in the local church for more than forty years.
RICHMOND
Members of the Church of the Brethren living in Richmond, In- diana felt for a long time the need of a church in Richmond. This de- sire increased until the fall of 1925 when a meeting was called at the home of Brother and Sister William Hieger on Linden Avenue.
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A general discussion was held on the subject. Among those present were Andrew Miller, Albert Zumbrum, Roy Colters, Susie Petry, Elmer Petry, Luther Petry, Bro. and Sister Hieger, Sister Isaiah Petry, and others.
As a result of this meeting, church services were held in various homes for a period of two or three months. Bro. Luther Petry doing most of the preaching. At this time a room was secured in the Colonial Building and services were held there for about three months. Sunday School was organized at that place. The first teachers were Samuel Wise, Edwin Hieger, and Sarah Petry. Some of the ministers helping out in these services were John Robinson, Luther Petry, Martin Hoover, and others. Bro. Martin Hoover held a short revival meeting at that time. Early in the spring of 1926 this courageous group of members were without a minister, but they kept up the faith in Sunday School and the meetings were not allowed to drag. Mark Schaeffer acted as super- intendent for the first school.
About this time the old school building at West Fifth and School Streets was rented for services. The first service in this building was held on April 24, 1926. This was a business meeting. At this time, Bro. Chester Petry was engaged to hold a revival meeting in May. The next day, April 25, 1926, the first full service was held. Both Church and Sunday School got under way. Ministers who officiated about this time were Lawrence White, Ira Hiatt, Bro. Browning, and Andrew Miller. The average attendance at these services was around forty for the first year.
About the middle of June, 1926, Sister Pearl Jackson, from Losant- ville, Indiana, began to fill the pulpit in a regular manner. She took care of the preaching services in a highly commendable manner for fully a year. She gave up the work because of other duties that called her away.
The members were again faced by an empty pulpit, but not for long. The Mission Board of Southern Indiana lent their help and summer pastor, Wilbur O. Snyder from Tyrone, Pa., took charge of the work until fall when duty called him back to his school teaching. From this time on, Martin Hoover preached for several months. During this time a meeting was held to officially organize the church.
On October 19, 1927, letters were received from the different mem- bers. Twenty-nine charter members were received that night. Trustees were elected. The balance of the organnization was taken up on Novem- ber 9, 1927. Two more members were accepted. Much enthusiasm was shown at this meeting.
Those faithful charter members were as follows: Edwin Hieger, Mary Jane Hieger, William Hieger, Lora Hieger, Lottie Kreitzer, Ohmer Kreitzer, Melvin Miller, Olive Miller, Kenneth Moss, William Moss, Mrs. William Moss, Albert Murphy, Frederick Murphy, Lawr-
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ence Murphy, Vivian Murphy, Herman Newland, Isaiah Petry, Sarah Petry, Willis Petry, Mary Rinehart, Ray Rinehart, Carmel Siders, Raymond Siders, Goldie Wise, Mabel Wise, Samuel Wise, Garland Werking, Vera Werking, Ruby Early, Fred Goodwin, and Mary Good- win. A tribute is here paid to those who so faithfully served early in the Richmond Church but were not in the community to join as charter members.
The subject of a church building was brought up at this meeting. A building fund was started by a free-will offering. The sum of $12.25 was raised. This was a start toward a new church building.
With the leaving of Bro. Wm. Deaton, late in 1928, the services lapsed for a time.
Bro. O. D. Werking of the Hagerstown Brick Church was our first elder and it was through his kindness and sincere help of the Mission Board that the smoldering coals were again blown into a flame. Bro. N. E. Baker was secured as the first resident pastor Richmond ever had. A home was rented for him at 1141 Ridge Street, and on Sundays the two front rooms were prepared with chairs for services. The work prospered under his leadership and through his efforts a forceful build- ing program was laid out.
By the middle of October, 1930, ground was broken for the new building. The location was secured by canvassing the entire community to ascertain how badly the surrounding community needed a church. The Mission Board purchased the ground. The building committee con- sisted of Isaiah Petry, Albert Murphy, and Orville McKee. Bro. N. E. Baker served as treasurer of this committee. Bro. Baker left in April, 1931, but the church went on with the project. They raised the money in small amounts. A definite program was worked out toward the com- pletion of the new building.
This new enthusiasm was much encouraged by the help of Bro. William Deaton who returned to the scene when things were not so bright. Through his help and guidance the members were urged to their utmost with that ever-promising picture before their eyes-Dedica- tion Day.
The members turned out evening after evening, when the money ran out, and worked at the church even though they had put in one day's work at their various positions in the city. A year and one month after the breaking of ground, the building was finished-November 1I, 1931.
An all-day meeting was held for the Dedication Service. Eld. Otho Winger gave the address to an overflow crowd. Many of those who had a part in this new church long ago were present.
At the March Council an advisory board was organized to handle the affairs of the church. Those elected were Orville Funderburg, John
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Olt, and Ray Rinehart. The church then began to talk about Com- munion.
On July 5, 1932, Bro. Walter J. Heisey was selected as pastor. He served faithfully until the fall of 1934. During that time communion tables were purchased and all dishes and necessary equipment were ac- quired.
In January of 1935, Bro. E. O. Norris came as pastor. At this writing, he is still serving in full capacity as our pastor. With fifteen years of hard work and splendid service under his leadership, the mem- bership has grown.
In the early part of 1945, the home Bro. Norris was renting was sold. A nice home was purchased as a parsonage. Once again the mem- bers turned out night and day and prepared the home for occupancy.
Bro. Orville McKee and Bro. Ezra Deaton and their wives are serving as deacons, having been the first deacons in the church. In October 1937, Bro. and Sister John Olt were installed as deacons. They are still serving. In March of 1945, Bro. and Sister Garland Werking and Bro. and Sister Ray Rinehart were called as deacons.
The steadfastness of Bro. and Sister Norris, the efforts of evangelists, and the faith of the members have contributed all to the growth of the Richmond Church. The church is now looking forward and planning for the day when we will not need help from the Mission Board, who have stood by us partially all these years.
Following are names of pastors : Luther Petry, William Deaton, John Robinson, Martin Hoover, Lawrence White, Ira Hiatt, U. B. Browning, Andrew Miller, Pearl Jackson, Wilbur O. Snyder, N. E. Baker, Walter J. Heisey, E. O. Norris.
Elders who served : Martin Hoover, William Deaton, N. E. Baker, Walter J. Heisey, E. O. Norris, Carl Hilbert.
Sunday School Superintendents : Mark Schaeffer, Melvin Miller, Or- ville McKee, Ray Rinehart, Carl Petry, Orville Funderburg, Ralph Mc- Kee, Harold Petry, Isaiah Petry, William Heiger, Isaiah Petry, Eli Jackson, Garland Werking.
The membership is one hundred and twenty-one. E. O. Norris, pastor, and Carl Hilbert, elder.
ROSSVILLE (Middlefork)
This congregation was a part of the North Fork congregation, the beginning of which may be read under the heading of that church. Most of the first settlers located in the northern part of the District.
In 1834 John Metzger and wife came from Montgomery County, Ohio, and settled in the southern part of the District. Others followed. In 1834 he was elected deacon, in 1835 called to the ministry, and in 1843 ordained to the eldership. During these years he had been faith-
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fully preaching the Gospel and many in those pioneer districts had ac- cepted Christ. In 1845 the Wild Cat territory was divided, that to the south taking the name Middlefork (of Wild Cat Creek). Elder John Metzger was given charge of this church and remained its faithful bishop for twenty years.
Material is scarce for exact information. At an early period in the church, Daniel Neher, a native of Rockingham County, Virginia, was called to the ministry, March 27, 1846. He was ordained in 1858. He moved to Illinois in 1871. He had three sons who were ministers : Joseph D., elected at Middlefork, and died here; Andrew Neher, elected in Kansas; John F. Neher, elected here and died in Oklahoma. David Frantz was one of the pioneer preachers who moved to Illinois. Stephen Metzger and John W. Metzger (cousin and son, respectively, of Elder John Metzger) were called to the ministry. The former went with the Old Order Brethren. The latter was for years an elder of this church and then moved to California. John Shively was elected here. He and Harrison Rule, who moved in, both went Old Order in 1881. Solomon Blickenstaff was elected here but moved to Bachelor Run in 1898 where he died a few years later.
Isaac Billheimer, who had come from Tennessee and lived for some years in the Fairview church, came here in 1892. An able preacher and a fine Christian man, he was presiding elder for some years, and came to be of great influence in the State District. He died here in 1906. Sanford Saylor was another minister who moved in and died here. Michael Flory was elected here about 1885 and moved to Southern Illinois in 1889. James Hazlett and Amos Neher were called to the ministry in 1890. The latter moved to California in 1898 where he still resides. The former served the church many years in the free ministry. He was ordained Elder in December 1921. He moved to North Man- chester in 1904 where he attended Manchester College. In 1912 he returned to this church where he remained until a few years before his death (1948) which occurred at the home of his daughter in Arizona. Frank G. Replogle was elected minister September 30, 1906, and or- dained to the Eldership, 1923, in Pyrmont Church. Being a teacher, he left the District in 1913 to attend Manchester College. He returned to this church in 1931 and, with the exception of one year in the Cincinnati, Ohio, church, has been here since. He is a teacher in the West Lafayette Senior High School.
Charles C. Hylton, minister moved in from the Manchester church in 1918, was ordained as elder in December, 1921.
Ralph Wagoner was licensed to the ministry in 1946 and ordained to the full ministry July 10, 1949.
The presiding elders of this church have been in order : John Metz- ger (1843-1864), Daniel Neher, Allen Mohler, John W. Metzger, Isaac
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Billheimer, Solomon Blickenstaff (ordained 1889), David Dilling (1899-1906), John D. Mishler (1906-1908), David Metzler (1908- 1910), John H. Wright (1910), Paul Mohler (1915-1916), Jeremiah Barnhart (1914-1915), W. L. Hatcher ( 1917-1922), Charles C. Hylton (1922-1923, 1929-1930, 1932-1937), J. G. Stinebaugh (1923-1929), Frank G. Replogle (1937-1940, 1945-1946), Robert L. Sink (1940- 1945), G. L. Wine (1947-).
Since January 1906 the church has been cared for by pastors who were for the most part on full time support. They are : John D. Mishler (1906-1908), David Metzler (1907-1909), John H. Wright (1910- 1912), Paul Mohler (1915-1916), W. L. Hatcher (1917-1921), Noah Shideler (1921-1923), J. G. Stinebaugh (1923-1930), I. R. Beery (1930-1932), Walter Replogle (1934-1938), Robert L. Sink ( 1939- 1946), G. L. Wine came as pastor in 1946 and is in his sixth year of the present pastorate.
Since 1939 the Rossville pastor also serves the Pyrmont Church as pastor.
The following have served the church in the office of deacon : Samuel Hufford, Isaac Metzger, Jacob Shively, Martin Neher, John Metzger (father of John E. who was agent for the Brethren Publishing House for many years), Harrison Gochenour, David Skiles, Samuel Mohler, Philip Crull, D. D. Hufford, A. C. Metzger, John E. Metzger (1890), William Metzger (1890), Allen Metzger (1906), Amos Cripe (1907, Edward Kendal, Daniel Spurgeon, Dennis Hufford (1907), Jerry Holsinger (1912), Jesse Hufford (1912), J. W. Vetter, John Skiles (1917), Harry Gochenour (1917), Floyd Gochenour, Roscoe Shedron, Herschel Metzger, Russell Cripe, Ferris Hylton (1946), Marvin Wagoner (1946), Fred Laprad (1946).
The congregation has built four meetinghouses. The first one was located five miles southwest of Rossville. It was the main Middlefork house. The original house was replaced by a new one in 1886. Locally it was known as Pleasant View. The second house was called New Hope, built about 1865, located four miles southeast of Rossville. It also has been abandoned. The third one was built in Edna Mills, four miles west of Rossville in 1873. This house was closed about 1902. In 1906 a large house was erected in Rossville. D. D. Hufford was the architect and contractor. This house was dedicated in December 1906, Elder Galen B. Royer, Elgin, Illinois, delivering the sermon. Immediately following, a series of meetings was conducted by William Lampin, Polo, Illinois. There were thirty-five added to the church. For some years services were continued at the Pleasant View house on alternate Sun- days. In 1915 this house was closed and the Rossville house has been the only place of worship since then. The name of the congregation was changed a few years ago from Middlefork to Rossville.
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The name Metzger has been a common one since organization. This is the home church of Minerva Metzger who served 30 years on the China Mission field (1910-1940). Because of the war with Japan she was compelled to leave the field. She died here in December 1941 a few days before the Pearl Harbor incident.
The present membership is two hundred and eighty-nine.
SAMPSON HILL
In 1852 Brother Leonard Stevens and his wife, Anna, moved to Martin County from Kansas. They bought a farm southwest of Shoals, but there was no church of the Brethren near so they became missionaries. They made friends of the neighbors and gave a faithful testimony using any opportunity to tell of the hope, doctrine and prac- tice of the Brethren. They distributed literature and some people be- came interested. The Southern Indiana Mission Board did much visit- ing and work here.
Services were held in homes, barns and groves. The first members were Henry and Susan Quakenbus Tronter, who were baptized by Brother George Studebaker. The first communion was held in the large barn on the Stevens farm. Brother Jerome Hensler, a deacon who was much interested, gave the ground for a church building. Other mem- bers donated materials, time, and work. Brother Elias Horner and son, William, hewed rock by hand for the foundation of the church. Brethren Jerome Hensler, Joseph Harner, B. S. Johnson, Henry Wil- liam, and Ollie Tranter, and others whose names were not recorded did the carpenter work. The church was built because they "had a mind to work."
The church house was dedicated in 1897. Elder D. A. Norcross who moved to California, was called to the ministry at Sampson Hill. Elder Jonathan Greenhalgh was born in Manchester, England. After coming to America he united with the church in 1897, was called to the ministry in the Upper Fall Creek Church, and preached at Sampson Hill.
Other Brethren who met with the church to encourage and preach were George L. Studebaker, Lewis Kinsey, Elias Caylor, David Caylor, W. L. Ross, Denton Horner, Herman C. Branson, Glenn Rummel, E. O. Norris, and J. A. Miller, and James Hunter.
The membership is listed at fifty-nine.
UNION GROVE
About 1838 several families of Brethren located in Delaware County, Indiana. This same year, Elder Isaac Karns, John Darst and John Cumrine paid the members a visit and encouraged them to hold
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social and religious meetings. This they did without a preacher or deacon for over two years.
In the spring of 1841 John Younce, a minister from Miami County, Ohio, moved in and the church was organized. In 1842 George W. Studebaker was called to the ministry; in 1843, David and John S. Studebaker were called to the same office; and in 1847 John was chosen. George W., after serving the church forty years moved to Fredonia, Kansas, in 1882. John S. moved to Cass County, Indiana, in 1846, and was a pioneer in starting the Upper Deer Creek church. David moved to Miami County, Ohio, in 1855 and died in 1863. John U., last elected, served this church for over fifty years and passed to his reward August 15, 190I.
Some of the early deacons were as follows: David Rench and Jacob Kunkle, 1843, Alex. Snider, 1852, John Berg, 1854, John Snyder and Jacob Gump, 1855.
During these years the church prospered. The Studebakers labored faithfully at home and showed remarkable missionary zeal and energy elsewhere. They traveled on horseback through what is now Middle and Northern Indiana. Many churches owe their origin to these faith- ful ambassadors for Christ. It is no wonder that their home church built up with such leaders. A house was erected in 1857, just west of Eaton, along the Mississinewa River.
As time went on other helpers joined them in the work: 1862, Samuel Studebaker, deacon from Illinois; 1865, Gabriel Karns, a min- ister from Ohio; 1865 Isaiah Howard, deacon from Ohio, called to the ministry in 1867; 1868, Scott Richardson, minister, elected; 1869, John Rarick, deacon from Ohio; 1869, Christian Davis, minister, elected ; March 12, 1871, W. R. Deeter elected minister, advanced 1873, ordained 1875, moved to Kosciusko County 1881 ; Samuel Younce, elected min- ister 1878, ordained 1882, moved to Clarion, Michigan, 1900.
In 1882 the church had a membership of 200. The division of the church affected this church but little. The loss of George W. Studebaker and W. R. Deeter who moved to other fields weakened for a time the ministerial force. Others were soon called to take up the work: George L. Studebaker, elected June 11, 1881 ; Jacob Rarick elected in fall of 1881; C. F. Eiler moved in 1888 from Prairie Creek; A. C. Young moved in from Ohio, 1893. In 1900 C. F. Eiler moved to Walnut Level, while A. C. Young was ordained. In 1895, J. W. Miller, a deacon who moved in from Somerset church, was chosen; he was later ordained and died here in 1912. His brother J. A. Miller, a minister in the second degree, moved in from Landessville and was ordained November 25, 1911. He had charge of the church from 1913-1920. V. B. Browning was elected to the ministry and ordained in 1915. A. P. Wenger was ordained September 15, 1946. Fred Goudy was elected March 19, 1922.
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Paul S. Studebaker, June 1, 1918, ordained October, 1923, Hickory Grove, Northern Illinois, near Mt. Carroll. Merrell L. Brinson May 28, 1925, and Harold Rarick December 21, 1928.
Presiding elders since 1920 are : D. W. Bowman 1920-1921, J. A. Miller 1921-1922, J. W. Rarick 1922-1923, Carl Rarick 1924-1926, I. B. Wike 1926-1928, J. W. Norris 1928-1929, J. G. Stinebaugh 1929- 1931, I. E. Weaver 1931-1944, V. B. Browning 1944-1949, and L. S. Shively, 1950 -.
Deacons elected in 1882 and up to the present time are: Calvin F. Moomaw; James Pierson, L. J. Hooke, G. F. Rarick, Jacob L. Minnich, John Shoemaker, Eli Snyder, Grant Leckington, Ira Shoemaker, How- ard Moomaw, Samuel Mckinley, Samuel DeWeise; May 1925, O. H. Snider and Elton Brinson were elected. Dwight Cox and Harry Fisher 1932, Earl Snider 1934, James Suzodder, Mark Rench, James Pruett, and Jesse Palmer were chosen in 1941, Willard Tapy, and Harold Wal- lar in 1946.
In 1885 the Union Grove house was built, three miles southwest of the old house. In 1933 the name Mississinewa was changed to Union Grove.
A Sunday school was organized in 1886 with Alexander Stude- baker as Superintendent.
East of Muncie some six or eight miles there was a church known as Bush Creek. It was organized largely through the missionary efforts of Elder George W. Studebaker. It was organized sometime before 1868, but had ceased to exist as a separate organization before 1882.
The church building was remodeled and a rededication service was held June 23, 1946. The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated in 1935.
The church has purchased a farm near the church house where the pastor lives.
The pastors who have served Union Grove are: Leo H. Miller 1918-1920, I. E. Weaver 1928 -? , Russel K. Showalter ?- 1939, I. C. Snavely 1939-1943, A. P. Wenger 1943-1949, Ernest Detrick 1949 -.
The membership is one hundred and seventy-one.
UPPER FALL
The Upper Fall Creek Church was formerly a part of Nettle Creek, and the first preaching was done by the ministers of the mother congregation, during the thirties and early forties, these ministers with missionary zeal, preached in the Buck Creek and Upper Fall Creek terri- tory near Middletown. The church was organized in 1845 with twenty- five members. Among the early Brethren families were those of the following : John P. Miller, Jacob P. Miller, Andrew Fatic, Peter Kess- ling, Jacob Good, Jacob Brunk, George Hoover, Isaac Van Matre and David Crist.
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George Hoover was the first minister of the congregation and rendered faithful service for nearly fifty years. Other men called to the ministry here are: Andrew Fatic, David Crist, Isaac Van Matre, Martin Roadcap, John Holsinger, John J. Hoover, David K. Teeter, David F. Hoover, Joseph F. Spitzer, David W. Gustin, Henry L. Fadley, George W. Painter, Lewis L. Teeter, Joseph L. Hoover and William Pannell. Frank Dillon was ordained Sept. 18, 1924, and was granted a letter in 1928. Paul Hoover was ordained Sept. 1918, and died Feb. 1, 1920. William P. Dillon was ordained Sept. 13, 1923, and was granted a letter Dec. II, 1927, and died May 20, 1937. John Stottler and John B. Alexander were licensed to the ministry.
Until 1917 the church had had but three presiding Elders, namely : George Hoover, David F. Hoover, and Henry Fadely. Brother D. E. Hoover died while Elder, July 11, 1919. A. B. Roof was Elder 1916- 1918. Brother L. L. Teeter was elected August 2, 1919, and served twenty-five years until called home Aug. 2, 1934. Brother L. L. Paul was elder 1934-1935, when Brother C. H. Hoover was chosen and served for thirteen years. Brother Carl Hilbert was elected June 25, 1948 and is the present elder.
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