USA > Indiana > History of the Church of the Brethren in Indiana > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
Deacons who have served include George Graham, Otto France, John Shroll, Thomas Zent, Ralph Huffman (1945), Lloyd Brubaker (1948), Noah Todd, Russell Dailey and James McDaniel; and Oliver Mathias (1928), Marshall Pence, Roy Hileman, and Wilbur Frantz (last four by letter ) .
The following have served as Sunday school superintendnents : Cecil Wheeldon, 1925-27; Willard Smith, 1928; Arthur Priser, 1929. 1934 and 1937; Alma Wood, 1935-36; Lawrence Hileman, 1938-39, 1944-46; Kimber Humbarger, 1940-42; Lloyd Brubaker, 1943 and 1947-48; Robert Humbarger in 1951.
In 1936 the church building was destroyed by fire (Feb. 9). Tem- porarily, the congregation accepted the kind offer of the Central Christian Church, one of several offers. Since this church had no pastor at the time our people held their Sunday school in the basement and supplied the pulpit for both congregations (Bro. J. W. Norris and Sister Geneva George). This was followed till the new church was built and dedicated Oct. 17, 1937, with Bro. L. W. Shultz bring- ing the dedicatory sermon. By 1944 the church was able to burn the mortgage. Present trend here is decidedly upward. The membership is 165. The members, by heroic co-operation in work and money, have built a parsonage just south of the church.
MARKLE
The Markle church was formerly known as Eight Mile prior to 1902. It was organized from the eastern part of the Salimonie territory in 1852. Samuel Murray was the first elder and served many years. The membership grew to about 100. A house was built four miles north of Markle on the farm of Robert Smuts, in 1877. The Progressive movement claimed many members, including leaders. In 1887 the Free Will Baptist church in Markle was purchased and is still in use.
Marshall Hamilton and David Truby, ministers, went with the
40
History of the Church of the Brethren
Progressive movement. George Holler, Joseph Spitzer, J. W. Felt- house and D. J. Wampler served as ministers. The early elders in order were Samuel Murray, W. R. Deeter, Dorsey Hodgden, Noah Fisher, and Lewis Huffman. D. B. Garber, elder, moved here in 1906 and was elder of the church to 1920. Only two elders have served since then : D. W. Paul, 1920-44 ; and O. C. Rife, since 1944. Daniel Fund- erburg was elected deacon in 1906, minister in 1913, and ordained in 1917. John Eberly was ordained in 1933.
Deacons in the earlier period were James Cline, Sr., Robert Smuts, George Holler, Benjamin Harden, Elmer Burkett, Edward Eikenberry, A. J. Taylor, Henry Castile, John Stockman, George W. Cline, D. H. Brumbaugh, Samuel Kline, J. S. Crull, L. H. Heaston, Daniel Funderburg, Benjamin Bowman, Charles Poorman, and Josiah Cook. Later deacons: Dan Heaston, 1920; Martin Fields, 1920 (moved away) ; Wallace Heaston, 1920 (later discontinued) ; Merrili Winebrenner, 1922 (moved away) ; G. C. Martin, 1935 (moved away) ; Paul Brumbaugh, 1935; Carl J. Freds, 1935 ; and Dale Hoover, 1935.
The pastoral list is a rather long one. It includes the following : D. B. Garber, 1915-19; I. I. Thomas, short period, 1919; Irvin Thomas, Mar .- May, 1920; E. F. Weaver, Aug .- Sept., 1920; W. W. Peters, Oct., 1920; B. D. Kerlin, 1920-23; D. B. Garber and Daniel Funderburg, 1923-26. I. R. Beery, 1926-30. John Eberly, 1930-34. Russell Weller, 1934-35; John Eberly, 1935 (Mar .- Nov.) ; Roger Shively, 1936-40; Albert Harshbarger, 1940-41 ; O. C. Rife, 1941 to 1949. Wayne Miller, 1949-50; and David Holl has been called to be pastor here and at Andrews (1951).
Sunday school superintendents are as follows : Charles Paul, 1915- 19; Dan Heaston, 1919-20; Wallace Heaston, 1920-25; Raymond Earhart, 1925-27; Paul Brumbaugh, 1927-28; Dan Heaston, 1928-31 ; G. C. Martin, 1931-34 Roscoe Cobb, 1934-35; Joseph Hart, 1935- 38; Howard McClurg, 1938-42; Mark Brumbaugh, 1942-44; Geneva Frantz, 1944-45; Dale Hoover, 1945-46; Paul Brumbaugh, 1946 -.
The following were elected to the ministry : Jesse Cook, 1920; Ora Garber, 1922; George Beery, 1928; Paul Kendall, 1931; and Roger Shively, 1937 (licensed at Huntington, 1936, installed here, 1937).
This church reports a membership of 81, less than in 1916. In 1917 D. R. McFadden held a meeting here with thirty-two added to the church.
MEXICO
In the fall of 1836 Peter (deacon) and Elizabeth Fisher and Nathaniel and Frances Clingenpeel moved from Preble County, Ohio to this vicinity. The next year the following moved here from the Upper Twin Creek congregation in Ohio: Jacob Brower, minister; Jacob Flora and John Brower, deacons; Jonathan Fisher, Michael Fouts,
41
Congregations-Middle Indiana
Henry Brower, Daniel Albaugh, Peter Sayger, and Susannah Dillman. Among these are names common around Mexico in later years.
William Moss, an elder, and wife, came in 1838. He was a vigorous, capable leader. Preaching was held in the homes and a church organization was established in 1839, with one elder, one min- ister, and three deacons for leadership.
In 1843 George Brower, a minister from Preble County, Ohio, moved in. The first communion was held in the barn of Peter Fisher, 1840. John Clingenpeel and wife were the first persons baptized. As often happened in those early days, fourteen were baptized following a love feast in 1846. Among these fourteen were Benjamin Fisher and wife, George Fisher and wife, and Stephen Rush and wife-two sons and a son-in-law of Peter Fisher.
In 1850 George Brower was ordained to the eldership, William Moss, Jr., elected to the ministry, and Peter Sayger to the dea- con's office. Elder Peter Nead, of Ohio officiated at these elections. In 1858 Isaac Fisher and Jacob Barnhart (son, and son-in-law of deacon Peter Fisher) were called to the ministry, and four deacons were chosen : Noah Flora, John Eikenberry, Daniel Balsbaugh and Ben- jamin Fisher (another son of deacon Peter ).
Services were held in homes and communions in barns till 1861. when a brick church, 44 x 64, was erected. This house was used till 1892 when the present frame church was built (50 x 80).
The church grew rapidly. In 1867 Isaac Fisher and Jacob Barn- hart were ordained to the eldership, John Eikenberry and Daniel Bals- baugh were elected to the ministry, and John Arnet, Zeriah Baldwin, and Isaac Fisher (distant kinsman of elder Isaac, and now known as "deacon" Isaac), were elected deacons. In 1870 another son of Peter Fisher, Noah, elected deacon in Roann, now was elected to the minis- try, along with Joseph Brower, and three deacons were elected : George Balsbaugh, James Himelick, and Jacob Fisher (youngest son of Peter ). In 1885 Noah Fisher and Joseph Brower were ordained elders, Jacob Fisher and Robert Metzger called to the ministry, and Levi Eiken- berry, Henry Balsbaugh and David Fetrow, deacons.
This church territory was originally very large and the Roann, Beaverdam, Kewanna, Peru, Adamsboro, and Logansport churches have since been formed out of it. In the early forties three families set- tled near Waverly: David Flora, Solomon Hyre, and Joseph Ellis. They held meetings in their homes till they built the Adamsboro house in 1885 and later became a separate church and, still later, became a part of the Logansport church. In the north part of Miami County lived the Leedys, Balsbaughs, Keiffers, Fikes, and others, who built the Wooleytown church (northeast of Denver) but it has been abandoned. Another house was built at Mud Lake in 1896 but it too
42
History of the Church of the Brethren
was abandoned. In 1872 the Courter house was built, meetings hav- ing being held earlier in the home of George Oilinger. It also has been abandoned (since 1916).
In 1889 Mexico became the site for the Old Folk's and Orphan's Home, the generous gift of Brother Levi Miller, of Mexico. Frank Fisher, and wife Lillie, were selected as overseers and soon be- came prominent leaders in the local and general church work. In 1890 the church was shocked and saddened by the death of Elder Isaac Fisher in the pulpit at the opening of a meeting.
Between 1890 and 1909 the following elections occurred : 1891, John Lair and Irvin Fisher, ministers, and Levi Flora, A. D. Lair, and Samuel Kinzie, deacons; 1896, E. C. Witter, minister, and L. G. Witter and Isaiah Miller, deacons; 1897, Silas Fisher and Wil- liam Denison, ministers, and Henry Fisher and William Eikenberry, deacons; 1903, Harry Fisher and J. E. Miller, deacons; 1906, Ira Fisher, deacon; 1907, Kernie Eikenberry, minister, and Marion Miller, deacon; 1909, Walter Balsbaugh, Lawrence Rush, and Daniel Kinzie, deacons.
Many ministers moved in through the years: 1857, George Baer ; 1860, John Lair and David Keiffer; 1872, Samuel Myers; 1884, J. J. Fox; 1889, Frank Fisher ; 1891, Enos Fisher; 1893, Michael Minnich ; 1894, Samuel Murray; 1896, Joseph Elliott; 1902, G. W. Myers; 1903, John Appleman. George Baer was an especially promising min- ister but did not live long (d. 1864). Many of the others did not re- main in the congregation. Elder Appleman had charge of the Homes for five years.
The first Sunday school was organized in 1891 and was held at three in the afternoon, Frank Fisher being the superintendent. He also organized a Sunday school at the country house.
Elders ordained in later years have been Kernie Eikenberry, 1912; Walter Balsbaugh and Harley Fisher, 1921. Ministers ordained in- cluded only one, David E. Ockerman, 1947 (licensed 1945). First de- gree calls to the ministry included Everett Fisher, 1919, Walter Bals- baugh, 1917, and Harley Fisher, 1914. Eugene Troutwine was licensed in 1948.
Later deacons called included Marion Swank and John Fisher, 19II; Ezra Musselman, 1914; Tony Fisher, Rufus Kinzie, and Ed- ward Taggart, 1918; John Richardson and John Kraning, 1926; Henry Balsbaugh, 1947, Joseph Balsbaugh, Henry Swayer, and Ray- mond Musselman, 1949.
Frank Fisher was presiding elder from 1900 to 1921. He was followed by A. G. Crosswhite, 1922; Walter Balsbaugh, 1923- 33, 1937-40, 1942-44 ; L. E. Ockerman, 1934-36; Harley Fisher, 1941- 42; T. G. Weaver, 1945-46; and Robert Sink, 1947-1951.
43
Congregations-Middle Indiana
Mexico had the free ministry arrangement till 1943. T. G. Weaver served 1943-46. Robert Sink 1946-1951, and E. Paul Weaver, 1951 -.
The Superintendents of the Sunday school since 1914 are : Walter Balsbaugh, 1914-17; Tony Fisher, 1918-19, 1928-33; Ezra Mussel- man, 1920-24; John Richardson, 1925-27; Ernest Fisher, 1934-36; Robert Kraning, 1936-40; Paul Fisher, 1941-42 ; David E. Ockerman, 1943-45 ; Joseph Balsbaugh, 1946-47 ; Henry Balsbaugh, 1948 -.
This has been a strong church with able leadership through many years. At present the membership is 271. They celebrated their cen- tennial in 1939.
MONTICELLO
The first Brethren families to come into this part of Indiana came from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, 1831 to 1835. Among these were the Peter Price, Valentine Rothrock, and George Keever families. About fifteen years later the Hanawalt and Houser families, from the same place, settled around Burnettsville, nine miles east of Monticello. In 1861, from Morrison's Cove (Pennsylvania) came the Dillings, Snoebergers, Breckbiels, and Furreys, all settling near Monticello. A year later, came the Joseph Amick and Daniel Mertz families to Bur- nettsville.
A part of Bachelor Run territory, this group had elected David Fisher to the ministry in 1846. In 1848, a group of members broke away and joined Peter Eyman's movement, the New Dunkard or (later) Church of God. The center of this group is still in White County. In 1859 the Monticello church was organized, including White County and much territory to the north and east. Isaac Iken- berry was elder 1859 to 1865. Other early ministers were Joseph Amick (1862), John Snoeberger (1859), J. G. Royer (1872), and A. C. Culp (1873). J. G. Royer, a school teacher at Versailles, Ohio, moved in following the coming of the Reiffs (his wife's family) to Burnettsville. He taught at Burnettsville (1871-6) and was super- intendent of schools at Monticello, 1876 to 1884, when he became pres- ident of Mount Morris College. He started the first Sunday school in this church, 1870.
Four early deacons were George Keever (1859), Daniel Mertz (1862), Daniel Young (1859), and John Dilling (1862).
Five ministers were called, 1882 to 1885: S. M. Bechtelheimer, J. A. Weaver, and Frank Fisher, all in 1882; David Dilling and A. R. Bridge, 1885. In 1887 seven preaching points were listed : Pike Creek (Monticello), Burnetts Creek (Burnettsville), Paton, Oak Grove, Pal- estine, Winamac, Bowman School House, and Guernsey. Burnetts Creek was organized as a separate church in 1898 with a membership
44
History of the Church of the Brethren
of fifty. All the others have since disappeared except the first and the last. They constitute the two houses of the congregation today.
Andrew C. Culp, a tall, muscular man with a striking personality and great native ability, was an effective preacher and presiding elder for years. J. A. Weaver, well educated and refined, moved west (as did Bro. Culp, to Nebraska) and was killed while cranking a car. A. R. Bridge served the church for many years (from 1885 to 1921). He died at North Manchester, January 30, 1948, having served in the min- istry sixty-three years.
Later ministers called were George O. Bridge and Roy Dilling, 1908; Edwin Zimmerman, Walter Marberger, and Dorsey Butter- baugh, 1919; and Dolar Richey, 1925. Ordinations of elders: John Snoeberger, 1859, J. G. Royer, 1872; David Dilling, 1895; A. R. Bridge, 1913; Ray Showalter, 1930; Frederick Hollingshead, 1939; and Jay J. Johnson, 1946. Ministers who served in the free ministry, but not named already were D. W. Hostetler, Adam Young, Isaac Hanawalt, and George D. Dilling.
Pastors have been: Charles R. Oberlin, 1923-30; A. Ray Sho- walter, 1930-33; J. W. Fyock, 1934-35; Frederick Hollingshead, 1936-39; Galen Ogden, 1939-40; Norman J. Baugher, 1940-42 ; David Studebaker, 1942-43 and Jay J. Johnson 1943 -.
Elders who have had oversight of this church included Isaac Iken- berry, 1859-65; John Snoeberger, J. G. Royer, Andrew C. Culp, J. A. Weaver, David Dilling, 1897-1914; Gorman B. Heeter, 1914- 20; John H. Wright, 1920-23 ; Charles R. Oberlin 1923-30 and 1935- 46; A. Ray Showalter, 1930-33; Ray Shank, 1933-34; J. W. Fyock, 1934-35 and Jay J. Johnson, 1946 -.
The list of deacons is an unusually long one. Their names and dates of installation (when given) are as follows : the four listed above; Solomon Furrey, Jacob Furrey, George D. Dilling, Christian Breich- biel, William Rothrock, Benjamin Bowsher, Amos Freed, John Culp, George O. Bridge, Joseph Haas, Henry Schaffer, R. H. Whitcher, John Keever, Joseph Kellenburger (step-father of Elder Frank Fisher ) and John Hibner, 1906; Rudolph Keever, 1913; Joseph Dilling, George Kepp, and Willard Cochran, 1919; Earl Hibner, Amos Carter, and Frank Cowger, 1936; Charles Barnes and Clyde Bridge, 1949.
Sunday school superintendents since 1901 are as follows : John L. Hibner, Earl Dilling, Frank Cowger, Russell Jay, Mrs. Hazel Hare, and Clyde Bridge. The last is serving at Pike Creek and Arthur Welte at Guernsey, 1951.
The Pike Creek house, one mile east and three miles north of Mon- ticello, was built in 1868. It seems that Palestine, to the west, was or- ganized in 1870 with a membership of twenty. The Guernsey house, one mile west of Guernsey, was built in 1913 and remodeled in 1939
45
Congregations-Middle Indiana
with J. O. Winger the speaker of the occasion. In 1944 the Pike Creek house was remodeled with V. F. Schwalm of Manchester College the speaker. Just west of this building a seven-room parsonage was com- pleted in 1948.
This church had a Home and Foreign Missionary Society from 1887 to 1923. Their query to Conference in 1902 resulted in that body taking steps for our young people's organization of the Brotherhood.
The church had a membership of 114 in 1916; in 1950 it was 193.
PERU (and Bloomfield Mission)
Although this church now has a membership of 449, it is one of the younger churches of the district. It was organized in March, 1912, after having been under the direction of the district Mission Board. with Elder Silas Fisher in charge of the work. The new churchhouse was dedicated the day after the church was organized. Some of those taking part in the service were Elders J. C. Murray, George Swihart J. G. Stinebaugh, Frank Fisher, and others. Otho Winger preached the dedicatory service. The building cost $5,000. In 1932 a balcony was added and in 1937 an addition to the church was built.
Wayne Lawson (1945) and Ellis Angle (1946) were licensed to preach; S. T. Fisher was ordained to the ministry in 1912, the day the church was organized; Ellis Angle, in 1948; and Wayne Lawson. 1950.
The elders in charge have been the following : Irvin Fisher, 1912- 13; J. W. Norris, 1913-14 ; S. S. Blough, 1917; S. T. Fisher, 1917-19; J. G. Stinebaugh, 1918; Brother Kreider, 1919-22; A. G. Crosswhite, 1922-27; J. O. Winger, 1927; H. H. Helman, 1927-30; Charles R. Oberlin, 1930-47; Perry Coblentz, 1947-48; Edward Kintner, 1948 -.
The pastors of the church have been : Silas Fisher, 1912-1921 ; A. G. Crosswhite, 1921-1927; H. H. Helman, 1927-1929; Glenn Garber, 3 months, 1928; Charles R. Oberlin, 1929-1946; John B. Wieand, 1946-1948, and Fred Hollenberg, 1948-1951. Deacons who have served the church are as follows (with date of installation) : Ira Miller and Orville Trent, 1912; Joe Nicodemus, 1913; Charles Butler, 1915; Clarence Orpurt and Marvin Dailey, 1919; Enoch Lawson and Floyd Mullinix, 1922 ; Arnold Flora, Milton Bishop, Dean Myers, and Dr. Lee Burrous, 1949.
Sunday school superintendents from 1909 to 1934 were: Aaron Klepinger, 1909-II; Ira Miller, 1912-13; Edward Wisenbarger, 1914; Elmer Gunion, 1915-16; Charles Butler, 1917-19; Marvin Dai- ley, 1920; Percy Klepinger, 1921-26; Floyd Mullinx, 1926-28; Jesse Klepinger, 1928-33 and Clarence Orpurt, 1933-41, 1948-51 ; Dr. E. Lee Burrous, 1941-42; Raymond Kesler, 1942-44; Ellis Angle 1944- 47 ; and Norma Flora, 1947-48.
46
History of the Church of the Brethren
BLOOMFIELD MISSION (Peru)
One Sunday morning in 1937, the members of the Bethany class (Peru church) were discussing the passage of Scripture concern- ing the man borne of four and let down into the house from the roof for Jesus to heal. Out of this Scripture of doing for others, was born the Bloomfield Mission. After much prayer and planning, the district of Bloomfield was canvassed and a Sunday school was organized. The first Sunday school was held on May 1, 1937. The first meetings were held in various homes until a residence was rented and used for ser- vices. There were two rooms upstairs and two down. Some old circus chairs were rented for seating. This was used until in 1943 when a house was purchased and remodeled and dedicated on February 20, 1944. This building consisted of four rooms, an auditorium and base- ment. The work continued to grow until this building was too small, so again, it was remodeled and rededicated on February 17, 1946. To- day, the building consists of seven class rooms and a large basement. On the first Sunday in September, 1942, Rev. Mrs. Goldie Killion be- gan what proved to be a very successful pastorate which lasted until August 31, 1949. At present they have no pastor, but Paul Fisher, one of the workers there, gives Bible lessons during the preaching hour. These have been very profitable meetings. At present, they are having Bible study on Monday evenings. These are for the purpose of training teachers. The membership, at this time, is 70.
PIPE CREEK
About 1851 Brethren began to hold meetings along or near Pipe Creek in the southern part of Miami County. Samuel Murray, a min- ister in the second degree, moved in that year and in 1852 they or- ganized a church with sixteen charter members. Other ministers were Abraham Shepler and Gottlieb Keller. The first deacons were John Cripe, Benjamin Kinsey, David Shirley, Jacob Long, George Myers. Daniel Ray (Wray?), and Samuel Puterbaugh.
Under the leadership of Bro. Murray, the church grew. He was ordained and given over-sight 1857, Elder Abraham Moss having been elder in charge, 1852-1857 (apparently non-resident). In the early 1860's John E. Shively and Philip Erbaugh were called to the ministry. (The latter went with the Progressive movement, later. ) In 1864 Elder Murray moved to Huntington County (Antioch or Andrews, then Salamonie) and John E. Shively lived in the Santa Fe church after its organization in 1871. Elder Shepler presided over this church from 1864 to 1885. Gottlieb Keller and Abraham Rinehart had joint charge 1885 to 1896. The latter died 1916 at the age of 93. The elders in charge since that date have been as follows : Daniel P. Shively, 1896-1900; Daniel P. Nead, 1900-1911 ; Peter Houk, 1911-14; Frank
47
Congregations-Middle Indiana
Fisher, 1914-21; Davis P. Klepinger, 1921-23; W. C. Stinebaugh, 1923-27 ; and T. A. Shively, 1927 -. Joseph Shepler, minister, moved in at two different times. Forrest Hostetler, an e.der, is now a member of this congregation, coming from the disbanded Santa Fe church.
Elections and ordinations of ministers, in addition to those al- ready noted : Daniel Bowser, 1873, ordained 1889; Daniel P. Shively, 1873, ordained 1889; Daniel Long, 1885, ordained 1935; Isaac Shepler, 1890 (died 1905) ; D. P. Nead, 1894, ordained 1699; Davis P. Klepinger, 1902, ordained, 1919; E. E. Dailey, 1906, ad- vanced, 1907; T. A. Shively, 1922, advanced, 1923, ordained, 1924 ; Milo Huffman, 1931 (lic.) ministry, 1933, ordained 1939; Er- nest Shively, 1931, (lic.) ministry 1933; Willis Maugans, 1945 (lic. ), ministry, 1946.
Besides the deacons listed above those who were elected in the earlier years but not serving in 1916 were John D. Klepinger, Peter Sager, Isaac Shively, Isaac Shepler, George Wolf, Davis P. Klepinger, George Simmons, Samuel Puterbaugh, George Cunningham, Henry Jeffrey and E. E. Dailey. Those serving in 1916 were: A. Cripe, William Wissinger, W. E. Puterbaugh, Allen Metzger, Jacob Wiss- inger, and E. S. Metzger. Deacons elected since 1916: Isaac Coblentz, Martin Huffman and Joseph Wissinger, 1916; Perry Metzger and Ro- bert Clingenpeel, 1926; Willis Maugans, Avery Myers, and Charles Young, 1941 ; Roy Miller, Vinol Bowyer, and Ralph Wissinger, 1948. The two elected in 1926, Avery Myers, and those elected 1948, con- stitute the present deacon body.
Superintendents of the Sunday school have been as follows: John Erbaugh, David Graft, Daniel Nead, Aaron Klepinger, George Sim- mons, Charles Shively, E. E. Dailey, Martin Huffman, 1921 ; Joseph Wissinger, 1922-24; Robert Clingenpeel. 1925-29; Milo Huffman 1930-32 ; Willis Maugans, 1932 (last part) ; 1934-37, 1938-45; T. A. Hopper, 1933; Ellis Angle, 1938; Avery Myers, 1946-48; Vinol Bowyer, 1949.
The first house was erected in 1856, a half mile south of Nead, on land donated by Daniel Shively. The present large brick structure was built on land donated by Hannah Metzger a mile and a half west of Nead and about seven miles south west of Peru. In 1921 interior al- terations and improvements were made. In the spring of 1876 Elder R. H. Miller held a debate here with Elder Aaron Walker of the Dis- ciples. Following the debate many were added to the church by baptism. The first Sunday school was organized in 1884 with 18 classes and 200 enrolled. Elder Daniel. Wysong of Nappanee held six series of meet- ings here. There has been at least one series held every year since 1884. In 1916 the membership was 155; it is now 119. There have been no pastors, all the preaching having been done by free ministry.
48
History of the Church of the Brethren
PITTSBURG (Delphi)
This is the youngest church in the district and is located in the town of Pittsburg, near Delphi. It had its origin in a group who had been members of the Delphi Church. The Delphi Church had orig- inally been a mission or preaching point in the Southern Indiana District. A committee of Southern Indiana and Middle Indiana was appointed to establish a church in Delphi. They were J. G. Stinebaugh, Gorman Heeter, and Jerry Barnhart. G. F. Wagoner and Frank Replogle did most of the preaching for a time. Bro. K. Eikenberry served later. The Minutes of the District Meeting of Middle Indiana for 1920 record an action changing the line between the districts so that Delphi could be in Middle Indiana. It was stated that services were being held in homes and a church house was needed. The next year the church was listed as having fifty-eight members, twenty-five having been baptized. J. G. Stinebaugh was doing the preaching. In 1922 the Presbyterian church, two blocks from the courthouse, was bought for $6,000. In 1924 there was a debt of $2,700 on this church. The only records fur- ther in the District Meeting minutes regarding Delphi were the items of a summer pastorate (1927) of Samuel Mohler, the withdrawal of mission board support (1930), and the disorganization of the church. November, 1930 (in 1931 minutes).
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.