USA > Indiana > History of the Church of the Brethren in Indiana > Part 5
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Some of the members went to adjoining churches, particu- larly Lower Deer Creek, some united with other denominations locally and others continued as an active group and began holding Sunday School in the home of Brother William Heiland in Delphi. The use of a building, formerly a Methodist church in Pittsburg was secured and the first public worship service was held there December 3, 1930. From that date till March 3, 1939 (date of organization of the Pitts- burg Church) Sunday school was held regularly, and usually preach- ing services, also, the attendance at Sunday school ranging from 25 to 45.
Ministers who served here during the 30's were L. T. Holsinger, 2 years ; Clifford Workman, 3 years; J. G. Stinebaugh, one year ; Wil- liam Angle, one year ; and Clarence Sink, one year. Only L. T. Hols- inger lived in the community. L. L. Paul (1931), J. S. Zigler (1932), J. W. Root (1935), and J. E. Jarboe (1938) held revivals, resulting in added membership. Also, several families moved in.
Since the organization of the Pittsburg Church in 1939, there has been continuous ministerial and pastoral service, much of the time ren- dered by the joint labors of two ministers. Jeremiah Barnhart served from 1939 to 1946; John R. Wagoner, 1939 to 1942; John A. Laprad since his licensing in 1942; Lewis Deardorff 1946 to 1950; John A. Laprad is now pastor, 1951. Besides Brother Barnhart and Brother Deardorff, the church has had the services of J. W. Root and
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Congregations-Middle Indiana
Ellis Wagoner as elders. Evangelists who have held meetings have been J. A. Snell, John B. Wieand, Dewey Rowe, B. M. Rollins, Dolar Ritchey, Harold Myers, B. D. Hirt, and Leo Miller. Pre-Easter ser- vice speakers have included Ira Hiatt, Charles R. Oberlin, and others.
In 1942 John A. Laprad was licensed and ordained to the minis- try in 1944. Elmer Irelan, Earl Eis, and Dean Cripe were installed as deacons in 1939. Sunday school superintendents have been Earl Eis, 1939-40; John Laprad, 1941-42; William Heiland, 1942-43; Virgil Gray, 1943-45; Dean Cripe, 1945-46; James Kenworthy, Jr., 1946- 48 and 1951 -; W. B. Wilsey, 1948 -.
The attendance has grown to nearly one hundred for Sunday school. The plant has been improved and enlarged but is still in- adequate. In 1949 the church had a building fund of $5,500. Very successful vacation Bible schools have been held, led by consecrated women of the church. The outlook here seems to be very good. The present membership is 159.
PLEASANT DALE
"In the autumn of 1844, when this part of Indiana was yet a vast wilderness, unknown to civilization, a brother by the name of Philip Hartman, with his family, emigrated from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, to what was then the Far West. The only mode of conveyance at that time was the wagon. Many days they traveled through dismal swamps, fording swollen streams and facing many hardships, going through rain and storm, until finally they landed at the banks of what is known as Peterson Creek, Kirkland Township, Adams County, Indiana."
The above is the introductory paragraph of an account of the Pleasant Dale church written by Murl E. Fulk. It is a typi- cal picture of what occurred over and over in these early days of In- diana.
Philip Hartman died the following year leaving the mother to care for the seven children, in a wilderness (she lived till 1871). For sixteen years she was the only member in this part of the state. Then, Israel Stoneburner moved in from Hocking County, Ohio. His wife was a member and he joined some years later. In 1868 Samuel Stump, hearing of these isolated members, came from near Markle and arranged monthly meetings. He was assisted by John Metzger who preached in German. They met in Israel Stoneburner's barn in the summer and in a school house in the winter. Some early baptisms were those of Henry Billman and wife and William Brown and wife. The interest was already growing when George W. Studebaker, at the re- quest of the community and by the challenge of Christian Statler, de- bated the latter on the Lord's Supper, 1870. Studebaker must have
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History of the Church of the Brethren
upheld his viewpoint in the minds of the people for eight asked for bap- tism: Abraham Beery, William Steele and wife, Israel Stoneburner, Peter Zimmerman and wife and Jonathan Zimmerman and wife, mak- ing a total membership now of fourteen. The next June they held a love feast in Stoneburner's barn, the first one by our people in Adams County, 1871.
Besides George W. Studebaker, who filled many early appoint- ments, Samuel Neher preached for these people after coming to the Walnut Level Church in 1876. Some members came from Allen County and the work grew. In 1889 these Adams County members organized a church and built a house the following year. Bro. Silas Gilbert brought the dedicatory message and suggested the name for the church-Pleasant Dale-which was readily accepted. The church with its two-day communions, revivals, and regular meetings was the center of life for a growing congregation through the years till it num- bered eighty in 1916 and one hundred ninety at the present time. The church is about eight miles south west of Decatur.
D. M. Byerly was called to the ministry the year the church was organized, 1889. Samuel Neher was the first elder, followed by Bro. Byerly who was ordained and placed in charge of the church, 1899. J. W. Stoneburner, 1894, Jacob Heller, 1892, and Howard Beagle, 1890, were ministers called in these early years. John H. Landis ( 1901), Jesse S. Byerly (1903), and Murl E. Fulk ( 1908) were called a few years later. John W. Stoneburner was ordained to the eldership in 1899 and John L. Kline in 1919, having moved in, 1913. I. F. Yaney also moved in, from Blue Creek, which was disorganized in 1905.
A list of the presiding elders is as follows : Samuel Neher, 1889- 1899; Daniel M. Byerly, 1899-1907; 1912-18; D. B. Garber, 1907- 09; George E. Swihart, 1909-12; Frank Fisher, 1918-23; H. L. Hart- sough, 1923-25 ; D. W. Paul, 1925-36; and Russell Weller, 1936-48; E. Paul Weaver, 1948-51.
The periods of service of the free ministry are as follows : Samuel Neher, D. M. Byerly, 1889-1923; Jacob Heller, 1892-1923; Howard Beagle, 1890 -?; J. W. Stoneburner, 1894-1908; John Landis, 1901- 1902 ; Jesse S. Byerly, 1903-23; I. F. Yaney, 1904-23; Murl E. Fulk, 1908-II; John L. Kline, 1912-23; Calvin Eiler, 1902-06; James Rogers, 1921-22; Orin Gregory, 1912 -.
Those who have served as pastors (all part time except S. L.
Pipe Creek
Pittsburg
Pleasant Dale
Pleasant View
Portland
Roann
Salamonie
South Whitley
11
1111
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History of the Church of the Brethren
Cover) are: R. C. Wenger, 1923-26; S. L. Cover, 1926-29; D. M. Byerly, 1929-30; D. B. Garber, 1931-35; Russell Weller, 1935-1951; John Mishler, 1951 -.
Deacons called have been : William Hartman, Charles Studebaker, Jacob Olwine, Jacob Heller, 1889; Henry J. Dilling, 1893; E. E. Zim- merman, 1893; Adam. Hoover and John H. Landis, 1899; Frank Booker, 1903; Joe Baumgartner and Eli Burket, 1908; Oliver V. Dilling and Thomas Griffiths, 1913; Lloyd Clowser and Harley Ol- wine, 1920; Lester A. Adler, William Bryan, and Oscar Geisel, 1945.
The Superintendents of the Sunday school have been : Jacob Hel- ler, 1891 ; D. M. Byerly, 1895; Henry J. Dilling, 1897 and 1899; E. E. Zimmerman, 1898; Daniel Landis, 1901; Jesse S. Byerly, 1902 ; Elva Oberholtzer, 1905; Ray Olwine, 1906; Eli Burket, 1907; Murl Fulk, 1908; O. V. Dilling and Thomas Griffiths, each half of 1909; Dora Yaney, 1910; E. E. Zimmerman, 1911-12; O. V. Dilling 1913-23; Lulu Byerly, 1924; Lloyd Clowser, 1925-32; Fred J. Adler, 1933-36; Oscar Geisel, 1937; Lloyd Byerly, 1941-44; Lester Adler, 1944-47; and Oscar Geisel, 1947-49.
PLEASANT VIEW
This church was organized as a separate congregation on August 12, 1913, from the territory of the Sugar Creek (Tunker) church. It is located five miles south of South Whitley and was built in 1902, often called the West Sugar Creek house.
The church elected J. H. Wright as their first elder. He was fol- lowed by J. Henry Neff, 1914; J. A. Snell 1915-25 and 1931-35; A. R. Eikenberry, 1925-29 and 1930-31 ; R. C. Wenger, 1929-30; H.H. Hel- man, 1935-38; Edward Kintner, 1938-42 and 1945-49; W. C. Stine- baugh, 1942-44; and V. F. Schwalm, 1944-45.
Pastors who have served have been A. R. Eikenberry, 1925-29; R. C. Wenger, 1929-31 ; H. H. Helman, 1935-37 ; Roger Shively, 1943- 45 ; Paul S. Bowman, 1945-46; William Eberly, 1946-47; and David Ockerman since 1947.
Ministers elected since 1913 have been Harry Fields, 1915; Clar- ence Gilmer, 1921; Noble Bollinger, 1921; Roy Gilmer, 1935; and Opal Pence, 1946.
Elders elected since 1913 have been L. U. Kreider, 1915; J. A. Snell, 1916 (advanced in 1915).
At the time of the organization of the church in 1913, Harvey Arnett was elected deacon. Other deacons elected have been Noah Kreider, 1916; Harvey Kreider, 1916; Shirley Lepley, Herbert Gilmer, Preston Gregory, and Harvey Shank, 1946.
The following have served as superintendent of the Sunday school : Noah Kreider, 1913, 1916,1919, and 1924-25; Curtis Cripe, 1914; Roy
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Congregations-Middle Indiana
Wine, 1915; Clarence Metzger, 1917-18, 1929-1931 ; Lee Felterhoff, 1920-21; Ed Kendall, 1922-23; Shirley Lepley, 1926-28, 1932-33, 1935-36; Oma Kreider, 1934, 1937; Herbert Gilmer, 1938-40; Dale Reiff, 1941-43 ; Preston Gregory, 1944 to 1951.
The Reelhorn school house, adjoining the church property, was purchased for the use of the church about twenty years ago. Some- what later the church house was improved by adding a vestibule and other changes. In 1950 a 40 a. farm was purchased and the house re- modeled for a parsonage. The church has a present membership of 117.
PORTLAND
The Portland congregation was formerly known as Bear Creek. Three sisters, Amanda Garber, Margaret Andrews, and Annie Petry (their husbands were not members then) called for preaching services and soon several men including George Siler, Henry P. Wehrly, Thomas Wenrick, Jacob Miller, and George Petry were preaching and baptizing converts.
The growth was slow but healthful. At one time the membership numbered eighty. The membership was scattered, especially to the north where Blue Creek church was organized. The house in Port- land was built. It was dedicated in 1891, by Elder S. W. Hoover of Dayton, Ohio. The District Conference was held here in 1897.
The following have been called to the ministry in this church: Daniel Waltz, Eli Renner, Henry P. Garber, Ezra Neher, William Barrick, Lewis Oaks, John E. Stoner and Raymond E. McClung (licensed first in 1945). In 1922 Bro. William Tinkle was ordained to the eldership. During the earlier days of the church elders in charge were Thomas Wenrick, Daniel Waltz, Samuel Neher, W. K. Simmons, D. M. Byerly, and W. L. Hatcher. The church was administered by the District Mission Board for several years. Some of the elders in charge who are listed here were working under the direction of the board.
Beginning in 1916 the elders in charge have been D. M. Byerly, 1916-18, 1922-24, 1930-37; J. G. Stinebaugh, 1919-20; J. W. Nor- ris, 1921-22 ; John Kline, 1924-25; J. A. Snell, 1925-29 ; J. O. Winger, 1929; William Tinkle, 1937-39; T. A. Shively 1939-43; Theodore Eley, 1943-45 ; Edward Kintner, 1945 -.
The first regular pastoral arrangement seems to have been that of B. D. Hirt, 1916 to about 1919. Then various ministers supplied till 1921 or 1922, when William Tinkle served as pastor for about two years. For four years, 1925-29, J. S. Zigler served as pastor for both Hickory Grove and Portland An elderly minister, Jacob Heller, who lived in the congregation filled many appointments when the church was without a minister. He even preached after he became blind. It
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History of the Church of the Brethren
seems that the next regular pastor was Theodore Eley who served on a part time basis for a number of years. Beginning about 1942 with Ross Noffsinger, student pastors from Manchester served either for a summer or during the year. Otis Landis, 1943; Herbert Fisher, 1944; William Eberly, about 1945 or 1946; and John Metzler, 1945. Since 1945 Raymond E. McClung, a local man, has served the church on a part time basis.
Earlier deacons were Joe Hanna, Eli Renner, Henry P. Garber, Moses Burkett, Christian Blocher, Lewis Oaks, Michael Blocher, and W. R. LaFollette. In 1922 John Parsons, Paul Burgess, and H. R. Franks were elected. In 1939 Raymond E. McClung and Leonard Boyd were elected.
Two great pioneer leaders in this church were Henry P. Garber and wife, Amanda Garber. He joined the church somewhat late but was soon called to the ministry. From 1885 to his death in 1901, Bro. Garber was the leader of the church. The faithful wife passed away in 1908.
The present membership is fifty-two.
ROANN
This church was originally a part of the territory of the Mexico church. Preaching was done by William Moss, George Brower, and Jonathan Swihart. Many joined as a result of their powerful preach- ing; others moved in. Some of those from Virginia included Daniel Barnhart, Daniel Showalter, David Neff and Martin Winger.
The church was organized in 1855 with about ninety members, Matthias Myers, Daniel Barnhart, and Daniel Showalter being the first ministers. Daniel Barnhart later moved to Appanoose, Kansas, where he joined the Old Orders. Daniel Showalter died here in 1863. In 1864 a meeting house was built across the river from the town of Roann and was known as Squirrel Creek church, from a little tributary of Eel River. The Brethren had a hard time financially during the war, paying their exemptions, so the building of the church was somewhat delayed. This house was used for many years but was sold about 1920 and has since burned down. The congregation bought a Presbyterian house, not then in use for one thousand dollars but remodeling added eight times that amount to the cost. It stands at the south edge of Roann. It was dedicated by V. F. Schwalm, Sept. 25, 1921. The debt was not fully paid till 1940 when the mortgage was burned. A parsonage was purchased in 1950 and fully paid for by 1951.
David Neff was elected deacon in 1861, called to the ministry in 1865, and ordained in 1872. His cousin, Benjamin Neff, and John Wagoner were elected in 1868 and Isaac Deardorff and David Swihart in 1872. In the seventies Elder Jesse Myers moved into the territory
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Congregations-Middle Indiana
from Iowa. He was very able and served many years. Some of the early deacons were Shelby Arthur, John White, Alexander Abshire, J. T. Jenkins, Joseph John, Solomon Eikenberry, Abraham Landis, John Deardorf, Henry Neff, Isaac Bowman, James Zook, and George Deardorf. In 1881 there were 150 members. Very few left with the Old Orders but some went with the Progressives.
In 1882 the name of the church was officially changed from Squir- rel Creek to Roann. About this time Aaron Moss moved in from Som- erset and Morris Dillman was a minister here about the same time. In 1896 three men were elected to the ministry: George E. Swihart, J. Henry Neff, and Robert Miller. The last named asked to be relieved of the ministry and J. H. Neff moved into the Sugar Creek church in 1898 where he died in 1916. George E. Swihart (d. 1942) was or- dained in 1904 and was in charge of the Roann congregation till 1915, with the exception of one year when J. D. Rife was elder. Jonathan Cripe was called to the ministry in 1902.
Many ministers have moved into the congregation in the past thirty years or more. I. E. Warren (d. 1928) from Beaverdam, was ordained in 1908. He operated a store and later a printing office. D. H. Weaver and Robert E. Burger both lived here a short time. The latter died in South Bend, 1929. J. D. Rife, an elder, came from Som- erset and lived here for many years till his death, 1929. Abraham Mil- ler, minister, lived here a year, coming from North Dakota. C. C. Mil- ler moved here in 1908 from Ohio and is now the oldest minister in the church. He served fourteen years as superintendent of the Sun- day school; he has worked in the free ministry over 25 years and has represented the church at many Annual and District meetings.
The elders in charge of the church since 1917 are as follows : Irvin Fisher, 1917; J. D. Rife, 1918-19; I. B. Book, 1920; C. F. Eiler, 1921 ; District Mission Board, 1922-23; S. L. Cover, 1924; J. O. Winger, 1925-26; Edward Kintner, 1927-42; Charles R. Oberlin, 1943-46; T. A. Shively, 1947-48; T. G. Weaver, 1949-50; Robert Sink, 1950-51.
Bro. S. L. Cover, and wife, labored here from about 1922 to 1926 as the first pastors of the church. When they went to Pleasant Dale, Edward Kintner, and wife, labored as part-time pastors for about ten years. Mary Cook served from 1938 to 1940 when her health failed. Bruce Flory and wife, from Bethany Seminary, served 1940-42 on a part-time basis. He moved to Florida and was followed by Ernest Bowman and wife, from Manchester College, who served while in school and after, leaving for Virden, Ill. in 1949. William Eberly, a teacher at Laketon high school, has taken up the work.
This church is the home of Ralph and Tressie Heeter Hoffman (minister 1937, elder 1946). They have served the Cart Creek church and in many other capacities. Roy Mishler (killed, 1923, in auto ac-
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History of the Church of the Brethren
cident ), an able minister, lived here two years. He was the son-in-law of George E. Swihart. His son, John Mishler, was licensed in 1945 and served West Eel River and Buffalo churches till 1951. J. E. Mor- phew, minister, lived here from 1925 till his death in 1940, a faithful minister.
Deacons not already noted above, were Joseph Heeter (d. 1930), Ira Seitner (died at North Manchester, 1947), Harvey Weller (d. in N. Manchester, 1947), Enos Swihart (d. in N. Manchester, 1947), Levi Eikenberry, Charles H. Bunyan, William H. Fairburn, Walter Gibbs, and John Hollenberg. Present deacons are Clarence Gibbs, Roy Duncan, Clarence Pulley, W. E. Rife (son of J. D. Rife), W. W. Mus- selman, and Harold Musselman, 1950.
Sunday school superintendents have been W. H. Fairburn, 3 years ; Robert E. Burger, 2 years; Sarah Seitner and Della Figert, each 6 mo. ; Roy Mishler, one year, Ray Figert, 3 years; W. W. Mus- selman, one year; Ralph Hoffman, 8 years; John Mishler, 4 years : Ralph Eiler, 2 years; John Hollenberg one and a half years; Marion Hoppes ; C. C. Miller, 14 years. Galen Eiler is superintendent in 1951.
At the present time the oldest member is Mary Heeter. The membership now is 117.
SALAMONIE
The Salamonie congregation originally included all of the south- ern half of Huntington and part of Wells County, the territory now comprising Salamonie, Andrews, Markle, Prairie Creek, Loon Creek and part of Huntington City churches.
As early as 1836 a Daniel Hardman family settled on what is the I. L. Shultz farm 112 miles north of Lancaster (at that time called River Post Office). Hardman was the grandfather of Clara Zook and Grace Crull. He soon returned to Wayne County. His brother David, a well-educated and forceful minister lived here for a short while but also moved to Wayne County. Others came to settle here so that in 1845 when they organized a church there were eighteen charter mem- bers. Some of these early members were Jacob Shively, James Kline, Gideon Lantis, Samuel Wolfe, David Funderburg, Benjamin Ream, Jonathan Hardman, George Paul, Charles Shideler, John Kinsey, David Caylor, Christian Heaston, Jacob Heaston, Solomon Shideler, Jacob Minnich, Henry Huffman and Daniel Hartsough, family names long since common in the community.
Services and communions were held in the houses and barns, till a house was built in the present town of Lancaster in 1868, a building 60 x 80. The pulpit was then between two doors on the north side and was quite long with a bench for the ministers behind it. In 1943 the I. L. Shultz property was purchased and dedicated as a parsonage.
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Congregations-Middle Indiana
Two years later the centennial anniversary of the church was observed. The building has undergone several major improvements, the last being in 1948 which will afford a fine. modern basement and a new entrance on the north side of the church. The church grounds have been beautified and now constitute a small park.
David Shoemaker, Nicholas Frantz, John Bowman, and Samuel Murray (moved in 1864, elder of church 1866) seem to have been the elders in that order to 1890, the last serving twenty-two years and greatly building up the church.
Other early ministers were: Jacob Funderburg, (moved to North Manchester ), Daniel Hartsough (moved to Ohio), Daniel Smith, called, 1857, advanced, 1859 (moved to Wayne County later), John Ulrich, Samuel Funderburg, Daniel Shideler (1867), Moses Calvin (1867), John Eikenberry, George W. Jewett and Henry Wike (1874). Brethren Shideler and Wike were ordained to the eldership and had oversight of the church from 1890 to 1912, except for periods under Elder Aaron Moss and Elder O. C. Ellis (who moved from Antioch in 1887). John Eikenberry became blind and lived past 93.
Later ministers called were Daniel Paul, William Ulrich, Loring Moss, Lawrence Shultz, and Noah Shideler. Most of these moved into other fields as pastors or teachers. L. W. Shultz spent many years at Manchester and has more recently directed the great progress of Camp Mack near Milford. Lawrence Goodmiller was elected to the ministry, 1918.
More recently, the church licensed Vernon Stinebaugh ( 1942) and Edward Hollenberg (1945). Pearl Eckman moved into the congre- gation as a licensed minister. No ordinations of elders were reported for the past thirty years. Since 1912, the elders in charge have been J. W. Norris, 1914-18; D. W. Paul, 1918-1922; H. L. Hartsough, 1922-25; William Ulrich, 1925-30; I. J. Kreider, 1930-33 ; W. C. Stine- baugh, 1933-40; I. E. Weaver, 1940 -.
Pastors have been the following: J. W. Norris, 1916-19; Eli Heestand, 1919-20; H. L. Hartsough, 1920-25; Earl Breon, 1925- 26; Ray O. Shank, 1929-30; I. J. Kreider, 1930-33 (died suddenly, 1933) ; W. C. Stinebaugh, 1933-44; F. M. Hollenberg, 1944-45; E. Paul Weaver, 1945-51 ; Don Holsopple, 1951 -.
The following have served as deacons : R. A. Adams, David Burket, David Caylor, George Click, Jacob Dewalt, Jacob Eckman, David Graham, Jonathan Hardman, Charles Heaston, Henry Heaston, Jacob Heaston, Levi Hoover, William H. Paul, Elias Shideler, Jacob H. Shideler, David Shultz, Isaac Shultz, Jacob Ulrich, Joseph Ul- rich, Levi Ulrich, Alva Winebrenner, William Wise, Oscar Crull, Paul Heaston, Wilbert Heaston, Donald Stroup, Paul Weaver, Herman Wiley, Hampton Zook.
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History of the Church of the Brethren
The first Sunday school was held in Stringtown in 1866, with Andrew Klepser as superintendent and Abraham Heiney as secretary. Sixty were enrolled the first three months. Fifty members of the school soon united with the church. At the church house, Sunday school was started in 1869 with Andrew Snoeberger in charge. Others who have served as superintendents are: Abraham Heiney, Jacob Ulrich, David Graham, John Ellis, O. C. Ellis, David Burket (all before 1890) ; Anna Ulrich, Jene Burket, William Ulrich, William Paul, Hampton Zook (all before 1912) ; Hampton Zook, L. W. Shultz, Harry Priddy, Henry Heaston, Paul Weaver, and Carl Shellenbarger, since 1912.
The territory of this church was divided in 1852 to form the Markle congregation ; in 1855, Antioch, and in 1861, Prairie Creek. Much later Loon Creek was separated on the east, 1913. Officially, Hunt- ington city was a part of Clear Creek till 1899 but part of its territory had been a part of Salamonie. The present membership of the Salamonie church is 227. This church has had strong pastoral and lay leadership and is continuing this tradition under the present lead- ers.
SOUTH WHITLEY
The South Whitley Church had its origin in a meeting in 1913 in the Coombs Building. Assembled there were members who lived in South Whitley but held membership in Sugar Creek, Pleasant View, or Spring Creek congregations. They decided to hold services of their own and the effort met with an encouraging response. Soon there was talk of a church house and it seems that in about 1916 a dwelling house and lot, the present site of the church, was purchased. In the District Meeting minutes for 1920 it states that the mission board had purchased property in South Whitley. Apparently this rep- resented an assumption of the obligation for this property and the church house soon to be built. They also held the deed till the indebted- ness was finally paid, 1946.
The new building was started in 1922 and completed and dedi- cated in December, 1923, with Otho Winger preaching the dedicatory sermon. The church is in the business section, less than a block from the main street. It was reported in District Meeting in 1924 that the church cost $10, 250 and was about half paid for at that time.
A rather extensive improvement program was carried out from 1926 to 1928, including a balcony, affording Sunday school classrooms. With the depression and other troubles there was serious considera- tion of closing the church in 1931 but, fortunately, this step was not taken. Since then the church has grown, paid their debt on the house, and are completely self-supporting. Later improvements have been
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