USA > Indiana > History of the Church of the Brethren in Indiana > Part 8
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A number of deacons have been elected in this congregation, also. James Neff and George Lincofelter were called in 1894, Bro. Neff being called to the ministry the next year; Abe Morehouse, in 1897; John Neff and A. E. Clem in 1898, Bro. Clem also being called to the ministry the next year ; J. O. Weybright and J. C. Metz in 1905. The present deacons are : J. O. Weybright, Bert Neff, Jesse Eisenhour. Irvin Neff, Harvey Yoder, Roy Eisenhour, Fred Gall, Lester Hummel and Paul Warstler.
What was probably the first District Meeting of Northern Indiana was held in 1857; it was held in the congregation again in 1895, with the largest attendance recorded up to that time. In 1878 it was decided to use the single mode of feet-washing, which is thought to be the first in Northern Indiana. In 1882 the Annual Conference was held in this congregation, one mile west of the church in a large tent. This conference became famous since this was the time when the Progressive element of the church walked out and organized a separ- ate denomination in a school house west of the conference grounds.
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Congregations-Northern Indiana
The first Sunday School was organized here in 1871 by Eld. I. L. Berkey, Bro. Joseph Hartsough being the first superintendent. In October 1879 a Sunday School convention was held here, but was not acceptable, so no more were held until 1895.
The first eight years of the organization services were held in barns and peoples' homes. In 1864 the brethren built one of the largest church-houses in Northern Indiana. This was during the Civil War when many of the men were required to pay exemption money to avoid the draft. This made it difficult, but they raised the money and cleared the debt. The house was remodeled in 1901 and again in 1947- 49, when a basement was built, furnace installed, class rooms added, and the house modernized, splendid living quarters being made at one end for the pastor.
From the number of men called to the ministry and from her record in giving, it is evident this church has always been missionary minded. In 1915 the missionary offering was $366.62, the highest per capita in Indiana at that time. The missionary giving continued to grow until in 1945-46 the amount was $1,028.13 for foreign work, $195 for Home Missions and $2,384.89 for Brethren Service, a total of $3,508.02, or $29.02 per capita.
The church was always served by the free ministry until 1940 when Bro. Leo Miller became part time pastor. From 1942-1951 Bro. Galen Bowman served as pastor on part time. Dale Brubaker began as pastor in 1951. The membership at present is 160.
BETHEL (1884)
In 1881 Eld. W. R. Deeter moved from Delaware County to Kos- ciusko County, within the bounds of the Solomon's Creek Church. About ,100 members lived in the northeast part of Kosciusko County at that time. A house was built about three miles southeast of Mil- ford in 1877, known as Pleasant View Chapel. With the coming of Bro. Deeter into this group of members, there was a movement to divide the Solomon's Creek congregation. This was accomplished in 1884, the southern part taking the name, Bethel.
Bro. W. R. Deeter was the only minister, and John Robinson and Cyrus Lentz were deacons. W. B. Neff was soon called to the ministry. Some preaching was done in a schoolhouse in the Enoch Hoover neighborhood. Another church known as New Salem was built in 1897, three miles south and two miles east of Milford. This place grew and in Jan. 191 I was organized as a separate congregation.
March 26, 1897, Manly Deeter, son of W. R. Deeter, was called to the ministry; he was advanced a year later and ordained to the eldership in 1901. William Neff was ordained in 1898, and in 1901 Bro. William Jones was called to the ministry; at the same time,
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History of the Church of the Brethren
Jacob and Henry Neff were chosen deacons. Other deacons who served here were: Samuel Ulery, Samuel Coy, J. B. Neff, T. L. Ham- mond, G. G. Grady and Melvin Neff. Later on Emory Cooper and A. E. Ernsberger were elected deacons also, Bro. Ernsberger moving to Bremen in a few years.
In 1902 Bro. L. M. Neher, a minister from North Manchester moved to Milford. He soon became interested in having services in town. A hall was rented and services began. In 1905 a comfortable church house was built in the east part of town. Members began to settle in town so that the work prospered. Elder W. R. Deeter moved to town and Sister L. M. Neher was given the authority to preach in 1906. In 1911 the New Salem territory was cut off and in 1915 the Pleasant View Chapel became a separate organization, leaving the Bethel as Milford and the surrounding community with 100 mem- bers and W. R. Deeter and Manly Deeter as elders, and Lee Cory, Floyd Schuder and Noble Neff as ministers.
Since 1925 Bethel has been served by a pastoral program. About that time R. H. Nicodemus, who had taught for a number of years in Bethany Biblical Seminary, and later in Manchester College, came as Bethel's first pastor. He remained here for about two years and was followed by Ralph Rarick who served about the same length of time. Bro. Lee Cory, one of the home ministers served as pastor for a number of years. Following him Russell Sherman served as summer pastor for a few years while teaching school in Garrett in the winter. About 1939 Theodore Miller of Nappanee began pastoral service here. In 1943 Vernon Johnson came as pastor and remained two years. C. C. Cripe was pastor on full time 1945-1951. Ernest Bowman is the present pastor.
For many years W. R. Deeter was elder in charge of Bethel. He was followed by his son Manly. Bro. J. W. Kitson was later selected elder for a time. Bro. Lee R. Cory was chosen elder in 1918 and with the exception of one year presided until 1942, when Bro. Howard Kreider was selected. Bro. Galen Bowman served from 1946- 1951. Ira Long is the present elder.
Bethel has always maintained a good Sunday School. Names of superintendents and dates are lacking for most of the years, though it is known that the following served for longer or shorter periods of time : Emory Cooper, C. R. Shuder, Noble Neff, Ida Neff, Lee Cory,
Auburn
Baugo
Bethany
Bethel
Blissville
Blue River
Bremen
Buchanan
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History of the Church of the Brethren
Marion Deeter, Elma Reuter, Lois Reuter, Neal Cory, Iva Neff, Jesse Miller and Arthur LeRoy Gilbert.
While the congregation has never been large in numbers, still it maintains an active Women's Work organization. The present mem- bership is 98.
BLISSVILLE (1912)
The Blissville Church was formerly a part of the Pine Creek Church which in turn was once a part of the South Bend congregation. It became a separate organization in 1912, having three houses of worship, the Blissville house, the Center house and the Oregon house. A few years later, 1917, the Center house, with the northeastern part of the congregation was organized as a separate church and a few years later, about 1925 or later, the services at the Oregon house were discontinued, leaving just one house of worship with a rather large territory to serve.
The church was served by a free ministry until 1937, when Ceci! Morningstar came in as part time pastor. He served two years and was followed by Clyde Joseph, who served five years. Bro. Willianı Loucks was part time pastor, 1947-1951. Robert Swank began as pas- tor in 1951.
Bro. John Markley was the recognized leader in the congregation for many years, serving as elder for 18 years with the exception of two years when Arthur Miller was elder, 1924-25. Since 1936, G. G. Can- field served as elder two years; Edward Stump, one year ; C. C. Cripe, three years; John Stump, one year; Ben Cross, two years; John Stump is the present elder.
Oren Ruff, Jesse Pippenger, Glen Bottorf, Lawrence Pontius, Jesse Burkholder, Ben Ecker and Chester Burch are the present deacons in the official Board. They have an active Women's Work and Men's Work organization, and the church, at present numbering I25, is in a prosperous condition, with a good outlook.
Throughout her history, the church has had a very active Sun- day School. The following have served as superintendents since 1918: Oren Ruff, Jesse Pippenger, Francis Smith, Arthur Miller, Chester Burch, Ralph Humphrey, Glen Bottorf, Arthur Long, Howard Rogers, Floyd Bottorf, Claude Haag and Chester Berry.
BLUE RIVER (1852)
The Blue River Church was organized in 1852, with twenty-one members. The first brethren were largely from Montgomery County, Ohio. Among these were the Zeiglers, Hyres, Olingers, Rogers, Shoups and Kinzies. Christian Kinzie was the first deacon. Joseph Zeigler and Wesley Hyre were elected to the ministry soon after the organization of the church. For some years James Tracy and Henry
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Congregations-Northern Indiana
Neff exercised a kind of watch-care over this band of members. The first regular presiding elder was Jeremiah Gump. He was succeeded by Leonard Hyre, who was elected to the ministry in 1870. Among the other ministers who served here were: Sylvanus Merica, elected in 1865; Joseph Eby who came from the Wawaka congregation; George Swihart and Michael Plummer, elected in 1876; Jacob Swi- hart and Christian Zumbrum, elected in 1884. Later on, Walter Swi- hart became the leading minister here, serving for a number of years as elder of the congregation. Roy Smith and Clarence Bowers were also elected in 1907; Everett Chapman was elected in 1921.
The first house of worship was built in 1872, located seven miles west of Churubusco. This was replaced in 1908 by a substantial and more modern house, which still serves the community well.
The church was served for many years by the free ministry. Later Bro. Samuel Burger and Ellis Wagner each served as pastor for a short time. In 1925, Eld. L. U. Kreider began service as pastor and elder of the congregation, and served continuously in both offices until 1948, the church prospering greatly under his supervision. Eld. T. G. Weaver began service as pastor, 1949, and was followed by Charles A. Light, 1950. Bro. Russel Sherman is the present elder.
A long list of deacons, past and present, includes the following : G. W. Brown, James Cook, Charles Boggs, John Swihart, Jonas Zeig- ler, Frederick Magley, Charles Bunyan, Jesse Swihart, William All- man, Clarence Shively, Noah Shively, Samuel Harlan, Perry Long, Charles Zumbrum, Everett Chapman, Monroe Miller, Murray Shively, William Brumbaugh, Forest Zumbrum, Glenn Kreider, Cecil Phend, Oris Zumbrum, Ralph Miller, Paul Zumbrum, and Alfred Gross.
The Sunday School superintendents who have served since 1919 are : Omar Zumbrum, Charles Bunyan, Murray Shively, Arley Smith, Elva Stuckman, Earl McCoy, Ralph Miller, Glenn Kreider, Ford Bit- ting, Hugh Frank, Paul Zumbrum, Oris Zumbrum, Russel Sherman and Russel Kreider.
The church has contributed liberally to missions all along, and in 1938 Sister Evelyn Frank went out from here as a missionary to Africa and served until called home because of ill health. She passed away in July, 1948. The congregation today numbers 265, and has a hopeful outlook.
BREMEN (1866)
The Bremen congregation comprises the northern part of the territory of what was once known as the Yellow River Church, and became a separate congregation in 1866. It began with 55 members. The first house of worship was built about two miles southeast of Bremen. Eld. John S. Kauffman, a native of Pennsylvania, was
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History of the Church of the Brethren
called to the ministry here in 1882, and ordained in 1887. From that time until his death in 1914, he was the faithful shepherd of this flock. Others called to the ministry from this church were: Simon Eversole, Henry Neff, Jesse Bollman, Ervin Weaver, Owen Harley, and in the later years, Carl Yoder, in 1940, and Robert Swank in 1947. Simon Eversole spent his last days in the Pine Creek Church; Henry Neff at Elkhart; Jesse Bollman is still living in Elkhart; Ervin Weaver has held pastorates in various states since finishing his work at Man- chester College; Owen Harley has lived in Wisconsin for many years.
In 1913 Joseph Sala moved in the congregation. He was ordained in 1914 and served as pastor and elder until 1918. Charles C. Cripe followed him in 1918 and served as pastor and elder until Sept. 1935. During his pastorate the church membership was more than doubled. Following this, Gorman Zook was pastor for one year; John Metzler was pastor for three years; Hugh Miller for 21/2 years. Raymond Risdon was summer pastor in 1940; W. D. Keller followed him for three years. James Beahm was pastor for five years; Warren Shoe- maker has been pastor since 1948.
In 1913 the old building in the country was torn down and a new house was built in Bremen. This house was somewhat remodeled in 1928 with a re-dedication service. A twenty-fifth anniversary service was held in 1938.
This congregation has for years maintained an evergreen Sunday School, though names of the superintendents are available only as far back as 1916 when Alexander Schlemmer was in charge of the school. Following him in turn are: Levi Bollman, Sharon Stuntz, A. E. Ernsberger, Milo Weaver, Harry Wright, Warren Miller, Dr. E. Lee Burrous, Harry Rowe, Roy Kauffman, Mrs. Kenneth Fisher, Paul Cripe, Mahlon Heister, G. A. Berkey, Ralph Replogle and Harry Shoup. This church has an excellent corps of workers.
The present deacon board are A. E. Ernsberger, Milo Weaver, Warren Miller, and Otis Loucks. The congregation is in a healthy, growing condition with a membership of 171.
BERRIEN (1867-1925); BUCHANAN (1925)
The territory of Northern Indiana has always included the southern tier of counties of Michigan. The Portage Church was the second church organized in Northern Indiana. The Northern part of this congregation comprised Berrien County, Michigan. As early as 1867, this part of the Portage Church was organized as the Ber- rien Church, and continued under that name until 1922, when the house was sold and work was begun in Buchanan. A house was built here in 1925 and the church name was accordingly changed to Bu- chanan.
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Congregations-Northern Indiana
The Millers were prominent in the work here from the beginning : Jacob Miller being elder of the congregation from 1867 to 1872; James Miller from 1872 to 1886; Isaac Miller from 1886 to 1887; John Miller from 1887 to 1892; Thurston Miller from 1892 to 1895. Following these I. D. Parker and Eli Roose were elder, each for one year. This congregation has long been under the support of the Mis- sion Board of Northern Indiana, and as such, has been under their supervision, one of its members being elder in charge continuously.
Eld. Eli Roose and wife spent much time here in Mission Work, as also did Eld. R. J. Shreeve. William Weaver, George Weaver and Lewis Howard were called to the ministry here, the latter two in 1898. Much of the ministerial efforts and pastoral care of this church has been carried on in the later years, especially since the church is in Buchanan, by young ministers, some of them being students in Bethany Biblical Seminary, and hence their pastorates were of short duration. Among them were the following: Earl Roop, Price Umphlet, J. W. Grater, Dewey Rowe, Charles Light, George Weybright, Ben Cross, Ira Long and George Stull, Bro. Stull being the present pastor.
The following have served as superintendents of the Sunday School: Fred Hagley, John Platz, Royden Ingleright, Geneva Stone- beck, Grace Weaver, Mabel Wallace, Vera Spencer and Russel Leazenby. For quite a number of years the progress of the work here has been slow and difficult; however it is on the upward trend. The membership numbers 38.
CAMP CREEK (1879)
The Camp Creek Church was organized from the east part of the Yellow River Church in 1879. David Shively was the recognized leader and after the organization, became the first elder. His son, George B. Shively, Aaron Mow and Peter Hammon were the first ministers. The church house was built in 1880, five miles north of Etna Green.
Following David Shively's death in 1910, Eld. J. C. Murray and Alexander Miller had charge of the church for several years. J. W. Shively was called to the ministry in 1889, was later ordained and given charge of the church. He served until 1917. Others who have served as elder were: Christian Metzler, 1917; David Metzler, 1917-21 ; I. S. Burns, 1922-28; David Metzler, 1929-33; John Metz- ler, 1934-36; N. H. Miller since 1937.
Owen L. Harley became the first pastor and served until 1921. The other pastors are : I. S. Burns, 1922-28; John Metzler, 1928-35 ; The present pastor, N. H. Miller has served since 1935. Brethren Daniel Flory and Charles Heisler make up the present deacon body.
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History of the Church of the Brethren
Bro. Glenn I. Rummel lived in the congregation and served in the free ministry for a few years; also Edward Ruff, during some of the carlier years.
Records of Sunday School work do not reach back beyond 1918. Since then, Charles Heisler, Fred Height, Daniel Flory, R. H. Barn- hart, Mildred Shively and Susan Burns each served one year as super- intendent, two of them repeating. Then Glenn Disher served for five years; Truman Nifong for 14 years. Ada Jones has served since 1946.
The Women's Work organization was organized in 1931 and has been quite active. In 1944 a Budget system of finances was adopted and has proved very satisfactory. In 1940, the sixtieth anniversary of the building of the church was observed. The present membership is 50.
CEDAR CREEK (1855)
In 1853 some families moved from Miami County, Ohio, to Allen, Dekalb and Noble Counties, Indiana. Among them were Jere- miah and Jacob Gump and their companions. Eld. George W. Stude- baker soon came into this territory, preaching, and the Gumps, with others, united with the church. The same fall, the two brothers, Jere- miah and Jacob Gump were chosen to the ministry. The meeting for this election was held in the house of Samuel Shadows, who lived just south of Avilla. The meeting was held in the cabin loft and those who attended it reached the room by climbing a ladder and through a small window. Elders James Tracy, Jacob Berkey and John Miller were present. Samuel Sniders and Jonathan Wolfe were elected to the deacon's office the same day.
The Cedar Creek Church prospered under the preaching of these two brothers. Eld. George W. Studebaker took great delight in visit- ing and preaching for these members. Jeremiah Gump became a great evangelist, and spent much time preaching in this large territory. Many were brought into the church.
By 1873 the Cedar Creek Church had 125 members, widely scat- tered. It was thought best to divide the territory. That to the west was known as Pleasant Hill; to the north, Cedar Lake; to the east, Little St. Joe; that to the center and south, Cedar Creek. Eld. Jacob
Camp Creek
Cedar Creek
Cedar Lake
Center
Elkhart City
Elkhart Valley
English Prairie
Florence
E
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History of the Church of the Brethren
Gump was given charge of the last three, while Jeremiah retained charge of Pleasant Hill, near his home. James Barton was a min- ister at Cedar Lake; Harrison Elson at Little St. Joe. This last named never prospered; in 1914 it was disorganized, most of the members going either to Hicksville, O. or to Cedar Creek.
After the division of the territory, Jacob Gump, John Stafford, C. G. Fair. Jesse Gump, David Hoover, C. W. Warstler, Manly Deeter, J. H. Urey, Christian Metzler, A. F. Morris, Charles Gump, and J. S. Flory have been the presiding elders, the last since 1941.
For many years the church was served by the free ministry. Since 1916 the following have served as pastors: C. W. Warstler, 1916-18; Benjamin Kerlin, 1919-21; T. G. Weaver, 1921-24; R. A. Sherman, 1924-25; Emmert Stover, 1925-26; A. F. Morris, 1926-39; J. S. Flory, 1939-44; Harold Myers, 1944-45; Arlo Gump, 1945-49; Glenn Mulligan since 1949.
Deacons who served here in the later years have been: David Ober, Dwight Vorhies, Edward Treesh, Wilbur Stonestreet, Jesse Ober and Josiah Woodcox.
Several of the more recent Sunday School superintendents have been : Wilbur Stonestreet, Jerry Gump, A. C. Lung, Walter Lung, and Jesse Ober, who have ably served for a total of fourteen years.
The fiftieth anniversary of the building of the church was cele- brated in 1935, President Otho Winger delivering the message on, "The Church, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow." The church has never had a large membership, but it is an active, alert congregation. Its membership at present is 107.
CEDAR LAKE (1874)
In 1873 the territory of the Cedar Lake congregation was sepa- rated from the Cedar Creek territory and was organized as a separate congregation in 1874. Jacob Gump was the first presiding elder. James Barton was elected to the ministry here and later ordained to the eldership and given charge of the church. He died here in 1902, having given 36 years to the ministry. Others called to the ministry here were George Ruffner, Samuel Williams, Samuel Urey, David Hoover, John H. Urey, Alva Long, and Russell Sherman. Other ministers serving here in the earlier days were J. H. Elson and Amos Budd.
Following James Barton's service as elder, Isaac Berkey served from 1894 to 1911 ; John Urey from 1911 to 1921 ; Jesse Gump from 1921 to 1924. Since then the following have served at various times : Frank Kreider, Harvey Shrock, David Metzler, Russell Sherman, Arthur Morris, Gorman Zook, Galen Bowman, Eldon Evans and since 1947, J. S. Flory.
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Congregations-Northern Indiana
The first deacons were Dan Phillips, Wm. Eisenberg, George Ruffner, Fred Imler, Gib. Patterson, Levi Roland, Joe Hoover, and the three brothers, Egbert, Lorenzo, and George Haynes. Later deacons have been Edward Haynes, Wm. Freed, Wm. Witt, Samuel Perkins, Ellis McClish, Edwin Sherman, Watter Kern, Heber Haynes and Chester Lung.
Among the later Sunday School Superintendents are Edward Haynes, Ellen Freed, Rabie Sliger, Russell Sherman, Nellie Rynearson, Joseph Ober, Jerry Pepple, Chester Lung and John Haynes.
Until 1923 the congregation was served by the free ministry ; since then the following have served as pastors : Clyde C. Cripe, 1923- 26; John Rarick, 1927-28; Russell Sherman, 1929-31 ; Gorman Zook, 1937-41 ; Kenneth Long, 1941-45; Vernon Johnson, 1945-47; Ralph Fry, 1947-51 ; William Loucks, 1951 -.
The District Meeting was held in the Cedar Lake Church in 1898. Meal tickets were sold for 5c each. Mrs. Wm. Freed, still living, aged 80, says that donations were very generous then.
A parsonage was built and dedicated in 1924. Bro. Otho Winger was the speaker. He said this was his first experience attending a parsonage dedication. During 1942 the church was remodeled and rededicated with Russell Sherman and A. F. Morris as speakers.
Among the church clerks who have served here were G. F. Pat- terson who served continuously for 21 years and Carrie Ruffner who served for 20 years. Others served for shorter periods of time among whom are B. F. Eldridge, L. D. Haynes, Dr. Harold Urey, Samuel Perkins, Ida Haynes, John Haynes and Anna Ruth Haynes.
The congregation has always been interested in missions. Sister Velma Ober went out from here in 1936 as a missionary to China. After serving there for five years she was forced by war conditions to remain in America for five years. She returned to the China Field in 1946. Her home church partially supported her in her work. The membership of this church is now seventy-nine.
CENTER (1917)
This congregation is in the southern part of the territory known as the South Bend congregation. It was organized as the Pine Creek Church in 1854. In 1912 the south part was organized as the Bliss- ville Church. In 1917 the north part of this territory asked to become a separate congregation, which was granted. George E. Swihart was the first elder, and Otis Gordon, Reuben Ruff and Clyde Miller were the deacons. In the same year George McCullough and Albert Burke were called to the deacon's office. Brethren Edward Stump and D. W. Titus, who had been called to the ministry previously, served the congregation of 86 members.
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History of the Church of the Brethren
Feeling the need of a larger house, the church building was re- modeled in 1918 and dedicated by Otho Winger. In 1920 Bro. Jesse Brown moved into the congregation and helped in the ministry. In 1921 Bro. Edward Stump became elder of the congregation. Bro. Homer Burke moved to Chicago, where he was called to the min- istry and he prepared himself for missionary service. He served as a medical missionary in Africa for a number of years and is now in Puerto Rico. In 1925 the church called four young men into the ministry : Dewey Rowe, William Loucks, Claude Leslie and Eldon Burke. Bro. Rowe is now pastor in Seattle, Washington; William Loucks is pastor of the Cedar Lake Church ; Claude Leslie has been pas- tor of the Pleasant Chapel Church, and Eldon Burke was working under the direction of CRALOG, in co-operation with the Brethren Service in Germany.
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