USA > Indiana > History of the Church of the Brethren in Indiana > Part 9
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
The church was served by the free ministry until 1931. Since then the following have served as pastors for short periods of time : William Loucks, Theodore Miller, Ben Cross, Wesley Brubaker, Dale Gibbony, and Noble Bowman. The following elders have had charge of the congregation : George Swihart, 1917-19; John Appleman, 1919- 20; John Markley, 1920-24; J. O. Kessler, 1924-30; David Metzler, 1930; J. W. Grater, 1930-34; Clyde Joseph, 1934-39; Ervin Weaver, 1939-43; John Stump, since 1943.
The Sunday School, though small, has continued through the years. Otis Gordon, Ed Aldrich, and Joe Briles each served as superin- tendent a year; then Ed Aldrich served for three years more. Eldon Burke served a year ; Dewey Rowe for two years; John Haag for two years; Eli Burger for one year; John Haag three years more; Mrs. Charles Schwartz for two years. Since 1934 Thomas Gordon has served continuously.
The territory is not large making expansion difficult. The present membership is 57.
ELKHART CITY (1897)
In a little more than half a century, this has grown to be the largest congregation numerically in Northern Indiana. It became a separate organization in June, 1897, being originally a part of the Elkhart Val- ley Church. Eld. I. D. Parker was a leading figure in the early or- ganization. Soon came P. B. Fitzwater, Eli Heestand, C. C. Kindy and J. V. Felthouse to aid in the work.
The church house on South Sixth St. was built in 1893, while still part of the mother congregation. The building was remodeled in 1908 and again in 1923, Eld. W. R. Deeter preaching the dedicatory sermon at the first, and D. W. Kurtz the last one. In 1943 the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the church was observed, at which
93
Congregations-Northern Indiana
time Edward Frantz was the guest speaker. The congregation has built a large, new, modern church on Benham Ave. (beside the parsonage) which was badly needed, and which will adequately care for needs of the fast growing congregation. The dedicatory service was held June 25, 1950, with Rufus D. Bowman as speaker. The building cost $125,000.
The congregation has been under pastoral supervision throughout her history, part of the time the shepherd received little support finan- cially, but through later years, full support. A list of the pastors, to- gether with the time they served follows: I. D. Parker, 1893-1897; J. H. Miller, 1897-1898; P. B. Fitzwater, 1898-1900; E. L. Heestand, 1900-1904 ; 1907-1909 ; J. V. Felthouse, 1905-1906 ; C. C. Kindy, 1909- I9II; Elias Swihart, 1918-1924; William J. Buckley, 1924-1927; William Kinsey, 1927-1932 ; Lorell Weiss, 1932-1935; G. W. Phillips, 1935 to 1950; Foster Statler, 1950 -.
A great number of men have served as elder of the congrega- tion. They are as follows: John Metzler, A. H. Puterbaugh, I. D. Parker, J. H. Miller, H. W. Krieghbaum, S. F. Sanger, E. L. Hee- stand, J. W. Grater, Christian Metzler, E. C. Swihart, O. H. Warstler, William J. Buckley, David Metzler, T. E. George, William Kinsey, Lorell Weiss, Burton Metzler, H. F. Richards, Eldon Evans, Glen Weimer and S. W. Longenecker, the present elder.
A long list of men have served as deacons in the history of the con- gregation, some of whom have died and others having moved to other congregations. The present deacons are: John J. Clem, Charles Bar- ringer, Merl Brumbaugh, Floyd Cripe, Eli Garber, Gordon Lantz, Har- vey B. Miller, Melvin Miller, Lawrence Plank, William Rhoades and George U. Heeter.
Sunday School has been carried on from the beginning of the church. Most of the superintendents have served but a year or two. though a few have served longer. The list follows : Henry Domer, Mrs. I. D. Parker, A. C. Kindy, D. A. Harter, J. H. Grosh, George Rum- mel, W. U. Miller, Charles Troup, L. W. Berkey, Charles Eaton, Hugh Warstler, Allen Weldy, Gordon Lantz, Levi Arnold, Robert Thomp- son, William Foltz and Lawrence Stump.
The women organized an Aid Society at the beginning of the church organization and have always been unusually active. The Men's Work was organized in the fall of 1927 and they have continued to be a vital factor in the work of the church.
Elkhart City has always been very active in District and Brother- hood work. While no one has gone out from this church as a mission- ary, Miss Velma Ober taught school here for a number of years and she worked in the Sunday School during that time. The church here voted to contribute four-fifths of her personal support on the China mission field, her home church, Cedar Lake, contributing the balance.
94
History of the Church of the Brethren
The present membership of the congregation is 603. Bro. G. W. Phillips and wife served the church as pastors from Sept. 1935 to Sept. 1950, and the outlook for the church is good. It has made a steady, healthy growth.
Foster Statler was installed as pastor Oct. 1, 1950.
ELKHART VALLEY (1870)
This church comprised the northwest part of the original Elk- hart congregation (now West Goshen). It later became a part of the Yellow Creek Church and was organized as a separate congrega- tion in 1870.
Sebastian Frame had lived in this territory before this. He came from Montgomery County, Ohio in 1845 and settled near Dunlap. A few years later he died of typhoid fever, at the age of 52. His son Gabriel was elected to the ministry in 1870, but lived only a few years. Amsey Puterbaugh was elected to the ministry at the same time as Gabriel Frame. Amsey's grandfather had moved from Miami County, Ohio, to Carroll County, Ill., and then to the Elkhart Valley Church about 1870, where he served as a minister and elder a few years. Am- sey became recognized as a leader throughout the district. J. V. Felt- house was called to the ministry here and served for some time, but later moved to Florida. Joseph Culp was elected here and served for some years. Jacob Cripe was another minister who served for a number of years. He later became a noted evangelist. Frank Kreider was elected here and gave his whole life of ministerial service here. Others who served in the ministry here at various times were: Joe Stutsman, George Stull, Paul Kendall, William Brubaker, Lewis Overholser and Peter Huffman. It is only recently that the church has had a supported ministry. Virgil Brallier was a summer pastor in 1943 and Russell Stout in 1944. Charles Stouder served as part time pastor from 1945 on, and became full time pastor in September, 1949.
Frank Kreider was elder of the congregation from 1910 to 1920 and from 1923 to 1936. George Swihart and Harvey Schwalm were elder for one year each in the interim. George Stull was elder from 1936 to 1943. T. E. George has served as elder since 1944. Robert Martin was called to the ministry here in 1944. He is now pastor in Michigan. John Detwiler was called to the ministry in 1946.
Sam Garber and Jerome Sherman were called to the deacon's of- fice in 1921 ; Charles Puterbaugh, Russel Stutsman, Henry Roush and Burnette Berkey in 1926; Robert Ryman, in 1927; Albert Kreider and Merl Brumbaugh in 1929; Dan West, Dayton Kreider, Lewis Weldy and Lamar Stickle in 1945.
The following have served as superintendent of the Sunday School, together with the length of service: William Brubaker, two
95
Congregations-Northern Indiana
years; Wesley Priser, one year; Sam Garber, three years; Jerome Sherman, two years; Dan Martin, one year; Susie Garber, one year ; Roy Bowser, one year, Albert Kreider, three years, L. W. Berkey, two years; Carl Kreider, two years; Merl Brumbaugh, one year; Sam Miller, one year, Harley Housour, one year; Dayton Kreider, two terms of two years each; Wayne Housour, two years; Paul Housour, two years, Henry Roush, two years; Manford Nusbaum, one year ; Dayton Kreider has served since 1948. This church has a good sub- stantial house of worship and is in a flourishing condition, with a mem- bership of 183.
ENGLISH PRAIRIE (1864)
Peter Long was the first preacher to work in this section of North- ern Indiana. He was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Holmes County, Ohio, when but a boy, where he lived for a number of years. Here he was married and was elected to the ministry about 1860. In 1863 he and eight other families settled in Lagrange County, Indiana. The next year, 1864, the church was organized by Elder Jacob Ber- key. In 1873 the church house was built on his farm. He was ordained in 1878 and given charge of the church, remaining its elder until his death in 1908.
Other ministers assisting him were Eli Schrock, Alexander Keim and Noah Shutt, the latter being Peter Long's son-in-law, who was elected in 1878 and ordained in 1900. He was presiding elder from 1908 till his death in 1914. His helper in the ministry, Y. D. Yoder, surviving him only a few months. The other ministers of the congre- gation at this time were: S. J. Burger, Carl Yoder and Charles Light. Bro. Burger was a native of this community ; was elected to the minis- try in 1900 and ordained in 1907. He did much evangelistic work, dy- ing in 1931. Carl Yoder has given all his ministerial labors in this con- gregation and was presiding elder for a number of years. He still lives in the congregation. Charles Light served here for many years, part of the time as presiding elder. Soon after the Brethren Service Center started in Nappanee, he and his wife moved there and were managers of that work for some years.
The church was served continuously by the free ministry until dur- ing recent years. Raymond Risdon was their first pastor and served from 1945 to 1947. Bro. J. S. Zigler began pastoral service here in 1948. He passed away in January, 1950. The church purchased a par- sonage in 1945. B. D. Hirt assumed the pastoral leadership in 1950.
A Sunday School was organized about 1883 with Bro. Levi Hos- tettler as superintendent. He was succeeded by Melvin Agley. No fur- ther names are available until recent years. The names and dates of serv- ice follow : Clemon Burger, 1935-39; Mark Agley, 1940-41 ; Glen
96
History of the Church of the Brethren
Burger, 1942; Mark Agley, 1943-45; Mrs. Arlene Kraning, 1946; Glen Burger, 1947; Mrs. Anna Zigler, 1948; Gerald Gochenaur, 1949.
Th present deacon Board is as follows: Marley Rowe, Carl Per- shing, Glen Burger and John Shultz. The congregation, now number- ing 81, is scattered over a large territory.
FLORENCE (1931)
The Florence, Michigan, congregation is one of the youngest in Northern Indiana, being organized in May, 1931. It was originally part of the Shipshewana territory. Brother and Sister Frank Reed lived near Centerville, Mich., about eighteen miles from the Shipshe- wana Church for about twenty-five years, and Sister Reed was espe- cially interested in having a church nearer their home. At different times the Reeds, the Boles, the Hoyts, and a few others asked for ser- vices in the community. Finally the German Reformed church building on the Centerville-Constantine road was vacant and they received per- mission to use it for Sunday School and church services. George Sherck, then pastor of the Shipshewana congregation, consulted the Mission Board about starting a mission there. D. R. Yoder was asked to go and investigate. It was decided that the Board should send a minister to preach every other Sunday, and E. C. Swihart of Elkhart was secured. Noble Bowman and others assisted in the work.
The first Sunday School was organized on May 12, 1927, with Russel Searer of Three Rivers as superintendent. Other superintend- ents since have been Homer Yoder and Harry Oxander. In March 1929, J. E. Jarboc held a two weeks meeting and thirty-five were baptized. The group felt the need of a resident minister and asked Bro. George Sherck to take charge. He resigned at Shipshewana and in Sept. 1929 he and his family moved near the church on a farm which he purchased. He continued to serve the congregation as pastor until 1947 when he moved to Goshen. Since then, Bro. Glenn Rummel has served as pastor. Bro. Sherck served as elder until 1942. Bro. J. J. Hamm was in charge the following year and Bro. Homer Schrock has served as elder since.
Brethren Russel Searer and Harry Oxander were elected as deacons in 1931. The deacons at present are Bro. Oxander and Bro. Joe Roberts who came in from Shipshewana.
In 1940 an effort was made to buy the building which was built by the German Reformed congregation in 1876. The brethren were given a life lease on the property for one dollar, as the deed was made to the people of Florence township for religious services only. The building has been remodeled, redecorated, and Sunday School rooms have been added. Although the active membership is only 61, the congregation is
97
Congregations-Northern Indiana
making a good spiritual contribution to the community, and is near the top of the list for per-member conference budget giving for the district.
FORT WAYNE (1897)
In September 1894, members of the Church of the Brethren living in Ft. Wayne met in the Milton Fischer home for worship and Bible study. Meetings in other homes followed and soon preaching services in homes and rented halls were being conducted by Brethren Jacob Ahner and William Finney. Since Ft. Wayne is on the dividing line between the Middle and Northern districts, both Mission Boards be- gan to help finance the work.
On Feb. 14, 1897, under the supervision of Elders Jacob Snell and W. R. Deeter, a church was organized. There were fourteen charter members: Bro. and Sister Jacob Ahner, Bro. Finney, Bro. and Sister Milton Fischer and son Lon and his wife; Bro. and Sister Frank Col- clesser, Sisters Jane Hughs and Mary Mertz, Bro. Amos Ebey and Bro. and Sister Walter Langstaff.
The first S. S. Superintendent was Amos Ebey. The attendance the first Sunday was twenty-seven and the offering, fifty-three cents. The first accessions were received by baptism in the St. Mary's River on Easter Sunday, 1897.
In 1901 a church house was completed on the present site and on July 24 Bro. I. B. Trout preached the dedicatory sermon. L. H. Ebey took charge of the pastoral work and Sister Sylvia Cripe assisted es- pecially in the Sunday School and home-visitation work. This same year the old Flat Rock church in the southern part of Allen County was disorganized and the members were lettered to Ft. Wayne.
In 1906 Ft. Wayne was assigned entirely to the Northern Indiana District. During the following several years interest reached a low ebb, and for a few months during 1913 the doors were closed. Plans were under way to dispose of the property, but services were resumed in 1919.
During most of the time previous to 1924 Bro. Ahner was the only resident minister, but many visiting brethren helped in the work. Among these were; Hiram Forney, E. L. Heestand, J. W. Kitson, George Mishler, Dorsey Hogden, Jesse Byerly, Daniel Byerly, John Kline, Otho Winger, Jesse Gump, Manly Deeter and others. Lee Cory was the first young man called to the ministry here. Others called later were Vernon Miller (1938), Don Wright (1948), and Galen Hol- comb (1949). Bro. Herbert Dilling was ordained to the eldership in 1947 and continues to live here. Stuart Swink and Nettie Senger were licensed to the ministry in 1950.
In 1923 the deacon board consisted of the following brethren and their wives : Frank Colclesser, who is still senior deacon, Amos Ebey,
98
History of the Church of the Brethren
Rhue Keel, Jacob Long and Earl Rutledge. Bro. and Sister O. B. Bosserman were elected in 1924, and Bro. and Sister Chas. Yager and Bro. and Sister Carl Nobles in 1936. Several other deacons moved in. The present deacon board consists of Frank Colclesser and the following brethren and their wives: Chas. Circle, Chas. Bruch, Ray- mond Holmes, Chas. Jackson, Carl Nobles, Earl Rutledge, Ross Sills, R. L. Valentine, and O. B. Bosserman.
Other S. S. Superintendents besides Amos Ebey have been Mrs. H. M. Stover, Katie Ebey, Mrs. J. W. Kitson, George Bender, Bro. Studebaker, W. H. Langstaff, Edward Lear, R. L. Valentine, Ross Sills, Guy Harader, W. H. Shwartz, Carl Nobles, Omar Zumbrum and Edgar Gump.
Early elders in charge were Daniel Snell and Eli Roose, A. L. Wright, Will Neff, W. R. Deeter, John Bright, E. L. Heestand, J. W. Kitson, J. R. Miller and Isaac Wike, all of whom are deceased. Elders having charge since 1925 are : Jesse Gump, T. G. Weaver, A. F. Mor- ris and Russell Weller.
A new epoch began for the Ft. Wayne Church in 1925 with the coming of Wilbur Bantz as the first full-time pastor. During his pastor- ate the church house was remodeled and a parsonage built. The congre- gation became fully organized and progress began in all departments. 88 members were added by baptism. Both the physical and spiritual growth continued even during the depression years under the devoted leadership of Bro. S. S. Blough who served as pastor from 1929 to 1934. From 1934 to 1939 Bro. Leo Miller served as pastor. During these years additional improvements were made to the church plant and there were 14I additions by baptism.
Pastor Van B. Wright came to the Fort Wayne Church in 1939 and remained for nine years. The congregation continued to be greatly blest under his gracious leadership. One hundred and nine more were received by baptism and nearly as many by letter, and the interest of the congregation in the local, district and Brotherhood programs con- tinued to grow.
On Sept. 1, 1948, Eugene V. Gnagy became pastor of the Ft. Wayne congregation which now numbers more than 400 members. Harlan Smith became pastor in 1951.
GOSHEN CITY (1905)
The city of Goshen lies in the very center of the activities of the
Fort Wayne
Goshen City
Laporte
Maple Grove
Michigan City
Middlebury
Mount Pleasant
Nappanee
十
100
History of the Church of the Brethren
Brethren in Northern Indiana. The first organized efforts were started in the fall of 1895 when Eld. Hiram Forney held an evangelistic meeting in a tent. The interest was excellent and was followed by weekly prayer meetings held in the homes of the few families of members scattered over the city, among them being H. B. Hess, A. D. Miller, D. R. Yo- der, M. C. Schrock, A. J. Miller and Grandma Wysong.
Later another tent meeting was held and soon a hall was rented for regular services. A Sunday School was organized with Bro. Jacob Whittle as superintendent. Interest increased and larger quarters were necessary. It soon became apparent that a permanent place of worship was needed so the Rock Run Church, of which Goshen City was a part, appointed a building committee and supervised the fine brick building which still stands at the corner of Fifth and Clinton Streets. Eld. J. F Spitzer preached the dedicatory sermon in November 1899, following with another evangelistic service. The work prospered and was or- ganized in 1905 as a separate congregation with Bro. I. L. Berkey as elder. He was followed by David Metzler, Frank Kreider and John Kit- son. T. E. George has been presiding elder since 1921 with the ex- ception of one year when J. S. Zigler had charge.
The ministers who served here in the early years were : Levi Hoke, I. D. Parker, Hiram Forney, W. H. Greenawalt, Daniel Shively, Abram Neff, and John Kitson, who became the first pastor. Special mention should be made of I. D. Parker whose activities were Brother- hood-wide. He was travelling secretary of the General Mission Board for a number of years, a member of General Conference Committees, member of Standing Committee a number of times, an officer of Gen- eral Conference, served on the Board of Trustees of Ashland College and later of Manchester College at a time when it was a struggling in- *stitution.
C. Walter Warstler was called to the ministry here in 1909. He was later pastor here for a time. He held pastorates at different places since, at present being located at Middletown, Ohio. Robert Tully was licensed to the ministry here in 1927 and installed a year later. He served as athletic director in Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas. Harold Myers was licensed in the ministry here in 1937. He now lives in Elkhart and gives his service as an evangelist. Lawrence Rule was licensed in 1942 and installed a year later.
Deacons elected in Goshen are as follows: Adam Tully and M. C. Schrock in 1908; D. R. Yoder and Melvin Swartz in 1909; A. C. Michael, Arthur Shultz and Charles Sherman in 1919; Ora Bigler. Fred Holderman and C. F. Troyer in 1923; Glenn Strycker, Paul Neterer, Earl Slagel, Ora Eyler, Clarence Berkey and Ralph Swi- hart in 1942. M. C. Schrock and D. R. Yoder, among the first elected, are still on the Official Board.
IOI
Congregations-Northern Indiana
Frank A. Myers served for several years here as pastor. He later moved to Pennsylvania, and still later to Ohio. Since 1921 T. E. George has served as pastor. Bro. George came to Indiana from Kansas. He was pastor at First South Bend for several years; later at North Manchester for a few years. He has served on Standing Com- mittee a number of times, was moderator of District Meeting nine times, once as writing clerk. His pastorate of this church for 30 years is perhaps the longest of any in history of supported ministry in the district, and is exceeded by few in the Brotherhood. The church has flourished during his period of service, at present numbering 423 mem- bers. Clarence Fike became pastor, Jan. 1, 1952.
The church has always maintained a live Sunday School. Jacob Whittle, D. R. Yoder, Milton Wysong and James Riley served as su- perintendents. Since 1914 Ora Bigler, Merl Stump, Elmer Kauffman and Everett Holderman served until 1929. Richard Bigler and Ralph Swihart have served since.
The church building has been remodeled at different times since built in 1899. The Sunday School is cramped for room now and plans are under may to build a new building ; a sizable fund is already raised. A fiftieth year celebration of the use of this house was held in November, 1949.
LAPORTE (1869)
This formerly comprised the territory of Laporte County and was the western part of what was then known as the Portage Church. The first preaching by the Brethren was in the barn of Jacob Heckman in 1853, by Jacob Miller. The first love feast was held in the barn of Jacob Replogle in 1859. The church was organized in 1869 by Elders Jacob, James and David Miller. Isaac Miller was the first resi- dent elder. Jacob Replogle and Lewis Redding were the first deacons. Thurston Miller was a minister and elder here for a number of years.
What is known as the Rossberg House was purchased from the Christian Church in 1873. It is five miles north of Laporte. It was used until September 1923. The building was sold to Eld. John C. Collins for $226. A building was erected in Waterford in 1895. This work was later discontinued and the building sold in 1920 for $1000. A small mission building was built on Weller Ave. in Laporte and used for a time but this was later sold for $1200. All this money received from sale of buildings was put in the building fund for the new building erected at 414 Hawthorne St. in Laporte in 1923, being dedicated March 2, 1924. A twenty-fifth anniversary service was held in 1949.
Ministers elected here since the organization were: R. J. Shreve, Benjamin Redding, William Bialt, Chancey Replogle, J. C. Collins, Jasper Cross, Benjamin Cross, Kenneth Murphy and J. Herbert
IO2
History of the Church of the Brethren
Zook. An interesting fact is that in this church for many years there were quite a number of deaf mutes attending services, requiring the ser- vice of an interpreter at all services. One of them, Jasper Cross, father of Benjamin and Nathan Cross, was elected to the ministry and served for a number of years.
The church was served for many years by the free ministry, but since about 1916 has had the service of part-time pastors. Those serv- ing here were Henry D. Bowman, Jesse, Merlin and Russell Shull, E. R. Fisher, Eli Roose, Price Umphlet, Herbert Zook and Kenneth Murphy. The present pastor is Walter G. Fisher.
A Sunday School was organized in 1864 in the home of Bro. and Sister William Merchant, with Thurston Miller as superintendent. Since the work has been carried on at its present location, the following have been superintendent at various times : Agnes Merchant, Herbert Bayer, Emanuel Gordon, William Replogle, Paul Wolfe, Victor Rens- berger and Galen Barnhart.
The church has a very active Women's Work and has lately or- ganized a Men's Work, also. Among the present deacons are E. I .. Tomlonson, Victor Rensberger, Paul Wolfe, William Kusmaul, Alfred Ostermeyer, Galen Barnhart, and Herbert Bayer. There is a hopeful outlook here with a present membership of 150.
LITTLE PINE (1950)
In the summer of 1950, the northern part of the West Goshen ter- ritory was separated from the mother church and became a separate congregation, taking the name of Little Pine. This was formerly Pine Creek house, West Goshen congregation. They have 28 members and have as their elder, George Sherck from the West Goshen Church. Elder Lewis Overholser is their principal leader and does most of the preaching. They have sufficient territory to work so that they should make good progress. The first year of their existence showed their giving to the Conference to be more than some churches of much larger numerical strength. There is a good outlook here.
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.