USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > Evansville > History of the city of Evansville and Vanderburg County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 37
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A beautiful parsonage was built just next to this building by Mr. James L. Orr and his sister, Mrs. Martha Bayard, who erected it as a memorial to their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Orr, one of the most beloved couples ever known in the history of Evansville. For some 3 years Rev. Kumler, a brother of the late Daniel B. Kumler, was pastor of this church and it was filled from time to time by various ministers until the Rev. L. M. Gilleland came here in 1884 and continued for many long years. The church is in a most prosperous condition and now has a membership of about 325 and their present pastor is Rev. John Kennedy.
It was in the year 1837 that the Presbyterian church of the United States separated into two bodies known as the old school and the new school. Its division extended to this little town and resulted in a split-up of the members. The majority went to the present Walnut Street church, while the minority instituted the Vine Street church which is the old building now used as a livery stable, at the corner of Vine and Second. This was a very small building at first and an addition was built to it, which brought it directly against the walls of the old two-story frame in its rear, which
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was then occupied by Dr. Byford for many a year. It is strange to think how many years the old brick and the old frame have stood next to each other. Below them, the houses once occupied by Jacob Sinzich and John Green, two old pioneers of the city were destroyed by fire and the place never having been built again, a vacant lot still remains to show where they once stood. There were very few members in the original Grace church and their first pastor was Rev. J. V. Dodge, who was installed in 1841. The ordination took place in St. Paul's Episcopal church. The next pastor of note was Rev. Alex Sterret, who was a most forcible speaker and who was in charge of the congregation from 1850 until 1865. He built what is now known as the old Bedford home out on Washington avenue, almost with his own hands, laying the brick and doing much of the carpenter work him- self. At that time the house was out in the woods. I have shot many wild pigeons between his house and the city, as there was a low place in the rear in which pin acrons grew plentifully and they were the favorite diet of this now extinct bird. Dr. C. B. K. Martin was minister from 1866 to 1881. He was a very scholarly and eloquent man and did much good to his church. After him came the Rev. James L. McNair and it was during his pastorate that the beautiful annex building was built by Mr. and Mrs. David J. Mac- key, in honor of Mrs. Mackey's parents, John and Sarah Law. The Grace church building cost about $70,000 and is beautifully finished and furnished throughout. It has a seating capacity of about 700 persons. Its architect was Robert Boyd, foremerly of this city. The annex cost some $20,000.
The First Avenue Presbyterian church was the outgrowth of the little church on the hill and was built in 1876. Forty-six members withdrew for the purpose of forming this new church and Rev. W. H. McCarer was in- stalled as pastor. The building of this church grew out of the fact that the church proper felt the necessity of building a church further out in the rapidly growing city, as the old church was so far down town. Mr. McCarer served at this church until his death, in 1880.
Still another Presbyterian church was the Cumberland, whose beautiful building was lately sold to the Masons and is now the Masonic hall of Evans- ville. This church originated in 1810 in Tennessee, with only three members, which increased very rapidly and crossed the Ohio through its circuit riders, as early as 1817, holding camp meetings in various parts of southern Indiana. 'A' great many converts were made. The first congregation of Cumberland Presbyterians was organized by Rev. William Lynn, with only 20 members. They met in a log school house in Knight Township in 1841. For many long years after 1851 the old Cumberland church as it was then known, stood at the corner of Second and Chestnut, where the Owen block now stands. Like the old Catholic church, it was an old landmark known to everyone. It suffered from a severe fire just after it was built but was at once rebuilt and in a more substantial manner than before. Among the old members were Mr. and Mrs. John C. Henson, Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Sherwood, Mrs. Judge Mathew Foster and Mrs. Paulina McCallister. A great number of ministers
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served here, many of them coming from the south, where the doctrines of the church were first promulgated and among them was the Rev. William Burrows, who felt that his duty to the south called him there and who entered the confederate army and was killed in battle. It was in 1891 that Rev. W. J. Darby became pastor, and it is safe to say that no more active minister ever held a pulpit in the city of Evansville. He was not only a fine minister but in his daily walks of life, he was a man of tireless energy, a fine business man in every sense of the word and to use an old expression, "a man among men." Their new building was erected in 1876 and dedicated in September, 1877. It has a seating capacity of about 700 and the pastor's study, the church parlors and Sunday school room were in the rear. It cost about $50,000, of which Marcus Sherwood for so long the proprietor of the Sherwood house, contributed $12,000. A branch of this church was also started on Jefferson avenue for the same reason that the Walnut street presbyterians branched out. A very neat brick chapel was erected at the cost of about $4,000 and it has always been a very popular little church. Its present pastor is Rev. A. D. Light.
The Methodist church, or more properly the Methodist Episcopal church, is one of the oldest as well as one of the largest religious bodies in the city of Evansville. It is a matter of tradition that in the very old days of this part of the country there were really only two religious bodies, the Methodist and what were known as the Hardshell Baptist.
The Episcopal church really owes its foundation in this country, to the advent of the English pioneers, who brought with them the tenets of what was known as the Church of England. It has been claimed by ardent Epis- copalians, that this should be called the Church of the World, for no coun- try has as many colonies as has England and in each of them the Episcopal service either low church or high church is always observed by the officials sent out by the mother country. Regarding this particular part of Indiana, it is known that Methodism really antedates its history. It is said that the first log cabins were hardly raised before the wandering preachers came through here, preaching the Methodist faith. In 1811 what was known as the Patoka circuit was formed, which took in .the whole Wabash valley, below Vincennes, as far as the falls of Louisville. For many years they had no church at all, the good work being carried on by these preachers who on horseback, wandered from place to place. Two of the best known Metho- dists of the old times were Robert Parrett, an Englishman, and Joseph Wheeler, who believed in the teaching advanced by the great John Wesley. In fact, a great many of the original Methodists came from England, Rob- ert Parrett being born there in 1791. He was a resident of Posey county from the year 1891 and farmed in a small way, but preached whenever he had the opportunity. The first religious services ever held in Evansville were Methodist services, in the double log warehouse of Hugh McGary, on the 12th of December, 1819. This sermon was preached by Rev. John Schrader but both Mr. Parrett and Mr. Wheeler were present. Evansville
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had been made a point in the Patoka circuit and a light tax had been put on her, for the support of the ministry. But as in those days the pay of a min- ister, as heretofore stated, was barely enough to keep him alive, the tax was not a serious thing on any one.
In 1821 Dr. John W. Shaw put up a new building in Evansville right on the corner where the Chandler block now stands and he gave the Metho- dists freedom to use the front room of the new residence for a place of worship. The building was weatherboarded, but not plastered. They con- tinued to use this until 1824 when they got a room across the street adjoin- ing the Warner tavern, where they held services for three eyars. In 1825 Rev. Parrett came here and organized the first Methodist church. In this church were Robert Parrett and wife, Martha Parrett, Mary Hopkins, John Lewis, Arthur McJohnson and others and of course, Rev. Wheeler was the preacher. There was intermarrying between the Hopkins, Parrett and Wheeler family and their descendants are among the best known people in Evansville today. Father Wheeler, as the Rev. Joseph Wheeler was called, was an Englishman born near Oxford, and a highly educated man. He was broad in his belief and not too much of a sectarian to preach for any church where a congregation desired religious services and he for a time, supplied the pulpit of the Walnut Street church. He lived to be 86 years old and his whole life was spent in doing good. He was a very vigorous man and rarely used a saddle horse. His great pride was that he could go almost any distance on foot, without tiring. In 1864 the congregation built the church. Their first regular church was a small building where the Lottie barber shop now stands. It had a basement which was afterwards used as the United States postoffice. The building was very small and as the followers of the creed increased very rapidly, it was soon decided to build a new church which is the present magnificent building at the corner of Third and Chestnut. This was dedicated in the spring of 1866. It cost at that time, $100,000 but much money has been spent on it since then in various changes. Rev. Andrus was the first regular preacher. At present it has a membership of 850 and its pastor is Rev. A. M. Farr. In 1880 Rev. Fred C. Iglehart, a son of Judge Asa Iglehart and an old schoolmate of mine, occupied the pulpit of this church. In 1851 the Methodist church es- tablished a Mission church on Ingle street, which had 25 members at the beginning. This was soon found to be entirely too small for the growing congregation, so in 1874 a handsome new building was erected in its place which now stands on Ingle street between Seventh and Eighth.
Kingsley church is also another branch organized in 1868. This was at the corner of Eighth and Gum street, but later on it was decided to give up this building as a church, and it was sold and it is now used as a gymnasium and a school for the Turners, and is supervised by Prof. Julius Doerter.
Simpson chapel of the same church was built in 1861 on Pennsylvania street, between Eighth and Ninth avenues but afterwards it was sold and a new building erected at the corner of Illinois street and Eleventh avenue.
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There was also a German Methodist Episcopal church which was organized in 1842. They built a small house of worship which cost only about $1,200 and for 22 long years continued to use it, when they replaced it with a large brick structure at the corner of Fourth and Vine. There is also a fine schoolhouse on this lot which is one of the best localities in the city. The Second German Methodist church was built as a mission in 1887 on Indiana street, between Eleventh and Twelfth avenues. There are many Metho- dists among the colored people and they have for worship, four churches of their own which are doing wonderful work among these people. St. Paul's Episcopal church which has been referred to, as having been founded in 1835, is one of the most handsome edifices in the city and its pulpits have always been filled by highly talented men. The Rev. Henry Spalding as- sumed charge of the parish in 1866, the old building was much beautified but was nothing as compared with the present one. Rev. Charles Morris who has now given up the ministry, and is a prominent lawyer, came here in 1883. He was a most eloquent and forcible pastor and had the rare faculty of making warm friends of all he met. He early decided that the church as it then stood did not represent the parish as it should and his efforts in behalf of building a new church, met with almost immediate suc- cess, for in a short time it was determined to build a new church. Messrs. Charles Viele, M. J. Bray, and Alex H. Lemke were appointed a building committee. The old church was torn down. Mr. Viele gave the congrega- tion the use of Viele hall, which was the old Catholic church on Second street, during the time that they had no building. A beautiful building went up and was thoroughly completed by March 18, 1886, when it was dedi- cated. The bishops of Indiana and Illinois and 12 other ministers were present to assist in the ceremonies, which were very solemn and impressive. The foundation of the building is in the shape of a cross and its style is Gothic. In 1865 a parsonage was built, the greater portion of the cost of which was borne by Mrs. Charles Viele, who during her entire life, was constantly working for the church she loved so well. In 1885 Mr. Charles Viele bought the residence of Hon. John S. Hopkins just next to the church and presented it to them for a pastor's residence. The present membership is about 310 and the rector is Rev. W. Reid Cross.
In 1868 Mrs. Viele presented the church of the Holy Innocents to St. Paul's church. It is at the corner of Ninth and Division streets and cost about $25,000. It was in memory of the two little children whom Mrs. Viele had lost by death. The present pastor is Rev. R. M. Botting, and their present membership 109.
The First Baptist church was started early in the history of Evansville, about the year 1847, and the first church was built of hewn logs and was on the southeast corner of the lot of William Dean on First street. I have referred to this building, before in this work as being an example of an old- time log house and as stated, I am sorry that it could not have been pre- served in some way. The first meetings of the Baptists were held in the hall
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of the old Neptune Engine house, the little building just above the E. B. A. building on Second street. At its first communion Sarah Kazar who after- wards became Mrs. Judge Foster, was baptized, Mrs. Elizabeth Turnock was received by letter. They were members of this church for many a long year. In 1851 the Baptist preachers bought a lot at the corner of Sec- ond and Clark streets and on February Ist, 1852, they held their first meet- ing in the basement. At that time there were 39 members. There are many who do not remember that the E. & T. H. railroad depots were at that time near there and it was supposed that that locality would be a cen- tral one for the city and this is not to be wondered at because it was almost in the center of a line dividing Evansville from what was then known as Lamasco, but with the removal of the depots, things changed and the cen- tral portion of the city went further east and the members decided to sell the building and purchase a lot in a better locality. This old building was afterwards used as a school house and it was in the upstairs portion that I graduated. Judge Mathew W. Foster sold the church on the corner of Third and Cherry not only at a low price, but he donated liberally to the church. In 1863 this old building was sold to Major Walker and Marble hall on Main street was rented and occupied for some time. The corner stone of the Baptist church was placed by the two ladies above referred to, Mrs. Sarah K. Foster and Elizabeth Turnock and in 1868 it was dedicated. This building has no claim to any particular style of architecture but is plain and substantial. The church has a large membership but many have been taken away from it through the establishment of Mission churches.
Bethel Evangelical church was established in -. It has a hand- some building on the corner of Jefferson avenue and Garvin street, built of brick with stone trimmings and has a parsonage on the adjoining lot. Ever since its foundation it has been a popular church and had a splendid congregation, under the leadership of Rev. Paul Pfeiffer, pastor. The membership now numbers 240 and is steadily on the increase.
Bayard Park Methodist Episcopal church is a branch of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal on the corner of Third and Chestnut. It has a beau- tiful building on Evans, between Blackford and Chandler. Recently a new pipe organ was bought for this church and was dedicated.
The pipe organ was purchased at a cost of $2,500, including the expense of installing the instrument. A mechanic from the factory was in charge of the work of installing the organ.
The history of the Bayard Park church, though covering only the lapse of little more than one year, has been one of prosperity for the church. During that length of time the congregation has gradually increased to more than 200 members and hard working members at that, according to the praise of the pastor, Rev. L. F. Freeland. They have been working together to lift the indebtedness from the church and their efforts are meet- ing with gratifying results.
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CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
Since its very early days Evansville has been the home of many devout Catholics. In the ranks of this church were found not only the French who drifted down from Vincennes, but the Germans who settled in this por- tion of the country and many of the Irish who immigrated here and it is a well-known fact that no church in existence numbers among its mem- bers those who are more devout and more devoted to their faith than the Catholics. It is worthy of record that in the very early days not only of this section but of the entire southwest, wherever a Catholic priest could find one or two even who wer faithful, the cross was erected and the pro- tecting care of the church was thrown over them. In the matter of stand- ing hardship, the Catholic priest can take a position secondary to none. Those who write of Ireland never fail to speak of the trials and endless journeys of the poor priests of that section who live on absolutely a mere pittance and yet are ready to give their time and their talent to the cause of their church. The first knowledge we have of any Catholics residing near Evansville was in the fall of 1836 when Rev. Gabriel Brute, the first bishop of Vincennes and Father Bateux came here and stopped at the Mansion House then kept by Francis Linck, who was one of the very early pioneers. He was a native of Germany and was the only Catholic in Evansville at that time. In the following March two French Bishops from Vincennes came here with the Rev. Father Anthony Deydier who was sent here to take charge of a mission. He lived with Mr. Linck for about a year, when he built a small lodge room at the corner of Fifth and Chestnut where he made his abode, using the little room as a dwelling and for a chapel for about three years. By this time other Catholics had come in and in the latter part of 1838 he made a trip east to raise funds for the erection of a church building. Catholicism in Evansville since that time has grown wonderfully. The poor old priest who stood by the church in its infancy lived to see it become rich and powerful with a numerous priesthood in the territory where he once worked alone. After he became so old as to be unable to conduct services, he returned to Vincennes and died there, greatly beloved by all who knew him. Assumption Parish was the first Catholic congregation south of Vincennes and it was the only Catholic church here until the year 1851 when Holy Trinity Parish was organized by those Catholics who spoke only German. But in 1839 a lot had been bought on Second street and in 1840 the cornerstone of a church was laid by the French bishop of Nancy, Monseigneur Forbin Jeanson, who was then on a visit to the diocese of Vincennes. Rev. Stephen Badin, the first priest ordained in the United States, preached the sermon at that time. This same year Rev. Roman Weinzoepfel, who had just been ordained at Vincennes, was sent to assist Father Deydier. In 1849 the beloved Rev. Patrick McDermott became assistant priest of Assumption Parish. He celebrated his first mass on Christmas day, 1849, and became pastor in
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1859. The church property on Second street, as stated elsewhere, was sold through the efforts of Captain Frank B. Carson for $50,000, of which $5,000 was due the bishop and paid to him and in 1871 the site of the present Assumption church at Seventh and Vine was purchased. The work began in 1872 and on the 7th of July the cornerstone was laid by Bishop le St. Palais. Very Rev. Bede O'Connor was the orator of the occasion. Father McDermott realized that the congregation would grow rapidly and built the church on the present grand scale. In 1879 he was appointed pastor of St. Patrick's church in Indianapolis and left here very much to the regret of all, for he was a greatly beloved man not only as a priest but as a man. Father Eugene F. McBarron took charge in 1879 and under his administration many additions and improvements have been made. A hall and school building were put up and the pastoral residence, and twenty feet of additional ground have been purchased. The parish grounds now have a frontage of 200 feet on Seventh street and 150 feet on Vine street. The beautiful Assumption church cost $75,000. Next to it is the Sisters' Home and next to that the hall and school building which cost about $7,000. The church is of Romanesque style of architecture, of brick with stone trimmings and is said to be one of the most substantial church edifices in the west. There are four rooms in the Assumption school, three of which are taught by the Sisters. Mr. John F. Boyle, a son of one of the pioneers here and a brother of Mrs. Rose Jageman, who has so long been connected with the Hughes millinery store, was for a long time the teacher. He was a most estimable man and his departure from here caused deep regret.
Rev. Father McBarron, member of the Bishop's council and the pastor of the church of the Assumption, was born in 1844 and has been in this city so long in charge of this church, that he is deserving of a thorough record. He was first educated in Kentucky and then at St. Meinrad's Benedictine Abbey and finally at the grand Seminary at Montreal, where he finished theology and learned the French language. He was ordained priest at Vincennes in 1871 by Bishop de St. Palais. His first mission was at St. Mary's of the Woods. He remained there eight years and did much good. In 1879 he was appointed pastor of the church of the Assumption. No other man is better fitted for this place than he. His preaching is plain and forcible. He is very firm and just in his decisions and not above tak- ing advice. There are few priests better loved and appreciated than is Father McBarron.
Rev. Patrick H. Rowan is assistant pastor of this church. He was born in 1859 and studied at St. Meinrad's Benedictine abbey until 1878 and then for two years in the American college at Rome. He returned to the United States on account of ill health and was ordained priest at Baltimore by Cardinal Archbishop Gibbons and celebrated his first mass on the 7th of June, 1885. He was commissioned for his work here in June, 1885. He is also a beloved man and admired by all.
FRICAN TRUST & SAVINGS COMPANY
ESTABLISHED 1904 AMERICAN TRUSTE SAINES COMPANY
AMERICAN TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK
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With an entertainment in Trinity school hall brought to a close June 7, 1910, the celebration of the jubilee of Rev. Father P. H. Rowan, pastor of St. Joseph's church, closed. Tuesday marked Father Rowan's twenty- fifth anniversary in the priesthood.
Sixteen priests helped to celebrate the solemn high jubilee mass Tues- day morning at 9:30 at St. Joseph's church and several hundred white clad children marched in procession. A niece of Father Rowan's, a mere tot, represented the Blessed Virgin and was permitted to remain in the sanctuary during the mass.
Rev. Francis P. Ryves, of Howell, was master of ceremonies at the mass, Rev. James Wade acted as deacon and Rev. X. Unterreitmeir as sub- deacon.
Irish and German songs were sung at the ceremony. Miss Nora Kelly leading the choir in "Wei Gands," in honor of St. Patrick, Father Rowan's patron saint. The music concluded with "Grosser Gott." The jubilee ser- mon was preached by Father Joseph Burns. Father Rowan thanked the clergy for attending in such numbers.
Following the mass a spread was set for the guests. Cakes and ices were served in gold and white. The table was lighted with twenty-five can- dles, signifying the number of years of Father Rowan's priesthood. The center of the table was occupied with an oval flower bank.
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