USA > Indiana > Indiana Methodism : being an account of the introduction, progress, and present position of Methodism in the State; and also a history of the literary institutions under the care of the church, with sketches of the principle Methodist educators in the state . . > Part 16
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
217
INDIANA METHODISM.
worship, held in South Bend. Some time in March fol- lowing, Rev. L. B. Gurley, who was a missionary from the North Ohio Conference, visited South Bend, but found the field pre-empted by Griffith.
Early in April, Griffith returned, and on the evening of the 6th of April collected the people in the bar-room in a small tavern kept by Benjamin Coquillard, a Roman Catholic, and preached to the people, and organized the first class in South Bend, consisting of Samuel Martin and wife, Benjamin Potter and wife, Benjamin Ross and wife, Rebecca Stull, and Simeon Mason; of which class Martin and Ross were jointly appointed leaders. In June, 1831, Wm. Stanfield and wife came to South Bend, and were added to the little class by certificate ; and Stanfield was soon after appointed leader. About the same time, Samuel Newman and wife were also added to the class by letter.
The first report we have of this mission is in the General Minutes for 1832, Illinois Conference, Craw- fordsville District, N. B. Griffith; members reported, one hundred and eighty. In 1833, it is called St. Joseph and South Bend Mission, with R. S. Robinson and G. M. Beswick as missionaries. The mission was included. in the Mission District, James Armstrong, Superintendent; and they reported for the year three hundred and twenty-three members. 1834, it was called South Bend Circuit. It was still included in Arm- strong's district. Boyd Phelps was in charge of the circuit, assisted by T. P. M'Cool; members reported at the end of the year, five hundred and eleven. At this time all Protestant worship in South Bend was held in a small log school-house, which stood on the site of the new brick school-house on St. Joseph Street, in the Second Ward. 1835, South Bend Circuit is in Laporte
218
INDIANA METHODISM.
District, of which R. Hargrave was presiding elder; R. Ball and T. P. M'Cool were the circuit-preachers. They reported, at the end of the year, six hundred and nine members. During this Conference year a house of worship was built for the Methodist congregation, but was not taken off the builder's hands, because it had been so badly built.
In the Summer of 1835, the second story of a house still standing on the south-east corner of Pearl and St. Joseph Streets, was fitted up for a school-house, and the Methodists held their meetings there; and in it they were blessed with a good revival, in which a number were converted and added to the Church; and there, in November, 1835, the first Methodist Sunday-school was organized, by the adoption of a constitution and the elec- tion of officers. This school had, however, previously met for a few months in the kitchen of John Brownfield, without any formal organization.
The first Board of Church Trustees was elected Feb- ruary 6, 1835, and consisted of Samuel Martin, Johnson Howill, John Rush, E. W. Sweet, and John Brownfield. At a meeting of the trustees, March 5th, they resolved to build a frame church, thirty-five by forty-five feet, with a fourteen feet ceiling. In June, a lot was pur- chased, and on the 6th of July the contract for building and plastering was let. But in February following it was discovered that the church was built on the wrong lot, which caused considerable trouble ; but finally an ex- change was effected, and the building permitted to stand ; and early in the Fall of 1836 it was finished and occu- pied. In 1835-36, J. Wolf was appointed to the circuit, but remained only a part of the year. In 1836-37, South Bend and Mishawaka were united, and R. S. Rob- inson was the preacher, and was reappointed the next
219
INDIANA METHODISM.
year. He was succeeded by James S. Harrison. Owing to an extraordinary emigration to Wisconsin, the mem- bership was reduced this year to 145, but came up dur- ing the year to 195. In 1839, South Bend was made a station, under the pastoral charge of David Stiver, who reported, at the end of the year, 276 members. In 1850-51, a brick church, forty-eight by seventy-two feet, was built on the corner of Main and Jefferson Streets, and was dedicated by Rev. Dr. Berry and John L. Smith, on the 17th day of August, 1851, the basement having been previously occupied for several months.
When the state was divided into four conferences, in 1852, South Bend was included in the North-west Indiana Conference.
In 1853-54, the trustees of the Church in South Bend built Portage Chapel, or, the Church at Zeigler's, as the record has it. In 1868-69, the second charge in South Bend was organized. It is due to the ladies of South Bend to say, that, as early as 1846, when the Church was weak, and greatly embarrassed by unpaid debts, the "Methodist Ladies' Sewing Society" came to the relief of the Church trustees, by proposing to donate to them all the funds of their Society, provided the breth- ren would add thirty-three per cent to the amount of their donation ; and the surplus, after the payment of their debts, should go toward the purchase of a parson- age. This generous act wiped out all the debts against the Church, and secured a parsonage.
Since that time, the " Ladies' Mite Society" has paid several hundred dollars for furnishing the parsonage ; several hundred dollars toward building the present par- sonage ; three hundred dollars toward the church-organ ; and five hundred dollars toward the new church edifice ; besides assuming several hundred dollars more toward
220
INDIANA METHODISM.
furnishing the church. In addition to this, the " College Aid Society," composed of Ladies of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, paid six hundred dollars for furnishing " Heck Hall" as a Centenary offering. The enterprise of the Methodist, ladies of South Bend is worthy of all praise. In 1868, the present church edifice was enlarged, remodeled, and modernized. The lecture-room was fin- ished and occupied December 25, 1869, and the upper room finished in the Summer of 1871. The worshipers are called together by an excellent bell, which cost the congregation $2,500, and the church, independent of the lot on which it stands, is worth $25,000.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN ANDERSON, INDIANA.
BY REV. W. H. GOODE, D. D.
THE Church in this place was small in its beginnings, and, like the town itself, had a long period of struggle before it reached any permanent prosperity. It has no early history to relate. For many years it was a feeble appointment upon a large circuit. With the settlement of the country, and growth of the Church, the circuits were narrowed down by repeated divisions, until in 1857, the town of Anderson was made a station. About that time, a career of growth and prosperity came upon the town, which has steadily continued, till it has become the largest and most flourishing place within the same range of the state capital. With this, the Church has kept an even pace in numbers and aggressive vigor. The good men, few in number, that fought through the early strug- gle, have passed to their reward ; and now a strong and devoted body of working Christian men are at the labor- ing oar.
At an early day, a rude structure for worship was put up on the outskirts of the village, as was the wont of
221
INDIANA METHODISM.
that day, but never finished, the old court-house being the standing resort. In 1851, a comfortable frame church was erected, which has been occupied till this date (1871). An elegant and commodious church edifice is now approaching completion, inferior to none in the North Indiana Conference, and to few in the state. There is a comfortable parsonage, with ample grounds ; all the Church property is eligibly situated, the ministry is well sustained, the social influences are good, and the entire aspect is inviting. The numerical relation of our Church membership to the present population is about one to twelve. The increased accommodations offered by the new and spacious church may be expected greatly to enlarge the influence and the membership.
PERU.
METHODISM was introduced into Peru about 1830, by Ancil Beach and Amasa Johnson. The first society was organized by Miles Huffaker, in 1834. Among the mem- bers of the first class are the names of Colonel William Reyburn and wife, George S. Fennimore and wife, Mrs. M'Gregor, and Mrs. M'Gwin. The first church was built in 1835. There are now (1871) two charges in Peru. Main-street Church is a two-story brick building, and was erected in 1850. The Church was divided, in 1854, on the pew and organ question. The second charge, the old Third-street-now called St. Paul's-have just erected themselves a neat Gothic house of worship. The pop- ulation of Peru is a little over 3,700, of whom 350 are Methodists, being one in every ten and one-half of the population.
METHODISM IN TERRE HAUTE.
THE first mention of Terre Haute in the Minutes of the Conference, is in connection with the appointments
222
INDIANA METHODISM.
made at the session of the Illinois Conference, at Vin- cennes, in the Fall of 1830. Terre Haute is mentioned in the Wabash District, of which George Locke was pre- siding elder, and Edwin Ray is appointed to Terre Haute as a supernumerary. In 1831, Terre Haute is coupled with Carlisle, and Enoch G. Wood and William Taylor were the preachers. In 1832, Terre Haute Circuit had Anthony F. Thompson and John Richey. In the Fall of 1833, Richard Hargrave and William Watson were appointed to the circuit; and in 1834, J. White and David Stiver were appointed to the circuit. At the ses- sion of the Indiana Conference, in October, 1835, held in Lafayette, Terre Haute was made a station, and S. L. Robinson was appointed in charge of it. It was then in Vincennes District, of which Aaron Wood was the pre- siding elder. Down to 1833, the district was called Wa- bash, and for the years 1828, 1829, 1830, and 1831, George Locke-father of Rev. John W. Locke, D. D.,- was the presiding elder, and during a portion of that time his family resided in Terre Haute. Mrs. Locke taught school and supported the family, while her husband trav- eled that large frontier district. Mrs. Locke conducted a boarding-school for young ladies, in Terre Haute, the first of the kind that was ever taught in that town, and probably the first in the state. Terre Haute was favored with a certain sort of cultured society from the begin- ning. Its proximity to Fort Harrison, a military post of considerable importance in that day, favored it with the society of the officers of the regular army, who were ed- ucated men. The religious element in the community was not strong, and their social amusements, as might be expected, partook of a gay and worldly type. A ball had been determined on, but in order to get the requisite number of young ladies, it was thought best by the
223
INDIANA METHODISM.
managers to ticket those attending Mrs. Locke's boarding- school. Accordingly, one of their number was deputized to visit the school, inform Mrs. Locke of their purposes, and present the young ladies with tickets. Mr. Jones- for such we will call him-in pursuance of his mission, called on Mrs. Locke one afternoon, informed her of his errand, and requested to see the young ladies. Mrs. Locke thanked him for his kindness, and told him she would invite the young ladies into the parlor presently, when he could lay his message before them. Meanwhile, she engaged him in conversation so entertainingly, that the time ran rapidly by, and when she invited the young ladies into the parlor she informed Mr. Jones that tea was ready ; and urged him so kindly and persistently to accompany the young ladies to the tea-table, that, al- though reluctant to do so, he could not decline. When seated at the table, Mrs. Locke said, "Mr. Jones, will you please ask a blessing?" Mr. Jones very politely, but with considerable embarrassment, begged to be excused. Mrs. Locke, as her custom was, then attended to that duty, and then entered into immediate conversation with Mr. Jones, endeavoring to make him feel as much at ease as was possible under the circumstances. She then said, " Mr. Jones, if I am not mistaken, you were once a pro- fessor of religion, and a member of the Methodist Church." He admitted that such was the fact. Said Mrs. Locke, " I would be glad if you would state, for the information of the young ladies, whether or not, when you were a member of the Church, attending to your Church duties, and in the enjoyment of religion, you were not a happier man than you are now, while depend- ing on the pleasures of the world for enjoyment." He responded : "I have often thought that I was not only happier when in the enjoyment of religion than I am
224
INDIANA METHODISM.
now, but that I was happier even as a penitent seeking salvation, than I am now; and I assure you there is no comparison between the enjoyment I had as a Christian, and what I now experience as a man of the world. My heart is now often sad and desolate, even amid scenes of gayety and mirth." She kindly exhorted him to come back to Christ, and regain his first love. Repairing to the parlor, at the close of supper, Mrs. Locke said, "It is our custom to have prayers immediately after tea," and handing Mr. Jones a Bible, requested him to read a chap- ter, and lead them in prayer, which he declined; when Mrs. Locke read a lesson, and engaged fervently in prayer, not forgetting to pray for Mr. Jones, that he might be reclaimed from his backslidings, and also for the young ladies, that they might not be led into tempta- tion. When Mr. Jones withdrew, Mrs. Locke kindly in- vited him to call on them again; but he never found it convenient to accept the invitation. And he said to the managers, if any of them thought there was any fun in ticketing Mrs. Locke's young ladies to a ball, they were welcome to try it; as for himself, he should not under- take that task again.
The following sketch of Methodism in Terre Haute, from 1836 to 1848, is from the pen of Colonel Thomas Dowling :
"FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZATION.
" ON the 29th day of February, 1836, John Jack- son, Sylvester S. Sibley, Thos. Dowling, and James B. M'Call were severally elected trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the town of Terre Haute, and were regularly, according to law, qualified as such. Their first meeting was held March 1, 1836. John Jackson was chosen President, James B. M'Call, Secretary, and
225
INDIANA METHODISM.
S. S. Sibley, Treasurer. The first business considered was the propriety of erecting a house of worship, as none then existed.
" On motion of Mr. Dowling,
" Resolved, That this Board, relying upon the liberality and good feel- ings of the people of' Vigo County, will proceed to raise, by subscription, funds for the purpose of building a place of public worship for the use of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Terre Haute.
" On motion of Jas. B. M'Call, Thos. Dowling was appointed to draft rules for the government of this Board.
" This Board of Trustees at once proceeded to raise a fund to pay for the proposed church edifice, and the little brick on the corner of the present site of Asbury went up during the year.
" Terre Haute station was organized in 1836. The Rev. Aaron Wood was the first presiding elder, and Rev. Smith L. Robinson stationed minister. In 1837, John Miller was elder, and John A. Brouse preacher-in-charge. The elder continued in charge of the district till 1839, when Rev. E. R. Ames (now bishop) was appointed, with Ebenezer Patrick in the station, and continued till 1841. This year the Rev. John S. Bayless was sent to the Terre Haute Station.
" It will occur to the reader that the station started off in good time, with Aaron Wood, John Miller, and Edward R. Ames as its first three presiding elders. Perhaps the Indiana Conference did not hold three min- isters of equal ability in those days. Two of them yet survive, as beacon-lights of Methodism, we hope not soon to go out forever. John A. Brouse, who was uni- versally popular with the Church and people, yet lives. Brothers Robinson, Patrick, and Bayless have gone to their reward.
" The Methodist Church in Terre Haute had a feeble
15
226
INDIANA METHODISM.
footing in this small place till about the year 1841. The little brick church, which stood facing the south, on the present site of Asbury, was of small dimensions, and would not accommodate more than one hundred and fifty persons. In the year above named, this little edi- fice gave way to the present fine building, which was completed and occupied the following Winter. The Rev. John S. Bayless was the pastor in charge of the station while the building was in the course of erection, and I well remember how he complained about the tardiness with which the promised subscriptions were paid. As it was the first church building erected of any kind- the small church on the corner excepted-there did not seem to be a very feeling sense of obligation on the part of those who signed the paper pledging pecuniary aid. The principal business men came forward promptly and placed their dollars in the hands of the Building Committee; but another class, whose generosity far ex- ceeded their ability, fell lamentably in the rear. Brother Bayless was, however, a first-class collector, full of energy and force, and did a wonderful amount of hard begging. This greatly helped to keep the treasury of the Building Committee from becoming entirely empty, and prevented a collapse of the enterprise for the year. The church was finally finished, with a debt of between three and four thousand dollars hanging over it, which was subsequently paid by the exertions of a few active members of the Church. Jabez S. Carter, who is yet living, was one of the most prominent in this act of justice to the creditors of Asbury. I think the debt was finally discharged in 1844-45, during the pastor- ate of the Rev. S. T. Gillett, who felt, as all Christian ministers should feel, that a Church debt is neither a moral nor a temporal blessing. Besides not looking
227
INDIANA METHODISM.
well, it is a positive evil, which good men should not encourage.
" There are tides in the affairs of men and Churches, which, taken at the flood-tide, lead on to fortune and success. The erection of a new edifice, or the advent of a particular minister, very often gives a new and healthy impetus to the growth of a religious sentiment in community. From the location of a town two miles south of Fort Harrison, on the Wabash River (now Terre Haute, or Land High), in 1818, up to the year 1835, there was no church edifice of any kind within its borders. If there were any Church members, the fact has escaped my recollection. No doubt there were some in the neighborhood and in the county, and perhaps many such among the settlers in their old home in the states from whence they emigrated ; but having no re- ligious 'organizations' here, they drifted along as non- conformists, without any of the restraints of Church government. This was then a frontier town, older than Indianapolis, or Lafayette, or Springfield, Illinois. Above the site of the town, on the Wabash River, stood a mili- tary post (Fort Harrison), located as early as 1809, where one or more companies of United States troops were kept to protect the emigrants that sought homes in the West. When Terre Haute was located, in 1818, Indiana had just been admitted into the Union, and the country between this place and Vincennes was an almost unbroken wilderness. A 'settlement,' here and there, was the only evidence of civilization, and they were but few and far between. When Terre Haute was laid out, and lots sold, it attracted considerable attention, and emigrants sought it as an abiding-place. The beauty of its location was the theme of many a tongue and pen, and has so continued to the present day. Perhaps no
228
INDIANA METHODISM.
town in Indiana presents a more beautiful and inviting landscape, or enjoys a higher reputation for unquestioned natural comforts. Such a place would necessarily invite and secure a good class of settlers. And hither they came from every portion and section of the country. New England, the Middle States, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, the Carolinas, and even England, Canada, and Ireland, sent out their quotas to settle this modern El Dorado. The soldiers at the fort, and their accomplished officers of the regular army, were in the neighborhood for many years before the town was laid off. The new emigrants, principally young and unmarried, with these officers, formed at once a little society of their own, which it was difficult to excel in any of the older towns of the West. They were, as a general thing, young men of education and refinement, who had brought from their old homes those ideas of propriety which forbid the indulgence of the grosser vices. If it were proper in such a paper as this, I could mention names which, in the subsequent history of Indiana, were connected with high official and social positions. We have, to-day, many of the descendants of these early settlers living in Terre Haute, scores of them the prosperous business men of our young city.
"This was the primitive population among whom the itinerant ministry of the Methodist Church had to inau- gurate and build up its religious influence, as a branch of the Church of God. It was far from being hostile to the growth of good morals, or the spread of religion itself. While this can be truly said, there was a sentiment of quiet soberness about all manifestations of a religious na- ture, which many ministers mistook for a careless or hos- tile character. Nothing could be more unjust to the original inhabitants of Terre Haute, as subsequent events
229
INDIANA METHODISM.
have abundantly proved. The facility with which Churches were organized and temples erected, when the proper agencies were employed, proved, beyond all doubt, that the right sentiment always existed, and only re- quired an incentive to effort and action. When proper and rightful organization was effected; when a Church sanctuary was proposed and provided, the people flocked by hundreds to worship Almighty God, and Terre Haute became one of the favored locations for plain, practical Methodism.
"The greatest occasion for the manifestation of this interest in Church affairs was after the completion of 'ASBURY.' That was the 'tide' on which success was se- cured. The membership manifested their zeal and ear- nestness in the cause of religion, by securing a house ded- icated to the worship of God, and all our people aided in the work. When the membership of a Church are ear- nest and practical workers, there is sure to be an outside influence which tells happily on all their surroundings. This was pre-eminently the case in Terre Haute. We had, in those days, say from 1841 onward, many excellent stationed ministers, aided by presiding elders of acknowl- edged ability. The venerable Allen Wiley had charge of the district in 1841. All the old membership remem- ber this devoted man, and how earnestly he labored in the cause of his Master. In 1842-43, the district was favored by the appointment of George M. Beswick as presiding elder, with the Rev. Joseph Marsee as preacher-in-charge. Both these brethren were what is rightfully called workers. Brother Marsee was an espe- cial favorite with all classes of our citizens. In 1844, Mr. Beswick was again the presiding elder, and the Rev. Samuel T. Gillet the preacher-in-charge. This last ap- pointed was received with great favor by the congrega-
230
INDIANA METHODISM.
tion, and more especially by those who yet stood outside of the Church organization. The new minister was a gentleman of most agreeable and winning manners, and pronounced ' the right man in the right place.' There was no question of his entire acceptability from the start; and he grew in favor with our citizens, in and out of the Church. His public discourses were of that order which stamped him as a scholar, and all awarded him the char- acter of a true Christian minister. He was continued for two years, to the satisfaction of the Church and its con- gregation, and all regretted the rule which forbade his service for a longer period.
" At the Conference, in 1845, that body sent to us the Rev. W. H. Goode as presiding elder, and the Rev. Amasa Johnson as stationed minister. The Church and people had long known Mr. Goode, by reputation, and his transfer to the district was a matter of general rejoicing. Perhaps, in the whole range of the Conference members, no man could have been more heartily indorsed; and their judgment of the man, in advance, was entirely jus- tified by his services to the district. He left his minis- terial work, after four years of faithful service, greatly beloved by all. The Rev. A. Johnson was a new man, about and of whom the citizens in the Church and out of it knew nothing. He entered on his work, it may be truly said, without any prejudices for or against him. But he was not long here before the sterling qualities of his character became known. He was a very remarkable person. To the plainest of manners he united the quaintest of speech and expression. He was never un- dignified or frivolous, but always pointed and entertain- ing. As a preacher, but few could have been more suc- cessful. There was a directness in all that he uttered which went home to the heart and the understanding.
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.