USA > Indiana > Our church, a history of the synod of Northern Indiana of the Evangelical Lutheran Church > Part 13
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A Sabbath school, though not large in numbers, yet faithful and earnest, with an unusual large per cent. of the older members of the church as regular attendants and work - ers, is regularly in session, winter and summer.
The "Helping Hand " society, a society of the ladies of the church, having for its objeet the advancement of the social and financial interests of the church, and most heartily sup- ported by the male members, has fully demonstrated its useful- ness, in making a success of everything that comes within its province. This congregation has sent one young man into the gospel ministry, Rev. W. M. Habey, who is now serving his first year, as pastor of a church in Illinois.
The pastors of the church have been: Rev. J. C. Biddle,
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Rev. E. S. Rees, Rev. C. Caskey, Rev. J. Shaffer, Rev. E. W. Erick, Rev. B. F. Stultz, Rev. W. J. Funkey and Rev. C. W. Pattee, (supply ) Rev. J. M. Dustman.
The present officers of the church are: Deacons, JJ. B. Habey and S. S. Zook. Elders, J. B. Habey, Joseph Lech- ner and R. Brininger.
MILLERSBURG PASTORATE.
Up to the ammal meeting of the Synod in the year 1879 the charge known by the above name consisted of the church in Millersburg and three congregations now in connection with the Middlebury pastorate. At that meeting a petition was pre- sented by the joint conneil of the pastorate asking that the congregation in Millersburg be placed to the Salem charge, and that the name be changed from Millersburg to Middlebury pastorate. This request was granted. In the year 1892 the Salem congregation was separated from the rest of the charge known by the same name, and formed a separate pastorate. To avoid confusion the remaining churches were recorded on the minutes of Synod as comprising the " Millersburg pastor- ate," although no official action appears for such change. The next year the congregation was restored to the charge again, but the pastorate continued to be known as the Millers- burg and not the Salem pastorate. With this change the pas- torate appears now on the records of Synod and seems to be adopted by common cousent both by the people of the charge and the members of the Synod. It is now composed of four congregations with a combined membership of about 160.
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MILLERSBURG PASTORATE.
They are widely separated and for this reason they have had much irregular service, one congregation being supplied at times by one man and another by another man, and the same reason may be given for the lack of records from which to write a complete history of the different congregations. It has also caused frequent vacancies to occur and these have been detri- mental to its best interests. But they are now consolidated and are working together harmoniously for the accomplishment of one great end. Their history henceforth will be a unit as it is the determination that they shall be served by the same pastor.
The Lutheran church in Millersburg was organized in June, 1856, by Rev. A. HI. Scherer. In the fall of the same year its constitution was presented to the Synod and approved and received as a part thereof. They worshiped in a school house until the summer of 1857 when a church was build by Rev. J. G. Biddle, and dedicated Jannary 5, 1858. Rev. HI. Wells assisting the pastor in the dedicatory services. The church was christened as St. Peter's. The Salem congregation was organized March 2, 1856, by Rev. John G. Biddle, with eleven charter members. During the next few years the con- gregation grew in numbers and efficiency, and in 1860 prepara- tions were made to build a house of worship. It was dedicated the first Sunday in October, 1861.
The Haw Patch congregation was organized February 9, 1859, with seven charter members, by Rev. J. G. Biddle. For several years they worshiped in the school house known as "Independent." Under the faithful ministry of Rev. Biddle the congregation continued to grow and the need of a church home was deeply felt. An effort was made to raise funds for
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the work and it proved successful. The church edifice was built and solemnly dedicated several years later.
In the early part of 1867 Rey. JJ. W. Miller, then preach- ing in the southern part of Noble County. Indiana, left an appointment to preach in the school house at Cromwell. At this meeting he asked and received permission to hold a series of meetings there. Arrangements were made and the meetings held, at the close of which he organized March 2, 1867, the Cromwell Lutheran Church. The little band immediately set to work to secure a house of worship. The small amount of money secured was invested in huuber, which was being dried for the use of building when it caught fire and all was con- sumed. The hopes of expectant worshipers were buried in the ashes of the material from which they thought to ereet a neat chapel. But they were not dead. A fair breeze fanned them into flames and soon they were at work again to retrieve their loss. New lumber was secured and by the approach of winter the building was enclosed, and in July, 1868, it was solemnly dedicated to the service of God. Rey. Miller continued his labors for about two years and was then succeeded by Rev. J. G. Biddle. It is impossible to give the dates covering the labors of the various ministers of this pastorate. The follow- ing have served either a part or the whole of this charge at different times and for varying periods mostly brief: Revs. Cather, Delo, Hoffman, Miller, Barnett, Caskey, Douglas, Leathers, Bowen, Waltman, Shaffer, Biddle, Herrold and Zim- beek. This sketch is very imperfect, but for no lack of effort to ascertain the facts. The charge needs a more settled minis- try. It contains some of the very best people in this Synod, and with a united effort of the congregations it will soon rise
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MISS LILLIAN HOFFMAN. WRS. A. LEATHERS. MRS. A. HILBERT. MRS. PHILIP RAY. MRS. E. W. ERICK. MISS DAISY RAY.
MRS. B. F. STELTZ.
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NORTH MANCHESTER PASTORATE.
to a conspienous position among the pastorates with which it is synodically connected. Rev. Zimbeck has been pastor a little more than one year and the results of his earnest labors are already manifest. The outlook is hopeful and blessed things will be attained and enjoyed in the not distant future.
NORTH MANCHESTER PASTORATE.
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, North Manchester, Ind. Prior to 1846 the Few Lutheran people who resided in and near North Manchester had neither an organization nor place to worship. In the spring of 1846, Rev. J. B. Oliver, of Dayton Ohio, then a young man just beginning in the Lutheran ministry, came west and located in North Manches- ter. The same spring he organized the Lutheran church here. Rudolph Bickel and family, Reuben Smith and wife. John Shanbert, Sr., and wife, John Shaubert, Jr., Jolm Wagner, John Frederick, Daniel Shaubert, and a few others consti- inted the members of the organization, which took place May 28, 1846.
Services were held in private houses and such public places as could be secured during the summer and winter.
In the fall of 1846, active measures were taken to creet a house of worship. Most of the money was raised during this year for said house, and in the fall the house was begim, and finished in the following spring. The house was a one story frame structure, located on south side of Main street, west of Market. Size 34 x 44 ft. Cost $1000. In November 1847 it was dedicated for Divine worship, by the pastor Rev. J. B.
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Oliver assisted by Revs. A. H. Myers and Hugh Wells, of Indianapolis. These brethren came here on horse back, a distance of one hundred and ten miles.
Rev. Oliver continued as pastor about two and one-half years, during which time the church prospered and the mem- bership greatly increased.
Rev. Oliver was succeeded by Rev. F. Templin m 1850, who continued as pastor for about two years.
His successor was Rev. Hugh Wells. Rev. Wells served this congregation in connection with the Columbia City church from the spring of 1852 to the spring of 1859, when he tendered his resignation. (In 1855 a bell was put on the church, costing #125.)
May 1, 1859, Rev. P. S. Nellis was called as pastor, and served the chuch one year. June 10, 1860, Rev. G. W. Wilson took charge of the congregation and continued as pastor untill ill health caused him to resign in the spring of IST 1. During Rev. Wilson's pastorate he spent more than a year in taking up some additional studies at college during which time Rev. Levi Rice supplied the congregation.
Rev. H. Wells became pastor of this church a second time July 23 1871. He served the Silver Lake church in connection with this for several years, also a country church east of town for some time. Rev. Wells resigned June 5. 1881, after being pastor ten years; but he continued to preach a few months for the people until his successor was elected.
Rev. E. D. Smith became the next pastor Sept. 11, 1881. Soon after Rev. Smith began his work here, pastor and men- bers commenced the agitation of a new and more commodious church building.
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NORTH MANCHESTER PASTORATE.
The old church, which had served a good purpose for thirty - five years, was now deemed inadequate to the needs and times, so a new building seemed to be what was needed. In the spring of 1882 a building committee was appointed, con- sisting of Bros. J. F. Eichholtz George W. Eichholtz, Louis Petry, J. J. Valdenere, Michael Hemm and a few others as advisory members, and the ercetion of a house of worship was commenced. The corner stone was laid in November, 1882. Rev. H. Wells and E. D. Smith officiating. Work continued on the new building, and in the fall of 1883 the house was finished and dedicated by the Rev. Dr. S. A. Ort, of Spring- field, Ohio. The church is a one story brick structure with stone trimmings, 80 x 45 feet, with a bell tower 16 feet square in front center about 100 feet high, the whole building covered with slate. The inside walls and ceiling are nicely frescoed; the windows of imported ground glass; the furniture handsome and complete; the building heated by furnaces and lighted by electricity.
The cost of the building, exclusive of grounds, was some- thing over ($10,000) ten thousand dollars. It is the second largest and finest church in this Synod.
After serving this church for about five years, Rev. E. D. Smith resigned and accepted a call to St. Paris, Ohio. The church then remained without a pastor for a year. In June 1887, Rev. C. W. Maggart was called as pastor, and served the church for one year and three months. His successor was Rev. W. J. Funkey, who began his work here November 1, 1888. In connection with this he served the St. Peter's church, eight miles east of North Manchester, which had been added to the charge by action of Synod. During Rev. Fun-
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key's ministration, he succeeded in raising several hundred dollars toward liquidating the indebtedness on the church building.
Rev. Funkey resigned the charge October 17, 1890, after serving them for about two years, and accepted a call to Middlebury, Elkhart county, to which place he moved Novem- ber, 1, 1890.
In February, 1891, the present pastor, Rev. D. A. Kuhn, received a call to this church, and after some correspondence accepted. He visited and preached a few times after this, and on April 1, 1891, moved here with his family, entered upon the work as pastor, and is now serving his fourth year among this people. During these years as pastor, many valuable accessions have been made to the membership, and not a few lost to the church by death and removal. An old indebted- ness of about seven hundred dollars was paid off, the whole auditorium newly carpeted, and otherwise *improved and beautified, all of which improvements were paid for by the Ladies Mite Society and the Young People's Luther Alliance. Mrs. D. A. Kuhn, Supt. Sunday School, C. II. Flook, Assist. But one person a member of the church now who was in the organization in 1846, viz. Mrs. Lonisa Wagoner.
The present council is composed of the following: Elders -- John F. Eichholtz, John Naber, Wm. F. Macey; Deacons -- C. H. Flook, George Hecter, Abner Heeter; Trustees- D. Ginther, M. D., J. F. Eichholtz, Abner Heeter.
St. Peters's Church .- In 1849 a few earnest faithful Christians of the Lutheran faith lived in this neighbor- hood, but had neither pastor, organization nor place of wor- ship. During this year, Rev. Peter Hanek living in Ohio,
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and quite aged, was invited to come among this people and preach for them. Rev. Hauck and his wife were given a home in part of a cabin owned by one of the members. Though no regular organization was effected for some time, yet Jacob Myers and Daniel Faust acted as elders, George France and Jacob Wetters as deacons. Rev. Hanck remained with them until 1851, when because of old age he ceased his labors. For a year or more they had no preaching, save an occasional sermon from a visiting preacher. In 1853 a regular organization was effected, under the auspices of the German Reformed church, and called the Jerusalem congregation, but for several years had no regular pastor, yet they had their stated times of worship. The following persons constituted the charter members of the organization: Henry Bolinger and wife, Anthony Bolinger and wife, Henry Honenstine and wife, George Slusser and wife, Benjamin Slusser, Samuel Runkle and wife, Levi and Noah Runkle, Michael Lengley and wife, George France and wife.
They worshiped for several years in a school house two miles east of their present location. In 1859 they undertook the erection of a church building. The membership being small, with but little money, but with much energy and de- termination, succeeded in erecting a log building 20 x 30 feet on the northwest corner of the John Funk farm, the same year. This house was built by volunteer labor and donated lumber and timber, and named the Funk church. Rev. Philip Baker was their second regular pastor. He took charge of the little flock in 1859 and continued as its spiritual shepherd for 14 years. He also taught and catechised their children. Up to the close of Rev. Baker's ministration, which was in 1868 or
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SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
1869 all the services were in the German language. Rev. John Kissell was the next pastor in 1872, who served them faithfully for two years in German and English and greatly in- creased the membership of the church.
He was succeeded by Rev. John Miller as pastor, who continued for four years. During this time the name of the organization was changed from that of Reformed to Evangeli- cal Lutheran. Rev. A. Leathers became the next pastor and served them acceptably for several years in connection with the Eberhard church. During Rev. Leather's pastorship a new building was completed and dedicated to take the place of the log church which had served them as a place of worship for 35 years .* The new building is of brick with stone trim- mings, 18 ft. ceiling, well finished within and surmounted by a 400 lb. bell. The size of building is 40 x 60 ft. It was dedicated in September, 1882, Father Wells assisting Rev. Leathers in the services. The church, costing $4,000, was all paid for before the day of dedication. The building commit- tee consisting of Thomas Bolinger, Henry Honenstine and George. Hanover ( Lutherans), with Jacob Early and Jacob Shoemaker (German Baptists), as the latter had some interest in the church and occasionally held service there. Rev. Leathers was called as pastor the second time and resigned fin- ally about 1886. Up to this time this organization formed a part of a charge in Huntington County. In November, 1888, Rev. W. J. Funkey became pastor of this church in connec- tion the Manchester church, giving one Sunday in each month to this church. He served them for about two years, during which time quite a number was added to the membership.
* The name of the church was changed from Funk's to St. Peter's.
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ROCK CREEK PASTORATE.
Rev. Funkey was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. D. A. Kuhn, who took charge in April, 1891, and is now serving them the fourth year. During this time, besides some valuable accessions to the membership, increased attendance and large Sunday School, the church building has been hand- somely papered and varnished within and painted without, besides other improvements of an external kind. This is the largest and most complete church in that section of country. The present officers are Thomas Bolinger and George Hanover, (elders ); Jacob Schwartz and Abraham Keel, (deacons); Wil- liam Wetters, sr., John Eberhard and Thomas Bechtold, ( trustees ); William Wetters, (Supt. Sunday School ).
The only surviving members of the organization are Henry Honenstine, Anthony Bolinger and wife, and Michael Lengle and wife.
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ROCK CREEK PASTORATE.
Originally this formed a part of the Camden charge. The division was made January 1, 1878, when the two congre- gations known as Mt. Pisgah and Ebenezer were separated from the rest of the pastorate. It was a mutual agreement, both sides willing to have the division made in order to lessen the burdens of the pastor and to give opportunity to occupy several new points which needed attention. Rev. J. L. Guard, who was in charge of the entire work chose the new pastorate and immediately entered upon his duties there. Up to this time the pastors who served these two congregations were the same as those whose names appear in the history of the Cam- den charge.
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SYNOD OF NORTHERN INDIANA.
The Mt. Pisgah congregation was organized August 28, 1852, by Rev. S. MeReynold with twenty-nine charter men- bers. For several years the services were held in private residences and in " the old plank school house." During the ministry of Rev. S. P. Snyder, in the year 1859, the church edifice was built. It is a frame structure and still serves the congregation as its place of worship. More than one hun- dred members were added during Rev. Snyder's ministry.
The Ebenezer church is situated two miles south and two miles west of the city of Logansport, in one of the richest. agricultural communities in the State. It is a beautiful brick building and fully adapted to such services as the entire com- munity could desire. The congregation is numerically weak and always has been comparatively so. The organization of the church in Logansport drew from it some of its best fam- ilies, thus depleting their ranks. It has been further weak- ened by a lack of regular services during the past five years and the present membership is small. But with a good church building, with some staunch, firm and devoted members, and with a community now " white unto the harvest " it needs only some consecrated minister of the word to establish it firmly and to make it a mighty power for the cause of Christ.
The Mt. Olire Church is situated in the village of West Sonora. It was organized by Rev. J. L. Guard, March 26, 1880. A convenient frame church was built during the fall and winter of 1880, and was dedicated January 2, 1881, the pastor being assisted in the dedicatory services by Rev. S. B. Barnitz. More than one hundred and fifty members were added to the church during Rev. Guard's ministry.
The St. Paul's Church was built in 1880). It is a neat
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الليبية
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MASSILLON.
ZION'S, NORTH MANCHESTER.
MESSIAH, CONSTANTINE. SPENCERVILLE.
ST. PETER'S, NORTH MANCHESTER.
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SHARPSVILLE PASTORATE.
briek structure and is situated in Liberty township, Cass county, Indiana, within two miles of the Ebenezer church. Its close proximity to the city of Logansport, has been the means of considerable loss, very few members remain, and having such a limited field there is very small hope of the congregation being again built up.
These four churches compose this pastorate and they all continued to prosper under the faithful ministry of Rev. Guard. fle was instrumental in building three of the churches, and in adding large mmubers to the membership. He resigned Sep- tember 11, 1889, and was succeeded by Rev. G. V. Walker, June 1, 1890. He continued in a profitable ministry to December 1, 1891, and was followed May 1, 1892, by Rev. T. A. Pattee. His health failing he was forced to relinquish the field on the first of October of the same year. Rev. Emil Shultz supplied the congregations for three months during the summer of 1894. The pastorate is at present vacant, but is deserving of a good, faithful minister. There are rich promises for its future, and under a settled ministry they will unfold into a glorious reality.
SHARPSVILLE PASTORATE.
In the village of Sharpsville, Indiana, resided for some time during the last years of his life the Rev. A. H. Scherer. Ile had long been interested in the establishment of a Lutheran church there, and it was directly through his influence that such work began. He gathered those interested and on March 23, 1889, organized St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran church.
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A very comfortable brick chapel was built at an expense of about one thousand dollars for the congregation. But the difficulty of supplying it with regular services at once presented itself. No other Lutheran church was near enough with which it could be connected. Rev. Scherer had already advanced to such age that it was impossible for him to minister to their needs and the result was that from the very beginning they had irregular services. Rev. Rubush, of the United Brethren church, became interested in the congregation and rendered them invaluable service. At the annual meeting of Synod in 1890 he was received into the ministry of the Lutheran church and subsequently became pastor of this congregation. During the summer of 1891, Rev. Ellis B. Burgess, a student of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, supplied the congregation with gratifying results. Subsequently Rev. Rubush served the congregation in connection with his work as a practicing physician, but he has found it necessary to relinquish his pul- pit Inbors and the congregation with less than fifty members is now vacant. The members hope that Synod will push the work of organizing in Kokomo, and that the two points may be connected and served by one man. It is worth the effort and there should be no delay, as it would doubtless soon result in the establishment of a good charge.
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SILVER LAKE PASTORATE.
SILVER LAKE PASTORATE.
This pastorate is at present composed of three congrega- tions and has a combined membership of abont one hundred. Although their muumbers are small they are an excellent and devoted people. The oldest congregation is in the village of Silver Lake. It was organized by Rev. G. W. Wilson, pastor of the Lutheran church in North Manchester, February 15, 1865, with eighteen charter members. Rev. Wilson had preached for the few Lutherans that were located there every two weeks for about six months prior to the organization. The congregation became a part of the North Manchester charge and was served by its pastors. There was a gradual increase in the membership and in all the work of the church. Diffi- culty was experienced in not having a church home. The congregation worshipped in the church of the United Brethren in Christ from the time of its organization until the year 1867. For about one year their services were held in the school build- ing. Denied the use of this building they decided to ereet a house of their own. A plain unpretentious building was erected at a cost of about $700, and was dedicated to the wor- ship of the Triune God. Rev. H. Wells assisted the pastor in the dedicatory services. In the year 1879 the congregation was separated from the North Manchester pastorate by the action of the Synod. For a short time the congregation was supplied by Rev. H. Bradley, a licentiate of the Synod of Northern Indiana. In June, 1880, Rev. J. J. Purcell, a licen- tiate of Synod, was regularly called as pastor. They pledged him a salary of $225. Not disheartened at this meagre sup-
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port he threw into the work all the energy of his young and devoted life. About four miles in the country there was a congregation belonging to the German Reformed denomination. It could not be reached by any pastor of their own church and was not able to support a minister alone. Rev. Purcell went there and preached so acceptably to them that they engaged him as their pastor. He preached for them every two weeks in the afternoon.
In another direction from the village there resided several worthy families of the Lutheran faith who desired preaching in a neighboring school house. Rev. Purcell began preaching there. These families formed the nucleus for a new organiza- tion which was effected a few months later. On the 20th of November, 1881, they dedicated a very comfortable briek church, Rev. Dr. Helwig assisting the pastor in the services. The church cost about $1, 800. This congregation is known as South Pleasant. These two points added considerable strength to the pastorate. The Silver Lake church was also greatly blessed and strengthened during Rev. Purcell's ministry. He resigned November 1, 1882, for the purpose of continuing his studies in the Theological Seminary at Springfield, Ohio.
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