USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 25
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The coming of the new pastor put new life in the work, and the following Easter the little Adventist chapel became too small and the congregation again rented the old Universalist church on North Ninth street, where they have been conducting services ever since.
As soon as Rev. Boyer took charge of the mission he reorganized the work and named it the English Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity. He organized a Sunday-school. a Luther League and a Pastor's Aid Society. The General Council Constitution was adopted. the church-book and the robe were introduced, and the full Lutheran literature is used at its services.
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A lot was purchased on Tenth street upon which they expected to erect a church at some future time. Plans for erecting a church were adopted when they learned that the old Universalist church was for sale. The council of the church decided it would be a better proposition to purchase the old church and remodel it than to build a new church, so in March, 1909. they purchased the old Universalist church for the sum of four thousand dollars. Plans have been adopted for the remodeling of the church which will cost about ten thousand dollars more.
The new English Lutheran church will stand on the west side of North Ninth street, between Elizabeth and Cincinnati streets. Rev. Boyer was the first pastor of this church, and if he lives until February. 1910, he will have served six years.
When he took charge of the work he had eight members, now he has a membership of one hundred and eleven souls, owning property worth at least ten thousand dollars.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCHI.
The First Universalist church of Lafayette was organized about 1838-39. At that time Erasmus Manford, founder of the famous Manford's Magazine, began to preach this religious faith in Tippecanoe county, and at Lafayette, regularly in 1840. At that time he published a denominational paper called the Christian Teacher, which had an extensive circulation. His style of preach- ing was attractive and he was in great demand as a public speaker. It mattered not whether it rained or was otherwise inclement, he never disap- pointed his congregations. To his untiring labor in Indiana was due the interest taken in the doctrine of universal salvation throughout the entire western country. For forty years he worked with much zeal. He died August 16, 1884. Others who were of the same faith in this location may be named. D. Vines, B. F. Foster, a Mr. Clark, a Mr. Steinmetz, and Alpheus Bull. While preliminary steps had been taken to form a church here in 1839 it was not realized in full until about 1850, when "The First Universalist Society of Lafayette" was formed. Timothy Osgood, Martin Rhoades and Thomas Hines were the first trustees and Abraham Fry, secretary and treas- urer. At first, meetings were hekl in the White schoolhouse. A lot was purchased in January, 1851-No. 41. in Taylor, Harter, Hanna & Stockwell's Addition-and plans made to erect a place of worship.
Rev. Phineas Hathaway, the first minister, was employed May 11. 1851. and in the spring of 1852. the frame church at the corner of Main and Ninth
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streets, later occupied by the German Reformed church, was built and occu- pied. Rev. Hathaway resigned in 1854 and Rev. James Billings followed him. The church was not dedicated until October. 1855. when it was formally dedicated to divine worship by Rev. George W. Quimby, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Other ministers were secured from time to time and in 1887 the church had a membership of seventy-five. Rev. Albert Wilgus was pastor and the society was out of debt. The society went down for lack of members of the church. The people of this faith are not numerous in the city today and no church is kept up. The church building above referred to was sold in June. 1909. to the English Lutheran church who remodeled it and made of it a valuable and up-to-date church edifice. It was sold at four thousand dollars.
In 1828, services were held by the Universalist people in a schoolhouse, in Sheffield township, by Rev. Hiram Curry. In 1839. they erected their first church edifice under the pastoral charge of Erasmus Manford, a mis- sionary above mentioned as having formed the Lafayette church. He held services at Dayton once a month. Later Universalist ministers in this section were Rev. Foster. Westfall. Billings. Heaton. Longlois and possibly a few others.
Early religious services were held in all the townships, whenever it was possible to gather together a few of any one special faith. As there were no church buildings and no permanent pastors, services were not held regu- larly. Traveling missionaries often stopped here, and on such occasions the entire community turned out to hear him present the truth.
Among the early preachers of Union township was a very eccentric individual, who called himself a "scapegoat." He belonged to no church, had no creed. except a firm belief in the Christian faith and the genuineness of the scriptures. His personal appearance was far from pleasing, or prepos- sessing. His beard had been permitted to grow until when sitting down it reached onto his knees, while his whiskers covered his entire face and mouth, giving him an unnatural appearance. He was, however, an eloquent speaker. and his labors in the good cause were crowned with unusual success. He made frequent visits to the settlement, but his true name was never known to the early settlers.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
St. John's church of this denomination in Lafayette was formed by Rev. Samuel R. Johnson, who, in 1836, came from New York state as a mis- sionary seeking a place to establish a church of that faith. After looking
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over Lafayette, he concluded to move here with his family. At that time the only Episcopalian people of the town were Jasper Bradley, Elijah Beemis. Mrs. Sarah Beemis, Mrs. John D. Smith and Robert Jones, Sr., and his wife. The church of St. John's was organized on the evening of March 27, 1837, in the counting room of Thomas T. Benbridge, with William M. Jenners as chairman. Those signing the articles of organization were: Samuel R. Johnson, William M. Jenners, Robert Jones, N. H. Stockwell, Dr. E. Deming. L. S. Westgate, Saurin Jenners, Cyrus Ball. T. B. Brown, Samuel B. Johnston, John D. Smith, Isaac V. Harter and Benjamin Henkle. Within a few days thirty-one more names were added to the list, making forty-five pledged to the beginning of the church.
April roth, the same year, at the Presbyterian church, vestrymen were elected, viz .: Robert Jones, senior warden ; Dr. E. Deming, junior warden ; William M. Jenners, clerk ; Jasper Bradley, treasurer, and J. D. Smith.
December 30, 1838. a church twenty-eight by forty-five feet was dedi- cated on Missouri street. The church cost three thousand, five hundred dollars. The pulpit was of the old fashioned "stack" structure with a lower reading desk below, and a communion table below that, all being painted a glossy white. The pews were square topped and had doors, which were afterward removed, however. The church was lighted with candles. The flute, violin and bass viol were employed for musical instruments. Daniel Brown, a colored man and a devout, zealous Christian, was the first sexton, or janitor. At first the pews were sold to bidders, but later were made free to all who attended services.
"Parson" Johnson, as he was usually styled, was liberal and much beloved by his people. He donated the lot upon which the church was built. and refused to receive a salary for a number of years. Finally his parish presented him with a fine two-story brick residence, valued at three thousand dollars. He closed his rectorship here June, 1847. since which time numerous men have filled his place. Here it may be said, in passing, that Parson Johnson brought the first piano to Lafayette, in 1837. and that St. John's church was the first to have a pipe organ in the county. It was placed in 1850. George Ulrich was the first organist.
In 1858 a new church was provided for this congregation and it was dedicated the last Sunday in July, of that year, by Bishop George Upfold. In 1887, three thousand five hundred dollars was expended upon repairs on this church. This building is still in use and the congregation is in a pros- perous condition.
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GRACE CHURCH.
Grace church, Protestant Episcopal. Lafayette, was organized as a result of a meeting held May 23. 1868. It was formed by members of St. John's church largely. Seven of them were once vestrymen of that church. The old "Collegiate Institute" was used for a meeting place for the new society's Sunday school. For parish services, the vestry rented the old opera house. since destroyed by fire, and Rev. Thomas J. Taylor, then of St. Mary's at Delphi, officiated in the opening services. Rev. William Wilson commenced his pastorate Easter, 1869.
The corner stone of the new church was laid June 10. 1870, and the building was completed for the Easter season. 1872. The building is of brick, of the middle gothie type of architecture. It was considered one of the handsomest church structures in the city, when built. Mr. Wilson re- signed in the spring of 1872. He was followed by Rev. Edward R. Bishop. After the coming of a new rector, the members of Grace church abandoned their organization and returned to their old parish-St. John's. The Grace church edifice was then sold in 1885 to the German Lutheran church.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
Between 1832 and 1835 ( date not certain) the First Baptist church in Lafayette was organized by Rev. Loyal Fairman, but there had been some work by this denomination prior to that date. At the time of this organiza- tion. the members of Grand Prairie church composed the council. Elder Simon G. Minor was the first pastor who labored with the society. He came from New York in the year 1837. When he came to Lafayette there were but five members, the number having been reduced from seven. For a time he preached one Sunday out of four at Crawfordsville. Services at Lafayette were at first held in the Presbyterian church, but when that church secured a pastor the Baptists rented the court house. They also held services in the dining hall of the hotel and in schoolhouses. During the first year, only five members were added to the society. In the following year nineteen were added to the church. In the winter of 1842-43 a great revival was carried on under the new pastor, Rev. William M. Pratt. A lot was purchased on Sixth street and a comfortable house of worship, costing four thousand dollars, was erected. This building was dedicated in 1844. In 1845 Elder Minor was again called, remained two years and resigned on account of ill health. Elder
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E. O. Evans succeeded him in 1849. Rev. Tucker followed him and through a revival the membership was increased to two hundred and forty-three. Rev. Tucker resigned in 1854. Other pastors following him were-Breckenridge, Haw, Bailey, Girdwood. Stone. Pearson, etc. October 6, 1872, the new church was dedicated ; the total cost of this edifice was ninety thousand dollars. In 1887 the membership was four hundred and seventeen, and then the church property was valued at one hundred thousand dollars. In June, 1909, the resident membership of this church was three hundred and sixty eight, which added to one hundred and fifty-six non-resident members made a total mem- bership of five hundred and twenty-four.
The Second Baptist church of Lafayette (colored) was organized Feb- ruary 2, 1872. Meetings were held in the basement of the First Baptist church until 1878 when they moved into their own church on the northeast corner of Hartford and Sixteenth streets. Hon. John Levering, of the First church, donated the lot and twenty thousand brick for a church. The church cost one thousand dollars, making the total value of the property as first occupied two thousand five hundred dollars. The first pastor was William Neill. The membership grew from ten to sixty by 1887. From 1875 to 1884, Rev. John Miller was pastor.
GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
The German Baptist church of Perry township, in 1872 erected a hand- some church building. This congregation was made up of a large number of people of this faith, who had previously worshiped with that of another county. "Chauncey Baptist church" (West Lafayette now) erected their church in 1869. It was thirty by fifty feet and cost. with the lot, two thousand dol- lars. Previous to 1869 the society held services in the Kingston schoolhouse, and for a time they were sustained as a mission. When organized. this church consisted of thirty-three members. Rev. O. B. Stone was the first pastor. The present membership of this church is about two hundred. The Sunday school has an average membership of about one hundred and fifty. The soci- cty owns its own parsonage, a frame house now about twenty years old. This is now known as the West Side Baptist church. The present handsome edifice was constructed in 1901 : is of brick and cost about twenty thousand dollars, including heating plant. It is situated on the corner of Main and Columbia streets, on the site of the old church. The pastors since the eighties have been as follows: Rev. R. T. Ware, Rev. J. G. Tedford. Rev. E. R. Clovinger,
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Rev. H. M. Bell, who served ten years, and the present pastor, Rev. P. O. Duncan, D. D.
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian church was formed in 1842, and Rev. Samuel Finley and Rev. James H. Peacock, Rev. David A. Carnahan, Rev. Hoyt and Rev. J. N. Pressley were the ministers up to 1858. The chapel used by this denomination was on Ferry street. between Missouri and Pearl streets. This society has long since been merged with other societies.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The First Church of Christ, of the Christian denomination, was organized in July, 1839, at Lafayette. This was the result of the ministrations of Rev. John O'Kane. At that day services were held in the court house, and the number of members at date of organization was twenty-six. Among the number were Thomas S. Reynolds, Edward Reynolds, Sr., and his wife, Charles Marsteller and wife. Mr. Schoonover and wife, Samuel Black and wife. Peter Leslie and wife, and Mr. Manafee and wife. After three years or more of worship in the old court house. the congregation used the Wallace school house on North street, between Fourth and Fifth. Later, they used Healds school house, then the Stockton school house, near the Wabash depot. In 1845, a church was erected on Sixth street, between North and Brown streets. This edifice was burned in 1850. but immediately rebuilt. There the congregation worshiped until 1874, when, by the generosity of friends and a sacrifice on the part of all the membership, they were enabled to purchase the Methodist church, on the corner of Ferry and Fifth streets, which they paid seven thousand five hundred dollars for and to which they added three thousand dollars in improvements. They still occupy this brick struc- ture. The society will ever owe a debt of gratitude to the liberal donations of A. J. Morley and Nicholas Marsteller : the former gave one thousand dollars and the latter two thousand dollars. Adams Earl. John Purdue, John Rosser and others gave liberally. But the most munificent donor of them all was William F. Reynolds, whose contributions in sum amounted to more than three thousand five hundred dollars. The new church was formally opened on the first Lord's day. November, 1874. after which a more pros- perous era was ushered in.
No settled pastor served this congregation until 1844, when Elder John Longley assumed charge, remaining until 1859.
The present membership of this church is about four hundred and sixty-
(17)
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five. The present pastor began his pastorate in May, 1909. He is the Rev. Pettit, who came from Nebraska.
There are several other Christian churches in Tippecanoe county ; the chief ones of today are the ones located at Pleasant Grove (in the rural dis- trict), seven miles to the north of Lafayette ; the one at Battle Ground, one of the earliest in the county; the one at Stockwell and another at Clark's Hill. Some of the history of these has been given in the township histories. At an early date Alexander Campbell, the founder of this sect. frequently preached in this county.
UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
The United Brethren here, as in many other parts of Indiana and Ohio, were very early in the field for religious work and church building. Up to 1828 there had been no religious services in Wabash township, but during that year a United Brethren minister held services at the house of Benjamin Cuppy.
In 1828 Rev. John Duncan of this denomination held services at the house of William Baker, two miles east of Dayton. For twenty-two years services were kept up at that point. from house to house. In 1850 they erected their church at that place and were very prosperous.
In Lauramie township. this sect erected their first church in 1845 but had held regular services several years before that in private houses. By 1884 the denomination had grown and much interest was manifested. Congrega- tions were sustained at Clark's Hill and Stockwell.
Otterbein church was erected by the United Brethren people in Shelby township, in 1851. Rev. Andrew Winsett was the preacher in charge. A part of the membership lived in this while a part resided in Warren county. About 1880 the congregation was divided and the Warren county portion formed themselves into a church by themselves, thus leaving but about ninety members in the original church.
At Lafayette, the first church of this denomination was organized in the autumn of 1852, under the ministration of Rev. David Brown. A brick edi- fice was constructed on North Eighth street. This building was destroyed by a sweeping fire in the fall of 1863 and the lot was sold to pay off the indebt- edness of the society. Through the liberality of Tra Smith, a lot was secured and a brick church built at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars. In 1905 the society had decreased to a membership of less than one hundred and the church property had run down very much. That year came Rev. J.
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A. Groves, who took hold with a right good will and built up the general inter- ests of the denomination at this point. Through his efforts. a parsonage, worth four thousand dollars was erected and also a new church building. costing fourteen thousand dollars, while the membership of the church had in- creased up to June, 1909, to the number of two hundred and forty-eight. with all departments of church work in a prosperous condition. The annual con- ference of the denomination met here in September, 1909.
In Tippecanoe county, this denomination is very strong, having fifteen or sixteen congregations, with a total membership of about one thousand nine hundred. possibly in excess of this number.
SWEDISHI EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHI.
This church was organized July 17, 1870, at Lafayette. with twenty charter members. Rev. P. Erickson was the founder of the church. At a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars a neat brick building was erected in 1871, at the corner of Grove and Sixteenth streets, on Oakland Hill. At first the services were conducted by students from Augustana College, but later Rev. John Peter Engle became the pastor and was serving in the latter part of the eighties.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN. -
St. James congregation of this denomination, at Lafayette, was oigan- ized in 1849. For several years it occupied a frame building on Ferry street, now used by the Colored Methodist Episcopal congregation. In 1866 the building on South Seventh and Alabama streets was erected at a cost of eleven thousand dollars, with two schools on the first floor and a commodious hall on the upper floor that served for years for church purposes. It became too small, and they then bought the finely built twenty-thousand-dollar church that had been erected by the Episcopal denomination, between Eighth and Ninth streets, on Cincinnati street. This was remodeled and serves at this time. The building on the corner of South Seventh and Alabama streets is still in use for two classes of the school supported by the congregation. The present number of communicants is about six hundred, with one hundred and fifty-two voting members. One hundred children attend the church school. The first pastor of St. James church was Rev. Leemhuis, 1849-54; Rev. F. Koeing. 1854-58: Rev. H. Schoeneberg, 1858-1889: since then, the present pastor has served-Rev. G. Schumm. This congregation owns much
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property, including the fine church, the two-story school building on South Seventh street, a two-story school house on Oregon street, a parsonage and two houses on South Eighth street. Some of Lafayette's best citizens have been members of this congregation.
SALEM REFORMED.
This is one of the "Reformed churches of the United States" organized in Lafayette in March, 1860, as a German Congregational church, by Rev. J. U. Zuercher, with only seven members. At first they worshiped in the Sixth Street Baptist church, afterward in the Reformed Presbyterian church, on Ferry street. In the spring of 1861. the congregation bought the old Universalist church, corner of Main and Ninth streets and in 1862 improve- ments were made on the building. Their present edifice was erected in 1890. Present membership, four hundred and ten. The present pastor, Conrad Hassel, has been in charge seven years.
CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH.
A society of this religious faith was formed in Lafayette April 6. 1865, by Rev. J. R. Scepers, with twenty-two members. The home of this church was at 102-108 Hartford street, where they had a church seating one hundred and fifty persons and a neat parsonage. all costing three thousand dollars. The church was built in 1866. Since December, 1903, Rev. H. M. Vander Ploeg has served as pastor. The present communicants and baptismal mem- bership is five hundred and thirty-one.
THE JEWISH SYNAGOGUE.
The synagogue at Lafayette was built by the Hebrew people who organ- ized themselves into a society in February, 1851, under the name of "Ahvas Achim," meaning in our language. Loving Brothers. Rabbi Lowenthal offici- ated for a number of years. Other rabbis were Schoenfeld, Weil, Schaffner, Fall. Goodman, Emmich, Bonheim, Zeisler and Cadden. the last coming in 1886. At the date just named, there were thirty-five families in the congre- gation. They kept up a flourishing school and taught the Hebrew, German and the first principles of their religion. In 1866-67 a house of worship was built at the cost of six thousand dollars and dedicated in the winter of 1868-69. The building was located on the northeast corner of Seventh and Alabama
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streets. A writer of history in Indiana in 1859, in speaking of the people of this church at Lafayette said, "There are no better citizens than from the Jewish population of this city."
In June, 1909, there were about fifty-five belonging to this congregation. The present rabbi commenced his labors here in September, 1909. He came from Cincinnati, Ohio.
There is also a Hebrew society of the Orthodox faith. This church is now preparing to erect a place of worship.
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS-"QUAKERS."
The Friends society is probably the first to form a society of any religious denomination in Tippecanoe county, as it appears that they erected a house of worship-a meeting-house-in 1827. while the Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian denominations organized in 1828. The Friends settled up the southern part of the township of Union and there established their work. There have been two Friends meeting-houses in Union township-one at the north and one farther to the south part of the territory. The latter vicinity is now the only place where the Friends meet in this township. Meetings are held in the old Institute building, in section 28.
There are also churches of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran, the Ahmish and Advent denominations at various points within the county, but their con- gregations are for the most part small.
CHAPTER XI.
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES.
THE MASONIC ORDER.
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There has been a strong and respectable following in the order of Free- masonry, in Lafayette. ever since 1852 and the following lodges have been instituted in the city and in Tippecanoe county :
May 25, 1852, Lafayette Lodge, No. 123, with thirty-two members, was instituted. A record published of this lodge in 1887. gave the number of its members as one hundred and forty-seven. This refers to the Free and Ac- cepted Masons lodge. the first one chartered in the county. the date being May 25, 1852.
Tippecanoe Lodge, No. 492. Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered May 26. 1875. the original members being: James F. Alexander, Fred W. Brown, Seymour L. Burroughs. Thomas A. Carnahan, Claude C. Du Teil, T. J. Lambert, John T. Merrill. C. C. McNutt. James R. Pigman, Charles B. Robertson, W. W. Vinnedge and Joseph Watkins.
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