USA > Indiana > Steuben County > Fremont > Program and history : a souvenir of the Fremont area centennial, 1867-1967 > Part 4
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Rev. and Mrs. Chester Newcomb were the first residents of the new parsonage. In 1959, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. L. Merrill very generously donated, built and completely furnished an ad- dition to the church. The new educational building contained a Fellowship Hall that will accommodate 125 people, four class rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, two wash rooms and a pastor's study. The building is used by the community as well as the church. Rev. Richard Nyburg was pastor at that time. In 1965 the members redecorated the church sanctuary with paneling, new ceiling and lighting fixtures. At present Rev. John B. Kerr is the pastor.
Margaret Hardy
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FREMONT, INDIANA
FREMONT ELEVATOR FREMONT, INDIANA
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Clear Lake Lutheran Chapel
THE CLEAR LAKE LUTHERAN CHAPEL
A group of Clear Lake cottagers organized the Clear Lake Lutheran Chapel Association and in 1938 began sponsoring summer services in an abandoned school on Route 120. The response on the part of vacationers in the area was so en- thusiastic that "The Little White Chapel on Top of the Hill" was erected the following spring.
Attendance at the Chapel summer services has grown every year since that time until it now reaches close to 800 every Sunday, representing practically every denomination. While the chapel seats only 150, the overflow is comfortab- ly seated on the beautifully landscaped grounds surrounding the chapel.
Dr. W. G. Polack of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, served as summer speaker at the chapel from its founding until 1949. Since then the Rev. Armin C. Oldsen, former Lutheran Hour Speaker and now pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church at Auburn, has been the preacher.
In 1950 residents in the area organized the Clear Lake Lutheran Church and services have
been held every Sunday throughout the year. The Rev. Mr. Oldsen serves as pastor of the congregation.
The Chapel Association is now planning to build an open church-pavilion on the curved hill south of the present chapel. It will be unique and attractive.
METHODIST CHURCH
It is difficult to fix the exact date of the introduction of Methodism into this part of the county, or to mention the names of all the preachers who have worked in this section. Un- til the first frame building was erected in 1844, the congregation met in homes, barns and other places around the small village. There was some trouble about the title to the land, so the frame was moved to its present location. The church was not completed until 1851, and for some time the worshippers used the "sleepers" for seats.
Fremont Methodist Church
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In 1872 this building was sold to the Evan- gelical Association; the Methodist having deter- mined to erect a fine brick edifice. This church was completed in 1884, with fifty members. After the collapse of the furniture store, many brick buildings were condemned, and among them was the Methodist church. After this was torn down, another frame building was built and this became the Meth- odist place of worship until it burned in March, 1930.
The present church-a brick structure- was dedicated Sept. 21, 1930. At the present time the minister is Rev. Summers Clark.
REORGANIZED CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS
Just east of Fremont, Indiana on the Old Vistula Road (120) over the hill from the lake is a little white church known as the Clear Lake Branch of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The building was moved to its present location sometime near 1880 from a location a little west and a mile north of its present location. It served another domination until outgrown and replaced by a new edifice.
In the year of 1872 traveling ministers Col- ombus Scott and Clyde Ellis labored in the area holding meetings in one room schools and homes presenting the Gospel of Christ as interpreted by the church. Many families of the area re- sponded to their challenge and a branch was organized in the year of 1877. It continued to
grow until in the year of 1925 when member- ship reached one hundred and fifty and a corps of ministry (Priesthood) numbered near twenty.
Dark days were ahead for the local church as internal strife was generated by proposed policy changes from the headquarters of the church in Independence, Mo.
When final disposition was made by the church and the membership, a goodly number withheld their support from the church and withdrew from its fellowship.
This difficulty dealt a most severe blow to the congregation and the zeal that was once resident within the congregation faded except for a few that were faithful and gave of their money, time, and prayers, to its life. In the 1940's new strength came to the congregation as new faces appeared, and new men were ordained into the ministry and took their place in the Priesthood of the church. Today eleven men hold offices in the Priesthood (ministry) of the church four Elders, three priest, one
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KAISER'S MARKET FREMONT, INDIANA
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teacher, and three deacons each fulfiling the office of their calling as time talent and will permit. Membership again has grown to near one hundred and twenty. A very responsive zeal and spirit is reflected in their zeal to meet the needs of man of his need of Jesus Christ in his life.
The congregation takes pride in the im- provements that have been made in the last 14 years with the additions of class rooms, vesti- bule, kitchen facilities, new gas furnace, sound system in the church and new pews, as well as the beauties of the surroundings in which the church sits.
Elder Arthur Middleton at present is the presiding minister by vote of the congregation.
Reported by Arthur Middleton
Latter Day Saints Church About 1907
Jamestown Community Church
JAMESTOWN COMMUNITY CHURCH
In the village of Jamestown on June 4, 1872, a small group of men and women met to or- ganize a church. The exact meeting place is not named. The church was organized accord- ing to the Statutes of the Congregational Church, and was to be known as The Jamestown Church of Christ. On Feb. 8, 1873, the con- stitution was slightly revised, and the name changed to The First Congregational Church of Jamestown.
In 1878, it was decided to construct a build- ing of brick and stone for a new church. When fully completed, this church was a substantial structure of red brick, with white trim. In common with other churches of this period there was a tall steeple, wherein hung the beauti- fully deep toned bell. This church was dedi- cated in 1879.
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FREMONT, INDIANA
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In 1881, a loan was made for $250.00, to help pay off the indebtedness, and it required more than thirty years to repay this loan. About 1910, after an appeal to the Methodist Conference, a minister was supplied and a plan evolved whereby the loan could be paid. After a few years, the church was returned to the Congregational denomination.
The church was completely destroyed by lightning in 1924, and worship services were held in the school house. By 1930, a church building and furnishings was bought north of Fremont. When the work of constructing the basement and foundation was completed, the church was moved to the present site. The church was dedicated and renamed - The Jamestown Community Church.
The first ministers were Rev. C. Kidders and Rev. L. P. Rose. The present minister is Rev. Charles Williams.
Mrs. Paul Dygert
JAMES TOWN.
Old Jamestown Church
Stokes Chapel
STOKES CHAPEL
The little country church by the side of the road, located 3 miles north of Fremont and known as Stokes Chapel of West California, was first built in 1868 and was organized by Rev- erend Swihart. In 1873 the first dedication was given by Reverend Shuey of Dayton, Ohio. The present church, known as Stokes Chapel Evangelical United Brethren was started by Reverend J. W. Lilly in August 1895.
One of the most outstanding groups in the Fremont area is the Stokes Chapel Ladies Aid. They were organized in 1899 and have work- ed diligently ever since then in Faith and Har- mony, together with God. These ladies bought an abandoned country school house near their church where they hold their meetings and serve monthly dinners to the public and friends.
The Reverend James Hollopeter is the present minister. He serves from 55 to 75 persons each Sunday.
Laura Schaeffer
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HILL PISTON SERVICE CO.
FREMONT, INDIANA
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Ray Community Church
RAY COMMUNITY CHURCH
In 1835-36 several families located near Schenectady, New York came by way of the Erie Canal and after that by ox-wagon and located in the northeast corner of Fremont township. Their surnames were Duguid, Mc- Naughton, Stewart and Lewis and they were related by marriage. They were descendants of the Scotch Convenanters, and for a time they gathered in the various homes for worship services, and a little later built a church with log walls and a thatched roof. In 1850 they erect- ed a church on land which is a part of the Ray Cemetery, which had been donated by John and Helen Duguid. They worshipped in this church until 1876 when the present church on the western edge of Ray was built.
As a Reformed Presbyterian church they were served by five ministers, Rev. John French, Rev. R. C. Wylie, Rev. Thos. Walker, Rev. C. M. Smith, and Rev. D. O. Jack. After the pastorate of the latter, the church was re- organized as a Methodist Church, and so con-
tinued until 1951, when it was again reorganiz- ed, this time as the Ray Community Church, and it continues under that organization to the present time For about five years, a layman, Mark Rader, ministered to the group, and in 1956 Rural Missionaries Mary Ethel Mengel and Wava Bueschlen arrived in Ray at the request of the membership of the community church. They were especially gifted with children and young people, but were much loved and very effective with the adults, also. A systematic home-visitation program was initiated, and every family in the community was made aware of the church program and its activities. In July, 1964, these two ladies left to take up other work, and were replaced by Village Miss- ionaries Rev. and Mrs. Donald Kunkel, under the continued sponsorship of Village and Rural Missions, whose headquarters are in Kansas City. Present activities under their effective leader- ship include Jet Cadets, Youth Fellowship, Ladies Aid, Sunday School worship services, midweek prayer and Bible study.
by Rena Paul
Ray Methodist Church
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St. Paul's Catholic Chapel
ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
Located on the north shore of Clear Lake, a quarter mile east of the Hazenhurst hotel, this beautiful Catholic Chapel has a seating capacity of 360. Services are held there on every Sun- day, April thru November.
The church was started in July of 1941 in a small, red brick schoolhouse on the present site. The building was torn down in the year, 1949, and the present church erected. Im- provements to the church followed thru the years, the latest being in 1965 when a remodel- ing and enlargement of the chapel took place.
When completely finished according to plans, St. Paul's is destined to be one of the most picturesque lake chapels in northern Indiana.
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses is located south of Fremont on Highway 827, adjacent to the toll road. Here the personnel of Jehovah's Witnesses assemble for worship. On occasion as many as 125 people have here assembled for the worship of the true God Jehovah. Therefore it serves a worthy purpose in the local tri-state area.
This building was dedicated to Jehovah, the God of all people on March 7th and 8th in 1964. However the building was used as a center of worship after our moving from the Enslen building about October 1958. Prior to usage of the Enslen building, meetings were held in several homes in the local area, reaching back into the early 1940's. During that period a gathering together of people into a congrega- tion was pursued.
The Congregation was organized about Sep- tember 1946 with over 20 persons associated. Today there are over 60 active witnesses associ- ated. All these are devoted to their free Bible educational work in the local area.
Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall
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additional Sponsors Of This Centennial History
Town of Fremont, Indiana
Creager and Sons Equipment, Fremont, Indiana
Angola Lumber Company, Angola, Indiana Strock's Men's and Boy's Wear, Angola, Indiana L. G. Maxton Sales, Inc., Angola, Indiana Jarrard's Toggery, Angola, Indiana
General Telephone Company of Indiana Mr. and Mrs. Lovell Moeller Vera's Beauty Shop
Leila's Beauty Shop, Fremont
Frahm's Marathon Station, W. J. Frahm, Fremont
STEUBEN PRINTING CO. ANGOLA, IND.
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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY We Are Proud To Be A Member Of This Growing Area
GAS ... THE FIRST AUTOMATIC FUEL IN INDIANA ... STILL THE MOST MODERN WAY TO HEAT YOUR HOME
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The VISTULA ROAD
THE VISTULA ROAD
(Present Day State Road 120)
That long trek through the wilderness from Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh) to Green Bay, Wisconsin, was originally a natural Indian trail, later used extensively in the 1600's and 1700's by French missionaries and fur traders. For a short time in the early 1700's, Spain claimed this land and, in 1763, it fell under the influence of Great Britain. This oldest path of travel in the Old Northwest Territory was finally won by the Americans from both the British and Indians following a long bloody frontier war. Parts of this trail were first surveyed by French Jesuits and Vistula (Toledo) was an important trading post on the road. It gained its name from this busy village at the mouth of the Maumee River and situated on Lake Erie.
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