USA > Indiana > Wells County > Bluffton > Register of the Emanuel's Congregation of the Reformed Church of Bluffton charge, Wells county, Indiana > Part 6
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popular poster, Rev. George Sonder, Rev. J. H. Thing, Rev. N.G. welker , who served nine years , and Rev. Parks N. Weaver , who because parter Get. 1. 1988. the congregation has had. from its inception apto July 1. 1911, fourteen pastors.
Emmanuel congregation , constantly augemented by the addet . in of members . great slowly but seely . It no time , however did it rative membership number more Than one hunched . It was a constant feeder , as are most country churches , to other churches . especially in The Towns and cities . The First Reformed Church . of Bluffton, ower its existence and some of its most active workers to Emmanuel and ST Paul . Several times , the country congregations paid the pastor's salary entirely, and Bluffton at. ways get choice of services . In 1899 The Bluffton church , having become strong enough to support a partir, was repeated from the change. and called the charge-pastor Rev. J. H. Thing to become Their pastor . The coventry congregation them because Emmanuel Change and called Rev . H. G . Welcher as portor . closing his pastrate , Emmanuel chanel. was bupaired and beautified ; and the parsonage in Bluffton . built at a cost of 2500. besides donated labor of monsters .
Immanuel congregation worshiffet for several years inthe school house near The Bridge , Then plans were made to sweet the : frame building which served Them until the new church was built in 1911 . The building sent 15-04:00 in cash , besides donated labor and material . The cite was given by Josephe Raber and wife for church and cemetery purposes . The congregation has always brand Their apportionment for benevolence in full , and given liberally to other Gameres . Its membership stand well in the community for all program and morality . 1
Sunday school work was carried on at immanuel under some day ?
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freulties . As in other denominations there was some offerition to the Sunday achoof idea , but better essereil prevailed and a un . in Sunday Pohost was held in the Iron Bridge Adhost house of This schoolwe have no records . In. med Sunday salustars . " get May 16, 1880 , with John Leenbough as superintend. ent, and the god effects under this wine leadership normales! jearing caused ofportion Is cease , and the Sunday school har . been a great fleming and help to i's congregation. Until 1894; The school in the only part of the year, but after 1995 ... it became evergreen". Some of the superintendent have to. Daniel Breaktill , D.V. Lamm . Allen Klasse , and R. J. Moore . The women's miniconary society was organized in 1898 , by Mr. P.v. Souder, Just as a congregational society; Them by to welken as a woman's society distinctly on July 1, 1900. The society has paid, mostly for Home and Foreign minimo about 700 up to July 1. 1911.
The Christian Endeavor Society was organized in 1908, und has 14 active members, who hold a weekly prayer-meeting and a monthly business and social meeting , and is a help to Flu church.
On May 30, 1909, The congregation, after due preparation alebrated its 50th anniversary . The day was aciny une The movie, but brighter later on. The attendance was all. That could be desired . more Than The church oveld hold in the oflemon at the childrens service. The Rev. Dr. Christian y Central Theological Seminary , Dayton , D. was the shiny speaker , and was much enjoyed , The church was pretty with the
1 Reformed Colors , and many flowers . The progiums were well carried out, and The day much enjoyedby all. at
.
259 That meeting the poster, Rev. weaver, spoke of the necessity of re- pairing the church buildwy , and The desirability of a new church . He later pressed the matter and a vote was Taken on Cang . 8 . whether To spend 1000 . 0 1200 . in refois or secure 8000 . for a new church . The vole was 10 to 18 in favor of report, but not all voted, and some were about. There was dissatisfaction and the maltes was dropped by pastor and consistory until the next spring, when the poster made the proposition to the corsistory that if they all agreed to it , he would bring The matter to a group by trying to secure 500. in pledges for a newsound. They unanimously agreed , This Two of the consisting had been an form of repair . On June 7 . 1910 , the pastor secured pledges from the consist ony for 1850 , which later were made larger and the supt day secured over 3000 . addition al , and in parte y 24 days name the amount up to 10035:00. It was a pleasure to him to canvass The church , and the people were grateful . Some had been skeptical about receiving the 800r . and enne thought more than That could not be voured . Edward Decker , a builder of the old chunch , said that of the pastor got Jorro. he was going to get have a new hat. The poster got a time new hat . One Drug. 5. 1911, just a year after the vote to re- pais , The congregation voted to build a new church , as at That date over 9000. wor pledged . a Plan committee was appointed -. Res . P. H. Weaver , J. C. Rober , S .W . Rarich . Jan . Tyson , Allen kline , Mis Ed. Decker , Anne Jacobs Molfre , and R.J . More to secure plans and specifications . On Dec . 19 , 1910 , The sommitte reported , and the flau was adopted . On Jun. 10. 1911 . Building committee was elected by the congregation anyfored 1 D.V Lamm , R. H. Fishbough and far Tyson who were empowerment to erect a church furnished for mese , not to sort more Than The amount fledged . After advertizing for bids , The contract was awarded To
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Frank B. Turkbaugh for 8566. Other beds ranged up $ 13000. Ground was broken on The site south of the old church do- nated by Isane W. Decker and wife, on apr. 2. 1911. and work went rapidly forward .
LAYING OF STONE ATTRACTS CROWD
LARGE CROWD WITNESSED COR- NERSTONE LAYING AT EM- MANUEL CHURCH.
Sunday afternoon, in spite of the in- tense heat, about 600 people gathered to witness the laying of the corner stone of the new Emmanuel Reformed church in Rockcreek township. The people came in autos and buggies from the surrounding country from Bluffton, Huntington, Markle, Union- dale, visitors were present from Farm- ersville, O., Canal Wincheser, O., and Chicago, Ill. Pews were placed under the shade trees and around the foun- dation of the new building. Occupy- ing the platform, which was the floor of the tower of the new church, was the choir, the pastor, Rev. Weaver, Rev. F. H. Diehm, pastor of the Ger- man Reformed chure of Huntington, Rev. Smith, pastor of the Methodist church of Markle, Rev. H. B. Diefen- bach, pastor. of the First Reformed church of Bluffton, Hon. J. B. Merri- man, Elder B. Ashbaucher of Bluffton. the consistory of Emmanuel, Elders John C. Raber and Samuel W. Rarick, and Deacons Allen Kline and Wm. Hoover. Elder Emeritus John Luca- baugh; the building committee, D. V. Lamm, Rufus H. Fishbaugh and James Tyson. The service opened with the national hymn "America," followed by a fervent invocation by Rev. Diefen- bach. The choir sang an appropriate hymn after which Rev. Smith read the scripture lesson. . .
The laying of the corner stone was interesting to all. Rev. Weaver first showed to the audience the articles placed in the copper box, all of which were denated by the publication board and homes of the Reformed church, by the merchants of Bluffton, friends and the pastor and family. The artic- les were as follows: Copies of all county papers, Ossian News, daily and . weekly Banner, daily and weekly" mother of all Protestant churches, he
News, The American Issue, copies of Reformed church papers, Christian World, Reformed church Messenger, The Way, and small publications of the Foreign Mission board, The Chris- tian Endeavor World, The Quarterly Visitor, Heidelberg University Leaflet programs of corner stone laying serv- ice, St. Paul's rededicatory service, Emmanuel's 50th anniversary, dedica- tion service of First Reformed church Bluffton, photos of „Emmanuel, St. Paul and pastor, history of the con gregation, some current coins and stamps. names of members, names of the 222 persons and firms who had so far subscribed to the building of the church, pastor's 1911 parochial report to St. Joseph Classis, a Reformed church hymnal, a directory of worship and hymnal, Heidelberg catechism, aid to catechism, church constitution, a Holy Bible presented 14 the American Bible society. This Bible was wrap- ped in a silk American flag. The box was tied with the colors of the Re- formed church, black, red and yellow, sealed, and placed in the large corner stone, which was then laid with an ap- ¡propriate service by the pastor, the Contractor F. B. Fishbaugh, Architect C. H. Houck, and the chairman of the building committee D. V. Lamm. The inscription on the corner stone reads "Emmanuel Reformed church, A. D. 1911." The corner stone of the old church, built in 1871, will be buried in the wall of the new church. The wooden box of the old corner stone was decayed, and nothing of the con- tents remained but a few charred pieces of the Bible and church papers, placed in it forty years ago.
After the corner stone laying Rev. Diefenbach was introduced and gave an appropriate and pleasing address on "The Purpose of the Church." He emphasized the church's purpose as a soul saving, service producing institu- tion of God, and the importance and joy of each member having an active part in this work. Elder B. Ashbauch- er next presented in a very earnest way "The Church . and Sunday School," pointing out the importance of teaching the young the way of life. The new building will mean a larger and a better work, and more workers. Rev. F. H. Diehm's address on "The Reformed Church," was instructive and scholarly. He pointed out the fact that the Reformed church is the ception of a few hundred dollars yet to be secured, all moules are, sub-
ginning in Switzerland tipw the preaching of Ulrie Zwingle in 1516. Then in western Germany, Holland and Scotland, following the lead of Calvin, and taking the name "Reform- [ed," while Central Germany followed the lead of Luther and took his name. There are today fifteen millions of christians of the Reformed faith ir all parts of the world, 300,000 of them: in the United States. The Reformed church is evangelical, Biblical, stand- ing for the highest type of spiritual. intellectual and moral life.
Hon. J. B. Merriman's address. on "The Church and State" was an en- thusiastic 'and helpful one. Io vivid language, he pointed out the impor- tance of the church to the community and the state, and made the church the base of the civilization that we now enjoy. Every citizen ought to help the church to which the state owes so much. The addresses of these gentlemen were excellent and enjoyed by all. Herman Ashbaucher favored the audience with a beautiful solo, after which announcements were! made, a fine offering lifted, and the audience dismissed with the benedic- tion.
Much interest was shown by the people in the new church, and many admiring comments passed. The foun- dation is of solid concrete with Bed- ford stone range work. The walls are of solid brick, a few courses of the face brick laid, which makes a fine appearance .. The face brick is one of the modern pressed brick called "The Leopard Spot," and has a yellow and brownish appearance, which with the brown mortar joint is very pretty. All trimmings are of Bedford stone. The roof will be of red tile. One of the pleasing things is that local men have secured the contracts, so far as possi- ble. C. H. Houck of Bluffton is the architect; the Mercer Lumber com- .pany fornishes all lumber, the Brown Chandelier Co. will make the windows, Wm. Kerfoot has the contract for the steam heating plant, W. E. Fox of Markle the lighting plant, while Frank Fishbangh the contractor la a member of the congregation. This all means that the building will be a good one, and the money paid for it by the peo- .ple -will be spent here amongst the [people benefitting all. With the ex-
Scribed by the citizens of Rockcreek! township, the cities of Bluffton, Hunt- ington and Markle," The membership contributed over $10,000 of the amount needed to furnish completely, the church, and are very grateful to all who have assisted them in this enter- prise which is s benefit to all .:
PROGRAM
OF THE
Corner Stone Laying,
OF THE NEW
Emmanuel's Reformed Church
In Rockcreek Township, ON
Sunday, July 2nd, 2:30 P. M.
Hymn-America. Invocation.
Hymn-No 558.
Scripture Reading-Psalms 84-96. Hymn-No. 562.
Laying the Corner Stone-Rev. P. H. Weaver, Bluffton. Hymn-No. 559. Address-"The Purpose of the Church"-Rev. H. B. Diefenbach Bluffton.
Address-"The Church and Sunday School"-Elder B. Ashbaucher, Bluff- ton.
Hymn-No. 560.
Address-"The Reformed Church" -Rev. F. H. Diehm, Huntington. Address-"The Church aud State" -Hon. J. B. Merriman, Bluffton. Hymn-No. 10. Announcements and Offering. Doxology. Benediction.
COMPLIMENTS OF THE EVENING NEWS BLUFFTON
H
Deacon Henry Poder
hr 20 - 1924
Feb. 14 1971
1. Farger
66-1-21
4
13
Church Letter
To Whom it may Consern this is to certify That mix Jesse Lecher is a member in good regular Standing of the Trinity Ghwiele of God and we Hereby recommend her to God's people everywhere.
Signed A.G. Herenden. Pastar
H.H. Neff. Fired, Platt. Elders.
1913 report for Emmanuel includes full apportionment , as committee at work to raise bal-25.
Berne, Indiana, 356 W. Water St.
Dear Brother : -
The opening meeting of the tenth annual session of the Fort Wayne Classis is scheduled to take place in the Salem Reformed Church of Fort Wayne, Indiana, at 7:30 P. M., on Tuesday, February 9th, 1932.
Delegates will write to the pastor, Rev. R. A. Worthman, 812 Kinnaird Ave., Fort Wayne, Indiana, for entertainment.
Send your Parochial Report to the president, Rev. R. R. Fledderjohann, 303 Jackson St., Decatur, Indiana, at least two (2) weeks before the meeting. ( In its preparation follow the outline of the "Questionaire".)
According to the Acts of the last General Synod, both Statistical Blanks, Numbers 1 and 2, are to be returned as promptly as possible to the Stated Clerk for Classical tabulation. (Watch the column: "Membership Last Report". It must agree with last year's column on "Present Membership".)
Credentials for Elders as delegates are to be returned to the Stated Clerk. (Notify your Elder of this meeting. )
Sincerely yours, Id. Conral :
Dec. 30 1931.
Stated Clerk.
QUESTIONAIRE FOR THE PREPARATION OF PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
Part 1. The Minister and his Activities.
1. What personal experiences have you had during the past year which have advanced or hindered your work ( Illness, pleasant ex- periences within the family circle)?
2. Have you had any spiritual difficulties?
3. In what capacity have you been serving the Church and hunjabity, as a preacher, teacher, or social worker?
4. That has been your relationship toward the consistory and the congregation?
Part II. The Consistory and its Activities.
1. Does the consistory assist you in visiting the members of the congregation, especially the sick?
2. Do the members of the consistory serve as good examples to the members of the congregation?
3. Does it send delegate Elders to Classis and Synod?
Part III. The Congregation and its Activities.
1. Does the congregation make use of the means of grace as offered by the church, i. e. preaching services, holy communion, prayer, benevolences, etc .?
2. What system have you for caring for the benevolent program of the church?
3. That outstanding doctrinal differences are there, if any?
4. What is the congregation's response to the educational program of the church, such as the Sunday School, Young People's and other organizations?
5. Is your congregation interested in establishing any new local Missions or Sunday Schools?
6. What are the prospects of numerical and spiritual growth of your congregation?
7. Have any great changes been made in the congregation's material properties?
8. Has your congregation used any unusual, interestin; methods of raising its necessary finances?
9. Does your congregation have any particular outstanding influence upon your community?
Part IV. Extraordinary Events.
1. Have there been any great visitations in the congregation through epidemics, catastrophes, deaths, etc. ?
2. Have you celebrated any anniversaries or outstanding festivities?
Part V. Petitions.
1. Have you any petitions or requests to place before Classis? -Recommendations-
1. Except in very unusual cases the brethren are urged to limit the parochial reports to 500 words.
2, Before being presented to Classis the parochial reports shall be presented first to the local consistories for their sanction.
COMMITTEES, 1913. EMMANUEL REFORMED CHURCH. ******** ******
S.W. Rarick Chas Fishbaugh Missionary-R. L. Moore Edna Kline Mrs Lovie Fishbaugh
Urs Allen Kline Nrs D. V . Lam Calling-Mrs Ernest McAfee Mrs S.W. Rarick Pearl Gordon
Ray Fishbaugh Mrs Wm Hoover Sunday-school-Mrs Joseph Mcclure R. I. Fishbaugh Louis MicAfec
John C. Raber Joseph NcClure Finance -- Jacob McAfee James Fyson Arden Fishbaugh
Xrs R. I. Fishbaugh Mrs Ed. Decker Social -- Ora Lamm Alpha Fyson Lawrence Mcclure
D.V. Larm Ed . Decker Cemetery-Clarence Fishbaugh J.C. Smeltzer Isaac Decker
BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL
RECORD
OF
Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana.
CONTAINING PORTRAITS OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES FROM WASHINGTON TO CLEVELAND, WITH ACCOMPANYING BIOGRAPHIES OF EACH; A CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE STATE OF INDIANA; PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF SOME OF THE PROMINENT MEN OF THE STATE; ENGHAVINGS OF PROMINENT CITIZENS IN ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES, WITH PERSONAL. HISTORIES OF MANY OF THE LEADING FAMILIES, AND A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES AND THEIR CITIES AND VILLAGES.
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY, 113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO 1997.
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...
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.
861
James Van Emons, Ile received a common- school education, and remained on the farm with his parents until their death, then suc- ceeded them in the homestead. June 5, 1874, he was married to Miss E. Marilla, a dangh- ter of Bowen Hale, and they have six chil- dren-Milford, Bowen, Charles, Harriet, Clara and Homer. Mr. Van Emons has a fine farm of 160 acres, situated one and a halt miles south of Bluffton. He erected a niee brick residence in 1882. In politics he is a Republican.
ISAAC FISIIBAUGII, an active and pub- lic-spirited citizen of Rock Creek Town- ship, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, the date of his birth being February 1, 1835, a son of Mordecai and Isabel (Mc- Donaldl) Fishbaugh. The father was a native of Maryland and of German descent, re- moving from his native State to Ohio in the year 1812. The mother was a daughter of Alexander McDonald, who left his native country, Ireland, for America, and settled in Pennsylvania, where she was born. Isaac Fislibangh, the subject of this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has made the principal avocation of his life, and in his youth received a common-school educa- tion by attending the schools of his neigh- borhood. He lived with his parents until his marriage, March 24, 1860, to Miss Lucinda E. Decker, a daughter of Isane and Elizabeth Decker. Mrs. Fishibaugh was born in Jay Connty, Indiana, but when an infant was taken to Ohio, in which State she was reared. Mr. and Mrs. Fishbaugh are the parents of five children-Leonidas, Rufus H .. Charles S., Francis B. and Madella. Mr. Fishbaugh continued to reside on the old
homestead of his father until he removed to Wells County, Indiana, in the spring of 1871, when he settled on his present farmi on section 20, Rock Creek Township. He then purchased 200 acres of land which was par- tially improved, and by hard work and per- severing energy he has added to his original purchase until he now has 480 acres of choice land which he has improved and bronghit under fine enltivation. IIe has been very successful in his chosen avocation, and from a small beginning he has become one of the well-to-do citizens of his township, and has surrounded his wife and family with all the necessary comforts of life. In politics Mr. Fishbangh is a Demoerat. In 1876 he was elected township trustee, serving as such four years. Ile has served as county commis- sioner three years, having been elected to that office in the fall of 1883. Ile has also held other local offices, in all of which he lias given satisfaction. Ile and his family are active and consistent members of the German Reformed church.
ENJAMIN F. TAYLOR was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, October 2, 1812, son of Ebenezer and Margaret (Foster) Taylor, of Irish ancestry. The father was born in New Jersey, and was a son of Thomas and Ruth (Sprague) Taylor; the latter was probably born in New Jer- sey. The family came to Ohio about 1785, settling in what is now Jefferson County, where the parents both remained until their death. Their children were-Ebenezer, Jolin, IIenry, Cornelius, Rannel, Hiram, William, Ann, Ruth and Jane. Of these children, Ebe- nezer, the oldest, was the father of our sub- ject. All the brothers and sisters lived, married and died in Ohio, except Cornelius,
Charles was my grandsthee
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HECKMAN BINDERY, INC. Bound-To-Please"
AUG 04
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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