USA > Ohio > Richland County > Mansfield > A history of the Wittenberg Synod of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1847-1916 > Part 20
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Elders: Peter Betzer, Harvey Corey.
Deacons: James K. Gillam, Treas., Andrew
Bender, John Kiser, Sec'y.
Trustees: Geo. Ackerman, John Betzer, Hugh Lee.
Charter members were the following :
Peter Betzer
Barbara Walters
Barbara Betzer
Mary Ann Walters
John Betzer
Barbara Kisor
Jane Betzer
Susanna Kisor (Sen.)
Andrew Bender
Hugh Lee
Sarah Bender
Mrs. Hugh Lee
Harvey Corey
Stephen Ford
Hannah Corey
Sarah Ford
George Ackerman
William Gillam
Lovina Ackerman
Eliza Gillam
John Kisor
James K. Gillam
Susanna Kisor
Mary Ann Gillam
Sarah Bender (Sen.)
John Gillam
Maria Kisor
Luther Betzer
Jane Walters
Sally Ann Betzer
The Deunquat Congregation remained a part of the Upper Sandusky charge until 1868 when it united with Nevada, eight miles south of Deunquat, to form a charge. This arrangement is sustained until the present time. (1916). During the year 1890, this
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
congregation, through an apparent oversight of the Synod became very much discouraged, and was about to be taken up by another denomination. The Mis- sionary Secretary, Rev. C. S. Ernsberger, held special services for several weeks, and brought up the con- gregation to a working condition and reunited it with the Nevada church again. The congregation still worships in the first building which was erected in 1851, situated on the southwest corner of Peter Betzer's farm. The edifice is 34 by 44 feet, and is constructed of brick, with shingle roof. It is one of the oldest church buildings in Wyandot County.
At present, (January, 1915) the congregation numbers forty-eight confirmed members, and sixty- four baptized members.
The Sunday-school has about 50 in attendance, and the Aid Society has twenty members.
Following is a list of the pastors :
During its association with Upper Sandusky,
Rev. J. B. Oliver 1851-1852
Rev. A. R. Howbert 1852-1854
Rev. A. F. Hills 1854-1858
Since its union with Nevada congregation, the following :
Rev. A. B. Kirtland. 1858-1861
Rev. George Hammer 1861-1863
Rev. D. A. Kuhn 1869-1877 Rev. Hiram Knodle. 1883-1890
Rev. J. W. Byers 1891-1898
Rev. W. H. Dolbeer 1898-1902
Rev. G. W. W. Amick 1902-1906
Rev. W. C. Laughbaum 1906-
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
First Eng. Ev. Lutheran Church, Shelby, Ohio
Prior to September 1, 1859 there was no Lutheran Church in the village of Shelby, Ohio. Only oc- casional preaching services had been held by Lutheran pastors who were engaged elsewhere, as they found it convenient. But there were a number of Lutherans in the town who were desirous of having a church of their own faith.
By far the most of these people had migrated from the state of Pennsylvania, largely from Perry County, and were so much attached to their own de- nominational faith and forms of worship that it was a hopeless task to induce them to affiliate with other denominations.
During the summer of 1859 some of the leading and influential men among the Lutherans in Shelby, opened correspondence with Rev. A. R. Brown, who was then serving the Mansfield charge, consisting of the London, Clay, Bethel and Myers churches. He noted the earnest and business-like procedure of the men who interviewed him, he at once caught a vision of larger things for the Lutheran Church in Shelby, and promised to do all in his power to launch and consummate an organization, in Shelby. During the summer of 1859, Pastor Brown supplied the local Lu- therans with services from time to time as his regular work permitted. These services were held in the homes of the interested families, and the business sessions were held in the offices of the Hon. S. S. Bloom, until Sept. 1, 1859.
On that date about forty Lutherans held a meeting for the purpose of effecting a permanent organization in Shelby.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
The project met with unanimous approval, and resulted in the organization, in regular form, of the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Shelby, Ohio.
The Charter membership was as follows :
John G. Bombaugh,
Keziah Jane Hersheiser,
John Hersheiser, Sr.,
Sarah Hersheiser,
John Hersheiser, Jr .. Cornelius Fox.
Cinderilla Weiser,
John Souder,
Barbara Finicle, M. A. Davis,
Samuel Hersheiser,
Henry Beistline,
David Hersheiser,
Jacob Fletcher,
Sarah Munday,
Samuel S. Bloom,
Polly May, Christy Ann Bombaugh,
William Slaybaugh,
Elizabeth Beistline,
Martha A. Bombaugh,
Susan B. Martin,
Mary Gettle,
Elizabeth Hersheiser,
Catharine E. Weiser,
Amanda J. M. Weiser,
Harriet Weiser,
Hannah Fletcher,
Catharine Livensbarger,
Sarah Slaybaugh,
Mary E. Saiger,
Mrs. Cath. Weiser,
Leonard Hersheiser,
Mrs. Catharine May, David Livensbarger,
Solomon Finicle, William Owings,
Catharine May.
Sophia Hersheiser,
This organization was a marked success from the very beginning. A contract was made with the official board of the German Reformed Church by which pas- tor and people were enabled to worship in their build- ing for the stipulated amount of forty dollars per annum.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Rev. Brown served the congregation very faith- fully for about two years when he received a com- mission as Chaplain in the United States Army dur- ing the Civil War. During his administration the congregation was thoroughly organized, held regular services and Council meetings, and became a force- ful factor in the religious life and movements of the town.
After the resignation of pastor Brown, a call was extended to the Rev. Daniel Summers, Dec. 1, 1861. He had been pastor of the country churches near Shelby, and had nobly assisted in the work of that indefatigable Home Missionary of those days, - the Rev. Francis J. Ruth. He accepted the call and was installed one month later, by Revs. J. Selmser of the Plymouth charge and Prof. F. W. Conrad, of Dayton, O. From the very first, by his earnest and devoted leadership the work enlarged to such an extent that it was found necessary to arrange for a new church home, - a separate building for the Lutheran people. At a meeting of the church council, July 9, 1862, the pastor was authorized to raise funds by subscription to secure a site and build a church as soon as possible. The movement received the hearty support of the members of the church and of the people of the town as well. Trustees were elected and a Sunday-school organized. About a year later the work was begun and though it proceeded slowly, quite so, indeed, yet some time in September of 1867 the new building was dedicated to the worship of God and the Shelby con- gregation had a home of its own in which to worship, free of debt. Filled with new enthusiasm and hope and good will, they planned for larger things and
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359
REV. A. R. BROWN.
REV. D. SUMMERS.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
REV. D. I. FOUST.
REV. J. F. SHEARER.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
wisely took advantage of the new situation for their own spiritual benefit, and for the glory of God. After seven years of faithful and efficient service, Rev. Summers resigned November 7, 1868, to take up his work in his chosen field. Early in November, 1868, a call was extended to the Rev. J. F. Shearer, who assumed charge a month later. For three and a half years the work of the church went on in an uneventful and harmonious manner, when, unexpectedly, July I. 1872, Rev. Shearer resigned to accept a call to the Lutheran Church at Bellefontaine, O. The congrega- tion remained vacant for nearly a year, when on April 1, 1873, a call was extended the Rev. D. I. Foust, who had supplied the churches for a time during the vacancy. Under his supervision, the regular work of the pastorate was conducted successfully, members were added to the roll and Systematic Benevolence unanimously adopted in the finances of the church. In 1873, on its own request, the London congregation was permitted to withdraw from the Shelby charge and unite with the Spring Mills charge. This left the Shelby and Myers congregations to constitute a pastorate, and the Trustees of these two churches en- tered into a joint agreement to secure a parsonage according to a plan proposed by the pastor, Rev. Foust, and they proceeded to secure the necessary subscriptions. A year later the parsonage was se- cured.
March 18th, 1876, Rev. Foust resigned the charge to enter upon a business career. A week later Rev. D. Summers was recalled. He accepted and as- sumed the work of the pastorate at once. He served the pastorate for nine successful years, during which
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time there was a steady growth and real progress made. along all lines. -
He resigned April Ist, 1885, and in the following June was succeeded by the Rev. M. L. Kunkelman. It was during his administration that the London church again withdrew from the Shelby charge, hav- ing reunited with it in 1876; one year later again securing a supply from the pastor, and reuniting with the charge again.
The work of the charge moved along nicely under the care of the pastor, with a number of for- ward steps along various lines, and it was a great surprise to the entire congregation, when, June Ist, 1888, with the view to improve his wife's health, Rev. Kunkelman resigned and moved to Nebraska.
With some difficulty in the securing of a pastor, a call was extended to the Rev. J. E. Lerch, of Scalp Level, Pa., who took charge February Ist, 1889, and after serving the charge a short time, relinquished the work April Ist, 1890.
A call was extended at once to Rev. M. L. Wilhelm, of Lisbon, Ohio, who was regularly in- stalled as pastor June 29th, 1890, by Revs. Dr. H. L. Wiles, and E. K. Baker. Some extensive improve- ments were made during this pastorate and the congregation grew in numbers and influence in town and community as a distinct religious force. The purchase of a parsonage and a new church was agitated several times and the determination to undertake the work increased from year to year. After seven years of steady growth and increased strength and blessing. Rev. Wilhelm resigned, and on November 20th, 1897, a call was extended to
HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
363
REV. M. L. KUNKELMAN, M. D.
REV. J. E. LERCH.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
REV. M. L. WILHELM.
W. H. SINGLEY, D. D.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Rev. Dr. W. H. Singley, of Springfield, Ohio, who promptly accepted and was installed the following month.
At the beginning Dr. Singley brought about the passage of a resolution doing away with the practice of "hiring" the pastor, from year to year, placing the true meaning on the call to be a call to service for the period of the pastor's usefulness. The Coun- cil also proceeded to incorporate the organization under the laws of the State of Ohio, and to other- wise improve the business methods of the organ- ization.
A new impulse seemed to inspire the people and the initial steps were taken to erect a new house of worship.
The congregation resolved to build, and on the morning of June 20th, 1898, the work of moving the old building to the rear of the lot was commenced, and the ground broken for the new edifice. The corner stone was laid on Sunday, August 28th, 1898, - the Rev. Daniel Summers, who had built the first church, and who had served the congregation for seventeen years, preached the sermon. He was now a permanent resident of Shelby, and tho advanced in age, he renewed his youth on this occasion and preached with wondrous power to the great delight of all present. The new church was formally ded- icated to the worship of Almighty God March 12th, 1899. In its architectural construction, it is an adap- tation of modified Gothic and Romanesque elements, the strength and beauty of both being skillfully blended into a very handsome and harmonious edifice. The structure is of brick with buff stone trimmings.
SHELRV
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1
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
366
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Besides an ideal auditorium, there are Sunday-school rooms, Church Parlor, and Balcony. All the windows are memorial. Between the auditorium and the Sun- day-school apartments is a lifting partition which by machinery is automatically lifted into a pocket over- head, thereby throwing the entire building into one large audience-chamber, from every part of which the speaker can be seen and heard with ease.
Having completed his task of building in about three years, Dr. Singley relinquished the work, August 4th, 1900.
January 26th, 1901, an official call was extended to the Rev. Geo. S. Bright, who accepted and took charge, February 15th, 1901, beng installed by Revs. Drs. S. A. Ort, and E. H. Dornblaser, both of Spring- field, O.
The work of this administration consisted of a partial liquidation of the church debt, providing hymnals for the church service, and song books for the Sunday-school. A new church record was pur- chased, the weekly envelope system installed, and a parish paper published. Rev. Bright resigned Octo- ber 15th, 1902.
The next pastor called was the Rev. A. B. Shrader, who took up the work, Nov. 16th, 1902. Rev. Shrader served the congregation but 11/2 years and resigned April 25th, 1904, having been called to the office of Field Secretary of Carthage College, Carthage, Illinois.
June 13th, 1904, the Rev. H. C. Funk, of Ore- gon, Illinois, was called, and assumed the work Sep- tember Ist, 1904. Rev. Funk found the congregation under a debt of over $3,000.00, and at once attacked
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
this indebtedness with vigor and determination and in one year thereafter, burned the mortgage. The heart of the church at once revived and on April roth, 1906, purchased a new parsonage at a cost of $2,500.00. In the fall of the same year the congre- gation purchased a Hilgreen-Lane Pipe Organ at a cost of $2,800.00. In spite of the commendable and considerable investments during the 61/2 years of Rev. Funk's service, the congregation had only about $1,000.00 indebtedness when he relinquished his work, January Ist, 1911, having accepted a call to Sacramento, California.
After a vacancy of several months a call was extended to the Rev. J. H. Neuhauser, then located at Auburn, Indiana. He accepted, and the new pas- tor arrived May Ist, 19II.
Like his predecessor, finding a small indebted- ness on the church he immediately set to work to remove it, which was done the first year of his pas- torate. No sooner was this accomplished than the Council at once undertook to renovate the entire church building and to finish the basement which had not been finished at the first because not needed.
At the same time the old parsonage was sold and the residence property adjoining the church re-pur- chased for parsonage use, the whole work costing the congregation over $12,000.00.
The re-opening and dedication of the repaired and renovated church took place on Sunday, March 23d, 1913.
With a thoroughly organized Sunday-school, a Ladies' Aid Society comprising all the ladies of the congregation, a Woman's Home and Foreign Mis-
HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
369
REV. GEO. S. BRIGHT.
A. B. SHRADER, D. D.
24
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
REV. H. C. FUNK.
REV. J. H. NEUHAUSER.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
sionary Society, and Junior Mission Band, and Lu- ther League, all in active operation and co-operation, . the church is a recognized religious force in the city and community. Rev. Neuhauser is eminently suc- cessful. Much to the surprise and greatly to the re- gret of all, Rev. Neuhauser, on account of the sud- den failure of his health during the summer of 1916 was compelled to resign.
The Meyers Evangelical Lutheran Church
The history of the Shelby Pastorate would not be complete without mention of the Meyers Evan- gelical Lutheran Church, which has been a part of the. Shelby charge from the beginning. It is twenty- five years older than the Shelby organization, and has always taken an active part in the work of the charge; in fact the two churches have always been considered as one field, and with two exceptions, the same pastors have served both, so that the history of the first church, aside from local details, is prac- tically the history of the Meyers church.
The Rev. F. J. Ruth, pioneer missionary in this section of the country for the Lutheran church in America, states that, "Some time during the year 1834, I organized the congregation known as the Meyers Church, distant about three miles west of Shelby, Richland County, Ohio. Here I catechised the young, and also conducted special efforts with a view to the promotion of religion among the people of the community : and those meetings were attended with encouraging success, and numerous accessions were made to the church. Prayer-meetings were in due time commenced and sustained in the congrega-
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
tion and Sabbath-school instruction was given, also, and the work of the Lord was prospered in that place. As there were a few persons in that neighbor- hood who could not understand the English language well enough to profit by English preaching, arrange- ments were made by which the services' of Rev. Andrew Kuhn were secured, and he preached in connection with me for several years, in the German language, and thus all parties were accommodated. The first and leading members of the congregation were: Messrs. William Creager, John Dull, J. Rex, F. Toney, John Snyder, and others." *
Until the administration of the Rev. A. R. Brown, September Ist, 1859, when the Shelby Church was organized, the Meyers Church had only two pas- tors, the Rev. F. J. Ruth and the Rev. David Sprecher - Rev. Andrew Kuhn supplying the Ger- man preaching for the Rev. Ruth.
From that time to the present, the same pastors have served both of these churches.
In 1858, or the beginning of the year 1859, the "small log church" was disposed of and a substantial frame church building erected for the worship of Almighty God. This church stands today, in a very fine state of preservation, and the people worship here.
The membership is smaller now than it was 30 or 40 years ago, due to the general decline of the country church in the United States, there being only about 60 members; but the people still retain their rugged loyalty to the beloved Lutheran Church, and
*Autobiog .. p. 66.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
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MYERS CHURCH.
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HISTORY OF T THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
prosecute their labors for the Master with character- istic devotion and zeal.
The Sunday-school has always pursued its work with intelligence and zeal, and the congregation has never lost the spirit which was injected into the organization by that ideal man of God, "Father Ruth," as he was called.
The Meyers Church has a good record today ; the current expenses are all promptly paid, - the apportionment is met each year, the attendance at Divine Worship is good, and over ninety per cent of the membership communes regularly ; so that this is one country church, at least, that is wide-awake to its heritage, its privileges, and its duties. The value of the church property is estimated at from $2,500 to $3,000. The cemetery west of the church is "the best kept cemetery in that part of the state."
Lutheran Church, Bellefontaine, Ohio
The Lutheran Congregation of Bellefontaine, Ohio, was organized in the home of John Horn, Sr., about the year 1840, by the Rev. J. H. Hoffman.
The Rev. J. G. Harris became the pastor in October, 1842, and at the same time supplied con- gregations at Mt. Pisgah and Kearn's Mill, and in- addition to this he served as temporary supply at Nettle's Creek near St. Paris, and organized the con- gregation at West Liberty, Ohio.
The privations incident to this pioneer mission- ary work were very severe. The roads were bad, the country new, the people very poor and the support inadequate. At the end of two years the Rev. Mr.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Harris resigned and was succeeded in 1844 by the Rev. J. H. Hoffman, who the second time became pastor of the little flock, and he continued in this relation until some time during the following year, 1845.
For three years the congregation was without the services of a pastor and as a matter of course suffered severely.
So dark was the outlook and so disheartened the leaders of the congregation that they could hardly be prevailed upon to attempt a reorganization.
Dr. Ezra Keller, President of Wittenberg Col- lege, hearing of the sorry condition of affairs came to the rescue, and under his able leadership, the scat- tered forces were rallied, and on March 25th, 1848, a reorganization was effected. The Lord's Supper was administered the same day and but six persons communed. These six were called the Charter mem- bers of the reorganized congregation and were John Horn, Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, Henry Horn, Susanah Horn, Mrs. Mary C. Hoffman and Mrs. Barbara Huber.
Dr. Keller was not able to supply the pulpit regularly and detailed a student from the Seminary, Rev. Wm. C. Barnett, to supply the congregation.
His labors continued for the space of one year, and thinking that the prospects for building up a self- supporting congregation were not at all promising he resigned.
There was a vacancy at this time lasting for one year and a half.
The Wittenberg Synod then requested the Rev. J. P. Brickley to visit the brethren at Bellefontaine and minister to them in holy things.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
He came, he preached, his work was richly blessed, and a new organization was effected on April 20, 1851, in the Court House.
The following persons signed the constitution : John Horn, Mrs. Nancy Horn, Joseph Huber, Mrs. Barbara Huber, Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, Mrs. C. Hoffman, Mrs. Eliza Horn, John Royer, Mrs. Eliza- beth Royer, Joshua Shawver, Mrs. Rebecca Shawver, Henry Horn, Mrs. Mary Horn, Leonard Harbaugh, Mrs. Rebecca Harbaugh, John Angel and Mrs. Pusey.
By this time railroads had been built through Logan county and as a consequence the farmers were brought more closely into touch with the leading markets of the country and were thus able to dis- pose of their products much more advantageously. Great temporal prosperity followed extreme poverty and with the revival of business came increased pros- perity to the church.
Under the wise leadership of Pastor Brickley the congregation undertook the building of a house of worship.
The corner-stone was laid on July 27, 1851, on which occasion Prof. Frederick W. Conrad, D. D., of Wittenberg Theological Seminary officiated. The building was a small one story brick structure lo- cated on a commanding eminence at the corner of Detroit and Sandusky Streets in the city of Belle- fontaine.
Mr. John Horn, Sr., on whose farm residence the first organization had been effected contributed about one thousand dollars to the building fund and several of his children also gave liberally.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
In this connection mention should be made of Andrew Horn, Joseph Huber, Joshua Shawver, Leonard Harbaugh and John Angel.
The Rev. Mr. Brickley was a carpenter by trade and planned and constructed the pulpit while the other mechanics were building the house.
The building committee were John Horn, Sr., Joseph Kirkpatrick and Joshua Shawver.
The congregation seemed to be on the way to assured success when another very severe trial was encountered.
The dread scourge of cholera was raging in Springfield and the surrounding towns and after a time reached Bellefontaine, where one of its first victims was the faithful Lutheran pastor.
The first sermon in the new church was deliv- ered on the occasion of the funeral of the Rev. J. P. Brickley.
The Wittenberg Synod requested the Rev. John W. Goodlin, D. D., to assume pastoral oversight of the bereaved congregation.
He became pastor in October, 1852, and re- mained about 8 years.
During his pastorate the congregation enjoyed great peace and prosperity and one hundred and sixty-two members were added to the church.
Dr. Goodlin was succeeded by the Rev. J. F. Reinmund, who served the congregation for about two years. The records for that period are meager. Eighteen new members were added to the roll.
Dr. J. W. Goodlin again became the pastor, serv- ing from Sept. 1, 1862, to December 24, 1865, and added 68 new members to the fold.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
The Rev. L. M. Kuhns, D. D., became pastor in May, 1866. Unfortunately no careful record was kept during this and the two following pastoral terms.
During the first two years of Dr. Kuhn's adminis- tration 65 members were received. Lots were pur-
W. H. SINGLEY, D. D.
chased and a parsonage erected at a total cost of $4,000.00.
Prof. S. F. Breckinridge, D. D., took charge of the congregation in 1869. During his period of service the church was relieved from debt and the
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BELLEFONTAINE - OLD CH.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
finances systematized and greatly improved. Also a new constitution was adopted which was a great im- provement over the one it superseded.
Dr. Breckenridge resigned and gave up the pas- torate on May 5, 1872.
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