USA > Ohio > Richland County > Mansfield > A history of the Wittenberg Synod of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1847-1916 > Part 22
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fax:
REV. D. L. MCKENZIE.
F. M. PORCH, D. D.
REV. W. H. LILLY.
H. H. HALL, D. D.
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HISTORY OF THIE WITTENBERG SYNOD
advancement of the Kingdom of God at home and abroad.
The Rev. I. D. Worman of Indianapolis was called and became the pastor of the congregation April 2, 1900. He labored faithfully for nine years and his conservative work was not in vain. The duplex envelope system was introduced and all debts were liquidated. The church was extensively re- paired and its walls were frescoed and adorned. The Brotherhood, the Young Women's Missionary So- ciety and the Mission Band were organized and de- veloped into successful institutions during the years 1901 to 1909. The parsonage was repaired and a cement porch, which is a thing of beauty, was added to its improvement and convenience. Rev. and Mrs. Worman rendered faithful service to the congrega- tion.
The present pastorate, Rev. F. W. Rohlfing, D. D., began August 1, 1909, and it has been a pleas- ure to observe the Christian activity and enthusiasm manifested by the congregation. The choir was re- organized and two new choirs, the girls' and boys' vested choirs, were added to our musical forces; and in this work great assistance has been rendered by Mrs. F. W. Stamm, Miss Mae Wassenberg, Mrs. W. A. Bickford, Miss Rose Boesche, Miss Ruth Mc- Conahy, and Miss Grace Smith. In 1912, the pastor was presented with means to tour the leading cities in Europe, Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine and the Land of Goshen. "I was glad when they said unto me. let us go into the House of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O, Jerusalem!"
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H. S. LAWRENCE, D. D.
REV. I. D. WORMAN.
F. W. ROHLFING, D. D.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
The St. Mark's congregation has a very active church council that is rendering valuable service to the pastor in the various departments of work at home and abroad. The congregation gives attention to instruction in the catechism so that her people may know the glorious doctrines of the Word of God. The Sunday-school, numbering about 250, has an active corps of teachers and officers. Mr. E. I. Lorber is the superintendent, and James Drake and Louis Schumm are his assistants. Miss Marie Car- mody is the secretary and Ernest Reidenbach is her assistant. Mr. O. G. Steinmetz is the treasurer.
The Brotherhood of St. Mark's is a society for the men of the congregation. Its purpose is to cul- tivate a more enthusiastic spirit for the doctrines and work of the church. The organization supports a native missionary in India. The officers of the Brotherhood are: F. A. Gumble, C. A. Shaffer, F. W. Butler, and S. W. Wyandt. One of the oldest organizations in the history of the congregation is the Aid Society to which all the ladies of the church belong. Its president is Mrs. W. R. Kime; vice- president, Mrs. Fannie Swineford; secretary, Mrs. Willard Pennell, and treasurer, Mrs. T. G. Evans. This active institution has subscribed about $5,000.00 toward the new church. "To do good and to com- municate, forget not." The Women's Missionary Society is engaged in active missionary work. Mrs. WV. A. Bickford is president ; Mrs. C. F. Wassenberg, secretary ; Mrs. C. W. Bonnewitz, treasurer ; Mrs. WV. R. Kime, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. Frank- lin Chryst, thank-offering secretary. This society was organized September 27, 1883, with thirteen
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charter members: Mrs. Ella R. Swineford, Mrs. Lucy A. Craig, Mrs. Susan Fox, Mrs. Helen Bonne- witz, Mrs. Austin, Mrs. H. Rumpf, Mrs. L. Gacken- heimer, Mrs. W. H. Pennell, Mrs. Rev. Porch, Mrs. Jacob Fenter, Mrs. S. B. Hertz, Mrs. George Ham- mer and Mrs. George Wappner.
The Young Ladies' Missionary Society directed by Miss Cecile Wilson, and the Missionary Band, di- rected by Mrs. S. W. Long, are active auxiliaries of the Women's Missionary Society.
The new director of the choir is Mr. James Jones and the new organist is Mrs. H. H. Holbrook. "Oh, sing unto the Lord a new song for He hath done marvellous works." The Luther League, the organization for young people in the congregation, is interested in missionary, educational and social work. Miss Ruth Inez McConahy is the presiding officer ; Miss Maude Ferguson, vice president ; Ernest Rei- denbach, secretary, and Clifford Matthys, treasurer. "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth."
IN MEMORIAM
MARVIN G. WOODRUFF.
Mr. Marvin Woodruff, whose memorial tablet adorns the beautiful corridor entrance to the church, gave a cash subscription of $20,000.00 for the edifice and then added $5,000.00 more for the complete set of chimes in the graceful tower. On previous occasions he had manifested a very benevolent spirit in having the walls of the old church frescoed and adorned. He was born May 7, 1847, and began his career as a poor boy, but by persistent effort, dili-
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gence and economy, he became one of the leading and most prosperous business men in the county. He loved to work and firmly believed in the maxim, "In the sweat of thy brow thou shalt eat thy bread." He died October 31, 1913. The church, the community and the personal friends of Mr. Woodruff will bear witness to his liberality in future years. Without his generous donation, the new Lutheran church would have been an impossibility. Later, the Woodruff es- tate added $2,000.00 more, for all of which the con- gregation feels very grateful. Some one has said that a man should be very liberal with his country, his church, his kindred and his poor neighbor.
JOHN STRANDLER.
Mr. John Strandler was born in Germany, March 19, 1841, and died January 2, 1914. He came to New York as a mere boy and as a man served in the Federal army at various historic points. Most of his time was spent in Van Wert, where he was well-known and prominent in business circles. By his industrious habits and successful business meth- ods, he accumulated a fortune which proved a bless- ing to his church, to his relatives and to the com- munity. It was he who donated the three manual pipe organ in memory of his departed wife. The his- torian who records the future annals of Van Wert will say that it was better for Mr. Strandler's having lived in it. The music at St. Mark's will be finer for his having donated this magnificent instrument. Luther said that, "Music is the art of the prophets, the only art that can calm the agitations of the soul.
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It is one of the most magnificent and delightful pres- ents God has given us."
DESCRIPTION OF CHURCH AND CHIMES.
The new St. Mark's Lutheran Church is a Tu- dor-Gothic structure built of blue limestone and or- namented with Bedford rock. It is 112 feet long and 60 feet wide. It is adorned with two ornamental towers, one that is 65 feet high and 17 feet square; the other forms an entrance to the Sunday-school room. The chimes are in the large tower. Two beautiful crosses adorn the north and east gables. The roof is of first-class dark red tile. The windows are made of fine American opalescent glass and all the large ones are memorials which add very much to the elegance of the church and are highly appre- ciated. The large window above the altar repre- sents Hoffman's Gethsemane and is a fitting me- morial to the faithful labors of Morris Officer. The finest window in the Sunday-school, Carl Vogel's "Christ and the Children," was placed there in mem- ory of Marvin Evans, by Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Evans. The three windows in the eastern wall are in memory of Helen Bonnewitz, by Charles Balyeat; the Mes- dames Woodruff, by Marvin Woodruff; and Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Hertz. Mr. and Mrs. Hertz are the only living charter members. The three windows in the western wall were given by Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Mozier in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Richards ; by Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Butler in memory of Walter Butler; by Mrs. O. D. Swartout, in memory of Rachel Swinehart: by Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Miller, in
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
ST. MARK'S - VAN WERT - NEW CHURCH.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
memory of Louis Miller; and by Mr. A. Calhoun, in memory of Mrs. Edith Calhoun.
The chancel furnishings are of carved oak. The altar with cross and candelabra was given by Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Hertz; the pulpit was donated by Mrs. O. D. Swartout; the lecturn was presented by Mr. and Mrs. C. B. McConahy, in memory of Mr.
CHIME OF BELLS, VAN WERT.
and Mrs. Spangler ; the baptismal font is a gift from Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Stamm, in memory of John and James Stamm. The beautiful altar cloths were given by Mrs. A. Lynch; the silver communion set was presented by Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Ridenour. The subscription and other gifts have been very liberal and are much appreciated by the congregation.
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The church has a very fine corridor entrance leading into both the auditorium and the Sunday- school room. The main entrance is on Washington Street. There is also a west entrance from Sycamore Street. The gallery surrounding the Sunday-school room is divided into class apartments. The three manual pipe organ is one of the finest in northwest- ern Ohio. The entire space beneath the church has been excavated and transformed into various apart- ments for men and women. The floors are level and all the other arrangements are very churchly. "Oh, come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; we are the sheep of His pasture and the people of His hands."
The net weight of the ten bells constituting the chimes is 10,675 pounds; together with the framing, 16,000 pounds. . The bells are suspended in a square frame, each hanging stationary, except the large bell which is arranged so that it may be swung or tolled independently of the others at such time as desired. The bells are sounded from a lever stand or con- sole which is placed in the room in the tower below the belfry. The hammers of the bells are connected with levers of the console by a series of rods and chains. The principle is similar to the playing of a piano. The note that each bell responds to is indi- cated on the lever and by pressing the lever down with a short quick stroke, the note desired is sounded. The system is such as to allow of ample modulation. "I will wash mine hands in innocency, and thus will I compass thine altar, O Lord, and will sing of all Thy wondrous works."
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lucas, Ohio
The earliest records show that St. Paul's Lu- theran Church, Lucas, Ohio, was organized by Rev. J. H. Hoffman on the 16th day of May, 1846, with 31 members, - fourteen males and seventeen females. The first officers elected were: David Leiter, Elder ; Jacob Crone and John Crone, Deacons.
In the autobiography of Rev. Dr. Crouse, the writer says,* "I organized the Lutheran Church at Lucas, in May, 1846, and reorganized the church at Mifflin." Doubtless both of these were present and participated in the ceremonies, for the records also show that Rev. Joshua Crouse supplied the con- gregations of the pastorate, from Nov. 9th, 1845 to Nov. 8th, 1846, when Rev. J. H. Hoffman became the settled pastor.
At the time of the organization, it became a part of the Mt. Zion Pastorate which was composed of Mt. Zion, Mifflin, ( Petersburg) St. John's, and Lucas congregations. The records of the early history are very meager, and therefore this sketch must be in- complete.
From the organization to the division of the charge in 1871, the following ministers served the pastorate :
Rev. J. H. Hoffman 1846-1854
Rev. W. A. G. Emerson 1854-1859
Rev. Jesse Helsell 1859-1861
Rev. F. J. Ruth 1861-1864
Rev. H. L. Wiles
1864-1871
*Autobiog., p. 173.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Rev. Wiles closed his ministry at Lucas in Oc- tober, 1871, and immediately afterward, all parties consenting, the charge was divided so as to place Mt. Zion and Mifflin (Petersburg) in one pastorate, and Lucas, and St. John's, Pleasant Valley, and Emanuel in another.
The following ministers served the Lucas pas- torate under the new arrangement :
Rev. T. F. Dornblaser 1872-1874
Rev. M. G. Earhart. 1874-1877
Rev. C. S. Ernsberger 1877-1882
At the close of Rev. Ernsberger's ministry in the Lucas pastorate, because of a largely increased membership, the charge was divided again. This time Lucas and Emmanuel constituted a pastorate and St. John's and Pleasant Valley, another, the pastor of the latter to live in Perrysville. The pastors serv- ing the Lucas pastorate under this newest arrange- ment are the following :
Rev. H. B. Miller 1881-1882
Rev. J. A. Dunlap.
1883-1885
Rev. D. J. Mitterling 1885-1888 Rev. F. B. Heibert. 1889-1891
Rev. Jabez Shafer
1891-1893
Rev. John Farrow. 1894-1895
Rev. W. H. Dolbeer 1895-1898
Rev. A. K. Felton 1898-1900
Rev. P. L. Miller 1901-1905
Rev. G. G. Clark. 1906-1907
Rev. H. M. Nicholson 1907-1909 Rev. G. Z. Cochel 1909-1914 Rev. T. Earnhart 1915-
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The substantial and commodious brick structure which is now the house of worship for this congre- gation was begun in 1872, during the pastorate of Rev. T. F. Dornblaser. The corner-stone was laid on October 26th of that same year. The entire superstructure was built and enclosed, but only the basement was finished for some time.
Becoming discouraged with the magnitude of the undertaking, the indebtedness amounting to about $1,000, remained unreduced for a number of years. The congregation held all its services in the base- ment.
During the early part of the pastorate of Rev. C. S. Ernsberger, several efforts were made to pay the debt which were finally successful. The spirit of the congregation then arose and a new subscription of over $1,200.00 was secured and the contract for the completion of the upper room was let and work began, in the summer of 1881, -and in November of that year Rev. Ernsberger resigned. The work of finishing proceeded slowly, and, on the 21st of May, 1882, the finished structure was dedicated to the worship of God, Rev. H. L. Wiles, D. D., then pastor at Wooster, Ohio, preached the dedicatory ser- mon, Revs. A. Z. Thomas, Jno. A. Hall, D. D., D. H. Bauslin, D. D., and the pastor, Rev. H. B. Miller, assisting in the services.
Owing to some inadvertence, nothing concerning this new church building was ever reported to the Synod. A new parsonage was erected in 1800. To- gether with an excellent and convenient parsonage on the adjoining lot, this congregation owns a fine church property.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Richland County, Ohio
Prior to November 7th, 1868, what is known as Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Mifflin Township, Richland County, Ohio, was known as a united Ger- man Reformed and Lutheran organization.
On the above date, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. H. L. Wiles, then pastor of the Lucas Charge, a congregational meeting was called and after the read- ing of the constitution of the old union organiza- tion, a request was made for the reading of the "Formula for the Government and Discipline of the Evangelical. Lutheran Church."
This Formula was adopted as the Constitution of a new organization to be called "The Emmanuel Lutheran Church." Fifty-seven names were sub- scribed, and announcement was at once made for a meeting of these subscribers two weeks thereafter to complete the organization.
Accordingly, on the 22nd of November, 1868, at the called meeting, an election was held resulting in the choice of John W. Gates, and H. S. Balliett, as Elders, and Levi Ross, and M. McDermott as Dea- cons, and thus was organized the Emmanuel Lu- theran Church, which now forms a part of the Lucas pastorate in Richland County, Ohio.
At the twenty-third annual convention of Wit- tenberg Synod, convened in Van Wert, Ohio, August, 1869, this congregation applied for admission, and was received into the synod, together with the Pleas- ant Valley congregation, organized one year previous, the two constituting a pastorate to be known as the "Pleasant Valley" pastorate.
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Rev. J. M. Emerson, who had been supplying these congregations for some time was called as pastor, and took up the work regularly in June, 1869. He continued as their pastor but a little more than a year, and resigned in September, 1870.
One year later, these two congregations united with the Lucas and St. John's congregations, thus be- coming a part of the Lucas Pastorate.
This arrangement remained for about ten years, during which time Emmanuel congregation was served by Revs. Dornblaser, Earhart, and Ernsberger, when, at the close of the administration of the last named, the Lucas pastorate was divided and thence- forward, beginning with Rev. H. B. Miller in 1881, her succession of pastors was the same as that of the Lucas congregation.
While the Emmanuel Church meets an actual need in the community where it is located, it is so completely surrounded by other churches that it has never had a large membership, and possibly never will have, but nevertheless it is fatihfully doing the Lord's good work.
The Sunday-school is active and efficient, the congregation is composed of very substantial people who are very prompt in meeting every obligation.
THE ARCADIA AND BLOOMDALE PASTORATE Arcadia Congregation
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ar- cadia, which is the oldest religious organization in the community, was organized in the year 1846 by the Rev. G. Hammer who was then pastor of the First Church of Findlay.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
The first services were held in a new barn owned at the time by Mr. Henry Heistand, a faithful Lu- theran who came to Hancock County from Pennsyl- vania in 1830. After the congregation was organized, services were conducted in the school house on the Heistand farm located about one mile north of Ar- cadia. The new congregation had many difficulties to overcome but under the leadership of such able pioneer preachers as the Revs. Hammer, J. H. Huffman, and Jeremiah Livengood, it steadily grew stronger and finally a church building was erected just east of the old school building and was dedi- cated by Rev. Livengood in 1853.
The congregation was regularly served for many years by the Findlay pastors and "mightily grew the word of God and prevailed" in this prosperous com- munity. But the time came when it was necessary for the congregation to move to the rapidly growing town of Arcadia in order to serve the community more successfully. Definite action was taken to ac- complish this in the year 1870, and as a result the present church edifice was erected, dedicatory ser- vices being conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. K. Eck- man on Sunday, Sept. 8, 1872. The Revs. J. Crouse, A. J. Imhoff and D. S. Truckenmiller were present also and took part in the services. At the time of dedication there were seventy-five communicant members.
About two months after the completion of the new building, Pastor Eckman resigned. The Rev. A. J. Imhoff then received a call in December and en- tered upon the work, January 1, 1873. After his resignation took effect in December 5th of the same
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year, the Rev. R. H. Nye became pastor, serving the congregation from December 12, 1873 until May I, 1876.
Bloomdale Congregation
It was during Rev. Nye's pastorate that the Bloomdale congregation was organized and the pres- ent church building erected. In the church record we have an account of this and it reads as follows : "A number of members of the Arcadia congre- gation for a few years had been holding services in a church building owned by the United Presbyterians. This building was about three miles northeast of Arcadia on the T. G. Campbell farm. It was during this time, in the year 1874, that the B. & O. Railroad Company built an extension of their road from Chi- cago Junction to Chicago, Illinois. This road passed through about two miles north of the old U. P. church. When the congregation learned that the railroad company intended to build a depot at Bloom- dale, it was decided to change the place of meeting to the school building located one-half mile north of the proposed depot, so as to be the first congregation in the new town. This proved to be a wise move, for the people moving into the community took a lively interest in the services of the congregation. This removal, and a permanent organization of the congregation took place July 4th, 1874 under the leadership of pastor Nye of the Arcadia church. The organization adopted the following :
"We the undersigned, in view of the fact that order and union are necessary to the prosperity of any religious body, do hereby organize ourselves into a congregation to be called the Grace Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Bloomdale, Wood County,
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Ohio, and do adopt for our government the Dis- cipline of the General Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. This was signed by the fol- lowing :
Thomas G. Campbell, Phillip Linhart,
John L. McKee,
John H. Linhart,
John B. Linhart,
Andrew Swinehart,
Eliza Linhart, Catherine McKee,
Hannah A. Linhart,
Lydia A. Swinehart,
Lizzie Campbell, Martha Campbell,
Rachel Richards.
Elizabeth Linhart, Amanda Campbell.
"A committee was appointed during the fall of 1875 to arrange for the erection of a place of Wor- ship, but the building was not completed till January, 1876. The dedicatory services were held on the 10th of the following month and were conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. W. Kimmel who succeeded Rev. Nye, and Rev. J. Crouse who at the time was pastor of the Lutheran church at Bucyrus, Ohio."
This splendid brick structure, dedicated nearly forty years ago is still used by the congregation. Many improvements have been made since it was built, among the most important are the following :
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art windows, steel ceiling, gallery, pipe organ, choir- room addition; last but not least of these splendid improvements is the Lutheran arrangement of the chancel which was made during Rev. A. E. Renn's pastorate. The Arcadia Church building has been beautified in the same manner, practically the same improvements having been made.
During the year 1909 a property was purchased by the Bloomdale congregation which is being used as a parsonage. Since the present pastor accepted a call to the charge the Ladies' Aid Society has spent about $300.00 improving the property, making it a very convenient and attractive home for the pastor's family.
Besides the Aid Society at Bloomdale and the Dorcas Society at Arcadia, both congregations have flourishing Sunday-schools and Young People's Or- ganization. Under the leadership of Rev. Renn the Luther League was organized in both churches but the one in Arcadia lasted only a short time and the Christian Endeavor took its place. This also came to an end in the course of time and left the young people without an organization till the present pastor succeeded in reorganizing Luther League with a membership of thirty persons.
The names and term of service of the pastors who have served this charge since the organization of Grace Church follows :
ARCADIA-BLOOMDALE CHURCHES.
Rev. R. H. Nye. July 1874 - Sept. 1876 Rev. J. W. Kimmel. Sept. 1876 - Aug. 1879 Rev. R. H. Nye Oct. 1879 - Oct. 1883
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Rev. Sam'l B. Hyman Jan. 1884 - Aug. 1884
Rev. M. L. Smith.
Apr. 1885 - Dec. 1890
Rev. M. L. Exline
Apr. 1891 - Mar. 1893
Rev. A. C. Martin
Dec. 1893 - Jan. 1896
Rev. E. Minter Apr. 1896- July 1899
Rev. H. M. Leech. Nov. 1899 - Dec. 1901
Rev. A. E. Renn.
Apr. 1902 - Mar. 1904
Rev. J. W. Thomas
Oct. 1904 - Nov. 1909
Rev. W. H. Singley, D. D Dec. 1909 - Dec. 1914
Rev. Alvah K. Jones. . . June 1915 -
At present the combined communicant member- ship of this charge is only 124 with the names of 219 baptized persons on the records. To persons un- acquainted with the facts it may seem that these two churches, the one dating back to the year pre- vious to the organization of Wittenberg Synod and the other having a history of over forty years, have accomplished very little. But it must be remembered that they are located in small country towns and have had many difficulties in the way. Everything con- sidered it must be said that great good has been ac- complished by these congregations.
BRYAN AND STRYKER PASTORATE The First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bryan, Ohio
On the 20th of October, 1874, the Western Con- ference of Wittenberg Synod assembled at West Jef- ferson, a small town about six miles north of Bryan. The Rev. J. H. Culler was pastor and he arranged that on October 25th, the Rev. A. R. Howbert would preach in Bryan but he failed to reach Conference, so he succeeded in getting Rev. F. A. Matthis who
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
had recently resigned the West Cario charge to preach in his stead, and they together began a canvass of the town for members of the Lutheran faith. An organization was effected on the 7th of February, 1875 in Stough's Hall, by Rev. F. A. Matthis, as mis- sionary pastor. The charter members were ten in number as follows :
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