USA > Ohio > Richland County > Mansfield > A history of the Wittenberg Synod of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1847-1916 > Part 23
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Mr. and Mrs. John Winch, Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Schmachtenburger, Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Faust, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Shaw, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Ridenour.
The congregation was organized as a mission. After Rev. Matthis and his good wife decided to undertake the work, he wrote the Rev. J. W. Good- lin, secretary of the Board of Home Missions for help, but the reply came that the Board had no funds. Rev. Matthis wrote back that he was on the field for work and expected the Board to support him as it had promised. In due time a commission arrived from the Board dated Dec. I, 1874, allow- ing $400 salary, the congregation to raise $200 of this sum, but as the Board only paid every quarter and the collections were so small from the congre- gregation, the minister often found himself in very straightened circumstances. Services, however, were held in different halls of the city until May 27, 1875. The lot where the church now stands was chosen . and after considerable canvassing $100 was paid on it, but every effort to raise funds for the church building for a time seemed to be a failure. At the Convention of Wittenberg Synod held in Bucyrus
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Aug. 28, 1878, Rev. Matthis preached the Home Mission sermon, and the Lord gave him a special blessing in his appeal for the Bryan Mission and $300 was subscribed, to be paid by the Synod, also the pastor was authorized to visit the congregations of the Synod for the purpose of raising the money. The pastor and members worked with a will so that by the last of August, 1879, a church building was erected and the congregation was ready to entertain the Synod. Among the organizations in the congre- gation are a Ladies' Aid Society and Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, a Children's Mission Band, and a Luther League. These organizations are active in their work, and constitute an important aid to the pastor.
During the missionary pastorate of Rev. F. A. Matthis in the year 1879 as said above, a substantial church building was erected, of two stories, the auditorium for public worship and a basement for Sunday-school and other purposes. This building is well preserved and has served the congregation for many years. The pastors and terms of pastorates are as follows :
Rev. F. A. Matthis Oct. 1874 to Dec. 1882
Rev. J. E. Lerch. . Mar. 1883 to Sept. 1884
Rev. A. J. Turkle, Supply June 1885 to Aug. 1885
Rev. H. C. Stuckenberg. Mar.
1886 to Oct. 1890
Rev. J. F. F. Kayhoe .. Dec. 1890 to Nov. 1896
Rev. M. J. Myers Feb. 1897 to Nov. 1897
Rev. W. M. Habey Apr. 1898 to Sept. 1902
Rev. F. B. Heibert. Feb. 1903 to May 1907
Rev. A. E. Bell May 1907 to June 1913
Rev. Allen O. Becker. July 1914 to Sept. 1916
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
During Rev. Bell's pastorate improvements were made on church property and along all lines.
Near the close of Rev. Becker's administration some repairs were made, on church property, a fine location for a new church building was secured at a cost of over $3,000.00 and preliminary steps taken toward a new house of worship. Sept., 1916, Rev. Becker resigned to accept a call to Bethamy mission in Cleveland, Ohio.
The English Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stryker, Ohio
This congregation is an outgrowth of the nucleus, of a disbanded French Lutheran Church of Stryker. The first efforts toward the organization were made in the organization of a catechetical class held weekly in the homes of members in Stryker, resulting in the reception of 14 members into the Bryan congregation during Holy Week of 19II, with the promise of the pastor that he would do all in his power to organize them into a congrega- tion in Stryker at the earliest possible date. The preliminary canvass of the community was made in the summer of 1911, which resulted in a charter membership of 42 persons, 14 of whom were dis- missed by letter from the Bryan congregation. The organization was effected by the Rev. Alvin E. Bell. pastor of the Lutheran Church at Bryan, Ohio, at a meeting held in the Universalist Church building on South Main Street, Stryker, O., Tuesday evening, Sept. II, 1911. Following is a list of the charter members: Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Goll; Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Kryling: Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Boillot ; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Rambacher; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. F. Gen-
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
tit; Alfred G. Gentit ; Chas. F. Gentit; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Reifert; Miss Ethel Reifert; Messrs. Clifford and Stanley Reifert; Mr. and Mrs. Geo. F. Goll, Sr .; Miss Florence and George F. Goll, Jr .; Mrs. Lizzie Carroll, and Esther, Mary, and Dewey Carroll; Mr. and Mrs. Josiah F. Lantz; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Gentit, Sr .; Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Renaub; Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Peugeot; Mrs. Carrie M. Verhier; Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Carlin; Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Carlin ; Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Thiel; Mrs. Louise Brognard ; Miss Rosa Obermiller.
The congregation was self-supporting from the start. In its constitution the congregation adopted the new statement of Doctrinal basis proposed at the preceding meeting of the General Synod, which was not adopted by the Wittenberg Synod until its meet- ing in October, 1911. The Stryker Congregation is therefore probably the first congregation in the Gen- eral Synod to formally adopt the new Doctrinal basis. The congregation applied to Wittenberg Synod for admission, at its meeting in Plymouth, O., Oct. 13, 19II, and was received with the suggestion that Synod recommend to the Bryan congregation the propriety of forming a pastorate with the Stryker congregation, the pastor of the charge giving morn- ing and evening service to the Bryan congregation and on alternate Sunday afternoons, services at Stryker. The pastorate of Rev. Alvin E. Bell closed June 22, 1913. Rev. Allen O. Becker was called to the Bryan-Stryker charge and began work July 1, 1913. At this time an increase of salary was given with the understanding that services were to be given to the Stryker church every Sunday after-
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
noon instead of every alternate Sunday. The salary is now $1,200 of which Stryker raises $300. The Ladies' Aid Society is the only organization in this congregation at the present time, October, 1914.
There is no church building to date, the con- gregation worshiping in the Universalist church building in Stryker. Pastorates are as follows :
Rev. Alvin E. Bell. Sept. 1911 to June 1913 Rev. Allen O. Becker. July 1913 to Sept. 1916
The Augsburg and Olivet Missions
The "Augsburg" and "Olivet" missions were organized by the Rev. Alvin E. Bell and his zealous Brotherhood who made a canvass for Lutheran families, the result of which was the organization of "Augsburg English Lutheran Church," West Toledo, February 22d, 1914, with eight charter members. Afterwards, on April 26th, 1914, followed the organ- ization of "Olivet" Lutheran Church, six miles west of Augsburg, with 19 charter members. By authority of Wittenberg Synod, these two missions were constituted as one charge, to be known as the "West Toledo English Lutheran Pastorate," and Brother Bell was instructed to take care of this work until a regular pastor could be secured.
In the providence of God, Rev. B. B. Uhl was called to be the first pastor taking up his work Sept. Ist, 1914. He was installed Sept. 6th, 1914, Rev. A. E. Bell giving the charge to both congregations on that day.
Sunday-schools had been previously organized at both missions. The membership of the missions
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HISTORY OF THIE WITTENBERG SYNOD
at the close of the first pastoral year, was : Augs- burg, 26, Olivet, 33, with about 50 in each of the Sunday-schools.
This field is a rapidly growing suburb of Toledo, and has in it many Lutheran people of various synods, who constitute the material, together with many unchurched families, for the building up of this Lutheran Zion.
The Olivet Church was dedicated June 15th, 1916. Dr. H. L. Yarger, Secretary of the Board of Home Missions was present and rendered valuable service. The structure is a substantial frame, with well equipped basement which will be used for Sun- day-school and social purposes. The auditorium is roomy, cheerful, and churchly, with chancel and vestry largely furnished by friends of the mission. The cost is $3.700, which was partly provided for on day of dedication. The Olivet Church is the first to be planted in this section of the city. The Augs- burg congregation has purchased a lot at a cost of $4,500 and hopes to build soon. The outlook is most encouraging.
Holmes Township Lutheran Church
The Lutheran people of Holmes Township, Crawford County, O., north of Bucyrus, met May 5th, 1860, for the purpose of organizing an English Lutheran Church. Isaac Anderson was chosen chairman, and Rev. Joshua Crouse, Secretary. After prayer by Rev. Crouse, the following action was taken :
"Resolved, That we organize ourselves into a congregation, under the supervision and care of the
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HISTORY OF TIIE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Wittenberg Synod, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ohio." The Formula of Government of the General Synod was adopted as the Constitution of the congregation.
Officers were elected as follows: Elders: John Lichtenwalter, and Isaac Anderson; Deacons: Samuel Miller and John Hale. These officers were installed immediately after their election. It was also re- solved that the name of the congregation should be, "The Union Evangelical Lutheran church, of Holmes Township, Crawford Co., O." In August, 1861, there were 47 communicant members.
Some of the charter members were: Isaac An- derson : Mr. and Mrs. Robert Huston; Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Kinney; Emanuel Keplinger, Isaiah Keplinger; Mr. and Mrs. John S. Hale: Mr. and Mrs. John Lichtenwalter; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Miller ; Isaac Miller, and others,-35 in all.
The congregation, at different times was con- nected with the Bucyrus church,-1860-1868; with the Sulphur Springs Charge,-1868-1890; and with the Nevada Charge,-1890-1895. From this time on it does not appear in the list of congregations. It seems that the conditions of the Civil War, some- how seriously interfered with the work of this con- gregation, and that a re-organization took place in 1866 under the direction of Rev. G. W. Halderman.
In September, 1866, a meeting was held in the Shaffner Church of Holmes Township, Crawford County, O., for the purpose of re-organizing the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation.
Rev. G. W. Halderman, the pastor, was elected chairman, and R. W. Musgrave was chosen Secre-
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
tary. Article I of the constitution states: "The con- gregation shall be called, 'The Holmes Evangelical Lutheran Church.'" Samuel Miller was elected Elder, and Robert Huston, Deacon.
In 1869, during the pastorate of Rev. Joshua Crouse, a one story frame church building was erected, and dedicated October 31st, the pastor was asisted on that occasion by Revs. J. W. Goodlin and D. A. Kuhn.
As the years advanced many and great changes took place in this community, and because of the continuous losses by removal and death, year after year, it was thought advisable for the congregation to disband and sell the property.
A meeting of the remaining members of the congregation was called on March 29th, 1898, to consider this matter. Wittenberg Synod was rep- resented by Rev. Dr. J. H. Culler, and Rev. G. M. Grau, D. D. Ten members were present. It was unanimously agreed to sell the church with all its belongings to the Evangelical Association for the sum of $200.00. The deed was properly signed and de- livered to the representative of the Evangelical Asso- ciation, June 4th, 1898.
Following are the names of pastors serving the congregation :
Rev. Joshua Crouse, D. D 1860-1864
Rev. G. W. Halderman
1865-1866
Rev. Melancthon Ort. 1867-1868
Rev. Jno. H. Link. 1868
Rev. Joshua Crouse, D. D 1869-1874
Rev. A. J. Kissell 1874-1877
Rev. J. N. Morris 1877-1879
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Rev. W. H. Dolbeer. 1879-1882
Rev. M. L. Smith. 1882-1884
Rev. S. E. Greenawalt (Supply) Three months.
Rev. E. Minter 1886-1889
Rev. J. W. Byers 1891-1895
NORTH FINDLAY PASTORATE Trinity Lutheran Church, Findlay, Ohio
Rev. W. W. Criley, D. D., was the chief spirit in the movement toward the organization of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Findlay, O., and re- quested that forty members of the First Church who lived on the north side form the nucleus of the mission.
However not all of them were pleased to do so, but a considerable number of them were, and with them, others also, so that the organization was ef- fected in October, 1889, with 56 charter members, by Rev. H. C. Stuckenberg, in a hall in which the congregation worshipped for about two years.
Charter members are as follows:
Mr. and Mrs. Dr. M. M. Carrothers, Mr. and Mrs. P. M. Raynor, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bennett, Mr. and Mrs. Newton Harvitt, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Montgomery, Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Karg, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. O'Hare, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Burner, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Bilger, Mr. and Mrs. William McGeary, Mr. and Mrs. David Walter, Mr. and Mrs. Fred. Dochterman, Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Clippinger, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Bock, Miss May Carrothers, Dr. M. M. Lown, Miss Sarah Traver, Miss Stella Preston, Miss Mary E. Horn, Miss Sallie Walter, Miss Almeda Walter, Miss Amanda Kelly, Mr. - David, Mrs.
28
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Luther Myers, Mrs. Eliza Myers, Mrs. Prene Ray- nor, Mrs. F. Tritch, Mrs. Susanna Burk, Mrs. S. V. Hull, Mrs. M. M. Fox, Mrs. Matilda Goodman, Mrs. P. W. Bridges, Mrs. C. A. Karg, Mrs. Emma Mor- ford, Mrs. - Weygandt, Mrs. Mary Dennis, Mrs.
A. A. HUNDLEY, D. D.
Mary P. Marvin, Mrs. L. E. Arnold, Mrs. Mary E. Mithuff, Mrs. C. M. Mather, Mrs. Mary Gallagher, Mrs. Nancy Frantz.
A lot was purchased on Ashe Ave. - the present location of the church, May, 1892. The present frame building was erected at a cost of $4,000, Part of
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
the cost was supplied by the Board of Church Ex- tension, which was fully provided for by the will of Samuel Dixon, a faithful and very useful member of the church. The building comprises Sunday- school rooms and Auditorium, with a seating capacity of about 450, and is a well equipped building for its purposes. It was dedicated in 1893, Rev. H. C. Stuckenberg, pastor. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. S. B. Barnitz, Secretary of the Board of Home Missions.
January, 1914, during the pastorate of Rev. A. A. Hundley, D. D., the congregation purchased a commodious and modern parsonage, located on North Main Street and very conveniently near to the church. The cost was $3,600. It is a handsome dwelling and is a valuable addition to the comfort of the pastor.
The congregation is well organized for work in all departments,-a graded Sunday-school, Luther League, Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary So- ciety, Ladies' Aid Society, Brotherhood, with Lutheran literature in use throughout all departments of the work.
The succession of pastors with their terms of office are as follows :
Rev. H. C. Stuckenberg .. Dec. 1890 to Oct. 1893
Rev. F. E. Leamer Nov. 1893 to Mar. 1901
Rev. D. R. Huber May 1901 to Dec. 1903
Rev. O. C. Kramer June 1904 to Feb. 1908
Rev. D. E. Rupley . Aug. 1908 to Oct. 1910 Rev. A. A. Hundley, D.D. May 1912 to
The congregation has had associated with it in the same pastorate since their organization, the Bethel
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
congregation situated on the Tiffin Road, three and one-half miles east, and also, since 1911, the Bluffton congregation, sixteen miles distant on the Western Ohio Electric Railway, and within easy access.
Bethel English Lutheran Congregation
Bethel Church, situated on the Tiffin Road, three and one-half miles east of Findlay, was built in the summer of 1868, as a community-church, concern- ing which it was expressly stipulated, "that all de- nominations should be permitted to conduct services in it." The leading spirit in the movement was Samuel Moyer, a member of the "Church of God." Services were first held in the church by the "Old School Baptists," and the "United Brethren," on alternate Sundays. A congregation was organized by the United Brethren, but not being able to maintain an organization they discontinued services. Then the Church of God began holding services, but did not organize, and, like their predecessors, discontinued services.
In 1893, William Glauner and Thomas Martens requested Rev. S. E. Greenawalt, then pastor of the First Lutheran Church of Findlay, to hold special services with the view of organizing a Lu- theran congregation. Dr. Greenawalt, and Rev. H. C. Stuckenberg then pastor of Trinity Lutheran church in North Findlay, conducted a series of meet- ings as requested, and at its close organized a Lu- theran congregation with a charter membership of about thirty.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Following are the names of some of these :
Mr. and Mrs. William Glauner, Mr. and Mrs. George Roth, Adam Roth, Amanda Krause, Mrs. John Kraus, Miss Ollie Cobb, Miss Lizzie Groth, Thomas Martens, Mrs. Sarah Glauner, Louisa and Anna Glauner, Mrs. Opa Davis, Ed. Munnell, Miss Ollie Wisely, Miss Laura Wisely, Mrs. Richard Goodman, Cassie Gassman.
This congregation united with the Trinity con- gregation of North Findlay in the formation of a pastorate.
The Sunday-school is a Union school and com- posed of all denominations. An active Ladies' Aid Society is maintained within the membership of the Lutheran congregation. The building is a frame one room structure, seating capacity for 200 people, is heated with a furnace and is in good repair.
The pastors were the same as those of Trinity of the same pastorate.
Bluffton English Lutheran Church
At the Twenty-seventh Annual Convention of Wittenberg Synod held in Galion, August 27th to Sept. 2d, 1873, the Bluffton English Evangelical Lutheran Church applied for admission to Witten- berg Synod, stating that it had been regularly organ- ized on March 2d, 1873, with ten charter members, by Rev. F. A. Matthis, then missionary pastor at West Cairo, Allen Co., O. Accompanying` this ap- plication was the request that they be connected with the West Cairo Mission in a pastorate. This was granted; one year later the Zoll's congregation was
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
added to the pastorate, also. This arrangement con- tinued until 1890, when West Cairo withdrew and connected with the Lima congregation, leaving Bluff- ton and Zoll's to constitute a pastorate.
Bluffton and Zoll's constituted a pastorate and the name was changed to "Bluffton pastorate", until some time after the organization of the Arlington congregation, when it, with Zoll's withdrew from Bluffton to form a pastorate together. Synod then united Bluffton with the North Findlay pastorate.
The following are the ten charter members :
Mr. and Mrs. William Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. C. N. McBride, Mr. and Mrs. David Etter, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Richards, C. D. Huff, John Conrad.
The church building is a substantial brick struc- ture with slate roof, and tower, one oblong room, heated with furnace, in good repair, with sittings for 250 people. The cost was $3,400.00, all of which was paid on the day of dedication, except $250.00 which was fully covered by subscription. It was dedicated October 23d, 1881, Rev. G. E. Harsh, pastor.
A good frame parsonage stands on the corner of the same lot,-the lot extending from the corner of the street to the alley.
This building was purchased a year or two later and so a neat and substantial home was secured for the pastor.
The congregation is well organized,-the Sun- day-school with Teachers' Training class, Lutheran Lesson helps, -Luther League with Topics and League Hymnal, Woman's Home and Foreign Mis- sionary Society, Ladies' Aid Society.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Its pastors and terms of pastorates with West Cairo and Zoll's are these :
Rev. F. A. Matthis Mar. 1873-1875
Rev. E. K. Baker Dec. 1875-1878
Rev. G. E. Harsh 1879-1883
Rev. G. M. Grau. 1883-1884
Rev. E. C. Jessup
Jan. 1885-1887
Rev. J. M. Dustman
Jan. 1888-1890
Its pastors with Zoll's and Arlington congrega- tions are these :
Rev. D. U. Bair. July 1890-1893
Rev. Elias Minter Jan. 1894-1896
Rev. A. C. Martin Apr. 1896-1901
Rev. Ira G. Briner Jan. 1902-1903
Rev. W. P. Rilling Apr. 1903-1906
Rev. E. Ray Richards. Jan. 1907-1909
Rev. P. B. Fasold.
Apr. 1909-1911
Its pastors since Bluffton has been placed in charge of the pastor of Trinity Church, North Find- lay are as follows :
Rev. A. A. Hundley, D. D .- May, 1912-
BELLVILLE PASTORATE
This pastorate is composed of three congrega- tions : St. Paul's, Bellville ; St. John's Woodview, Morrow County, Ohio; and Lutheran Church, Salem, Richland Co., Ohio.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Bellville, Ohio
This congregation was organized Dec. 13, 1885, by the Rev. J. F. Sponseller, then pastor of the Woodview charge. The occasion of the organization
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
was the removal of several of the families of the Salem Church into the village of Bellville. It com- bined to form a pastorate wth the Mt. Olive and North Liberty congregations, and remained in con- nection with them until 1902 and 1905, respectively, when those churches ceased to be. The Mt. Olive church disbanded and Synod sold the property, and the North Liberty church building having burned, that congregation disbanded. At the meeting of Wit- tenberg Synod held in Bucyrus, O., Oct., 1909, this congregation united with St. John and Salem Con- gregation of the Woodview charge to constitute the Bellville charge. The present church building, a brick structure, has two rooms, with a seating capacity of 600, lighted by natural gas and electricity, heated by natural gas with furnace, was built in 1886, under the pastorate of Rev. J. F. Sponseller. It was dedicated to the worship of the Triune God Feb. 13. 1887. The auditorium is separated from the lecture room, by lifting partitions. There were 76 charter members, among whom were: Mary M. Alley; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Boyer; Barbara and Catherine Beal ; Mrs. Mary Bowers and Ella Bowers; Mrs. M. I ..
Boner; Caroline Clark, Leighton
Clark; Robt.
Evarts; Reuben J. Evarts, Jr .; Mrs. Reuben Evarts ; Mrs. Levi Evarts; Mr. and Mrs. Amos Fry: Mrs. A. G. Faust; Mrs. E. J. Farber ; Mary M. Gano; Mrs. August Hansom ; Mrs. Marcella Hubbell; Mrs. Mary Lauppe; Mrs. E. J. Lang- ham; Mary D. Lauppe; Mr. and Mrs. John Mag- lott; Mr. and Mrs. George W. Miller, Mrs. Hen- rietta Rhodes; Mr. and Mrs. W. H. A. Raude- baugh; Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Reed; Mrs. John Robin-
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
ST. PAUL'S, BELLVILLE.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
son ; Samuel Rhodes; Mrs. Susan Stump; Allen C. and Mary J. Shafer; Mrs. Rebecca Shafer; Mr. and Mrs. John Streby; Mrs. J. F. and Edgar C. Spon- seller ; Mrs. Matilda Schroeder; Mrs. Margaret E. Tinky; Jacob Weighmiller; Mrs. Jacob Weighmiller and Mrs. A. D. Whidford.
The organizations within the congregation are a Sunday-school, Mission Band, Luther League and Ladies' Aid Society, all in active working condition. Pastors and terms of pastorates are as follows:
Rev. J. F. Sponseller 1885-1888
Rev. S. S. Kauffman.
1888-1893
Rev. W. F. Barnett .. 1893-1895
Rev. J. N. Barnett (Supply )
1895-1898
Rev. A. A. Hundley (Supply) 1898-1901
Rev. J. F. Hersheiser, D. D 1901-1905
Rev. H. B. Burkholder 1906-1907
Rev. S. D. Steffey 1907-1909
Rev. M. D. Gaver. 1910-1912
Rev. H. M. Nicholson 1912-1913
Rev. Frank Marlatte 1914-
Salem Lutheran Church, Richland County
This church is located 212 miles west of Bell- ville, O. The history of this congregation is closely related to that of the St. John's congregation at Woodview. It was included in the field of the Rev. Michael David Schuh, as early as 1818. One of his preaching places was the home of Adam Schafer just north of where the church now stands. Samuel Shafer, born Aug. 1817, was baptized by Rev. Schuh in 1818, which is said to have been the first infant baptism in Richland Co. In 1818 Rev. Schuh organ- ized the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, in Monroe Twp.,
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
built a log church there and conducted a select school. The Rev. Henry Wm. Lauer who took charge of this congregation in connection with several others in 1834 was the first to leave any record and this was very brief and written in the German language. The Rev. Solomon Ritz succeeded Rev. Lauer, and his first work was to secure a suitable location for a church and cemetery. An acre of land was secured by deed from a Mr. Riggle in the center of Section I in Perry Twp. Another location was tendered the church by Michael Shuey, where the church now stands, it being considered more desirable, measures being taken to erect the first house of worship, which was done in 1838. The church was built, in union with the German Reformed Congregation whose pastor was the Rev. D. Porter. In 1849, this church united with St. John's, Woodview, Chester, Wiperts, and Bloomfield, but the latter three congregations were lost sight of within the next five years and Salem and St. John's have continued together and were united with St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Bellville, at the meeting of Wittenberg Synod at Bucyrus in 1909. This congregation con- tributed largely in membership toward the organiza- tion of the church in Bellville and consequently has been in a measure retarded in its growth. In 1860 the present building, a brick structure seating about 300 people, was built during the pastorate of the Rev. De Mont Emerson. The brick for this building were burned on the farm of Alexander Steel, nearby, one of the most influential members of the congregation and this is not to be wondered at in view of the story told of his father. It is said that while the
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