USA > Ohio > Richland County > Mansfield > A history of the Wittenberg Synod of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1847-1916 > Part 24
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
elder Mr. Steel was building a barn, meetings were being held daily in the old church and that as was his custom, when the hour for services came he would say to his workmen, "Now men lay aside your tools and go on to church. You can work better after attending the meetings," and as the men lost nothing from their wages they went with him to the house of God. A better sight for the new building was donated by Mr. Adam J. Shafer who owned the land just west of where the old church stood. The lot donated was sufficient for the building and the hitch- ing of horses. This space was afterward enlarged by a gift from Mr. Samuel C. Shafer along the west side of the former site. In connection with St. John's, Woodview, the present parsonage was bought in Bellville, in 1875, during the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Truckenmiller. There are no auxiliary organizations in the congregation except the Sunday- school. The list of pastors is as follows :
Rev. Michael David Schuh 1818-
Rev. Binderman
Rev. Bockey
Rev. Mohler
Rev. Henry W. Lauer 1834-1838
Rev. Solomon Ritz 1838-1839
Rev. Geo. Leiter
Rev. P. P. Lane.
Rev. G. F. Schaefer
Rev. Joshua Crouse
Rev. W. Wonders
Rev. Jacob Seidel. 18447-1849
Rev. Barney Hoffman
Rev. F. R. Tobias
Rev. G. N. H. Peters 1850-1851
Rev. J. W. Goodlin 1851-1852
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Rev. A. R. Brown. 1852-1855
Rev. DeMont Emerson
1859-1860
Rev. W. A. G. Emerson 1860-1862
Rev. D. Kinsel
1862-
Rev. D. I. Foust.
1863-1866
Rev. W. M. Gilbreath 1867-1869
REV. J. FRANK MARLATTE.
Rev. E. W. Souders 1869-1870
Rev. W. M. Gilbreath 1871-1873
Rev. D. S. Truckenmiller 1873-1876
Rev. G. M. Heindel. 1876-1880
Rev. M. L. Wilhelm.
1880-1883
Rev. J. W. Kapp.
1883-
Rev. J. F. Sponseller
1884-1887
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Rev. S. G. Dornblaser 1887-1890
Rev. J. N. Barnett.
1891-1898
Rev. A. A. Hundley. 1898-1903
Rev. Oliver McWilliams 1903-1907
Rev. S. D. Steffey 1907-1909
Rev. M. D. Gaver
1910-1912
Rev. H. M. Nicholson.
1912-1913
Rev. J. Frank Marlatte.
1914-
St. John's Lutheran Church, Woodview, Morrow County, Ohio
As early as 1818, the Rev. Michael David Schuh was preaching in the cabins of the early settlers in this community. The extent of his labors is not known, but evidently his field of labor comprised a large part of this region of country. He preached and administered the Sacraments in the homes, but formed no organization. He was succeeded by three German pastors, viz .: Rev. Binderman, Bockey, and Mohler. But of their times of service or their work nothing is known. In 1834, the Rev. Henry Wm. Lauer also a Lutheran and German, began to preach to these people regularly and organized the congregation. The organization was in union with the Reformed. The location and character of the church building is not known. The first recorded communion service was on Whitsunday in 1835, June 7th, at which time 45 members partook of the Lord's Supper together with 20 who were confirmed on the preceding Friday, June 5. The list is as follows: John Smith and wife, Henry Bordner and wife, John Sneider and wife, Jacob Sneider and wife, Martin Bushner and wife, John Broadbeck and
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
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wife, George Hosler and wife, Christina Hosler, Peter Baker and wife, John Winbigler and wife, John Roedel, Philip Kaufer, Peter Keil, Peter Kess- ler, Samuel Kessler, Rosina Ruhl, John Kreigh and wife, Mary Ruhl, Henry Held and wife, George Nauert and wife, Elisabeth Henny, Margaret Lausen, Maria Knoll, Henry Ruhl, Henry Schwartz, Jacob Ruhl, Elizabeth Baker, Margaret Baker, Barbara Enc, John Werner, John Hershner, Mary Howard, Catharine Lauer, and Thomas Shetler. Confirmation class - John Henny, Jonas Baker, John Snyder, Abraham Snyder, Chares Bordner, Henry Bordner, Abrahm Smith, John Smith, Henry Smith, George Hosler, Henry Hosler, Margaret Ruhl, Elizabeth Knoll, Helen Snyder, Mary Smith, Mary Smith (2), Emma M. Smith, Elizabeth Kessler, Rebecca Kessler, and Leah Hosler, making a total communion list of 65. That some of these were members of the Re- formed Church is evident but as that organization was soon taken over by the Lutheran Church the strength of the congregation was at least 65 and possibly more.
In the year 1837 under the pastorate of the Rev. Solomon Ritz a second Union Church, Lutheran and Reformed, was built and completed in 1840, but by the year 1849 we find the Reformed congregation again absorbed by the Lutheran and nothing more is heard of it. A striking coincidence is that while the Lutheran Congregation was served by the Rev. George Leiter the Reformed congregation was served by his brother the Rev. Samuel Leiter.
This congregation together with Salem, Chester, Wiperts and Bloomfield were united into one charge
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
August 25, 1849. But by 1852, we find Wiperts and Bloomfield dropped from the charge. Wood- view and Salem had remained together and at the meeting of Wittenberg Synod at Bucyrus in 1909 were united with St. Paul's, Bellville, into the Bell- view and Salem had remained together and at the with seating capacity of 300 to 400 was built during the pastorate of Rev. W. A. G. Emerson. The ground was donated by Peter Baker. The com- municant membership at present is 64, the confirmed membership 86, baptized membership 108.
The pastors with their terms of service are the same as above for the Salem Lutheran Church.
Under the lead of the present pastor, Rev. J. F. Marlatte - for the past two years -all the organ- izations in all three congregations are working on a more systematic and efficient plan than ever before. The every member canvass and the duplex envelope system have wrought wonders. By these methods the financial work is carried on. Each of the past two years has showed an excess in apportionment and improvements have been made on all the church properties, and everything about them is in good re- pair. Twenty-one members have been added to the St. John's congregation, seven to the Salem church and one hundred to St. Paul's. The people and the pastor are much encouraged.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
MOUNT ZION - MIFFLIN PASTORATE, RICHLAND COUNTY
In the absence of all records concerning the organization and early history of the Mt. Zion con- gregation we can only present such matter as tradi- tion has preserved to us. It is safe to say that at as early a period as 1825 to 1830 the community of the Mt. Zion Church was visited by the Rev. David Schuh, at the invitation of three brothers, viz .: Michael, Phillip, and Jacob Culler, who came to that section from Frederick County, Maryland. Feeling deeply the need of the church and its religious in- struction and worship for themselves and their chil- dren, they, at once, set about the work of securing the services of a Lutheran minister.
It is well known that Father Jacob Culler re- ceived these ministers who were secured from time to time, into his own home, and cared for them, until a congregation could be gathered.
After Rev. Schuh, came Rev. F. J. Ruth, who, in his autobiography, says :* "During the second year of my regular ministry, (1833) I took charge of the Mount Zion congregation. This church was, I think, the first regularly organized congregation in northern Ohio, and has always been one of the most liberal of all our churches in all this state. Until I took charge of this church, they had German preaching. and German services only.
After preaching for this people for a short time, introduced social worship, or prayer-meetings. I
*Autobiog., pp. 24, 25, 26.
29
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
This was something new among Lutherans in Ohio, but the new departure was sustained by the church, even from its incipiency, and the work was soon crowned with unmistakable evidences of good. An extensive revival of religion soon followed, and the congregation began to increase, numerically and spiritually, and the work of the Lord went on gloriously.
A new house of worship was built, and my au- diences grew to be quite large in proportion to the set- tlement round about. I now commenced the time-hon- ored work in the history of the Lutheran Church, catechizing the young; and God blessed my labors in this direction, and consecrated the work "to the praise of the glory of His Grace."
It was especially encouraging, and remarkable withal, that these catechumens all came out and took part in public social prayer, I could now see that the congregation was destined to exert a salutary influence over that entire neighborhood.
About this time, brothers Isaac and Christopher Culler, both sons of Father Jacob Culler, Sen., began to prepare for the Gospel ministry. They were both pious and excellent young men, and their subsequent work in the active ministry was crowned with a good degree of success.
I continued to preach for this congregation until the Spring of 1841, and then resigned it in behalf of Rev. George Leiter.
The first members of Mount Zion Church were the Cullers, Ernsbergers, Kings, Smiths, and others."
Thus began the growth and development of this congregation that has wielded an influence wide and
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
strong throughout that entire section of country. It has excelled in the devotion of its membership to the church and to the Kingdom of Christ, in many respects, - especially along the lines of benevolence, and in educational matters. The two first named families were largely intermarried, and together, en- dowed a chair in Hamma Divinity School, bearing the name of the "Culler Chair of Sacred Philology." Four of this family line have entered the ministry,- Christopher, Isaac, and Jacob H. Culler, and C. S. Ernsberger. Others of the Culler families have graduated from Wittenberg College, and still others of that name, and also of other families of this con- gregation have attended college for several years.
The congregation has always raised its full ap- portionment, and in many other ways supported the benevolences of the church.
This congregation has always maintained a well organized Sunday-school, and an active Christian En- deavor organization has been in operation for many years, and a Woman's Home and Foreign Mission- ary Society since 1905. The first house of worship was built by Rev. Ruth soon after his taking charge, and stood on the northwest corner of the present cemetery lot. This house served the congregation for a place of worship for many years. The his- torian well remembers the old building with its high box pulpit of the most ancient style, and the high- backed pews and "tenplate" wood stoves on either side of the room. The golden memories of special services attended there in childhood days, still lingers. The building that now stands across the roadway from the cemetery, was erected in 1867, when Rev.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
MT. ZION - LUCAS.
MT. ZION - PARSONAGE - LUCAS.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Dr. H. L. Wiles was pastor. It is a frame building with sittings for about 300 people. The original cost was about $3,000.00. It has been repaired, remodeled, and re-decorated several times, and is modern and churchly in its appointments.
A splendid parsonage with a tract of three or more acres, was the gift of Father Michael Culler, in the early "fifties."
This congregation with Mifflin, Lucas, and St. John's constituted what was known as the Mt. Zion charge for very many years, until 1871, when, after the resignation of Rev. Dr. Wiles, with common agreement, the Mt. Zion and Mifflin congregations withdrew and formed a separate pastorare, which arrangement continues.
Mifflin (Petersburg) Congregation
Baptism and Communion records show that the Rev. F. J. Ruth was pastor of the Mount Zion and Mifflin congregations as early as 1833. He seemed to have had pastoral oversight of Lutheran congrega- tions in Richland and Ashland counties.
The earliest records to be found, are inscribed in his own inimitable hand-writing, as follows : "Records of the Lutheran and Reformed congrega- tions in the Townships of Richland County, Ohio."
Dr. Crouse in his Autobiography, pp. 172 and 173 says, "While laboring among this people I or- ganized the Lutheran church at Lucas and re-organ- ized the church at Petersburg - now called Mifflin."
There are no records of the organization what- ever. The language used was evidently the German,
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
but it is clear that the English was introduced in 1843.
The first officers named in the records are :
Elders: John Sunday, and Reuben Traxler. Deacons : Charles M. Reed, and Elias Trout- man.
No names of charter members are given.
In the minutes of the second convention of Wit- tenberg Synod, held in Tiffin June 17th-21st, 1848, the following note appears, which is. a part of the report of Committee No. 8. * "No. I is a letter from the Church Council of Petersburg congregation, Ash- land Co., O., in which they testify favorably of the faithfulness and consistent deportment of Brother J. J. Hoffman, and request his ordination or the renewal of his license. Your committee rejoice in the above testimonial and recommend him to the favorable notice of the Ministerium." Apropos to this is the following, among the recorded acts of the Ministerium :
"Resolved, That Brother J. J. Hoffman be ordained at the first meeting of the Conference to which he belongs, and that his license be renewed up to that time." This note and these records will indicate that this congregation is also one among the oldest in the Synod and in northwestern Ohio.
The first church building was a frame, situated at the extreme upper end of the village and south of the Main street, with a cemetery nearby.
The congregation now worships in a splendid brick building 'near the central part of the village and north of the Main street. It has a seating
* Protocol, pp. 38. 45.
HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
455
MIFFLIN CHURCH.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
capacity of nearly 500, costing about $8,000.00. It was erected during the pastorates of Revs. Grau and W. G. Smith.
The list of pastors and pastorates is as follows :
While the four congregations,-Mt. Zion, Lucas, St. John's, and Mifflin, were in one pastorate, the following names appear :
Rev. F. J. Ruth.
1833 to 1843
Rev. George Leiter
Apr. 1843 to Nov. 1843
Rev. H. K. Hennig
Dec. 1843 to Feb. 1844
Rev. Joshua Crouse
Nov. 1845
Rev. J. H. Hoffman Nov. 1846
Rev. A. F. Hills. Mar. 1849
Rev. W. A. G. Emerson.
Dec. 1854
Rev. Jesse Helsell
Oct. 1859
Rev. F. J. Ruth.
Apr. 1861
Rev. H. L. Wiles
Apr. 1864 to Oct. 1871
Mount Zion-Mifflin pastorate, as follows :
Rev. I. J. Delo Apr. 1872 to Apr. 1874
Rev. E. B. Killinger (sup- ply) May 1874 to Sept. 1874
Rev. G. H. Slaybaugh. Sept. 1874 to Apr. 1877
Rev. J. A. Hall.
July 1877 to Apr. 1884
Rev. M. L. Kunkelman. .
July 1884 to July 1885
Rev. G. M. Grau
Oct. 1885 to Oct. 1889
Rev. W. G. Smith Apr. 1890 to Apr. 1893
Rev. S. P. Kiefer
May 1893 to Apr. 1898
Rev. F. B. Heibert Jan. 1899 to Feb. 1903
Rev. G. S. Murphy
Aug. 1903 to Apr. 1906
Rev. O. F. Weaver
Apr. 1906 to Jan. 1909
Rev. G. S. Bright.
Nov. 1911
First Lutheran Church, Upper Sandusky, Ohio
Early in December, 1848, a request was sent to Rev. Dr. Ezra Keller, then President of Wittenberg
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
College, at Springfield, Ohio, probably, by Michael Miller, to send some one to establish a church at Upper Sandusky. Some time in January following, he sent the Rev. J. Schauer, and on his arrival on the field, a first prayer meeting was held in the home of Mr. Miller. The old Indian Council House was secured and a three weeks series of services were held at the conclusion of which, on the 5th of February, 1849, an organization was effected by the Rev. J. Schauer at the home of George Wolford with a charter membership of thirty-five, among whom were the following :
Michael Miller and wife, George Wolford and wife, Samuel Smith and wife,
Benjamin Failor and wife, John Furlinger and wife,
Daniel Sterner and wife, Julia Sterner, Michael Sterner, Emanuel Sterner, Mrs. Mary Miller, Ananias Miller, Samuel Miller, Josiah Miller, Ephraim Miller, Mrs. Dr. Watson, Mrs. Daebler, Mary J. Latt,
Mr. Latt, and Mr. Becht.
The overmastering difficulties in the history and growth of this congregation have been, especially
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
two; short pastorates, and long vacancies. There were ten pastorates in its history, of two years and less, each; the longest were those of Rev. Simon Fenner,-nine years, and Rev. C. S. Ernsberger, D. D.,-six years. The vacancies were frequent, and ranged from 6 months to 412 years. After this fact is noted, it will not be a great surprise to note that, after a period of 33 years from the date of its organization, the membership was no larger than at the beginning.
The most trying period in its history, perhaps, was that of the pastorate of the Rev. S. Fenner, when the congregation was putting forth every possible effort to secure for itself a church home. He had passed through a similar ordeal in his splendid work with the First Church at Mansfield, ("quod vide") and with the same vision of faith and untiring de- votion to his task, he recognized no such thing as failure, and so triumphed over all difficulties, fully realizing his fondest hopes in due time. It is only just to say that, during these trying days there stood with him a band of loyal people "whose hearts God had touched" among whom were such names as W. A. Gipson, and G. W. Hale, who, without wavering, held up his hands, in every good work, as did Aaron and Hur with the great Leader of Israel in former times.
It must be said, too, of the Board of Home Missions, that, at different periods of great stress, after having thought no further aid was needed, came to its relief and saved it from the peril of disheart- enment.
.
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
The congregation is well organized, with a Sun- day-school enrollment of 175, a Luther League of 35 members, Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of 22 members, a Young People's Mission
REV. C. E. BERKEY.
Band of 20 members, and a Ladies' Aid Society of 25 members, all of these organizations in good work- ing order.
The first church building was erected during the pastorate of the Rev. J. H. Hoffman, in 1851, at a
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
cost of $1,400.00. In this new church slab seats were used for five years.
The present church was built, as has been noted, during the administration of Rev. S. Fenner, at a cost of $5,000.00, with a seating capacity of 350. It was dedicated September 12th, 1880.
Following are the names of pastors with the terms of service :
Rev. Jacob Schauer 1849-1850
Rev. J. B. Oliver
1850-1852
Rev. J. H. Hoffman 1853-1854
Rev. J. G. Beckley
1854-1856
Rev. A. B. Kirtland. 1857-1861
Rev. George Hammer
1861-1864
Rev. W. J. Sloan
1866-1868
Rev. Simon Fenner 1872-1881
Rev. H. B. Belmer
1882-1884
Rev. J. W. Byers.
1884-1886
Rev. A. Schaefer
1886-1888
Rev. J. F. F. Kayhoe
1889-1890
Rev. J. M. Dustman 1891-1892
Rev. A. K. Felton 1895-1897
Rev. J. W. Byers. 1898-1901
Rev. C. S. Ernsberger, D. D. 1901-1907
Rev. J. W. Thomas 1907-1912
Rev. C. E. Berkey 1913-
Under the diligent care of its present pastor (1916) Rev. C. E. Berkey, - a most excellent preacher and faithful pastor, - the work is success- fully maintained.
Tiffin - English Lutheran
The earliest reference to English Lutheran ser- vices being conducted in Tiffin is the following notice
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
in "The Seneca Advertiser" dated June 16th, 1843: "The Rev. J. Livengood, of the 'English Lutheran Synod of Ohio' will preach in the brick school-house in Tiffin, on Sabbath, the 25th of June at 10 o'clock A. M."
A similar service by the same minister was an- nounced for the same place a month later. Out of these services there resulted the organization, in that school-house on West Market Street, during the summer of 1843, of "The First English Lutheran Church of Tiffin, Ohio."
About twenty-five (25) persons constituted the original organization. Among these were David Rickenbaugh, Samuel Rule, Jacob Bowser, John Bowser, John Secrist, George Ritzman, Simon Snyder, Mr. Rosenberger, and their wives. Messrs. Rickenbaugh and Bowser were elected Elders; and Messrs. Ritzman and Secrist, Deacons.
A part of a lot was purchased on the east side of Jefferson Street, where the present church now stands, and the contract was let to build a plain frame house, 30 x 40 feet. This was in the Spring of 1844. The church building was completed and ded- icated under the' name of "Luther Chapel", May 25th, - the Rev. Dr. Joshua Crouse preaching the dedicatory sermon.
Following is a list of pastors with their terms of service :
Rev. J. Livengood 1843-1852
Rev. Isaac Culler
1852-1854
Rev. J. Schauer. 1854-1855
Rev. Thos. Hill. 1856-1857
Rev. Isaac Culler 1859-1864
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
Rev. W. W. Criley, D. D. 1865-1869
Rev. J. W. Goodlin, D. D.
1869-1870
Rev. J. F. Reinmund, D. D
1870-1872
Rev. C. S. Sprecher . 1872
Rev. Jacob Steck, D. D.
1872-1876
Rev. Joshua Crouse, D. D.
1876-1885
Rev. Samuel Schwarm, D. D 1885-1894
Rev. F. L. Sigmun, D. D
1894-1899
Rev. H. G. Snyder.
1899-1911
Rev. Chalmers E. Frontz 1912-
The congregation was legally incorporated De- cember 26th, 1866. During the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Criley in the same year, the original church building was displaced by the present brick edifice, and now again the dedicatory sermon was preached, and the financial effort for the liquidation of the indebtedness was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Joshua Crouse. But before Dr. Criley resigned dark clouds began to gather. There was a general business de- pression throughout the entire country, and, in conse- quence, dark days and gloomy times came to all our churches, in a measure, without any one's fault, espe- cially. Trials and difficulties increased with the Tiffin congregation. Financial troubles involved the entire congregation, destroying men's confidence in each other. Great sums of money were involved and mat- ters had gotten into the courts. In the language of one of the pastors, "The church had lost prestige in the community :- the enterprise had come to be regarded thro'out the community as being utterly hopeless, and financially bankrupt." During these unsettled times, some of the best, most capable, and strongest men in the ministry of the Lutheran Church came to its aid as pastors. Among these were Drs.
HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD 463
J. F. Reinmund, and Jacob Steck. These highly gifted and devoted men grappled with the situation and struggled hard to work out chosen plans for relief. No one seemed able to solve the problems in hand.
FIRST ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH, TIFFIN, OHIO.
A Moses was needed to lead them out of the wilderness. The church was not without those who in their distress cried unto the Lord. God heard their cry and sent a deliverer, for truly God's hand can
-
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
be seen in his coming just when he did. Dr. Joshua Crouse,-a fine preacher,-an attractive personality,- a good man and a natural organizer and leader,-he was just the man for the place at that very time. Soon after taking charge of the congregation, he re- organized the whole financial machinery,-the float- ing debt was fully paid, many needed things were added, and shortly afterwards repairs and improve- ments on the church building were made at an ex- pense of nearly $1,000.
The church's trouble before the courts, which, for about ten years, had been a source of great an- noyance and discouragement, and also an insupera- ble barrier to its advancement, was fully concluded by a decision rendered by the District Court, in April, 1885, in the church's favor.
Thereupon the congregation started upon a career of growth and development which it has steadily maintained to the present. Each pastor who has succeeded Dr. Crouse has built solidly and has added something definite to the church's strength and influence.
During the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Schwarm the church was repaired and remodeled and rededicated in the fall of 1893, the dedicatory sermon being preached by the Rev. Dr. Criley.
His successor, Rev. H. G. Snyder, has the dis- tinction of serving in the longest pastorate of the church. It was during his administration, in 1903, that the St. John property at the rear of the church, was purchased for $900.00, the Young People's So- ciety obligating themselves for the cancellation of
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HISTORY OF THE WITTENBERG SYNOD
the debt, which was finally liquidated at Easter time in 1913, the Lenten Offering boxes being used, re- ceiving $244.00. In October, 1904, a new pipe organ was installed at a cost of $1,800.00. In June, 1907, the church was partly destroyed by fire. It was imme- diately repaired and some improvements added.
The matter of erecting a new parsonage was
THE PARSONAGE, MAIN AND JEFFERSON STS., TIFFIN, OHIO.
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