Decatur County, Indiana - Chapter 8: The Churches of Decatur County, 1915 (part 2 of 2)

Mt. Aerie church was organized in the latter part of 1872, as an arm of Dry Fork, the organization following the establishment and successful career of a Sunday school at that point. A revival was held in the early part of 1874, during which forty-three members were added to the church. This meeting was under the direction of John W. Potter, who was then pastor of the Dry Fork church, and aroused so much interest that a request was made for an independent organization. This was granted, and, on Thursday, April 23, 1874, the Mt. Aerie church formally began its career. At the time of its recognition by the council, August 29, 1874, it enrolled sixty-si.x members, among whom may be mentioned Allen W. and Sarah R. Lett, James Fowler, G. T. and Mary J. Davis, Rachel Davis, John and Ruth Holmes, Chesley Holmes, John S. and Sarah J. Adams, S. H. and Nancy Thompson, J. H. Stout, John W. Stout, Andrew Alexander, Emaline Brunton and John Hunter. The pastors of this church have been John W. Potter, Albert Carter, John E. McCoy, W. W. Smith, J. O. Burroughs, E. Sanford, H. W. Davis, Chesley Holmes, J. F. Huckleberry, J. E. Smith, A. D. Berry, W. F. Roberts, W. F. Wagner, B. R. Robinson and W. C. Marshall, the present pastor. A substantial brick building a half mile from Letts, was built the same year the church was organized and was surmounted by one of the largest bells ever brought into the county. This is one of the strongest rural Baptist churches in Indiana, and now has a membership of three hundred and twenty-five. An active Sunday school, with an average attendance of one hundred and fifty, is maintained. The parsonage is in the town of Letts and is valued at two thousand dollars, the value of the church building and grounds being estimated at ten thousand dollars. The pastor is paid a yearly salary of nine hundred dollars. A well-kept cemetery adjoins the church and there lie hundreds of the members of the church who have helped to make it one of the strongest influences for good in the community.

The present officers of the Mt. Aerie church are as follow : Pastor, W. C. Marshall; deacons, Albert Holmes, Albert Rowland, Charles Bridges, William Feur, Kenneth Levering and Alfred Beagle; trustees, M. B. Taylor, Urso McCorkle, N. E. Moore, John Jackson and Charles Bridges.

Decatur Col'Nty, Indiana Union Baptist Church

The history of the Union church dates back ninety years, since it was estabHshed in 1825. It was brought into existence through the labors of Elder Matthew Elder, who succeeded in getting it organized on June 18, 1825, at the old Ross school house, three and one-half miles east of Greensburg. It appears that this church was not exactly an orthodox Baptist church: at least, it was started out as the "Separate Baptist church," but just what is meant by the unusual prefix is not known. Although it was organized in 1825, it was more than a quarter of a centui-y before a building was erected for a house of worship, services being held in school houses and private homes previous to 1854. The first building of 1854 was torn down in 1858. and rebuilt four and one-half miles southwest of Greensburg. 'The church was recognized as a Missionary Baptist church on August 10, 1876, under the name of Union Baptist church. Matthew Elder was pastor of the church for more than forty years, and since the church has been recognized by the regular Baptists, the following have served : J. \Y. Hammock, J. \\'. Potter, \\'. T. Jolly. Ephraim Bond. John E. :\IcCoy, W. \\\ Smith, F. M. Huckleberry, T. A. and Lotus Aspy, J. E. Smith, O. L. Powers, J. G. Colter, D. C. Smith, C. E. Odell, and J. C. Nicholson, the present incumbent. The church has one hundred and sixty members at present and has ninety em-olled in the Sunday school.

The Rock Creek Baptist church, also known as Lower Union, was established in September, 1825, with the following constituent members: Jacob, Sarah, Daniel, Ann, Robert and Clara Van Dusen and Ephraim, Anna and Cornelia Althiser - a total of nine, representing only two families. The records of the first twenty-one years have long since disappeared and little is known of the early struggles of this congregation. The church was first organized in a school house near Zenas, Jennings county, Indiana. Some of the members lived there, but the majority living on Rock Creek, four miles northwest, in Decatur county, it was the intention to build a church at the latter place. The meetings were held in Jacob Van Dusen's home most of the time up to 1850. in which year the congregation built a log meeting house on Rock creek, three miles southeast of Westport. In 1859 they sold their building for fifty dollars and for the next two years met in a school house three miles southwest of ]\rillhousen. In 1862 the church, with other denominations whose names have not been ascertained, built a union meeting house on the present site. This same church is now used alternately by both the Baptists and the United Brethren in Christ.

\Mien this church was first organized there was no association within reach, so this church, with others, formed the "Baptist Liberty Council." John Pavy, the first pastor, and other ministers of the denomination living in Kentucky, were l)itterly opposed to slavery, and, accordingly, moved to Indiana. The}' formed this council and maintained it for several years. In 1843 the Rock Creek church was attached to the Madison association, but a few years later it became a part of the Sand Creek association, with which it has been affiliated down to the present time. Inability to find the records has made it impossible to give a complete list of the pastors who have served this congregation, but the following are known to have preached there at one time or another : John Pavy, John Bush, William Tyner, John ^Varren, Chesley Woodward, Benjamin Tucker, Hiram Pond, Christian Burkman, Nathan Frazy, Jacob ^Martin, George Herron, D. O. Sites (1866-69), John ^^'aters (T869-71), Jonathan Allee and John Waters (called a second time). This list brings the pastors up to sometime in the seventies, but no list has been furnished of those down to the present pastor, P. A. Bryant.

Presbyterian Churches

Founders of the Kingston Presbyterian church, parent of other churches of this denomination in Decatur county, were descendants of Covenanters, and so, by ancestry, Presbyterian as far back as there is any record. Their parents emigrated from western Pennsylvania to Kentucky, where they founded the Concord Presbyterian church in 1792.

In 181 7 this church had two hundred members, but one of whom was a slave owner. Many were active abolitionists. Such a band could have no true home in a slave state. In 1821-1823 a number of families from this church settled in the Kingston neighborhood and organized the church there, presumably on December 18, 1823.

The entry on the old minute book reads: "This day . . .a number of persons . . . came forward after sermon by the Rev. John Moreland, and associated themselves together as a Presbyterian church, to be denominated Sand Creek church, and proceeded to chose Samuel Donnell, John Hopkins, John C. McCoy and William O. Ross to the office of ruling elder."

A year later. Rev. John Dickey, an able pioneer preacher, visited the church, installed the elders, received titty persons who presented letters into membership, baptized eleven children and conducted a t\vo-da\- meeting. Preaching services were held but once a year until 1826, when a new cliurch was established with twelve members at Greensburg, and the Rev. S. G. Lowrv, who was selected as minister for the Sand Creek chm-cli. He was succeeded in 1833 by the Rev. John \\'eaver.

Presbyterian ministers of the early days recei\-ed \-ery modest remunerations. The following is quoted from the old minute liook of the Sand Creek church :

"On settlement with Robert B. Donnell and James Thomson, collectors for the Sand Creek congregation, the sum of $572.93^ has been received in discharge of the pecuniary obligation of the call which I hold from said congregation up to the beginning of the year January, 1829. The deficit of $27.06^^ is hereby relinquished to the credit of said congregation, so that this instrument shall be considered a clear receipt for three years up to January i, 1829.

It is probably not an uncharitable reflection upon the benevolence of the minister, considering the meagerness of his salary, to credit the belief that probably the reason he relinquished the deficit was because the resources of the collectors were exhausted.

Two years later, political dififerences, destined later to rend the nation, begin to make their presence felt in the Sand Creek church. Refractory members were frequently admonished, and frequent complaints for slander show that there was a great deal of heated controversy going on. The "'irrepressible conflict" was rising in the church. In 1S37 matters reached a crisis, and the church split, thirty-seven members withdrawing ^klarch 13, to found what is now the Kingston Presbyterian church. The insurgents were abolitionists, opposed to the course of the general assembly upon the slavery question. Although the weaker body in numbers, the new church li\ed and the old one died. After the war, the few remaining members of the Sand Creek church united with the Kingston congregation.

Upon their withdrawal, finding themselves outside the Presbyterian fold. the thirty-seven insurgents sought shelter in a Congregational church until 1840, when thev built a small frame structure, which was later transformed into a school house. Later the Congregational congregation was absorbed.

The third edifice to be erected by the denomination was a frame building and stood in front of what is now the school yard. It was not so large as the brick building erected by the congregation in 1836, but the ceiling was higher and the windows larger. After being used as a church for twelve years, it was turned over to the township for use as a school.

Two of the largest subscriptions made for construction of the old brick church were by Samuel and James Hamilton. Contracts for building it were let by competitive bidding, the contractors starting at a sufficiently high sum and bidding down. The brick-making contract was bid in for a sum close to five hundred dollars.

Until the coming of Rev. Benjamin Franklin, in 1847, the church was supplied by the following ministers: Benjamin Nyce, M. H. Wilder, Charles Chamberlain, Boram, Campbell and Jonathan Cable. The Rev. Franklin was an English missionary who had been stationed in the West Indies. The reverend gentleman found some of the customs of the male members of his congregation decidedly new, especially tobacco chewing. During his pastorate the Clarksburg church was organized.

Rev. Benjamin Nyce again became the pastor of the church in 1850. During his ministry the Free Presbyterian church, which excluded slave owners and was opposed to secret societies, was formed. As this body represented the most extreme anti-slavery element, the Kingston church gladly united with it.

"We cannot resist the conviction that this worthy body of reformers contained a good many cranks, and Kingston had its full share both of ministers and members," says Cammilla Donnell, in writing of the church at that place. "But our fathers were happily unconscious of the word. They went on their way regardless of the ridicule and the prejudice of the outside world, with temperance and abolition written on their door posts, reading and circulating abolition books and papers, running with great success their branch of the 'underground railroad,' voting the most extreme reform tickets, and doing their humble best to turn the world upside down."

Rev. Daniel Gilmer became the church's minister in 1854, serving for three years. He was succeeded by Rev. William Gilmer, of Cincinnati, said to have been a brilliant talker and a most persuasi\e borrower. Man}^ good stories are told concerning him.

Erection of a fourth church building was started in 1854. While the frame of the structure was being raised, there was an accident caused by the carelessness of the builder, the timbers collapsed and several members of the congregation were badly injured, two of them being crippled for life.

Funds for the construction of this building- were raised by direct assessment, each member being taxed according to the amount of property he possessed as set forth in the records of the county treasurer. Only a few, it is said, objected to paying the full amount of their assessments.

The next minister was Rev. A. T. Rankin, who served the church from i860 to 1890. During his long pastorate the parsonage was built, land was added to the original traet, large bequests were received, a cemetery fund was raised, and. finally, the present beautiful building was erected. Succeeding pastors have been as follows: J. A. Liggett, Harry Nyce. R. A. Bartlett, C. R. Adams, W. F. Secular, W. E. Hogg, and H. :SL Campbell, who has been the pastor of the church since November 20, 19 13.

The Kingston church has given for furtherance of the Gospel the following missionaries : Thomas Ware, Andrew Jack, Edward Adams, Annie Adams Baird, Hamilton Henry, Eva Rankin, Rose Rankin, Jean Rankin and Hannah Evans. It has also furnished the following ministers : Harrison Thomson, Wallace Thomson, John Harney, S. H. Darvin, Austin Thomson, Eberle Thomson, Theophilis Lowry, George D. Parker, T. D. Bartholomew, E. A. Allen, Harry Nyce, Benjamin Nyce, Edward Adams, H. B. Hamilton, Emmett Robison, with three colored ministers, A. J. Davis, Thomas \\'are and Peter Prim.

Today the Kingston church occupies a proud place in the annals of Decatur county Presbyterianism. Seed planted by the descendants of the Covenanters has multiplied beyond their utmost expectations, and strong congregations have sprung from the loins of the parent church. Its influence has grown wider in extent with each succeeding year.

Hanover College was organized in the old log meeting house, and its pastor was made a trustee of the institution ; Harrison Thomson became a member of its faculty, one Donnell finished and furnished the college chapel and another endowed a professorship. Dr. A. T. Rankin, the grand old man of this church, dedicated the chapel.

Said Doctor Rankin, on the thirtieth anniversary of his pastorate : "What would Indiana, or the United States, or the world have been, without Hanover? And what would Hanover have been without Kingston?

"Kingston furnished Bloomington a professor and the Louisville Courier Journal its greatest editor (John Harney). The first pastor of this church held the stake Carnahan drove to mark the place where Wabash College was built, and that Thomson who managed its finances so admirably for so many years, professed faith in Christ here. How far-reaching and great the influence of the church organized in a log cabin seventy-five years ago!"

The Greensburg Presbyterian Church

As previously stated, the Greensburg church was organized, November 20, 1826, following- the dismissal of twelve members from the Sand Creek church, who were charged with the responsibility of starting a second Presbyterian church in Decatur county. All of them lived in the neighborhood of Greensburg. The charter members of this church were Thomas Hendricks, Robert Thorne, Lydia Thome, Martha L. Mars, James Loomis, Phoebe Loomis, Benjamin Antrobus, Polly Antrobus, David Gageby, William O. Ross and Elizabeth R. Ross. The last three men named were the first elders. The first new member recei\'ed was Mrs. Jane Warriner.

Family names of these pioneers no longer appear upon the church records, but in a few instances female descendants of some of these original members are now holding membership in the Greensburg church. Rev. Samuel Lowry was the first minister, giving one-fourth of his time for more than four years to the infant cliurch. The next pastor was the Rev. James R. VVheelock, a missionary of the American Home Missionary Society. He served from 1830 to 1833, and in that period added forty-five members to the church.

Revs. Samuel Hurd, ^Vells Bushnell and John S. Wea\er ministered in succession for short periods each until 1838, when Rev. Joseph G. Monfort became pastor of the Sand Creek and Greensburg churches. The latter now numbered sixty-three members. During his ministry the schism which rent the church into the Old and New Schools extended to Greensburg and eighteen members withdrew to form a new church. During his four years' stay one hundred and twenty-four new members were received.

Upon his departure, fifty-two members of the Greensburg church were dismissed to found a new church at Forest Hill. His successor for a twoyear period was the Rev. Joseph B. Adams. During his pastorate, membership in the church dwindled to fifty-two and the Rev. j\'Ionfort was again, in 1844, called to the pulpit. His acceptance was conditioned upon the reunion of tlie Old and New School churches, which was happily accomplished. His second term of service lasted for ten years, after which he left to become editor of the church publication at Cincinnati.

Doctor Monfort was succeeded b}' his father, Rev. Francis Monfort, Rev. Charles Axtell, Dr. Joseph Warren and then hv Rev. David Monfort. His pastorate commenced in 1858 and lasted until 1867. It was broken for two years, when the Reverend Monfort left his church to serve as chaplain in the Union Ami}-. Dnring this period tlie pulpit was fihed b}- Re\'. Benjamin Xyce. Reverend Monfort was a learned man, Init extremely absentminded. He would often ride for miles upon a country road, meeting many of his friends without recognizing any of them.

In 1868, Rev. J. C. Irwin accepted a call and remained until 1874. He was considered by man}' to be one of the most instructi\e preachers of his day. During his pastorate, the parsonage was built. The pulpit was vacant until 1876, when Re\'. G. R. Alden began his pastorate. It was marked by two important e\'ents. a highly successful revival and a fire which destroyed the church building. During his pastorate, for the first time the voice of a woman was heard in prayer meeting". Before this, the Greensburg Presbyterians had gi\'en strict heed to the Pauline injunction regarding the silence of women in churches, deeming it of perpetual force. Today, without their assistance, Presbyterian prayer meetings might often relapse into the quiet of a Quaker meeting.

Dr. Robert Sloss became pastor of the church in November, 1879, and during his stay the present church building was completed. He continued as pastor until his death in 1895. He was followed by Re\-. \Villiam Torrence (1886-1891), Rev. R. G. Roscamp ( 1892-1894), Rev. J. \V. Parker, Rev. Robert Bartlett, Rew Robert Dunaway and Dr. Walter H. Reynolds, whose pastorate commenced in 1908.

From its very beginning, almost, the church has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth. Organized with twelve members, it had risen in the lapse of a Cjuarter centur}' to about two hundred. After fifty years there were two hundred communicants. In its seventy-fifth year it had four hundred and fifty-three members.

The church has erected three houses of worship. The first was upon the site of the present Baptist church and was sold to that congregation. The second was upon the site of the present building. It burned down in 1876, the fire starting by accident while a social gathering was being held. After a year of discussion, it was decided to erect a new building rather than rebuild the old. The new church was dedicated March 30, 1878, free of debt. In 1896 extensi\-e alterations were made, a debt lifted and a pipe organ installed.

The congregation has never received large gifts or legacies, but has been dependent upon itself. Thomas Montgomery bequeathed the church one thousand dollars in 1874, to be invested for a permanent income, and in 1S83 Misses Eunice and Elizabeth Hendricks gave their homestead to the church for an "Old Ladies Home." This use of the building not prov-

Harrison House bequeathed the church six hundred and sixty-one dollars in 1893, and two years earlier George Carson left the church one thousand, four hundred dollars, the interest of which could be used in conducting a mission Sunday school in Greensburg. The Carson Memorial mission was opened a year later and the ?hurch supplements, as may be necessary, the income from the legacy. An industrial school for girls, a history class for boys and a sewing circle for women are maintained by this mission.

Besides an active Sunday school, there are a number of other church organizations. There is a Christian Endeavor Society, a Women's Home and Foreign Missionary Society and a Ladies' Aid Society.

No passing creeds and isms have found expression in the pulpit of this church. The church has resolutely stood for the whole Bible and for Presbyterian standards, when understood as its correct interpretation. For many years.it has ranked second or third in the Whitewater presbytery in numerical strength.

On July 3, 1907, a violent windstorm toppled over part of the heavy tower, which crashed through the auditorium, almost wrecking the building. For a time it was thought that it would be necessary to construct a new church, as architects and structural engineers declared that the structure was damaged beyond all hope of repair. It was later found that the foundations and portions of the walls were intact and the building was partially reconstructed. A new heating plant was installed, new walks laid and other improvements made, which, with the reconstruction of the building, cost the congregation eighteen thousand dollars. The rebuilt church was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies. May 9, 1909. While the building was being repaired, the congregation met in the G. A. R. hall and later in the church basement.

The old church, built in 1845, which burned down, was at various times used in part as a school and postoffice, and later Doctor Cook had his office in it. While the postoffice was located in the church, yeggmen blew the safe and made away with a small amount in stamps and coin.

Dr. Walter Hunter Reynolds, the present pastor, is the son of A. J. Reynolds, a Presbyterian minister. He was born in Cincinnati, educated in Wooster College and received his theological training in McCormick Seminary, Chicago. He was given the pulpit of the River Forest church of Chicago upon completing his theological course and later became assistant pastor of the Third Presbyterian church of Chicago, which has a large con-

Clarksburg Presbyterian Church

"At the time and place abo\'e written. Rex. James McCoy, acting as a committee of the presbytery of Indianapolis, organized into a church of Christ at their own request and as such set apart by prayer the following brethren and sisters, all of whom were recommended as members in good standing of the Presbyterian church, viz -

"Robert Mitchell and Barbary Mitchell, his wife; Robert M. Stout and Polly Ann Stout, his wife; Jackson G. Lowe and Polly Jane Lowe, his wife; James Donnell, Thomas Donnell and Mary Donnell, his wife; Euphemia Donnell, Euphemia Braden, Angeline Donnell, Cassender Donnell, Susan Donnell and Ruth Jane Braden.

"On motion the church agreed to be known by the name of the Clarksburg Presbyterian church and the church proceeded to elect two ruling elders. Luther A. Donnell and Robert Mitchell were chosen. After appropriate counsel given to the church by the Rev. James McCoy, the meeting closed with prayer by the Rev. Benjamin Franklin."

Rev. A. I. Rankin was probably the best known minister of this church, filling its pulpit for a period of thirty years. He was followed by the following ministers : Harry Nyce, R. A. Bartlett, C. R. Adams, W. F. Sconlad and the present pastor. Homer M. Campbell. The church now has a membership of one hundred and twenty.

Sardinia Presbyterian Church

The Sardinia church was established in 185 1 by the Rev. Joseph Monfort and, until it was closed in 1915 and sold to the United Brethren denomination, exerted a wide influence in that section of the county. The church was built upon land donated by John ^McCormick. B. F. Gaston, who is still living, attended the first Sunday school held there.

Among its charter members were John G. McCormick, Matilda Mc- Cormick, William McCormick, Elizabeth McCormick, James Risley, Sarah Risley, Eliza Hankins, James Gregg and Angeline Gregg. C. J. ]Moore and

D)-er Aloore were later elders in this church. A frame church was built in 1852 at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars. With the passing 3-ears the church gradually grew weaker and on February 22, 191 5, sold their building to the newly organized United Brethren congregation. At that time there were onl}- eight members left.

Spring Hill United Presbyterian Church

The Spring Hill United Presbyterian church is the only one of this denomination in Decatur county and dates back to the early twenties. It was not known by this name when it was organized in this county in 1825, the present name not coming into general use until May 26, 1858. It was formed by the union of the Associate Presbyterian (or Seceder church) with the Associate Reformed Presbj'terian church at the City of Pittsburgh on the date above mention^l. This denomination differs from other Presbyterian churches in that their songs of praise to God in public and pri\-ate worship are the psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, dictated by the spirit of God, known in the Bible as the Book of Psalms.

When this branch of Presbyterianism Avas organized at Spring Hill the church was named Xew Zion, in honor of the congregation in Lexington, Kentucky, from \\hence many of the first members came. Their old church in Kentucky was known as Zion and by prefixing New to their church in Decatur county the_v felt that they were honoring their old church. This name was retained until 1872 when it was thought advisable to change it to Spring Hill.

The first preaching which the infant society enjoyed was in 1821 or 1822, when an associate minister. Reverend Armstrong, stopped over for a day while making an overland trip from Illinois to Ohio. The next preaching was b}^ Rev. Alexander Porter, then pastor of the Hopewell church, in Preble county. Ohio. Among other ministers who preached to the few members of the church previous to its formal organization in 1825 were Revs. John Steel, Hugh Mayne, John Reynolds and S. P. Magaw. The church began its career as an independent congregation on July 30, 1825, when it was established by a committee representing the First presbytery of Ohio. This delegation was composed of Rev. David AIcDill, Sr., Elders John Foster and William Caldwell, and Thomas Henr)', Sr., who had recently settled near Spring Hill.

Mitchtll and his wife, Peggy, who were recei\e(r on certificate, were the first members of New Zion church. The first memljers received on examination were Wilham Henderson and his wife, Martha, and Nathaniel Lewis. When the first communion was celebrated, in 1827. by Rev. Joseph Claybaugh, the church had a membership of forty.

The first church building was of hewed logs, was thirty feet square, and was thrown up in the fall and winter of 1824. James jNIcCracken and Adam and Andrew Rankin prepared the logs and these men, assisted by Jam^es R. Patton and William Anderson, "carried up the corners." The house was not covered until the summer of 1825, at which time a roof of poles and split shingles was tied on with that skill which our good forefathers happily possessed. The shingles were rived on the farm of Samuel Lewis, near Clarksburg. The roof was put on under the direction of William Penny. The seats were such as those occupying them chose to make, everyone supplying their own, some better and so*ne worse. On these seats the patient worshippers could and did sit through a two-hour service in the morning and one of equal length in the afternoon.

The lot (one acre) on which this first church was erected was deeded by Samuel Donnell on January i, 1825, to the trustees of New Zion congregation, namely: William Henderson, Adam Rankin and James McCracken, for the sum of six dollars and fifty cents. The second lot (two acres) was deeded by William and George A. Anderson, on May 11, 1841, to trustees \\'illiam B. Lewis, A. J. Dale and \\'illiam Duncan, for a consideration of one dollar.

In 1832 the congregation had increased to such an extent that it was deemed necessary to enlarge the building. Accordingly, a frame addition of twenty feet was added to the old building Ijy Samuel Henrv- In 1837 a frame church took the place of the old log building. In 1862 many trees were planted around the church by William Anderson and future generations have had cause to be grateful for this labor of love on the part of this sterling old pioneers. As the years went by, the congregation became able to Iniild a still more substantial church and in 1892 the present beautiful brick house of worship was erected at a cost of sixteen thousand dollars. A parsonage was built in 1871.

Paul Stewart, 1896-1900; Neil Ferguson, 1901-05; W. W. McCal!, 1906-12; Fred Elliott, since 1914. The first settled minister, James Worth, severed his connection with the church in 1852 to go with a colony of settlers to Oregon. He was a man of unusual attainments, well-grounded in doctrine, a good organizer, faithful in the discharge of' his duties, a patron of honesty and uprightness, and to his judicious management and careful training the congregation owes much of its success in later years. No other minister ever served the congregation as long and no other left such an impress on the church.

The present ideal of the church is to be in ever}^ sense a community church and the church is now styled the "Spring Hill Community church." The officers are men alive to their responsibilities to the entire community, and every organization of the church seeks to minister, rather than to be ministered unto. The session is honored by the service of two men who have represented Decatur county in the halls of the state Legislature, Jethro C. Meek and William J. Kinkaid. The Sabbath school is under the able and enthusiastic management of Ezra Kirby and is doing very efficient work. The Spring Hill church has furnished to the church at large two college presidents, the Rev. William Johnston, former president of Amity College, of College Springs, Iowa, and the Rev. T. H. McMichael, of Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois. This congregattion is justly famous for its loyalty, its liberality, its sociability, its high ideals of community life, and the beautiful location of its meeting house. Its broad Christian spirit is well expressed in the public invitation issued b}^ the church, "To all who mourn and need comfort - to all who are weary and need rest - to all who are friendless and want friendship - to all who are homeless and want sheltering love - to all who pray and to all who do not, but ought - to all who sin and need a saviour, and to whomsoever will - this church opens wide the door and makes a free place, and in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord, says 'Welcome.' "

The present officers of the church are as follow : Minister, Frederick Elliott; session, William Kinkaid (clerk), Theodore Humphrey, Nathan Logan, Robert Donnell, Jethro Meek and Hugh Sparks; treasurer, William Kinkaid; superintendent of the Sunday school, Ezra Kirby; trusteees, Edward Sefton (chairman), Thomas J. Kitchin and Elbert C. Meek.

Decatur Couxtv, Indiana Christian Churches

The Christian church, founded b}- Thomas Campbell, near Pittsburgh, in 1800, and continued by Alexander Campbell, did not take root in Decatur county until 1831, about a year after the movement had taken strength and started to spread to all parts of the country. The first church of this denomination to be established in this county was at Clarksburg. It was organized on November 16, 1831, about ten months before the first Christian church at Greensburg was established.

The history of this denomination in Decatur county was prepared in 1912 by L. D. Braden, of Greensburg, and is made the authority for most of the facts in regard to the church set forth in this volume. The booklet was issued on September 29, 1912, in honor of the eightieth anniversary of the Greensburg church.

"In the fall of 1832 John OTvane first visited Rush county, where he was employed to evangelize for one year. He and John P. Thompson, of Rush county, traveled together over the counties of Rush, Fayette and Decatur, l^eing the first at almost every point to publish the doctrine of the reformation, ^^'hen they arrived at Greensburg, O'Kane rang the court house bell and a small audience collected. Thompson preached and one came forward to confess the Lord. This was the first evangelistic sermon and the first disciple at that place, which is now the center of a powerful influence in favor of primitive Christianity. OTvane followed and three others made the good confession.

"The previous night they preached at a point four miles northwest of Greensburg and two were added to the saved, one of them, a daughter of North Parker, is believed to have been the first person who embraced the ancient gospel in eastern Indiana.

"From that point they continued their journey, the people everywhere gladly receiving the Word. Though sectarian opposition was strong, and there was much ill-feeling toward OTvane, growing out of his active participation in the presidential campaign, still the disciples were multiplied, new churches established, prejudices eradicated and Bible principles inculcated."

Greensburg Christian Church

The date of the sermons preached Ijy Thompson and O'Kane in Greensburg was probably Sunday, September i, 1832. The First Christian church was organized twenty-nine days later in the county seminary, which is still standing on South Franklin street. For two or three years services were held at this place and the county court house. P'or a long time there was no resident minister, but the church was edified by discourses from visiting clergymen. In 1836 a permanent meeting place was established in a log d\\elling on East Main street, owned by Hugh Sidwell.

Four years later the congregation had increased in numbers to such an extent that a more modern structure was needed. Accordingly a comfortable brick church was erected near the railroad. The church was provided with a bell which Gen. James B. Foley had secured from an Ohio river steamboat. This bell was later installed in the spire of the present church.

The old building was torn down in 1870, after the present church was dedicated. Measured by present-day architectural standards the old church left several things to be desired, but when erected it was considered the last word in such structures.

It was forty feet wide, si.xty feet long and designed to accommodate two hundred people. Instead of the conventional spire it had a scjuare threedecker steeple which looked as though the builders had exhausted their supply of material before completing their work. This steeple surmounted an overhanging roof, supported by four scjuare pillars.

In these early days a minister schooled in theology was a decided rarity. Most of them were men who made a living* for their families following the plow ; standing behind the counter or working at the forge. They took their pay in articles of wearing apparel and other necessities, promulgating, in return, doctrines of faith and salvation. Such a man was Carey Smith, a blacksmith, who had been converted through reading "The Christian Baptist," published by Alexander Campbell. Smith moved to Greensburg from Indianapolis in 1833 and preached for three or four years in churches in this part of the state. In 1840 he made a tour of the south under the patronage of Alexander Campbell and died in Mississippi the following year.

The first regular pastor of this denomination at Greensburg was John B. New, father of John C. New, who later owned the Indianapolis Journal and was appointed consul general to Liverpool in 1889. New moved to Greensburg from Vernon in 1839. At his first meeting his congregation numbered but thirteen, three of whom were small boys. Undaunted by the gloomy outlook, he and his wife remained valiantly at the post and organized churches at Antioch, Napoleon, Milroy, Shelbyville and Milford within the next three years.

New possessed a wonderful capacity for work of this nature. In gro\es, barns, dwellings and school houses within a radius of ten miles from Greensburg, he preached and exhorted daily ; often conducting fourteen services a week. At the end of his first year he had added seventy-five members to the b'irst Christian church of Greensburg and erected a new church building at a cost of three thousand dollars. At the end of his pastorate, in 1845, the church had one hundred and fifty members.

His successor was Jacob Wright, a rough-and-ready minister, who preached at Greensburg, Clarksburg, Milford and Clifty for two years. He vas the first Christian minister in Decatur county to receive a salary, his stipend being three hundred dollars a year. He was an able debater and frequently shared the rostrum with other ministers who differed with him in matters appertaining to Sunday schools and baptism.

During Wright's pastorate John O'lvane came back to Greensburg. A great concourse was assembled to hear him preach. The aisles were filled and crowds were gathered outside at every window. The evangelist was warming to his theme of regeneration and repentance when a rotten sleeper in front of the pulpit gave way under the unusual weight and the fioor dropped three feet to the ground.

The doors swung inward, and in their mad rush for the outside the people jammed the doors fast shut. I'eople were trampled under foot and rolled beneath the seats. Some walked upon seatbacks and jumped through windows to security. At last the doors were opened and a grand rush followed, people tearing the clothes off their neighbors' backs in the mad scramble. No one was seriously injured.

Beginning Of Butler College

A movement which resulted in the foundation of Butler College was started in Greensburg in 1847. ^"^t a state convention of the denomination held there in that year a resolution was adopted for the establishment of an institution of learning of the highest grade. A committee was named to make a later report which resulted in the founding of Northwestern Christian University at Indianapolis. Later the name of the institution was changed to Butler College.

Other ministers who tilled the Greensburg pulpit between 1846 and the outbreak of the Civil War were Richard Roberts, B. F. Sallee, Thomas Conley and Joseph R. Lucas. Rev. D. R. Van Buskirk, who occupied the pulpit during war times, was a man of marked ability, serving Decatur county during this period in the state Legislature, both in the upper and lower houses of the General Assembly. He was appointed chaplain of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in 1864. It was during the second year of Van Buskirk's ministry that Alexander Campbell came to Greensburg and preached two sermons in the old church near the railroad. Campbell was then near the close of his life, which he had given to the restoration movement. He was then seventy-four years old and his hair was as white as snow. He delivered a notable discourse on "The Great Commission," and charmed the great congregation with his atTable and engaging manner.

The Rev. D. R. Van Buskirk was followed in the Greensburg pulpit by three other ministers, Carl Starks, John Shackleford and Dr. L. L. Pinkerton; then, in 1868, the church decided that a new building was an imperative necessit}^ The Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad Company had secured a right of way through Decatur county, in 1853, and was running its trains just past the old church, the noise of trains seriously interfering with the solemnity of the services.

Some man of exceptional ability was needed as pastor of the church for this work and the Rev. D. R. Van Buskirk was once more secured. The site of the present church, North Broadway and Hendricks streets, was purchased from W. H. Hazelrigg and B. W. Wilson and work was started upon the erection of an eighteen thousand dollar church, which was dedicated on February 20, 1870, by Rev. Isaac Errett. A revival service was held immediately after the dedication of the church and one hundred members were added to the congregation.

In 1896 the church extended its third call to Reverend Van Buskirk, who filled the pulpit until 1901. During this pastorate he repaired the church, installed ornamental wooden beams and some beautiful memorial windows. His funeral services were held in this church on April 5, 1908. Since this

The first Sunday school was organized in 1850 and was divided into two classes, one for the adult members of the church and one for the children. In the class for men and women considerable stress was laid by the teacher, usually the minister, upon doctrinal tenets of the church, while the younger pupils were likewise given as much instruction in such matters as they could well assimilate.

Modern Sunday-school organization and the international system of lessons came in 1872. Now there are departmental superintendents and adult, intermediate and primary classes, with large enrollments. The Ladies' Aid Society was organized in 1890 with forty members. It conducts a lecture course each year and makes liberal contributions to the church. Other church organizations are the auxiliary of the Christian Women's Board of Missions and the Christian Endeavor Society.

This last named organization had its inception in 1889 when Dr. A. M. Kirkpatrick formed a young people's society. The present society was organized in the following year. The following, among others, have served the society as president : Grace Dille, Kate Rogers, Brazier Kirby, Nell McCune, W. H. Milner, W. E. Kirby, Ruth Robinson, Rosa Davis, Jessie Elder and William Stolz.

Clarksburg Christian Church

Antedating the Greensburg church by ten months, the Clarksburg church has the oldest congregation of Disciples in Decatur county. It was organized on November 16, 1831, with a goodly list of charter members by William Goudge at a place two miles east of Clarksburg and named the Salt Creek Church of Christ.

Among the original members of this church were: Absalom Blackburn, Samuel McClary, George Parish, Joseph Parish, Elisha Cregan, Samuel Githens, John H. Davis, James Davis, William Snelling, Hugh Smothers, Joseph York, William Brown, Thomas Anderson, H. Cartmell, Thomas A. Bryant, Robert N. Higgins, James Higgins, Samuel Blackburn, Abraham Myers, Jesse Barns, Daniel Lewis, John Lowery and Benjamin Goodwin.

Conner left in 1842 and the church declined until 1849, when it was reorganized and revived by Jacob Wright as the Clarksburg Christian church. For a time services were held in the Clarksburg school house and in 1850 the congregation built a church of its own.

William Patterson, Joseph Lucas, Daniel Franklin and others filled the pulpit until the beginning" of the Civil War, after which the pulpit was vacant until the war closed. The Sunday school was organized in 1868 and now has an enrollment of more than one hundred.

Westport Christian Church

The third oldest Christian church now existing in the county is located at Westport. It was organized about 1850 by L. S. Giddings, L. C. Scott, their wives and, perhaps, some others. For a time services were held in an old log school house in Westport. In the early sixties a frame meetinghouse was erected, which was used by the congregation until the present church was finished in 19 12. As late as 1867 the seats used were the oldfashioned benches with no backs. The congregation now has a membership of one hundred and seventy-five.

Among the ministers who have filled the pulpit of this church are William Patterson, John A. Campbell, W. M. Gard, H. B. Sherman, Alphonso Burns, W. E. Payne, R. B. Givens, M. O. Jarvis and M. R. Scott, the present pastor.

Mowrey Chapel

The Mil ford Christian church was organized in 1842, flourishing for a time and passed out of existence in 1884. Nineteen years later the few members left decided to reorganize the church and continue its work. Contributions were solicited for a new church, the old one having been torn

Nelson Mowrey, Decatur county's leading philanthropist, although not a member of the church, gave the congregation a substantial sum of money and the new building was named in his honor. Rev. Fred R. Davies, of Charlestown, was the pastor for a number of years, the church experienced a substantial growth and now has a membership of about one hundred.

This church's predcccssnr was founded by Milton B. Hopkins, who was just then beginning his ministerial career. George King, ]\icClure lilliott, Robert Braden and John H. Braden were some of its charter members. The first meetings were held at the home of Mr. King. A month later a church was built, all labor and material Ijeing donated by members.

During the period before the Civil War, John B. New, Jacob Wright, Richard Roberts and others preached at this place. Following the war J. S. Young, William Patterson, James Land, James O. Cutts, John Brazelton and Frank Talmage occupied the pulpit. In 1874 and 1876 Knowles Shane and Alfred Elmore held two ^-ery successful revivals and the membership of the church rose past the two hundred mark.

A few years later interest began to wane and finally in 1884 the church was abandoned. The old church, which the early members had built with clumsy axes, was neglected and at last torn down.

Adams Christian Church

The Christian church at Adams was organized by Jacob Wright in 1859, with the following charter members: William, Sarah and Elizabeth Colwell, Mary 'Woodward, Joseph and Martha Pleak, \Villet and Nancy Stark, Jane Johnson, Mary, Clara, William, Parish, La\ina and Belle Aldrich, Phoebe and Ephraim Wagner, Thomas Whitaker, Martha Inman. Charley Moor, Elizabeth Bennet, Thomas Johnson and Eliza Pearce.

Until 1872 the congregation met in dwellings and in the old school house. In that year a comfortable brick building was erected, which is still in use. The church now has seventy members. Ministers during the past two decades have been : C. L. Riley, I. B. Grisso, G. H. Brewer, C. G. Cantrell, H. B. Sherman, D. R. Van Buskirk, S. J. Tomlinson, H. M. Hall, C. S. Johnson, W. T. McGowan and D. J. Thornton.

Waynesburg Christian Church

Elder William Patterson is supposed to have been the first minister for the Waynesburg church, which was probably founded in 1855. The church occupied a small building until 1877, in which year a better building was erected. This building was struck by lightning and burned in 1898. Since that time another structure has been erected on the same site. The church has a membership of eighty. Among its recent pastors are John A. Campbell, W. M. Gard, Alphonso Burns, Z. M. Kenady and Henry Ashley.

Newpoint Christian Church

James Young of Kentucky organized the Newpoint church in the winter of 1862 in the old school house at that place. For a time the church flourished and then lapsed into inactivity for about seven years. Then interest in the church was again aroused and a new building was erected. This edifice was dedicated on Christmas Day, 1870, and a revival followed, which resulted in ninety-nine additions to the church. Some of the active members at that time were Eph Wagoner and wife. Thomas Brown and wife, W. E. Barkley and wife; Elizabeth Barkley, Mrs. M. E. Main, William Higdon and wife; Mrs. J. L. Milliard, Joel Pennington and wife; Mrs. Thomas Hart, Mrs. Samuel Thomas. Mrs. Rosetta Starks and Mrs. Phillip Lawrence.

The church now has more than one hundred members and has a good Sunday school. The following Butler College men have occupied the pulpit there: S. R. Wilson, M. T. Hoff, J. H. Gavin and C. Goodnight. In 1912 Rev. William Chappie, of Columbus, conducted a revival which added thirtyeight to the church, the second largest number received in its history.

St. Paul Christian Church

Although the youngest church of the denomination in the county, the St. Paul Christian church is one of the most active and ranks second numerically. It was organized on March 2, 1874, at the Union church, with sixtyone charter members. Milton Copeland, James Eishback and William Hann were ordained as elders and A. H. Thompson, W. H. Walters, O. J. Grubb, Henry Leffler, James Hanger, C. A. Pearse, M. A. Leffler and L. A. Van Scyoc were ordained as deacons.

Ten years later the church building was surrendered to the Lutherans, the Christian congregation taking the seats and fixtures. Services and Sun-

In 1888 the church was reorganized and the congregation rented the former meeting-place. In 1893 this building was purchased outright from the Lutherans. Two years later the old church was rebuilt and was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on August 25, 1895.

Since its organization the church has received more than four hundred persons into membership and now has a congregation of two hundred. It has an excellent Sunday school and a flourishing Ladies' Aid Society.

Following are ministers who have been regularly installed by the congregation of this church: N. A. Walker, Isaac Tomlinson, Charles Salisbury, Walter S. Smith, Charles Riley, Z. M. Kenady, V. G. Carmichael, Alphonso Burns, Cloyd Goodnight, James Conner, J. L. Roberts, Perry Case, E. W. Stairs, R. H. Webb, A. Burns, Clarence Reidenbach, Stanley Selleck and George E. Beatty. The latter took charge of the church in February, 19 14, but was compelled to resign in December of the same year, on account of ill health. The Sunday school, under the superintendency of Ora Pearce, has an average attendance of forty-five. Mrs. Courtney Kanouse is president of the Ladies' Aid Society.

Discontinued Christian Churches

Four churches of this denomination, founded in Decatur county during the past four decades, have passed out of existence. Antioch church, founded by John B. New in 1840, disbanded in 1875. Union Chapel, ten miles south of Greensburg, went down in 1880 after an existence of thirty years. A church started at Mechanicsburg in 1865 lasted fifteen years. The Cliffy church, founded about 1840, ended its career in 1875.

United Brethren In Christ

The United Brethren in Christ came into existence at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in the year Washington was inaugurated President. In that year William Otterbein and Martin Boehm, German ministers of the Reformed and Mennonite churches, respectively, first used the term United Brethren in Christ and the church may be said to have started that year. In this eventful year there was a great religious awakening in Pennsylvania and large union services were held at various places. One night, in the barn of one Thomas Newcomer, in Lancaster, Martin Boehm preached a powerful sermon and, as soon as he was through, WilHam Otterbein, who had never heard him preach before, and, in fact, had never seen him before this particular night, walked up to him and greeted him thus : "We ought to be 'United Brethren in Christ,' for the doctrine which 3'OU have just preached is also my firm belief." Thus did the church come into existence. The first annual conference was held in 1800 and from that day forward the church has enjoyed a steady growth. The stronghold of the church is in the state of Ohio. There are five churches of the denomination in Decatur county at the present time ; St. Omer, Fredonia, Mapleton, Lower Union and Sardinia.

Fredonia Church

The Fredonia church is located a mile and a half south of Westport and dates its beginning from the early forties. The early records of the church are not available, but from one of the oldest residents of the community the following facts have been gleaned. Felix Boicourt and his two children, Catherine and Absalom, started the church and for many years the meetings were held in their home. A school house later was used until such a time as the little congregation was able to build a log church. Later a frame house of worship was erected, which, with improvements from time to time, is still in use. H. W. White is the present pastor and has a flourishing congregation of one hundred and thirty members. The Sunday school, under the superintendency of I\. E. Mattix, has an average attendance of forty. Mrs. Elsie Mattix is president of the Christian Endeavor; Mrs. Reuben Ford is at the head of the Ladies' Aid Society, while Mrs. H. W. White is the directing spirit of the Woman's Missionary Society.

Mapleton Church

The Mapleton United Brethren church, which dates from about 1850, is situated two and a half miles northeast of Westport. The Boicourt family ' - David Boicourt and wife and George Boicourt and wife - were charter members. Like its sister church at Fredonia, it first worshipped in private homes until such a time as it was in a position to erect a separate house of worship. For many years the church was' locally known as the Horse Shoe Bend church. The present pastor is H. W. White. The heads of the different auxiliaries of the church are as follow': Sunday school, L. E. Jessup; Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. Emma Skinner. There are now one hundred and ten active members.

Lower Union Church

The United Brethren church known as Lower Union is located about three and three-fourths miles southeast of Westport. The congregation existed for many years before the present church was erected, in i86j, and had for some time worshipped in a log building across the road from the present church. The church of 1862 was built by the united efforts of the Baptists and United Brethren, and probably other denominations, and is still a union church. The two denominations use it alternately and both have their separate Sunday schools. The only auxiliary organization maintained by the United Brethren is the Stmday school, which, under the leadership of Elmer Smith, is doing good work with the forty who attend regularly. Re\-. H. \y. ^^d^ite is the pastor.

Sardinia Church

The United Brethren church at Sardinia is less than a year old, being organized November 19, 1914, and owes its existence to the faithful efforts of Rev. S. S. Turley, who established it and still remains as its pastor. During the winter of 1914-15 he held a revival in Sardinia and when he proposed the establishment of a United Brethren church he found sixty-two people who were ready to become charter members. Among the charter members were John and Goldie Gross, Mrs. Lizzie Ammerman, Mrs. Bertha Vonblaricum and Mrs. Jennie Foist. On February 22, 191 5, the congregation bought the Presbyterian church and are now expending five hundred dollars in improving it, the original cost being two hundred dollars. Services are held by the pastor every Sunday e\ening and a mid-week prayer meeting has been attended with most gratifying results. The class leader is Thomas Talkington; James Cann is superintendent of the Sunday school; JNIiss E. Rose Meredith is president of the Christian Endeavor Union. Reverend White also serves charges at Grammer and Mt. Calvary in Bartholomew county.

Pentecost Chuch. Greensburg

In 1902 Greensburg was visited by several persons of the Pentecost faith. They were unable to find a place of worship according to their own faith, and held services in an old house on East North street. These meetings were well attended and the house in which they were holding their services at that time did not furnish ample room to accommodate the worship- pers. George Little, seeing the disadvantage under which they labored, came forward with this proposition: That if fifty of the members would contribute five cents per week, making a guarantee of ten dollars per month, he would provide them with a house of worship. In addition to this, a contract must be made to keep the house for three years, at which time he would turn it over to them as the rent for this length of time would pay for the building. Mr. Littell also agreed to donate the lot and give one hundred dollars in cash on the completion of such building.

This proposition was immediately accepted and Mr. Littell began making plans for their house of worship. He purchased the old Antioch church, located on the. Madison road, from Alexander Hillis, who had been one of the deacons in that church. Mr. Hillis asked permission to keep the old church Bible. Mr. Littell immediately complied with this request and asked Mr. Hillis to bring it to the dedication of the new church and also give some public utterance at the services, all of which he did.

The old church building, which was in a good state of preservation, was moved to a beautiful lot in the eastern part of Greensburg and fitted up for services. But before the building had reached completion there arose a turmoil among the Pentecost brothers and they failed to comply with their part of the agreement. Consequently, Mr. Littell was left with the house of worship on his hands, as no one came to worship.

This state of affairs lasted until April lo, 1902, when it was dedicated by a Mr. Mounts under the Pentecost leadership. This lasted for some time and finally the interest began to wane. This church at present is the property of the trustees of the Second Christians, but the historian, with his present knowledge of theology, is unable to distinguish this faith. The services are now conducted by Rev. Jacob Cruiser.

German Lutheran Church

German Lutherans held services for a time in the city hall, Greensburg, beginning about 1870, but never mustered sufificient strength to erect a church of their own. Never more than twenty families attended the services, which were discontinued after a few years. One of the ministers who preached to this congregation was Karl Jacobs.

Episcopal Church

For thirteen years (1898-1911) Episcopalians held regular services in their own church in Greensburg, and then the denomination, weakened by the death of a prominent member, closed the doors of the huiliHng, which is still standing on Hendricks street. For two years prior to the erection of the church in 1900 services were held in the city hall. When the church was erected there were twenty-one persons in the parish. The following rectors, among others, conducted services in Greensburg until the church was closed in 191 1: Revs. Willis D. Engle, John Neady, James W. Comfort and George Gallup.

Church Of God

There is another abandoned church in Greensburg and it stands at West North and Anderson streets. It is the Church of God and was built in 1887, following a w'onderful revival and e\'angelistic service held in the opera house by Mrs. Maria Woodwortb, evangelist of the cult.

Mammoth crowds attended the services. People went into trances and walked the floor in a frenzj' or seemingh' lost consciousness and became stiff and rigid. The utmost excitement prevailed. Before conducting services in Greensburg, Mrs. Woodworth had preached at Muncie, Indiana, with similar results.

Following the meeting in the opera house, a church was organized and meetings were held for a time in a tent. Then the church building w^as erected, at a cost of about one thousand dollars. Then interest in the movement seemed to die, and, save only when Mrs. Woodworth made periodical visits to the city, the attendance was ver}^ small. At last the doors were locked and the church stands empty, vacant reminder of an emotional storm that once shook a city.

While there have been many members of the New Light division of the Christian church, there has been, as far as has been discovered, only one church built by this denomination. Strictly speaking, it was erected by one man of the denomination. Several years before the Civil War, a Kentuckian by the name of Jacob Sidner, a stanch member of the New Lights, built on one corner of his farm a substantial brick house of worship for his church. It was in Washington township on the Moscow road, about two and a half miles northwest of Greensburg. The building, which was later used for a school house, is still standing, a tribute to the religious zeal of this one man. Before he built his church, Sidner used to send to Kentucky once a year for the best New Light preacher he could get and have him conduct a sort of a camp meeting in a grove near his home in ^\'ashington township. He prepared seats in the grove, paid aU the expenses and reveled in one good New Light ser\'ice annually. Eventually, he felt jvistified in erecting a church for his people, but there does not appear to ha\'e been a very flourishing congregation at any time during its career. Who the preachers were, who the members were, or the date when the church was abandoned have been lost in the flight of time. The only person who has a definite recollection of the man and his church is the Rev. J. B. Lathrop, of Greensburg, who gave the above facts.

German Methodist Episcopal Church

The only German Methodist church in Decatur county is located in Salt Creek township, a mile and a half south of Smith's Crossing. The church dates its beginning from the time the first Germans of this denomination located in this part of the county. They worshipped in private houses and school houses for a time and in 1864-65 built the church, which is still in use. In the summer of 1915 extensive improvements were made in the way of new roof and painting on the exterior and redecorating the interior. Sunday school is maintained and regular preaching services are held every two weeks by the pastor. Rev. William Wiegen, of Batesville. .\ well-kept cemetery adjoins the church.

The German Lutherans have one congregation in the county. This is situated in Salt Creek township, two miles west of New Pennington and only one mile south of the one German Methodist church in the county. This church, known as St. Paul's, was established shortly before the opening of the- Civil War and the present building was erected in 1861. The pastor in 1915 is Rev. William Schirmer, who lives in the parsonage adjoining the church.

The Christian Science Society Of Greensburg

The beginning of all societies and churches of the Christian Science denomination may often be traced to some knowledge of the healing of ills "that flesh is heir to.''

The Christian Science Society of Greensburg. Indiana, is not an exception to this nfle. Mrs. Mary J. G. Griswold and Edith S. Griswold, mother and daugliter, are the first known people in the ciiunty seat to Ijenefit by Christian Science treatment. As a result they opened their home, at No. 128 West Hendricks street, for services in 1902.

In 1911, loyal students of Indianapolis and Chicago presented the little band wiih a public meeting place in the WoodfiU building, at the northwest corner of the public square, maintaining the gift for a period of twelve months. Serx'ices are still held in this building on every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening.

The Sunday services of this denomination, the world over, are conducted by a first and second reader, who read the same lesson-sermon from the Christian Science quarterly Bible lessons, prepared by an authorized committee of the mother church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts. The scriptural te.xts are from the King James' version; their correlative passages are from the denominational text-book "Science and Health, With Key to the Scriptures," by Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy, discoverer and founder of Christian Science.

The reading for the Wednesday evening meetings is from these two books, which are the only preachers of the denomination. This is followed with testimonies, experiences, and remarks on Christian Science. The democratic form of government obtains in the society, the majority rule being recognized. The customary reading room is open in Greensburg on Tuesday and on Saturday afternoon of each week. The present membership of the Greensburg Christian Science Society numbers twelve.

United Brethren

The first United Brethren preaching in the county was at the house of John Khorer, who came from Clermont count}^ Ohio, in 1824, and settled on the banks of Clifty. Khorer was one of the wealthiest citizens in the county and built one of the most elegant houses in this part of the state. His house was open to all preachers for many years, and here was organized the first United Brethren class, some time before the forties. About 1840 a frame house of worship was built on Khorer's farm in Jackson township.

There were three so-called "war churches" built in Jackson township during the war, which were to eschew all mention of politics, and, so some said, they not only had no politics, but also no religion. Be that as it may, they died soon after the war closed. They were strictly a war by-product and, with the struggle over, there was no further excuse for their existence.

J. A. Dillman, in the Stmidard of May 28, 1897, says of these three churches, "One has stood idle for many years, another was sold for a barn, and the third, after many changes, is still used as a church house."

Greensburg Catholics, few in number before the Civil War, held services for a number of years in residences of members of that denomination. In 1855 Father E. Martinovic, who had charge of the mission, erected a small brick church and Rev. John Gilling became the first resident priest, ministering to the parish from 1863 to 1871. He was succeeded by Rev. John L. Brassard, who remained for a year or more. Then, save for an occasional mass, celebrated by a visiting priest, the parish was without guidance until 1874, in which year Rev. Daniel Curran came. At this time there were no more than twenty-five families residing in the parish.

The coming of Rev. Father Curran marked the beginning of a new epoch in the history of St. Mary's. During his three years of ministration in Greensburg, he built a new parish house, a parochial school with room for a hundred pupils and a teachers" residence. His health broke under the arduous labor and he was compelled to give up his work, dying a short time afterward. Rev. Henry Kessing was placed in charge in 1877 and remained until his death in 1882, by which time there were about seventyfive families in the parish, which was fast outgrowing the old brick church. Then came Rev. George Steigerwald, at that time one of the ablest men in the diocese. He took charge in 1883 and at once laid plans for the present church, which was completed a short time later at a cost of thirty-five thousand dollars.

Rev. George Steigerwald was a graduate of Heidelberg University and besides his scholarly attainments possessed unusual personal endowments. He was genial and affable in his relations with those outside his church and did much to break down prejudices existent before his coming. Upon his departure in 1897, he presented the parish with the present parish home, his personal property.

For the next seventeen years Rev. Lawrence Fichter was in charge of St. Mary's parish. This was a period of unusual growth, as Reverend Fichter induced a large number of substantial German Catholic families to settle in the vicinity of Greensburg.

The present priest. Rev. Father Fein, came to St. Mary's in 191 3, from St. Joseph's parish in Vanderburg county. He has placed a new organ in

The \'illage of St. JMaurice was laid out in 1858 and was named in honor of Bishop Maurice De St. Oakaus. The Christian Brothers started a school the same year; but upon the death of their leader, Brother John Mary Weitman, the teachers returned to France. The Brothers had laid out the town upon forty acres of ground, of which nine and thirty-fi\-e hundredths acres belonged to the parish. A chapel was built in connection with the school which later serx-ed as a church for the parish. It was a frame structure, later converted into a school building, and is now a residence, owned by Frank Nienaber.

Among the first settlers in the village were : IMartin Mauer, Stephan Brigler, Leonard Hemmerle, Magdalena Hemmerle, Herman Schroeder, John Altenan, Henry Oesterling, Edward Hellmich, Henry Groene and Henry Hopster.

The first mass was celebrated at St. Maurice by the Franciscan priest from Enochsburg. There were at that time sixteen families in the parish. The ten acres of ground and the first building cost the Brothers two thousand dollars. They raised one thousand dollars and borrowed the remainder. The first resident priest was Rev. Ferdinand Hundt, who was appointed in 1884. He was succeeded, in 1886, by Rev. Francis X. Seegmuller, who remained until 1 89 1, when Rev. John B. Unverzagt took charge of the parish.

The present church was buih in 1881-82 at a cost of ten thousand dollars. The interior was remodeled and redecorated in 1912, during the pastorate of the Rev. Michael Wagner. St. Maurice is justly proud of its beautiful church. The rectory was built in 1855, at a cost of two thousand two hundred dollars, and the present school building, which cost approximately four thousand dollars, in addition to donated labor, was erected in 1907.

Since the departure of the Re\-. Father Unverzagt the following clergymen have had charge of the parish. Rev. Charles Schoeppner, O. F. M. ; Rev. Alexander Koesters, Rev. Michael Wagner and the present pastor. Rev. Herman J. Gadlage. The church now has an enrollment of sixty-five families and an enrollment of three hundred and twenty-five souls.

The church of the Immaculate Conception, at Millhousen, Rev. J. P. Gillig, pastor, was the first Catholic parish organized in the county of Decatur.

On June 20, 1840, Maximilian Schneider donated forty acres of land, in trust, to Rt. Rev. Celestine de la Hailandiere, bishop of Vincennes, for the benefit of the Catholics of Millhousen, and in the same year the congregation, consisting of thirteen families, decided to erect a house of worship. This was a plain log building, twenty by twenty- four feet, with a rough exterior, chinked and daubed with mud, and was constructed under the auspices of Rev. Joseph Ferneding. The fiock was comprised of Germans, and among the foremost of these in promoting the interests of the congregation, as well as of the town, was Bernard Hardebeck. The first missionary priests, following Father Ferneding, were Revs. Conrad Schneiderjans, M. O'Rourke and Ramon Weinzoepfel, who labored until 1843. From 1843 ""til 1854, Rev. Alphonse Munschina and Rev. Joseph Rudolf were the only two laborers in this field, and of these Father Rudolf, whose residence was at Oldenburg, performed prodigious labors, visiting Franklin, Dearborn, Ripley and Decatur counties.

The increase of Catholics at Millhousen was surprising; wherefore they determined to build, instead of the wooden church, a good-sized brick church, thirty-eight by sixty feet . This was completed in 1850, and dedicated as St. Boniface's church. As the Rev. Alphonse Munschina, who had charge of the church, resided at St. Ann's, in Jennings county, it was deemed expedient by the people to have a priest residing in their midst; at their request. Rev. Peter Kreusch built, in 1856, the present parish house, which at the time was the finest in the diocese. In 1857 he erected a large school house and now the congregation has two splendid brick school buildings, the schools being attended by one hundred and seventy pupils. The schools are in charge of the Franciscan Sisters of Oldenburg, assisted by a lay teacher for boys.

The erection of the church of the Immaculate Conception, fifty-five by one hundred and forty feet, forty-six and one-half feet in height, was commenced under Rev. F. Hundt, the ceremonies of laying the corner stone occurring on May 24, 1867; and the building was completed under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Hueser and dedicated on August 4, 1869. In 1893 a spire was built which reaches one hundred and seventy-five feet above the ground. On

Xovember 7, 1870, Rev. F. W. Pepersack took charge and was succeeded, on July 2, 1885, by Rev. Joseph Schuck, and he, in October, 1891, by the Rev. John P. GilHg. Father GilHg remained with the church until June 15, 1904, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Urich, the present pastor. The congregation is now estimated to be at least two hundred and fifty families, or nearly two thousand souls. The great majority of these live in Decatur county, although there are several living in Ripley and Jennings counties.

St. Paul's church dates its formal organization from September 21, 1858, when twelve Catholic families were given permission to build a church in the village of St. Paul. However, previous to that date services had been held irregularly in the homes of the members of the church. The lot for the new church was donated by John Paul and E. L. Floyd, non-Catholics, living in St. Paul. Immediately after permission had been granted for the erection of a church, steps were taken for the construction of the same and the work was pushed with loyal vigor by the devoted members of the congregation. The dedication of the church took place on July 31, 1859, and the same building, with many extensive improvements, is still in use today. Owing to the small number of members it has never been able to maintain a resident priest. For several years the church was attached to St. Mary's, at Greensburg, and was served by the pastors from that place. Since 1885 it has been a mission of St. Vincent's at Shelbyville. Among the priests from Greensburg who served St. Paul were Fathers John P. Gillig, J. L. Brasscart, Daniel Curran, Henry Kessing and George Stiegerwald. The following priests from Shelbyville have ministered to the congregation: Revs. M. L. Guthneck, G. M. Ginnsz, F. Hundt, A. Danenhofer, Charles Strickler, Joseph T. Bauer and F. Ketter, the present pastor. The church now has a membership of seventy.

The early history of the Catholic church at Enochsburg, a pleasant village on the Decatur-Franklin county line, is rather obscure, although it is known that Father Rudolph was serving a small congregation of Catholics in that neighborhood at as early a date as October, 1844. From accounts handed down, it is known that a log chapel in the woods surrounding Enochsburg was dedicated by Father Rudolph on December 22. 1844. This mission was attached to the Oldenburg parish and continued to be served from the Oldenburg church until 1862, in which year Rev. Lawrence Oesterling, a Franciscan priest, became the first resident pastor. In 1853 the parisTi erected a small stone school building, thirty by thirty-five feet in size; shortly therea:fter beginning the erection of a stone church, which was dedicated in 1856. This church, which is still serving the needs of the parish, was built of dressed gray limestone and is fifty by one hundred and five feet in dimension, the height of the spire being one hundred and thirty-five feet; three bells being hung in the tower. Since the church was erected numerous improvements have been added thereto; notably during the pastorate of Father Pfeifer (1882-99), who frescoed the church, installed new altars, purchased new statues, put a slate roof on the church, installed an organ and made extensive improvements in the grounds surrounding the church property.

In 1868 Rev. Michael Heck succeeded Father Oesterling as pastor, remaining until 1879. During his pastorate a brick residence of eight rooms was erected, and in 1872 he had the satisfaction of dedicating a substantial school building for the children of the parish. He secured the services of the Venerable Sisters of Oldenburg as teachers and from that time down to the present a flourishing school has been maintained, more than seventy-five children being enrolled during the current term. In 1879 Father Heck was transferred to St. Wendel's parish, in Posey county, this state, where he spent the rest of his life in faithful ministration, his death occurring in 1899.

Following Father Heck, Rev. John Stolz was placed in charge at St. John's, but he remained only a few months. In 1879 Rev. J. W. Kemper was installed as pastor, his service continuing until 1882, in which year Rev. James Pfeiffer entered upon his notably successful pastorate, continuing in charge until 1899, when he was transferred to St. Wendel's to fill the vacancy created by the death of Father Heck. Rev. Joseph Haas then was sent to St. John's and for ten years faithfully served that parish; he being succeeded in 1909 by Rev. Henry Verst, who continued in charge until July, 19 14, when the present pastor. Rev. Mathias Schmitz, was installed. St. John's parish has a membership of more than three hundred and seventy souls. While the church usually is associated with Franklin county, it really stands in this county, being on this side of the county line. The parochial residence stands on the Franklin-Decatur line, while the school house stands in Franklin county.

Catholic Chapel Of Westport

Several years ago the Catholics in Westport held services in the building now occupied by Harry Reidenbach as a jewelry store. There were not a sufficient number of Catholics to establish a church, and the bishop granted them permission to establish a chapel where they might worship under the protection of St. Denis, the nearest Catholic church in Jennings county. The chapel has now been discontinued many years and the few Catholics in \Vestport and immediate vicinity are attached to the St. Denis parish.