Decatur County, Indiana - Chapter 8: The Churches of Decatur County, 1915 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 8: The Churches of Decatur County

Tliere is no more potent factor in the life of any community than the church, and the influence of an active denomination is measured by the wholesome spirit which may be found in the community. More than ninety years have elapsed since the first settlers of Decatur county made their permanent homes here, and within that time more than ninety churches have arisen in the county. Many of them ha\'e long since closed their careers, but the good which they accomplished still remains. There are those who maintain that the people of today are not as religious as the pioneers of the state, but things religious are not to be measured by human standards. The mere fact that there are fewer churches in Decatur county today than fifty years ago does not argue that the people are any the less religious; neither does it imply that the life of people is of a lower standard than it was in the "good old days," which some like to think were nearer the millenium.

Churches may come and churches may go, but a better civilization is not gauged by the mere number of churches. Many factors have entered into the disappearance of the rural church, and not the least of these is the shifting of population from the country to the towns and villages. For this same reason, there are hundreds and even thousands of public schools throughout Indiana which have been discontinued within the past twenty-five years. Many a neighborhood which had from fifty to seventy-five school children half a century ago cannot even support a school with the minimum number of twelve required by the law at the present time. This ever-increasing drift from rural to urban centers affects not only the church and the school, but our national life along all lines. Nor does it mean, in any sense of the word, that we are becoming less religious because of fewer churches, or more ignorant because of the abandonment of so many rural schools.

There can be no questioning the fact that Decatur county has passed through a marked religious change during the past three-quarters of a century, nor can it be denied that things might be better. Yet it must be admitted that the people of the county are living lives today much closer to the Ten Commandments than ever before. History tells us that our good fore- fathers were not al\va}'S as good as we have usuahy pictured them ; could we of today see them in their daily life we would be surprised at some of the things they did. The great majority of them drank - and drank whisky; they were very profane; they were prone to fight: they grafted in public affairs just as has been done since ; they had many shortcomings which we have not been accustomed to associate with them. Yet, they were religious - though the preacher often worked his sermon out with the aid of a whisky flask. In those cold churches of the twenties and thirties the bottle was called upon to supply the heat denied by the old fireplace or rude sto\e. It was the way people lived in those days; in their view a bottle of whisky was as essential to the fanner on harvest day as the bottle of machine oil is today.

Under truly pioneer conditions did our forefathers live for many \ears, and to see them file into church on Sunday morning in the thirties, one would certainly think so. An old settler, writing in 1830, tells of going to church at Westport. "where most of the congregation was barefooted. Some wore moccasins, some buckskin breeches and hunting shirts, with coon, fox or 'possum-skin caps on their heads. Alany of the caps were ornamented with fox tails. One old man and his spouse rode to the meeting on a Iiig red bull."

According to the custom of the period, the men sat on the left side of the center aisle and the women on the right. Husbands and wives and sweethearts went to and from church together, but sat apart during services, lest their attention be distracted from the parson's discourse.

Says Mrs. Alartha Stevens, writing of a Greensburg church of early days: "Then ladies used to sing treble, and you would often hear a lady away above the congregation. They thought it was fine, but, under the new way, the men sing the tenor. The hymns were lined, as it was then called. Two lines would be given out by the minister or clerk, then sung by the congregation, then two more lines would be read and sung."

Our forefathers in Decatur county did not worship in beautiful churches, but gathered in their own homes, in school buildings, in groves when the weather permitted, and even in barns. They neither grumbled nor complained, but were joyful and happy with the lot Providence had seen fit to give them. Their services were very irregular : they had no Sabbath schools and no musical instruments. Without any of the modern attractions which are now deemed a necessary part of the church, they worshipped in a quiet, simple and very unostentatious manner. Often weeks must pass without a regular minister, and then some pioneer conducted the services, if not in an orthodox manner, yet with that true Christian spirit which found favor with the Giver of all good things. In these humble meetings - and often the little band did not number over a dozen - they thanked God for what He had vouchsafed them and asked Him to continue His blessings toward them. And who is there to say that they did not do all they could to advance the kingdom of Heaven.

We want a religion that softens the step and tunes the voice to melody and fills the eye with sunshine and checks the impatient exclamation and harsh rebuke. A religion that is polite, deferential to superiors, courteous to inferiors, and considerate to friends; a religion that goes into the family and keeps the husband from being cross when the dinner is late and the wife from fretting when he tracks the floor with his muddy boots, and makes him mindful of the scraper and doormat; keeps the mother patient when the baby is cross, and amuses the children as well as instructs them; cares for the servants besides paying them promptly; projects the honeymoon into the harvest moon ; makes a happy home like the Easter fig tree, bearing in its bosom at once the beauty of the ripened fruit. We want a religion that shall interpose between the ruts, gullies and the rocks of the highway of life and the sensitive souls that are traveling over them. And who shall say that the simple faith of our forefathers was not as potent in bringing all this about as the religion preached today.

The Baptists and Methodists were the first to establish churches in Decatur county, and they were closely followed by a number of other denominations. The Presbyterians and Christians (erroneously called the Campbellites) were early in the field, and by the middle of the last century more than fifty churches were scattered throughout the county. The Protestants had the field to themselves until 1840, when the first Catholic church was established, and since that year the Catholics have steadily grown in power and influence. They have many strong congregations in the county, most of their members being of German birth or descent. But, whether Protestant or Catholic, the influence of the church is always exerted in behalf of cleaner living and for a higher conception of the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God.

In the discussion of the churches of Decatur count)' it seems best to submit a list of all the churches, both acti\e and discontinued, which have appeared at one time or another in the history of the county. For the purpose of location, they are given by townships, and by section if in the rural districts.

there have been more than ninet}' different church organizations in the county since its organization in 1822, but a study of the rehgious history of tlie county reveals the fact that there have been that many in existence at one time or another. A surprisingly large number of these churches are now discontinued and many others are struggling with a few members and irregular services.

Churches representing the following denominations ha\'e been found in the county: African Methodist Episcopal, Baptist (three kinds). Christian (Campbellites), Christian (Newlights), Christian Science, Christian Union, Episcopal, Free \\'ill Methodists, Holiness, Lutheran, ]\Iethodist Episcopal. Methodist Protestant, Pentecostal, Presbyterian (two branches). United Brethren and Catholic.

In many cases the location of the church is designated by section. Where the section is given it refers to the section, township and range of the particular civil township. The list follows:

Adams Township - Baptist, Adams, ^It. [Nloriah ( discontinued ) and New Litde Flat Rock; Catholic, St. Paul; Christian, Adams and St. Paul: Methodist, Adams, St. Omer (discontinued), St. Paul and Shiloh (discontinued); Presbyterian, St. Omer (discontinued): Union church, section 34: United Brethren, St. Omer and Union Chapel.

Fugit Township - Catholic, St. Maurice ; Christian, Clarksburg ; ]\Iethodist, Clarksburg, Mt. Carmel and St. Maurice (discontinued); Presbyterian, Memorial (section 20), Kingston, Clarksburg and Springhill.

Jackson Township - Baptist, Dry Fork (discontinued), Mt. Pleasant, Sardinia, and Mt. Pisgah (discontinued); Christian, ; Christian Union, Alert: Methodist, Alert, Asbury (discontinued) and Wesley Chapel; Presbyterian, Forest Hill and Sardinia (discontinued); United Brethren, Sardinia.

Marion Township - Baptist, Sandcreek, Rock Creek and Antioch ; Catholic, Millhousen; Christian, Antioch (discontinued): Methodist, Burke's Chapel and Mt. Pleasant: unknown, section 27. north.

and section 28; Christian, Westport; Methodist, Westport, Letts, section 23 and section 18, south; United Brethren, Fredonia; unknown, section 4, east.

Washington Townsliip - Baptist, Liberty. Sandcreek (moved to Marion township); Baptist, section 28; Christian (NewHght) : Methodist, section 15, south.

One difticult}' in locating these churches is in identifying the church with the local name. Three Sand Creek churches, two Antiochs, two Alt. Pleasants, two Mt. Moriahs and two Flat Rocks have been found. One church still shelters two separate congregations - Lower Union - in Marion township. The Baptists call it Rock Creek and the United Brethren know it as Lower Union, the oldest title by which the people of that neighborhood know it. One of the Antiochs was torn down several years ago, moved to Greensburg and is now the home of the Pentecostal (Holiness) band of worshippers. Another place of worship in the county seat enjoys the suggestive title of Ark.

Methodist Episcopal Churches

In 19 1 5 there were eighteen active Methodist churches in Decatur county, as follow, the names of the pastors also being given: Greensburg, First, J. H. Doddridge; Greensburg, Centenary, J. Ed. Murr; Greensburg, Colored, T. W. Daniels ; Milford, J. A. Gardner ; Adams, J. A. Gardner ; Westport, T. J. Lewis ; Letts, T. J. Lewis ; Mt. Pleasant, T. J. Lewis ; Burk's Chapel, T. J. Lewis ; Clarksburg, C. E. Hester ; Sandusky, C. E. Hester ; Mt. Carmel, C. E. Hester; Newpoint, H. A. Broadwell ; Middlebranch, H. A. Broadwell; New Pennington, H. A. Broadwell; Alert, William De Hart; Wesley Chapel, William De Hart; Burney, Joseph H. Laramore.

Although there were Methodist meetings in Decatur county at a very early date, little is known of the activities of this denomination before 1835, as most of the work was done in small classes and no records of them were kept. But it is known that among the first settlers of this county were hardy, two-fisted Methodist ministers, ready to turn a hand in the clearing and at other rough toil or to preach, pray and exhort. Uncultured and unkempt as most of them were, yet they brought with them a message that could not pass unheeded, for they were marching in the vanguard of a militant denomination.

Most of these early ministers of the gospel have been forgotten, the names of many of them have been lost, forever, and stately temples tower high on the sites of the rnde calkins in which they first summoned sinners to repentance. The names and deeds of a few of them are still preserved through the lapse of almost a century.

James Murray was the first of the Methodist circuit riders to enter the "New Purchase."" Then there was James Havins, "Old Samuel"" they called him, who for fifty years rode circuits and served as presiding elder. There were John Ha\-cns and John Linville, camp-meeting singers, well worthy of the name, who would compare most favorabl}' with the evangelistic singers of today. Xor should Daniel Stogsdill be forgotten, "old Dan Stogsdill," who walked more miles, organized more churches and preached more free sermons than any other man in Decatur county. And last, there was James Hobbs, one of the first setders at Clarksburg, and an old man then. "Preacher of the gospel - ordained,"' he styled himself. Besides, there were many others, but their names have been lost to the historian.

Methodism In Greensburg

During the ninety-three years which have elapsed since 1822 the Methodist church has been an active factor in the religious life of Greensburg. Its history, like that of Ancient Gaul, may be divided into three parts, for in the ninety-three years there have been no less than three separate congregations in the city - and all three claiming to be founded on the doctrines as enunciated by the Wesleys. The historian in attempting to follow these three distinct congregations from their inception down to the present time is seriously handicapped by not having access to all the several church records. Then again, there is no question which excites such violent prejudices as does the religious question. The causes leading to the various divisions in the Methodist church in Greensburg are fairly well defined, yet an impartial historian in such a case would not dare to rely altogether on what people have to say concerning the matter. The following discussion of the First Methodist, Centenary and Methodist Protestant churches of Greensburg is based on church records which ha^-e been examined, on articles appearing in the newspapers at the time the various di\-isions occurred, and, finally, on personal interviews with people representing each of the three churches. An attempt has been made to treat the question from a historical and not a doctrinal viewpoint. (14)

First Methodist Episcopal Church

It should be stated in the beginning that there was only one Methodist Episcopal church in Greensburg up to the spring of 1866, the year when the first division occurred which resulted in the establishment of the present Centenary church. These two congregations still maintain their separate organizations. The third Methodist church was the result of a split in the congregation of the Centenary church in the spring of 1877, but this third branch has long since disappeared. With this brief statement of facts, the history of the First Methodist church, the only one in the city from 1822 to 1866, is taken up and followed to the time of the great schism of 1866.

In a ponderous volume, entitled "Church Record," the history of the beginning of Methodism in Greensburg has been preserved. While Rev. Charles Tinsley was pastor of the First Methodist church in 1881, he prepared a "History of Methodism in Greensburg, Indiana," which appears on the first few pages of the above mentioned "Church Record." His account was undoubtedly prepared with a view of presenting the main facts and the historian uses it verbatim :

"John Robbins, who is living at this date (September 13, 1881), in Greensburg, states that he settled near Mt. Pleasant Methodist Episcopal church, March 28, 1822, four miles south of Greensburg. The first Methodist sermon he heard in the county was about September of the same year by Rev. James Murray, of the Connersville circuit - then of the Ohio conference - at the double log cabin of Col. Thomas Hendricks [in Greensburg]. Mr. Robbins immediately afterward received authority by letter from Mr. Murray to organize a class, which he did at his own house, and from this [grew] the first religious organization in the county. After this he [Roblains] attended the organization of the Baptist church at Sand Creek.

"The members of this first Methodist class were John and Ruth Robbins, Robert Courtney, Elizabeth Garrison, John H. Kilpatrick and Mary, his wife - seven persons, and soon afterward [they were joined by] Jacob Steward, A. L. Anderson, Mary Garrison, Tamzen Connor, Lydia Groendyke. Rev. Wesley White and wife Elizabeth, and James and Polly Armstrong.

"When the Greensburg class was formed Jacob Stewart was transferred to it. [Where he had previously belonged is not stated.] The Robbins neighborhood has remained a preaching place ever since. In 1834 a log church was buiU and cahed Mt. Pleasant - it was about twenty- four by thirty feet, and in 1870 this was replaced by the present frame of about thirty-six by fifty feet, at a cost of three thousand dollars. [This is the church four miles south of Greensburg.] The most remarkable revival at this place was conducted by Landy Cravens, when sixty persons united with the church. Rev. George Winchester, the present [1881] pastor of the Greensburg church, to which this society belongs, says it is the strongest society on the circuit. It now [1881J has a membership of eighty and is properous. [This whole paragraph seems to have no connection with the Greensburg church, but it given just as Rev. Tinsley wrote it.]

"Aaron Wood succeeded Mr. Murray for two months in the fall of 1823. He preached at Greensburg, Robbin's, McClain's, Emlie's, John Miller's and John Shultz's in the county. Mr. Wood attended camp meeting on Shultz land, September 22, 1823, but, meeting Jesse Hale at John Havens' house, he found he [Wood] was in the bounds of Mr. Hale's circuit and withdrew. [At this point in the narrative of Rev. Tinsley he gives a list of the pastors of the Greensburg church from 1822 to 1866, and then a list of those serving the First Methodist church up to the time his article was written in 1881. The complete list of pastors will be given later in the chapter.]

"I'^ather Robbins and Ezra Lathrop recollect the preaching of Jesse Hale at Col. Thomas Hendricks' house, where all preachers were welcome. Mr. Hendricks was a Presbyterian, yet a generous-hearted gentleman. His first cabin was situated near where Porter's old saw-mill stood. He built the first house on the public square and invited the preaching to that house. John Havens, a local preacher, who supplied the circuit, probably organized the first class. It consisted, perhaps, of Jacob Stewart and wife, Silas Stewart and wife, John Ford and wife, Jared P. Ford and wife, Martin and brother Kehemiah were members in 1826. John Ford was class leader and a good one. The Roszells and Plues were blacksmiths - the former the first in the county.

"Rev. Joseph Tarkington was appointed to the circuit, then called the Rushville circuit, in the fall of 1829. William Evans, his assistant, was married by Tarkington, the latter still being single. Evans lived in a log cabin on the corner of Franklin and Central avenues. Brother Tarkington's first sermon was in the grand jury room of the court house - southwest upper room. There were about thirty persons present. This room was frequently used by the Presbyterians and Baptists. Reverend Lowrey was the Presbyterian minister and Rev. Daniel Stogsdale, the Baptist minister. Jacob Stewart was the class leader and steward. James Freeman was a local preacher. It was a four-weeks' circuit."

Thus closes the history of "Methodism in Greensburg," as written by Rev. Charles Tinsley in 1881. He devotes two pages and a half to a brief summary of the lives of Joseph Tarkington, Asbury Wilkinson and Lewis Hurlbut, but of the history of the church since 1829 there is no account. It is to be regretted that he did not go into a discussion of the memorable division of 1866, but of this schism he makes no mention whatever, nor, of course, says anything of the split in the Centenary church in 1877. It is to be hoped that the Reverend Tinsley was a better preacher than he was a historian. In this "Church Record" is given a list of the probationers from March 7, 1863 (Martha Carter), to August 28, 1892 (David Mason Murphy). There is a record of several classes, but most of them are undated, the last date appearing being September, 1887. An "Alphabetical Record of Members in Full Connection" occupies several pages and was evidently started after the division in 1866, since the first date noticed is October 6, 1867. The last date of the reception of a member is June 12. 1892. Thirtyfour marriages are recorded, dating from December 25, 1867 (William I. Grant and Indiana Mendenhall), to June 8, 1873 (Tamor McGranahan and Ellen Millis). The ministers have indicated the fees they received and it seems that the bridegrooms rated their brides at varying values. Some paid the minister nothing, some one dollar, other two dollars, several ten dollars and one man (Albert T. Beck) gladdened the preacher's heart with twenty dollars.

The Methodists gradually grew in strength and influence from the beginning and when the schism of 1866 occurred they were by far the strongest church in the city. The first house of worship was built on lot 66 in 1834. The lot was purchased, February 23, 1834, for twenty-five dollars. This remained the home of the congregation until 1849, when a two-story brick, forty-five by sixty feet, was built on the lot now occupied by the church. For a quarter of a century the congregation worshipped in this building and it was while they were still using it that dissension arose which ultimately divided the congregation. During Doctor Gillett's pastorate arrangements were made to erect a new house of worship.

The present building was finished and dedicated on December 12, 1875. Bishop Bowman, of St. Louis, preached the dedicatory sermon and the news- paper account of tlie meeting says, "Many wept as the elotjuent bishop touched the sympathies of the many hearts that were moved by his eloquence." Reverend Johnson, of Spring Hill, and Rev. C. P. Jemkins, of Centenary, were in the pulpit. Hon. Will Cumback made a statement at the close of the sermon that the church had cost thirty thousand dollars and that twentji'-two thousand seven hundred dollars had already been raised. There was still two thousand dollars of unpaid pledges. The Bishop asked for six thousand dollars and the generous assemblage raised four hundred dollars more than this amount before the meeting closed. David Lovett and Doctor Bracken gave five hundred dollars each; Mr. Cumback, ^\'alter Braden, John and William Thomas, three hundred dollars each. The Iniilding is fifty by ninety feet and will accommodate six hundred in the auditorium. The church spent about six thousand dollars in impro\ements in 1912. The present membership is about seven hundred.

The Schism Of 1866

History records that every innovation introduced into our social fabric is met with more or less opposition. An enumeration of all the causes which have lead to schisms in churches would reveal some very interesting things. Before the Civil War the question of slavery divided thousands of congregations into two rival camps. The use of intoxicants has been a prolific cause of dissension, and at least one church in Decatur county split on this question. Secret societies have been the means of creating hundreds of new congregations, especially in the United Brethren church. Missionary work, and even Sunday schools, ha\-e been opposed in Baptist churches in the past, and thus have arisen "Hardshell" and "Softshell" Baptists. But of all the nonsensical causes for church divisions, the question of music seems to the modern way of thinking- the most ludicrous. Just why so many of our good forefathers should have thought that an organ was an instrument of the devil is hard to say - but they did. Not only were many of them violently opposed to instrumental music, but they refused to associate in church relationship with those who countenanced such an innovation.

And the innocent organ - which today peals forth in both Methodist churches in Greensburg - was responsible for the schism of 1866. Christian charity and forbearance were thrown to the winds : the precepts of the thirteenth chapter of Corinthians were forgotten; "lo\e thy neighbor as thyself" was relegated to oblivion ; men and women who had worshipped in the same pews for years, who had knelt around the altar rail in humble confession to

Centenary Methodist Church

Rev. J. B. Latlirop, of Greensburg, then presiding elder, presided over the meeting on March i, 1866, when one hundred members withdrew from the 'First Methodist church (which before the schism had two hundred and seventy-eight members) for reasons above stated. Services were held in the high school building until the church was ready for occupancy. On March 18 they bought a lot for a new building; ten days later they fonnally organized a church; on April i they began work on their new building, although the cornerstone ^yas not laid until August 25, 1866. By the last day of the year the lower story was ready for the first service, the sermon on that occasion being preached by Rev. F. C. Holliday. The building remained unfinished during 1867, and in Januai-y of the following year work was resumed and the auditorium completed. The dedicatory services were held on July 12, 1868. The building cost nineteen thousand dollars, of which amount the late Gabriel Woodfill contributed fifteen hundred dollars. This building is still in use, although extensive improvements were made on it in 19 12. A new furnace, choir loft, inside stairway, opera chairs, hardwood floor, new roof and a refrescoed auditorium were the main improvements. Six months were consumed in making the repairs, which cost a little over five thousand dollars, three thousand of which had been raised before the church was rededicated on Sunday, April 6, 1912. Bishop D. H. Moore, of Cincinnati, preached the sermon, and at the end of his discourse appealed for help to cancel the debt. The sum of $1,009.80 was raised at the morning service, and the amount was increased to $1,288.55 at the evening service, leaving a debt of only $836.45. A parsonage, adjoining the rear of the church, had been constructed in 1904, under the ministry of Rev. J. E. Fisher. During the present pastorate of Rev. J. E. Murr the church has been cleared of debt.

The Centenary church, born under the influence of those opposed to the use of the organ in the church, waxed and grew strong. A revival under Rev. G. L. Curtis in 1867 resulted in the addition of sixty new members, and another revival during the winter of 1869-70, under the same pastor, added eighty-two more to the membership. The present membership is three hundred and fifty. About twelve of the charter members are still living. In June, 1867, a Sunday school was organized, which has continued to hold regular services from that date. Wesley Chapter, Epworth League, was organized February 23, 1893, and it has been a potent force in the life

It has been said that the church grew in strength from year to year, but history must record a lamentabe division which took place in the church in 1877. Starting out with the avowed determination of never allowing an organ in the church, the passing of years brought about a change of sentiment in some of the members. Before a decade had passed away it was discovered that some of the children were drifting to the Sunday school of the First IMethodist church, and incjuir}^ revealed the fact that the hated organ was the cause of the deflection. The death of some of the more radical anti-organists, the wise foresight of some of the leaders, and the wish to keep the congregation together, finally was the cause of an organ being installed, for Sunday school purposes only. Evidently the once despised instrument had won some friends in the church, and it was not long before the organ was being carried upstairs for church services. This was more than some of the members could stand. Just as they had split off from the mother church in 1866, so did they decide to do the same thing from the Centenary congregation - and thus we come to the third and last division in Methodism in Greensburg.

Methodist Protestant Church

In July, 1877. fifty-two members of the Centenary church withdrew their membership and at once proceeded to build a church on Broadway across the railroad. It was a frame building, thirty by forty-five feet, and cost thirteen hundred dollars. They were not put to an expense for musical instruments, their outlay in the musical line being confined to a nominal sum for hymn books. But there was one fact which the)' had evidently not considered. They were, in a sense, outside the pale of the Methodist Episcopal church, and were not recognized by the conference. They dropped the suffix Episcopal and denominated themselves the Methodist Protestant church. They added some members to their original roll, and at one time had a membership of something more than a hundred. The main families to throw their support to this third branch of Methodism in Greensburg were those of Gideon Drake, John Robbins, J. E. Roszell, James L. Fugit, Calvin H. Paramore, D. Patton, J. B. Roszell, John A. Turner and C. Boring. They continued to hold together as a separate congregation until the early eighties, when the organization was disbanded. Some of the members returned to one or 'fhe other of the two IMethodist Episcopal churches, some joined other churches, but most of them, being well along in years at the time of the division in 1877, have long since gone to the King of that kingdom where church schisms are unknown.

Efforts To Unite First And Centenary Churches

The discussion of A'lethodism in Greensburg cannot be dismissed without reference to an effort made in 1909-10 to unite the .First and Centenary churches. At that time Rev. T. K. Willis was pastor of the Centenary church and William G. Clinton was presiding elder. At that time the Centenary church was not in a very flourishing- condition, and Rev. Willis became convinced in his own mind that the best interests of Methodism would be served by a union of the two churches. He talked over the matter with some of his parishioners and advised them to take out their letters from the Centenary church and place them in the First church. Quite a number followed his suggestion, although their action was deplored by a large portion of the Centenary congregation. Rev. Willis communicated with the presiding elder. Rev. W. G. Clinton, in regard to the union of the two churches and the latter came to Greensburg, called a meeting of the official board of the Centenary church and ordered them to disband and unite with the First church. Evidently the presiding elder had been misinformed in regard to the feelings of the congregation, for he found that most of them were ^'ery much opposed to the union. The church absolutely refused to follow his order, and consequently nothing was done by the church as a congregation. However, some individual members withdrew and affiliated with the First church, while others withdrew their membership and still have the letters, having never placed them with any church. At the time the papers of Greensburg took up the agitation, and it seemed to be the opinion of those whose articles appear in the papers that the union of the two churches was a very desirable thing. This movement toward union, which came to a climax in 19 10, has been the last concerted effort looking toward a consolidation of the churches. Shortly after this both began to make plans for the complete overhauling of their buildings, and since then have spent more than twelve thousand dollars in improvements. At the present time there does not appear to be any hope of a union for many years yet to come.

An Unique Courtship

Airs. J. H. Alexander, wife of the oldest physician in Greensburg, is the daughter of Joseph Tarkington. She has preserved her mother's account of her father's very ministerial courtship. It runs as follows:

"One Sunday in the spring of 1831, as I was on horseback riding home from John Cottom and Amanda Clark's wedding, he rode up by my side and asked me if I had any objections to his company, and I said I did not know as I had. He had been stopping at father's on his rounds of the circuit. It was one of his homes. Mr. Tarkington, some time after this, about a month before we were married, as he was starting away on his circuit, handed a letter to my father, which is as follows :

" 'August 30, 1 83 1. " 'Dear Brother and Sister, - You, by this time expect me to say some- . thing to you concerning what is going on between your daughter and myself. You will, I hope, pardon me for not saying something to you before I ever named anything to her, though she is of age. Notwithstanding all this, I never intended to have any girl whose parents are opposed. Therefore, if you have any objections, I wish you to enter them shortly. I know that it will be hard for you to give up your daughter to go with me; for I am bound to travel as long as I can, and of course, any person going with me must not think to stay with mother and father.

"Father thought that there would be so many dangers, with suffering and poverty, in being a minister's wife, tliat it was a very serious matter, and though he was a man of very few words, he told me as much, while he appeared to be very gravely affected. But he wrote a note and gave it to him when he came around next time, which is as follows :

" 'September 4, 1831. " 'Reverend Sir: - You express a wish to know if I have any objections to you forming an affinity with my daughter Maria, to which I would reply : If you and my daughter are fully reconciled to the above proposition, which

I liave no reason to doubt, I do hereby assent to the same; nevertheless, if such a union should take place, it would be very desirable, if you should settle down here, that you would not be too remote from us. " 'Yours most respectfully,

But before the Reverend Joseph rode home with the fair j\Iaria from the wedding, he had a disagreeable duty to perform. In accordance with Methodist discipline, he could not speak of love or matrimony until he had his brethren." He hastened to see his presiding elder and, without disclosing his secret, said : "I am thinking of getting married before next conference." The elder replied, coldly, "I reckon you are old enough, if you ever intend to," and the interview ended. Shortly after he had "consulted" the presiding elder, the ride referred to occurred.

For many years the Reverend Tarkington rode circuits all over Indiana. When superannuated he came to Greensburg to spend the remainder of his life. He died in 1891, two years after the death of his wife. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1800, and gave practically his entire life to the service of the church.

Early Ministerial Experiences

"The fall of 1833 conference was held at Madison, and I was sent to the Greensburg circuit. When we came to Greensburg things appeared discouraging. The town had been visited by typhoid fever and many had died - Doctor Teal, George Robinson, Mrs. Silas Stewart and others. There had been no religious services for some time. There was no Methodist church. I preached in private houses, and in David Gageby's cabinet shop, where the Rogers house now is, on the northwest corner of the public scjuare. I went to work visiting the sick and praying for them. It was a long time before Silas Stewart got restored from his sickness to health of body and mind. Until he got to walking about he thought he owned the town.

"The church members were collected together and had prayer meetings in private houses, such as Freeman's, Rozell's, Stewart's, and sometimes in the old court house. Preaching was had in the old court house, but it was a hard house to preach in. In the spring I got fifteen dollars from Silas Stewart, five dollars from Jacob Stewart and five dollars from James Robinson and bought the lot that ]\Ir. F. Dowden owned on Franklin street, and built the house that is now on the lot.

"The Greensburg circuit was cut out of the Rushville circuit in 1828. In 1833 it had appointments at Greensburg, Robbins', Burke's, W. Braden's, Cox's, George Miller's, Biggott's, Gray's, Sharpe's, T. Perry's and also at Burney's, south of where Milford now is.

"We lived in a little frame house which stood where S. Bryant built on Franklin street. There the Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists had one place of worship. David Gageby was chorister for all alike. The Presbyterian preacher was Rev. Lowrey, the Baptist was Rev. Daniel Stogsdell, and we would all meet together. One would preach, another exhort and the third pray. There was no complaint of large meetings, although some persons would come from eight to ten miles to attend."

African Methodist Church

There have never been many colored people in Greensburg, and at the present time (1915) there are only ten families. In the latter part of the seventies the colored people established a Methodist class and held meetings at private homes and in rented rooms. At one time they held services in a room at the southwest corner of the public square. About 1880 they built a frame house of worship at the corner of Lincoln and North streets, and this has remained their church home since that time. The church records are not available, but it is known that the following ministers have served the church: Jasper Siler, 1906-08; C. P. Smith, 1908-10: Clayton A. D. Evans, 1910-11 (died before the end of his first 3^ear and his wife filled out his year); Mrs. Clayton A. D. Evans, 1911-12; W. T. Anderson, 1912-13; William Kelly, 1 913-14; T. W. Daniels, 1914 to the present time. The trustees of the church are Samuel T. Evans, Adolphus Frazier and W. S. Meadows. The stewards are Mrs. Irene Hood, W. S. Meadows and Adolphus Frazier. The president of the Mite Missionary Society is Mrs. W. S. Meadows. The Sunday school of fourteen pupils is under the superintendency of W. S. Meadows. The church now has about twenty active members.

Wesley Chapel

Wesley Chapel, located one and one-half miles north of Sardinia, in Jackson township, was organized in 1830. For the first five years services were held in the homes of the memhers and the preachint;- was very irret;ular. Regular class meetings were held. ho\ve\er, and the infant churcli grew in strength from year to year. By 1835 there were sufficient memhers to warrant the erection of a house of worship, and a hewed-log church was raised on an acre of ground donated by Daniel Shafer, one of the leaders in the society. Here the little band worshipped for nearly twenty years before they felt strong enough to build a more pretentious structure. In 1854 the old log house was torn down and replaced by the frame building which is still in use. The records of the church are not a\'aila1:)le and conse(|uently it is not possible to give a list of the charter members or the faithful pastors who have served the church during the eighty-five years of its existence. Several years ago ^^'esley Chapel was considered the strongest rural church in the Southeastern Indiana conference. It was often remarked that a minister, after a two- or three-year pastorate at Wesley Chapel, was eligible to the office of presiding elder. There is scarcely a notable minister of the conference who has not at one time or another served as pastor of this church. Of recent years the church has lost many of its strongest members by death or removal and it is now but a shadow of its former self. The church is now on the Elizaljethtown circuit and is served by William De Hart. The present membership is thirty-six.

Sandusky Methodist Episcopal Church

The Methodist Episcopal church at Sandusk}' was organized in 1887 by Rev. F. S. Potts and S. W. Troyer, with the following charter members : Mr. and Mrs. John Harrell, Albert and Kate Higgins, Mrs. Phillip Harrell, W. O. Rozell and others whose names have not been preser\ed. Until 1892 ser\-ices were held in private homes and school buildings, but in that year a substantial frame building was erected, which is still used by the congregation. The church has maintained a steady growth from the beginning and now numbers one hundred and thirty members. A Sunday school and an Epworth League are important auxiliaries of the church and exert a wholesome influence on the church and the community in general. The following pastors have served this church : F. S. Potts and S. W. Troyer, S. W. Troyer and James Gillespie, J. W. Allen and H. O. Frazier and J. T. Jones; D. Ryan and D. C. Benjamin, C. E. Hester, J. L. Brown and W. G. Proctor, ;A. X. ;\Iarlatt and C. C. Bonnell and E. I. Larue, E. P. Jewett, L. M. Edwards and A. L. Bear, F. A. Guthrie and P. W. Coryea, F. M. Westhafer and J. L. Brown, T. J. Anthony, J. W. Dashiel. W. ^L Creath, J. E. Sidebottom and C. E. Hester.

The Sandusky church was first attached to the Milroy circuit, a large circuit in charge of two ministers, until Rev. F. M. Westhafer took charge in 1905. At that time Sandusky and Shiloh churches were made a separate circuit and placed in charge of Rev. T. J. x^nthony, through whose efforts a parsonage was built at Sandusky. It was called the Shiloh circuit until the Shiloh church was discontinued, and then the Sandusky circuit was organized, with Sandusky, Clarksburg and Mt. Carmel churches, in charge of one minister. At the present time it is listed in the conference minutes as the Clarksburg circuit, although it is still composed of the same three churches.

Clarksburg Methodist Episcopal Church

The early history of the Clarksburg Methodist church dates back to the beginning- of the settlements in the county. Concerning its first members and ministers very little is known, but the same men who preached in the other Methodist churches of the county from the beginning also filled the pulpit at Clarksburg. The location of the church has been changed at least once. For many years it was at the head of a circuit including Mt. Carmel, Wesley Chapel and Stips Hill (Franklin count30. The present building in Clarksburg was erected about 1856 and the church property is valued at fifteen hundred dollars. The congregation numbers one hundred and twenty and maintains an active Sunday school and Epworth League. It has always been a strong congregation.

Mt. Carmel Methodist Episcopal Church

The Mt. Carmel Methodist church had its inception in 1823, when a few members met at the home of John Miller, which stood just north of the present residence of Maggie Thorp. The first members were the families of Linville, Hobbs, Jarrard, Griffiths and Hobbsin. The first pastors were probably Aaron Wood and John Havens. Shortly after the organization of the class, Daniel and Nancy Bell joined the society. During 1824-25 Rev. James Hanes was the pastor. This church was one of the leaders in the temperance movement in the county and early organized a Washingtonian Society, every member of the congregation signing the total abstinence pledge. Their first house of worship was a rude log structure, and this has been succeeded by three successive buildings, each being demanded because of the ever-growing congregation. For many years the church took an active part in the life of the community which it seeks to serve, but within the past few }-ears deaths and removals ha\-e decreased the membership until now there are only about thirty members. At the present time the church maintains neither a Sunday school nor an Epworth League. However, this chuich had the honor of establishing one of the first Sunday schools in the county, and for a long time kept it in operation. It is impossible to give a complete list of all the pastors, with their dates of service, but practically every pastor of the Clarksburg church also preached at the Mt. Carmel church. Among the pastors who have had charge of this congregation may be mentioned the following, arranged chronologically as nearly as possible : Nehemiah B. Grifiiths (1826), Robert Burns and Isaac Elsburg (182S), Amos Sparks (1829), Isaac Kimball, Elijah Burriss, William Evans, E. Whitten, Amos Bussey, Charles Bonner, O. H. P. Ash, M. Wiley, Joseph and William Carter, Hayden Hayes, James Conwell, John Winchester, Williamson Gerril, John H. Bruce, Lewis Hurlburt, Jacob Whitman, Samuel P. Crawford, John Wallace, Lemuel Reeves, Wesley Wood, Benjamin F. Gatch, Joseph Mc- Crea. The dates of the remainder of the pastors have been found : J. V. R. Miller, 1851 ; Landy Havens, 1852 ; G. P. Jenkins, 1853 ; John I. Tevis, 1854; Robert S. Beswick, 1856; Benjamin F. Gatch, 1858; Landy Havens, 1859, J. C. Crawford, i860; Jacob Whitten, 1861 : Jacob Whitman, 1862; W. A. Thompson, 1863; J. S. Winchester, 1864-67: R. A. Lameter, 1868; J. S. Alley, 1868-73; J- D. Pierce, 1874; G. E. Neville, 1877: Isaac Turner, 1S79; James McCaw, 1880-82; G. W. Winchester, 1882-85; J- H. Norton, 1885; J. D. Current, 1886; D. C. Benjamin, 1887; G. C. Clouds, 1888; Andrew Ayer, 1890; James P. Maupin, 1891-93; Charles Ward, 1895-96; George Reibold, 1896-98; D. A. Wynegar, 1898-00; William Telfer, 1900-02; M. S. Taylor, 1902-06; H. D. Sterrett, 1906-08; T. J. Anthony, 1908-10; E. L. Wimmer, 1910-11; L^. 'SI. Creath, 1911-12; J. E. Sidebottom, 1912-14; C. E. Hester, since 191 4.

Mt. Pleasant Church

The first Methodist sermon preached in the county was delivered by James Murray, in September, 1822, in the home of Thomas Hendricks, then the only house in Greensburg-. The first class to be organized in the county was at Mt. Pleasant, about four miles south of Greensburg. The story is told that John Robbins, one of the early settlers, was at work near his cabin, when two men approached on horseback and bid him the time of day. They talked for a while and then Robbins said: "You men look like Methodist ministers." The strangers admitted that they were and said that they were on their way to attend conference. Robbins wanted them to stop a while and organize a class, but they stated that they had no time to spare then, but that they would gladly do so on their return. One of these horsemen was John Strange, an early minister.

When conference was over the men returned and organized a class in Robbins' cabin. Another story is to the eifect that Robbins himself organized the first class at the direction of James Murray. At any rate, the members of this first class were John and Ruth Robbins, B. Courtney, Elizabeth Garrison, J. H. Kirkpatrick and his wife Mary and Nat Robbins - seven persons. Later additions were James and Polly Armstrong, Jacob Stewart, A. L. Anderson, Nancy Anderson, Mary Garrison, Tamzen Connor, Wesley and Elizabeth White and Lydia Groenendyke.

The first church was built in 1834 and called 'Mt. Pleasant. It was a log structure, twenty-four feet wide and thirty feet long. This building was used until 1854, when a new church was built. The present pastor is T. J. Lewis, who has built up the church until it numbers one hundred and thirty members.

Adams Methodist Episcopal Church

The Adams Methodist church was organized January 14, 1859, by the Rev. Jesse Brockway, of Milford circuit. The church was organized with seven members : William Ryan, Mary E. Ryan, Barnard Young, Jane Young, Minerva Young, J. W. Deem and Lemuel Deem. Some time later, Jonathan Tindall and family and George W. Kirby united with the church. Jonathan Tindall was appointed class leader.

Reverend Brockway preached until the conference of 1859 and was followed by Rev. Jacob Montgomery. In i860 the class was placed on the Westport circuit by the Rev. Joseph Tarkington. A subscription was taken by the Reverend Tarkington in the spring of 1861 for the erection of a church at Adams. The trustees chosen were J. G. White, J. T. Hamilton, D. N. Hamilton, T. W. Deem and William Ryan.

Rev. James Tarkington, G. W. Pye and T. S. Turk preached until the conference of 1861, when Rev. P. J. Rosencrans was placed in charge. He served one year and Rev. J. B. Lathrop was sent in the fall of 1862. The church was built during his pastorate. The building committee was G. W. Kirby, Lemuel Deem and William Ryan. The church was erected by Anderson Stevens and dedicated on January 14, 1863, by Rev. Samson Tincher, the presiding elder. Adams was then taken into the Milford circuit, with Rev. James McCann as pastor. The Sunday school was organized on Easter

Milford Methodist Episcopal Church

The ^Nlilford Methodist Episcopal church, which is one of the original outposts of Methodism in Decatur county, was organized in 1834, at the home of Samuel Burney, by Rev. William Bail}-. Early records of the church have disappeared, but it is known that the Rev. Joseph Tarkington was the first pastor appointed to the charge. He was followed by a long line of ministers, earnest, hard working and pra}'erful, who, with dauntless courage and matchless energy, wrought a church in surroundings that were none too favorable.

The ministers who served this church have been the following : William Daily, James Scott and C. M. Ree\es, Amos I'usey and Allen ^^Mley, Elijah Whittier and C. Carey, T. Hurlburt and Edward Burris, L. Havens, Jacob Miller, John Reisling, John T. Keely, Seth Smith, C. 1>. Jones, Lewis Doles, Lundy Havens and John S. Lewis, Nimrod Benick, John Winchester and J. Crawford.

In 1854, during the pastorate of John Winchester, the church was erected at a cost of nine thousand dollars. Following Reverend Crawford, came Rev. Jessie Brockway, during whose pastorate the Adams church was added to the Milroy circuit. Since then the two charges have been tended by the following ministers : Jacob Montgomery, J. S. Barnes, W. F. Maulsin, James McCann, T. B. McClain, J. S. Winchester, F. S. Woodcock, J. C. White. M. H. Mullin, J. N. Dashiel, John Machlan, J. R. T. Lathrop, T. N. Jones, T. Kennedy, H. Morrow, T. D. Keys, W. R.Plummer, S. C. Clouds, S. A. Morrow, 1900-03; H. M. Elwyn, 1903-4: C. R. Sylvester, 1904-06; P. E. Edwards, 1905-09: J. T. Perry, 1909-12: C. E. Smith, 1912-13, and J. A. .Gardner, 1913 to the present time. The present membership of the Milford church is one hundred and ten.

The Methodists organized a class in St. Paul about 1857, and for a time met in the upper room of the building now occupied by the Johannes buggy factory. The early records of the church were destroyed when the parsonage burned in 1914, and hence the earlv history of the church is lacking in (15) mao}^ of the minor details. About 1858 a union church was erected in the town and it seems to have been used principally by the Methodists and the Lutherans. The fact that the Lutherans outnumbered the Methodists caused the church to be usually known as the Lutheran church. This building was bought by the Christian church in the seventies and is still used by them.

During the Civil War the ^Methodists erected a house of worship, which remained in use until it was burned down in 1891, during the pastorate of Rev. S. ^V. Troyer. The same year the congregation erected the present building. Extensive repairs, to the amount of twelve hundred dollars, were made on the building in 1913, while Rev. E. T. Lewis was pastor. The pulpit was changed from the end to the side of the building and a choir loft was installed in the rear of the pulpit. The pews were changed and art windows and frescoing added to the general attractiveness of the interior.

A parsonage was acquired early in the se\'enties and when it was burned with all its contents in the spring of 1914, the present beautiful parsonage was erected, at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars.

Middi,E Branch Methodist Episcopal Church

The :\Iethodist cliurcli at [Middle Branch, in SaU Creek Knvnshii), was organized in 1867, with fifty charter memljcrs. They worshiped in private homes nntil a building was erected for worship in 1872, at a cost of twentyfive hundred dollars. The same building, with various improvements from time to time, is still in use. Class meetings, Sunday school and Epworth League are maintained and the work of the church in the community which it serves is such as to commend it to all worthy people. It is attached to the Batesville circuit. The following pastors have served the church : JNIapes, Hunt, J. W. ^lendell, Starks, A. :\[. Louden, R. L. Kinnear, J. S. \\'inchester, F. A. Guthrie, \\'. F. Smith, E. L. Aloore, W. ^laupin, F. M. W'esthafer, J. \\'. Recter. AIcDultey, V. Hargett, Wolf, J. L. Jerman, Stout, Sylvester, W. H. Thompson, \\'. H. McDowell. C. ^I. \'awter, J. H. French and H. A. Broadwell, the present pastor. The trustees in 1913 were: Isaac Doles. Thomas Doles, William Caldwell, William Duncan and Isaac Reddington.

Just how many discontinued Methodist churches there are in Decatur county is not known, but among them may be mentioned the following: St. Omer, St. Alaurice, Shiloh, Center Grove, Finley and Fredonia. Little has been learned about these half dozen churches, although an eft'ort has been made to trace the history of each. Shiloh was discontinued a few years ago, the members going to the Greensburg and Sandusky churches. Finley church was organized by the anti-war Democrats, who sent to Kentucky for their preacher. It disappeared long ago. Fredonia was in the Tucker neighborhood in Marion township and was made up in large part of Free-will Baptists, who came to the church in a body. It was on the Holton circuit and was an active church until about six years ago.

Newpoint Methodist Episcopal Church

The Methodist Episcopal church in Xewpoint is the newest church in Salt Creek township, having been founded a little more than twent)- years ago. The erection of the building was superintended by John Anedeker, Jr. One of the first pastors of this church was ^^'ill Smith. Generally, the same pastors have served this church that have served the New Pennington Methodist Episcopal church, since the organization of the Newpoint church.

The trustees in 191 5 were Leonard P. Hart, Charles Williams, Walter Stanley, William Koenigkramer. The Simda_v school superintendent in that year was Leander Carr.

New Pennington Methodist Episcopal Church

Ever since it was founded, the New Pennington Methodist Episcopal church has lieen one of the most active country churches in the eastern part of Decatur county. Its history is embodied in the lives of men like the late John Collicott, who, during his lifetime, was a spiritual adviser and leader in the church. He was a member always faithful in exhortation and in the practice of the "old-time religion."

The following pastors have served the church: John Collicott (exhorter), E. M. Westhafer, Albert Stout, Will Smith, Erench, Wilbur McDowell, W. H. Thompson, C. M. Vawter, V. Hargett, Claude Sylvester, J. L. Jerman, \\'. !\Iaupin and H. A. Broadwell, the pastor in 19 15. The trustees of the church are: Charles Williams, Leonard P. Hart, Alfred Ahring, William Koenigkramer.

Other Methodist Churches

Unfortunately, there were several Methodist churches in the county which failed to give any data for their history, and all that is known of them has been gleaned from the 1914 conference report. Rev. T. J. Lewis has four churches on his circuit : Westport, one hundred and seventy-five members; Mt. Pleasant, one hundred and thirty members; Letts, sixty members, and Burk's Chapel, twenty members. Only one of these churches responded to a request for data, the Mt. Pleasant church. The pastor on this circuit lives at Westport. Newpoint, Middlebranch and New Pennington are served by Rev. H. A. Broadwell from the Batesville circuit. New Pennington is credited with ninety-four members and Newpoint with seven in 1914. William De Hart serves the charges at Alert and Wesley Chapel, but nothinghas been learned concerning either church. The church at Burney is in charge of Joseph H. Larmore.

Baptist Churches

Sand Creek Association: Mt. Aerie (Letts), three hundred and twentyfive members, W. C. Marshall, pastor; Liberty, two hundred and eighteen members, L B. Morgan; Westport, one hundred and ninety-one members, A. A. Kay; Union, one hundred and seventy members, J. C. Nicholson, pastor; Mt. Pleasant, eighty-seven members, J. C. Nicholson, pastor; Friendship, thirty members, Eber Tucker, pastor; Rock Creek, twenty-nine members, P. A. Bryant, pastor.

The Baptist church was one of the first to get started in Decatur county, and, at one time or another, has had nearly a score of different congregations in the county. It should be noted that this church was stro'ng in the county of Franklin, which joins Decatur on the east, and that many of the ministers from Franklin served the early Baptist churches of Decatur county. This church, like many others, has seen many of its congregations divide on questions of polity, music, secret societies, whisky, slavery and on other questions, same of minor importance which today seem \-ery frivolous. More than one Baptist church of Decatur county has been rent asunder o\er some pett}^ difl:'erences, while, to their credit, they have later reconciled their differences and again united.

Sand Creek Baptist Church

The first church of this denomination in Decatur countv was established in 1822, the same year the county began its independent career, thus making the church coexistent with the life of the county. In fact, the actual organization of the Sand Creek church antedated the actual official opening of the county by about three months. It was on the third Saturday in January, 1822, that eight people - Rev. John B. Potter, Jennie Potter, Zachariah Gartin, Polly Gartin, Dudley Taylor, Nancy Taylor, Rebecca Loyd and Jennie Miller - met for the purpose of organizing a Baptist church. Their first meeting was held in Washington township and sometime later they erected a building, which they used for many years. Rev. Potter donated five acres of ground to be used as a cemetery. This church became the mother of the Baptist churches of Decatur, and, as other branches were established, many of the members joined other congregations.

elected a council, consisting of Joel Butler, Basil Meek and Polly Baker. The church was first attached to the Sih'er Creek association, but later, upon the organization of the Flat Rock association, joined the latter. Many able men have served as pastors of this church and the following list represents some of the ablest ministers the church produced in the early history of the church: John B. Potter, Daniel Stoggsdill, Abraham Bohannan, James Mc- Ewen, John Pavy, Jacob Martin, I. Christie, James \\'. Lewis, James Pavey, M. B. Phares, Joab Stout, Preston Jones, J. W. B. Tisdale, J. W. Potter, G. W. Bower. C. N. Gartin, W. T. Jolly.

The Sand Creek Baptist church was organized under the following constitution : "Being sensible of the advantages and benefits of church privileges and gospel ordinances, we do agree to give ourselves, by the will of God, to God and to one another as a church, in order that we may keep up a church government and discipline according to the New Testament regulations ; also, to watch over one another in love for the benefit of the church of Christ and the glory of the religious cause of God, we do covenant together as a regularly constituted church on the articles of faith of the Silver Creek association." The following constituent members signed these articles of faith : Zachariah Gartin, Polly Gartin. Dudley Taylor, Nancy Taylor, Jennie Miller, Rebecca Loyd, Rev. John B. Potter and Jennie Potter. These members received the hand of fellowship from a council composed of Elder Joel Butler, from Union church, Basil Meek -and Polly Baker. A year later the church joined the Flat Rock association, with which it has since been affiliated.

Originall}-, the Sand Creek church embraced a wide scope of territory, being the second church of the denomination in the county, and holding the most central location. As suggested before it may very appropriately be called the mother of the many Baptist churches which were to follow. Large and flourishing" churches have arisen in all parts of the county, until at the present time the field of Sand Creek is confined to a comparatively small territory. However, it is a strong congregation, and is constantly growing in strength and influence. Originally located about a mile and a half southeast of Greensburg, it changed to its present site in Marion township in the fore part of the eighties. The first meetings were held at the homes of the members, and, even after a log church was erected, meetings were often held at the homes of the centrally located members in the winter. In April, 1823, Nathaniel INIadison Potter donated three-fourths of an acre of ground and William Loyd a half acre, for church and cemetery purposes. A building, twenty-four by thirt}' feet, was constructed of logs on the site so donated, on the Alicliigan road, a mile and a half southeast of the county seat. The cemetery is still there, but the building has long since disappeared.

The first services in the new log building were held in April, i<S_'4, and on that day the following contributions were made to Pastor Stogsilale for his services: Three dollars in cash, t^-velve days' -work, two days' work, fifty cents and one day's work, one dollar and one bedstead, two days' work, two days' work, one dollar, two and a half bushels of corn. It was agreed that the members donating work were to contribute it at certain specified times, and, presumabl}^ when the pastor could use them to the best advantage.

John B. Potter served the church until a building was erected and had the honor of being the first pastor and moderator. He died in February, 1823. His grave marks the resting place .of the first member of the Sand Creek church. He preached the first Baptist sermon, if not the first of any kind, in Decatur county, on Clifty creek at a spring just above where the old IMoriah Baptist church stood, in ,Vdams township. The pastors in the log church were Daniel Stogsdale, Abraham Bohanon, James McEwen, John Pavy, Daniel Stogsdale and Jacob Martin, serving in the order gi\en.

In 1842 a contract was let for a new building to be located on the same site, a short distance east of the log building. It was a frame structure, fifty by forty feet, and cost six hundred dollars, the contractor and the congregation both furnishing part of the material. The building was dedicated in the due course of time, with appropriate services, and continued to be the home of the church until 1883. During the early years ser^-ices in the summer time were frequently held under the shade of a large poplar tree which stood near the south end of the church. Across the road a spring of excellent water gushed forth and the friendly gourd was ever hanging by it for the use of the members. In those days the evening services were conducted under the flitful gleam of the candle, and many people are still living who can recall the sputtering candles and tallow dips which were in use until the time of the Civil War.

The pastors in the frame building were Jacob ]\Iartin, Daniel Stogsdale, I. Cristy, James Lewis, John Pavy. M. B. Phares, Joab Stout, Preston Jones, J. W. B. Tisdale, James Lewis, J. ^V. B. Tisdale, J. W. Potter, G. \Y. Bowers, C. N. Gartin, W. T. Jolly and H. H. Smith.

In 1863, more ground was purchased from JMr. White for cemetery purposes, making about four acres altogether. About this time services were held in three different places - at the church, the Layton school house and the Middle Branch school house. As the years went by and new Baptist churches were organized, the question of moving- the church farther south was seriously discussed. It was not until 1882, that a final decision was made on this momentuous matter. In that year it was decided to locate on the Michigan road, in Marion township, about four and a half miles southeast of Greensburg, just across the Washington township line. Three and a half acres of ground were bought from J. D. Price for fifty dollars, and a brick building was at once planned. This building, thirty-two by forty-eight feet, was completed in the fall of 1883, and furnished in January of the following year.

Rev. J. E. McCoy was the first pastor in the new building, being called in February, 1884. In June of the same year the formal dedicatory services were held by Rev. I. N. Clark, who preached from the text, "For we are laborers together with God; ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." (I. Corinthians, third chapter, ninth verse.) The well, wood shed, tenant house and bell were added later, the total cost of the lot and buildings being two thousand, seven hundred fifty-seven dollars and two cents.

The pastors at the present building have been as follows : J. E. McCoy, W. H. Craig, T. A. Aspy, J. A. Pettit, J. F. Huckleberry, E. C. J. Dickens, Charles M. Phillips, Dennis O'Dell. A. J. Foster, Chesley Holmes and W. O. Beatty, the present pastor.

The Sand Creek church has been wholly, or at least partly, responsible in constituting the churches at Greensburg, Liberty, New Pleasant, Pleasant Grove, Mt. Zion, Columbia and Muddy Fork. Some of these churches are now extinct. On three occasions Sand Creek has entertained the association. Sand Creek is proud of the fact that it has furnished so many faithful ministers to the church at large. The following men have gone out from this congregation as pastors : Licentiates - Ransom Riggs, Shelton P. Lowe, Nathaniel Madison, Potter, John D. Parker, Washington Pavy, A. J. Martin and J. W. Potter; ordained ministers - Ransom Riggs, Washington Pavy, John W. Potter and William H. Le Masters.

The ministers deserving special mention for their long connection with the church are Daniel Stogsdale (sixteen and a half years), J. E. McCoy (eight years) and John W. Potter (eighteen years). Rev. Potter probably did more for the church than any other man. Nathaniel M. Potter was a deacon in the church for nearly nineteen years, while R. E. Cafifyn was a deacon for nine years and clerk for fifteen years. Jacob McKee served as deacon for twelve years, Dora Privett was clerk for sixteen years, James demons was moderator for thirteen years and T. M. Clark was superintendent for ten years.

ninety-three years of its existence and now has a membership of one hundred and thirty-three active members. The yearly expenses average between three hundred and fifty and three hundred and seventy-five dollars.

- Under the leadership of the present pastor, W. O. Beatty, the church is enjoying a steady growth. A Sunday school is maintained ; a Young People's society meets everj' Sunday evening and an active Ladies' Aid society is doing etiicient service in the Master's cause.

If the good pioneers who established this church nearly a century, ago could know how much good had been done for the Redeemer and how many souls have been added to his kingdom through its instrumentality, they would rejoice indeed and feel that their early labors had not been in vain.

Mount Moriah Baptist Church

The ]Mt. iMoriah church was organized on May 2t,. 1823, with nineteen members: Rev. Daniel Stogsdill, Jonas Long, Joel Clark, William Harbord, Richard Guthrie and fourteen others whose names have not been preserved. This was the first branch of the Sand Creek church and included some who had belonged to the mother church. A building was erected on land donated by Solomon Tnrpin and stood in Adams township, on the old Michigan road, about a mile north of the present village of Adams. A brick church was built in 1834. This congregation flourished for twenty years before any dissension arose. In 1843 there was a great temperance wave sweeping over the country, and many churches became divided on the question of total abstinence. One of the members of the Mt. ]\Ioriah church, in an unguarded moment, either to drown some secret sorrow, or in libation to the sheer joy of living, had taken on a greater cargo of alcoholic liquor than his navigatory powers could handle. He became gloriously intoxicated and was brought before the church for trial. He was found goiilty and expelled from the congregation. At the same sitting, the congTCgation heard the case of a member charged with the heterodoxy of having joined a temperance society. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was also expelled from the congregation. Whereupon a member, having more of a sense of humor than the others, arose and asked : "Brethren and sisters, just how much whisky must a man drink in order to be a good churchman?" Some time later, a minister at this place joined a temperance society and was promptly ousted by the congregation. This did not deter him from preaching, however, for he held services in homes of members of the congregation who stood with him on the temperance question, and he was later taken back into the pulpit.

Then the conservative Baptists of the Mt. Moriah congregation, finding themselves outnumbered by the temperance members, withdrew from the Mt. ^Moriah congregation and organized a church one mile below Adams, which they called Mt. Hebron.

Mount Hebron And Adams Baptist Churches

The Mt. Hebron church, as has been stated above, was the result of the split in the Mt. Moriah congregation, the cause of which may seem so surprising to us today. This temperance branch of the old church built a house of worship in Clay township about a quarter of a mile south of the present village of Adams. These two rival churches, the "wets" and the "drys," stationed within about a mile of each other, maintained their separate organizations for more than twenty 3'ears. By 1863 their ranks were becoming thin and they were growing so weak that they were scarcely able to keep up their organizations. It was at this juncture that Rev. J- B. Lathrop, who had established a Methodist church at Adams, suggested to the two churches that they forget their differences, unite their congregations and build a church at Adams. The Civil War w^as in progress, many of the members of both churches had gone to the front, and most of the few remaining finally decided that nothing could be gained by attempting- to keep up two separate organizations. In this year the two churches - Mt. Moriah and Mt. Hebron - tore down the Mt. Moriah church and used the brick to erect a new house of worship in Adams. This building is still standing and is now occupied by the congregation. Whether it was in the nature of a compromise or not is not known, but it is interesting to note that it was agreed to use the Mt. Hebron cemetery. This final union of the two sister churches shows that most of the members could fprgiA-e, even though they might not forget. Some of them, however, were not able to reconcile themselves to the new order of things, and within five years they withdrew and formed the little Flat Rock church. The pastors of the Adams Baptist church from 1865 have been : Preston Jones, Daniel Stogsdill, A. Bohannan, James McEwen, J. Currier, J. M. Smith, E. J. Todd. I. Christie, J. W. B. Tisdale, Evan Snead, J. Chancey, James Pavey, John Pavey, Preston Jones, F. M. Huckleberry, L. E. Duncan, L. A. Clevenger (1880-83).

Little Flat Rock Baptlst Church

Hebron had decided, in 1865, to unite in building- a new church at llic village of Adams. These twelve were 11 W. Stogsdill, A. A. Stogsdill, Lewis and Malinda Shelhorn, D. W. and AIar_v Shelhorn, S. A. and Eliza Shelhorn, H. L. and Emily Doggett, Mary Snickler and Elizabeth Shelhorn. Whether they withdrew at once after the union of 1865 is n6t known: at least, they did not erect a house of worship and effect a permanent organization until 1870. On the first Saturday in March of that year they met and decided to build a church in the Shelhorn neighborhood on the Ijanks of Little Flat Rock. A commodious Iniilding was erected and in a few years the church had enrolled over a hundred members. Rev. Preston Jones was tlie leadingspirit in the church for many years and ser\'ed as pastor until almig- in the eighties. Other ministers have been : F. M. FKickleberry and S. P. Smith.

Liberty Baptist Church

The Liberty Baptist church was the third of the denomination ti) be organized in Decatur county and dates from 1827. In that year nine members met at the home of Charles Taylor, three and one half miles west of Greensburg, on the second Saturday of August. The original members were Obadiah Martin and wdfe, Elizabeth, John Whitlow and wife, Thomas Keel and wife, Moses Sally and wife and Andrew Nicholas. At the second meeting the members selected Obadiah Martin as their minister, he being at that time a licentiate. They set aside the second Saturday in November, 1827, for his ordination, but this ceremony was later postponed until the second Saturday in ^Nlay, 1828. At that time the council, composed of Daniel Stogdel, Adam Cantwell, James Long and John Wheeldon, performed the ordination services. On the second Saturday in June following. Rev. Martin was chosen moderator of the congregation. He continued to serve the church faithfully until his death, six years later. At the third regular meeting after his death, James McEwin was invited to become the pastor, and he remained with the church as pastor until 1836, at which time the church granted a license to preach to Joseph A. Martin and John T. Warren. These two men then ministered to the congregation jointly until 1839, when the church granted a license to Samuel Williams. From the time of Williams' advancement to the position of licentiate until October, 1840, the three men - ^Martin, W^arren and Williams - served the congregation. At the latter date the congregation ordained ^lartin and \\'arren and the two served the church together until 1843. In July, of that year, the church called John Paw for one vear and at the same meeting chose John T. War- ren as assistant moderator. In 1846 the church again selected Pavy as their pastor and the following year called Archibald Leach for a period of one year. The pastors from that year down to the present time have been as follow: Jacob Martin, 1848; Daniel Stogdel, 1849; Joseph Sampson, 1850; Joab Stout, 1850, until his death. The dates of the remaining pastors have not been furnished. They are : Albert Carter, F. M. Huckleberry, Alexander Connelly, W. W. Smith, T. A. Aspy, John Huckleberry, E. Sanford and I. B. Morgan, the present pastor. The deacons of the church have been as follow: John Whitlow, 182S-37; Benjamin Taylor, 1837-1853; Elijah Mc- Guire, 1840-1851 ; Pleasant Martin, 1852-1915; Elijah Markland, 1854-1856; Simpson Turner, 1857-1915; James M. Brown, 1871-1915. Among the clerks of the church may be mentioned Moses Sally, Pleasant Martin, William Douglass, Samuel Howell and Richard Wright.

The first building was a log structure, twenty-two by twenty-six feet, which, however, was never completely finished. It was built about one mile north of the present building. In 1844, the church started to erect a second building, Imt it was not completed until 1852. In 1855 the congregation built a substantial frame building, thirty by thirty-six feet. It was destroyed by fire in 1866. In the same year plans were made for the erection of a brick building and it was finished and dedicated in 1868.

For many years after the church was organized there was little money for church expenses. The first sexton received two dollars and a half a year for his services, \yhile today he receives a salary of fifty-two dollars. The total expenses for 1915 are as follow: Pastor, $150; assistant, $150; visiting ministers, $100; home missions, $53; foreign missions, $11.25; sexton, $52; Sabbath school, $50. Four members of the church gave a total amount of $251 for the endowment fund of Franklin College during 1914.

The Liberty church was first a member of the Flat Rock association, but in 1850, it united with the Sand Creek association. During the twenty-three years preceding 1850, the church admitted one hundred and three persons to membership. Of that number, eleven have been excluded, and of the members in 1850, there are two still living. In the last twenty years the church has admitted two hundred and twenty-three to membership. In the spring of 1912, Rev. S. G. Huntington conducted a revival, which brought twenty-nine new members into the church. The total membership at the present time is two hundred and eighteen.

Salem Baptist Church

The Salem Baptist church was estabHshed on the third Saturday of February, 183 1, at the home of John S. Rutherford, one and one-half miles northeast of i\lilford. The constituent members \\ere : Ruchard and Fannie Johnson, James and Elizabeth Dunn, James and George M. O'Laughlin, Mathias and Margaret Mount, Thomas and Elizabeth Jones. The first house of worship was erected in 183 1, and this remained in use until 1888, when the present building was erected. It was remodeled in 1909, and is now provided with all the modern improvements. The church property is valued at three thousand dollars.

The ministers include the following: John Pavy, J. W. B. Tisdale, W. E. Spear, James Pavey, J. W. Potter, A. A. Downey, W. A. Pavey, Alonzo Aspy, T. A. Aspy, J. A. Pettit, J. F. Huckleberry, Noah Harper, E. C. J. Dickens, M. C. Welch, L. T. Root, D. P. Liston, D. P. Odell, R. H. Kent, H. W. Clark, C. B. Jones, and A. A. Kay, the present pastor. The clerk is F. L. Sasser, who furnished all the data for the history of the church. The church now has a membership of two hundred. A Baptist Young People's Union was organized in 1914.

Greensburg Baptist Churches

According to the early records, the Greensburg Baptist church was founded in 1841, by the Rev. Joshua Currier, of Connecticut, sent here by the American Baptist Home Mission Society. Prior to his coming, the Greensburg Baptists held membership in some of the older churches of the denomination in the county. The missionary was a thrifty New Englander and both he and his wife were well endowed with those attributes necessary for success in this particular field.

From their hillside home on the left of the present entrance to South Park cemetery they worked, taught and visited for seven years. The church was organized July 17, 1841, with eighteen members and united the following month with the Flat Rock association. Eight members were added the following year, after which the new church only held its own until 1848, when, with thirty-three baptisms and twelve additions by letter, the number of members was raised to ninety-seven.

Just a little later it suffered a hea^-y loss through the removal of the pastor and several families to Iowa. The next minister was the Rev. M. B. Phares, a young college man, who served in 1849-50. Following him came

Ref. D. G. Heuston (1853-54), who was also a Franklin College man. During his pastorate, fire destroyed the meeting house. This building had been purchased of the Presbyterians, who had erected a new edifice. The pews of this church faced the doors and it was lighted with candles.

'For a time the congregation used the ofiice of Ezra Lathrop for business and prayer meetings. Occasional preaching services were conducted in other churches. Plans for rebuilding were laid at once, and the church was completed dui-ing the pastorate of the Rev. J. W. B. Tisdale (1856-59). The basement of the new church was occupied as soon as it was completed. Private schools were conducted in it for a time, the teachers being James Caffvn and Rev. J. W. Potter.

The new church was a two-story structure, with thick brick walls and heavy stone steps, with iron railings. It was lighted with kerosene and heated with two large sto\'es. Rev. Harry Smith was the pastor in i860, and was followed in 1861 by Rev. M. B. Phares, who had previously served the congregation.

During the anxiety and depression of the Civil War, when many of the able-bodied members of the congregation were at the front, the Greensburg church shared its pastor with the Sand Creek congregation. Re\-. Phares was unable to bear up under the consecjuent heavy labor and died before the war was o\-er. He lies buried in the Sand Creek cemetery.

Rew Ira C. Perrine, who was also a physician, served the church for a time and then retired on account of failing health. Upon his death, which took place soon after his retirement, the pulpit was supplied by a number of ministers until the coming of Rev. J. Cell, in 1864. He served for two years and was followed by Rev. L. D. Robinson, who remained for three years. During the latter's pastorate there were a number of inno\'ations introduced into the church, including the introduction of instrumental music, a choir, Christmas trees, church socials and other means of supplementing the regular church revenues. In this period the church membership was considerably augmented through additions by baptism and letter.

Rev. J. S. Green, who served the church as pastor for some time, absconded in 1870 after forging the signatures of a number of his parishoners. He was located in Portland, Connecticut, where he was working in a tinware factory. He had formerly preached in a Methodist church there vmder another name. He was kept in jail for a time, during which he impro\'ed his leisure by writing a series of letters to the newspapers.

ihe assistance of Rev. J. Cell, and the heart of the congregation turned to the former pastor, who was gladly recalled. He died after a few months' service and lies buried in South Park cemeteiy in Greensburg.

Rev. B. F. Cavons came in 1870, with his young bride, and remained for seven years, during which the church enjoyed a steady growth. The baptistry was constructed and other needed improvements added. Hitherto baptismal services had been held in Little Sand Creek, usually near Michigan avenue and Washington street.

The next pastor was Rev. W. E. Pritchard, who had been trained in Spurgeon's London college. He came to the church in 1881. A])out this time agitation was started for the erection of a new church or enlarging the old one. The church building then in use was twenty-five years old, and the congregation was much larger than at the date of its erection. No decision could be reached and the agitation continued throughout the pastorate of Reverend Pritchard and that of his successor. Rev. J. A. Kirkpatrick (1885-86).

Reverend Kirkpatrick devoted his energy to strengthening the body of the church and added many new members. During his ministry the fiftieth anniversary of the church was fittingly celebrated. During the tenure of his successor, Rev. D. W. Sanders, the church united on building plans, tore down the old building and erected the present structure, which was cleared of debt after several years of heroic efi'ort.

Rev. J. B. Thomas was the pastor in 1892, and was followed by Rev. W .W. Smith, who seiwed the church with zeal and industry for four years. In igoo Manford Schuk was called and ordained. He occupied the pulpit for a year and then left to continue his studies. His successor. Rev. H. W. Davis, served two years. The last four named were students at Franklin College and three of them spent their early life in the vicinity of Greensburg. During the pastorate of the Rev. Davis, the pipe organ was installed.

The next pastor was Kev. J. Heritage, another English-trained minister. While he was minister, Tvlrs. Joseph W}'nn presented the cliurch witli an individual communion set. He was followed in turn by Rew J. h- h'razer. Rev. J. F. Fradenburg, and Rev. J. AV. Clevenger, the present minister, who took the pulpit in 1914.

In its history of three-quarters of a century the Greensburg Baptist church has had twenty-four pastors, two of whom were recalled to the pulpit. There were times when the pulpit was filled by supplies, but, for the most part, services have been regular since the organization of the church.

burg and have added considerably to the power of the church. Among them have been Rev. J. W. B. Tisdale, S. M. Stimson, D. D. (for twenty-five years secretary of the Foreign Mission Society), Rev. T. J. Connor, Rev.

The first license to preach was granted by the Greensburg church to Thomas Edkinsom, one of the constituent members. Dyar M. Christy was gi\'en a license in the late sixties, and he preached until his death, twentyfive years later. E. Hez Swem, who was the third sent out, has spent a useful quarter of a century in Washington, D. C. Three ministers have been ordained by the church. Rev. Manford Schuk, Rev. William LeMasters and Rev. O. A. Bowman.

A few legacies have been left the church. Ezra Lathrop becjueathed it fifteen hundred dollars, and Mahalla Ragan and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wynn left it one thousand dollars. The church has been host to the Indiana Baptist state convention four times: 1861, 1868, 1878 and 1913. It has entertained delegates and messengers from the churches of the Flat Rock association three times, in 1866, 1889 and 1913.

The first clerk of the church was Jabez Edkins. Z. A. Withrow is reported as occupying that office in 1852. Among those who held the office during long terms of years were J. N. Shirk, F. C. Eddleman, R. T. Wright and C. W. AVoodward. Ezra Lathrop, George Fletcher, George Perrine, Isaac N. Shirk and Benjamin Bowers were among the early deacons. The following among others have served as church treasurer: Ebenezer Edkins, R. T. Wright, Everet Marsh, Charles Schuk, C. W. Woodward, Harrington Boyd and Hugh Taylor.

G. G. Welsh. Herbert West and William G. Bently. Mrs. Elizabeth Johnston was a loyal and efficient leader of the primary department for more than thirty years.

The Woman's Missionary Society was organized in 1877, with Mrs. Joseph Wynn as president, and women's prayer meetings have been a continuous feature of the life of the church. The early meeting places were the homes of Mrs. Abi Lathrop, Mrs. T. Edkins or Mrs. Fletcher. For a periad of ten years these meetings were held regularly at the home of Mrs. J. B. Wheatley.

Pleasant Baptist Church

The members of the Baptist church h\'ing in the southern part of Jackson township met at the home of James Blankenship on the third Saturday of February, 1835, and organized the Mt. Pleasant church. The constituent members had been attached to the Bear Creek church, in Bartholomew county, before this time. They numbered ten, as follows : William T. Stribbling, Achsa Stribbling, John Chambers, Elizabeth Chambers, John Graham, Eliza Graham, James Blankenship, Mary Blankenship, Mary Chambers and Catherine Eli. At the home of John Chambers the new church was reorganized by the council on February 28, 1835, Bear Creek, Mt. Moriah and Vernon being represented in the council. They worshipped in private homes for two years, and in 1837 erected a log church, which was supplanted in i860 by a brick building. The church has drawn her membership from a large territory, with Sardinia as her center. Among pastors of this church are the following: Chesley Woodward, William Vawter, John Pavy, Hiram Pond, John Stott, Ira Gleason, Albert Carter, F. M. Huckleberry, W. Y. Moore and J. C. Nicholson.

Dry Fork Baptist Church

The Dry Fork church was constituted in February, 1835, ^t the home of Enoch Garrison, with the following constituent members : John Patrick and wife, Enoch and Margaret Garrison, Elizabeth and Sarah Patrick, Susan Morgan, Rebecca Black and Eleanor Tazewell. For the first six years after the organization, the congregation held services in the homes of the members, and then built a rude log church. In 1852, a substantial frame structure was erected one-half mile south of Newburg in Jackson township. The pastors of this church include the following: A. Leach, John Vawter, James Blankenship, William Moore, G. W. Pavey, Evan Snead, G. W. Patrick, Absolom Pavey, James Pavey, Joab Stout, B. Denham, Hugh McCalip, \\'. E. Spears, F. M. Huckleberry, John W. Potter and Albert Carter. Dr\' Fork is the mother of the churches of Westport and Mt. Aerie (Letts).

Westport Baptist Church

Childers, Benjamin Childers, Elizabeth Childers, James Hamilton, John Buck, Lewis T. Scott. Catherine Shields, Susan Morgan and sixteen others, whose names have not been preser\ed. The formal organization was in charge of a council from Mt. Pleasant, Dr}' Fork and Sand Creek churches. A building, erected in 1852, is still in use. The pastors of the church include the following: Hiram Pond. G. \Y. Patrick, Joab Stout, Hiram Christie, J. W. Reynolds, G. W. Herron, Benjamin \\'^ilson, Jonathan Allee, W. E. Spear, John Waters, John Stott, J. C. Remy and A. A. Ka}'.

Rossburg Baptist Church

The Rossburg church was established on March i, 1851, by a council representing the churches of Pipe Creek, West Fork, Delaware and Napoleon. The charter members were as follow : James Alexander, W'illiam W. Hollensbe, John F. Hollensbe, James Updike, Andrew J. Martin, San ford Stapp, -Albert L Osborne, Rev. Sylvester Ferris and seven others. The ]3astors have been Sylvester Ferris, J. C. Perrine, Enoch Tilton, James ^V. Lewis, James M. Smith, C)bediah Martin, florace Wilson, Spear, Simms, Frank Level, J. \A\ Tisdale, George \\'. Bowers, Alexander Connelly and W. O. Beatty, the present pastor.

The Rossburg church, in its existence up to 191 5, perhaps had its palmiest days in the period from 1860 to 1890. It was during this period that George ^^'ashington Bower, who served the Rossburg church as pastor much of the time from 1864 until 1913, was in the vigor of life and action and the church in its youth and power. Since 1890, or thereabouts, a noticeable decrease in the activity of the church has come about due to the removal of many members and families from the church community and the age and feebleness of older members.

Since 1890, howe\'er, much excellent work has been done periodically at Rossburg and, continuing through this later period, many souls have been converted, under the ministry of Reverend Bower and others, to the Christian life; so that faithful hearts and hands have kept sacred to service the meeting house where once the pioneer pastor of the early day proclaimed the Gospel of truth, and where, at the memorable little pulpit, many an erring, though good and precious soul, was led forward, born again, into the new and true life of the Redeemer.

One of the older members of this church, writing of it in 1915, said : "In tlie period from i860 to 1-890 many a time, and many a time, have I seen such large crowds attend church services at Rossburg that all could not get in the church. That was especially so when Bower i)reached regularly there." But in the later period, when Bower continued to minister at Rossburg, the congregation had become scattered and many old familiar faces he had known, were absent. On one occasion when he preached there, not long before his death, in 1913, lie remarked in the course of his sermon, looking like the pictures of ^Mlittier, "Most of my congregation are out here," as he p(Mnted to the "silent city," with its "windowless palaces" there on the hill.

And so it was that to a large extent the life of George Bower became the life and history of the Rossburg Baptist church through a long period of time. Tlis life in his period with the church w^as an embodiment of the character and life of the church. By his sturdy, powerful preaching and honest example, many a person was led through baptism into the new and true life. He had much to do with the religious integrity of eastern Decatur county for half a century.

George \\'. Bower was born in Adams township, Ripley county, Indiana. September 29, 1836, and died on February 19. 1913. He received what education he had in the common schools and taught during eleven terms of common school. He married Nancy Miller, March 17, 1861, who was always a faithful helpmate in her husband's work at Rossburg. Mr. Bower was "born again" in February, 1864, and united with the Pipe Creek Baptist church. He was baptized by Rev. James M. Smith, March 16, of the same year. He was chosen superintendent of the Sunday school in March, 1864, and served in that position for three years. On July 27, 1867, the church licensed him to preach. He preached his tirst sermon on Sunday, December 16, 1866, at his home church, his text being John 3:14-15. He was ordained on December 27, 1868, by his home church, at the request of the Franklin church, at Pierceville, Indiana, which had called him as pastor for one-fourth time. His longest pastorate was at Rossburg and Pipe Creek churches. He preached at Elkhart for twenty years ; at Hogan Hill, thirteen years ; at Hopewell, seven years : Ingar Creek, six years ; Washington, six years ; and at other churches from one to four vears. He was a member of the Baptist state convention board for several years, when the members were elected by the associations.

A summary of his work fc.llows : Regular sermons preached, 5,675; funeral sermons, 478: whole number of sermons preached. 6.153: marriages solemnized, 204: number baptized, 588. He gave more time to Rossburg than to any other one church. Anyone who met him never failed to be impressed by his lofty, though kind and simple, puritan character: by his honestv, his integrity, his strength of will and his moral and spiritual power. His works live on and on in this church he serxed.

The officers of the church in 1915 were: Trustees, Alfred M. Hooten, Forest Higdon, David Martin; clerk, Mrs. Emma Gwinn; treasurer, Forest Higdon.