Delaware County, Indiana - Chapter 25: Church Organizations of Delaware County, 1908 (part 2 of 2)

The oldest members now living are: Mrs. E. F. Crossgrave, Mrs. Martha Signits, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Bell, Mrs. Jennie Mathews, Mrs. Mary Williams, Mrs. Louvcrnia Williams, Rev. and Mrs. George A. Porter, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac McDirmit, Mr. and Mrs. William Joseph, Mrs. Lilly Barnes, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Farrell. The pastors who have served the church are : Rev. David Tharp, Rev. C. A. Love,' Rev. F. M. Moore, Rev. Nettie Valentine, Rev. H. S. James, Rev. James B. Parsons, Rev. S. B. Ei D.D., Rev. J. W. Gibson, Rev. E. J. Scott, and Rev. G. E. Landen.

Sehna. This church, also known as Olive Branch U. B. Church, was organized in 1856. The first church home, erected in 1856 at a cost of $1,200, was used jointly by the United Brethren and Methodists, until the latter built their own church. The charter members were Henry Will, J. W. Dickover, John Birtsficld, Joseph Greenwalt, David Gunckle, W. J. Moore. The oldest members of the congregation now living are Matilda Birtsfield, Ed- ward Schull, Joliu Schull and wife, W. S. Dunkin and wife, Carl East and wife, Rev. P. E. Mott and wife, J. C. Barnes and wife, Lizzie Fclton, Grant Whitney and wife, Mrs. Grccnwalt, William Bcrgdoll and wife, Leslie Dickover. In 1X96 the society erected a pretty little church costing $3,500. The church is located in the northwest part of town, opposite the high school building, and on the Muucie interurban road.

The pastors who have served the congregation during the past fifty years have been: A. R. Day, Daniel Stover, J. M. Krabrick, C. B. Small, Abraham Rust, George Maddox, Joseph Dcmundrum, F. M. Moore, John W. Utslcr, M. O. Jarvis, C. E. Hunt, O. E. Evans, W. N. Slceth, Nettie Valentine, J. B. Parsons, J. Ernest Paddock, C. A. Love, E. J. Scott, George E. Landen. '

The history of this church as a United Brethren organization extends only to March 27, 1903, at which time the church building in Harrison township was sold to the Methodists of that vicinity for $250. The Methodists have repaired the structure at a cost of $500 and have since conducted services there, under the following ministers: Preston Polhemus, Clarence Hunt, Thomas A. Graham, C. M. Hollopcter, J. A. Ruby.

The Beech Grove U. B. Church was organized November 11, 1883. The members worshiped in schoolhouse No. 4 until 1888, when the church was built at a cost of $1,200. The charter members of the organization were : Alonzo and Lovina Morris, Thomas J. and Arminda Jackson, Isom and Emcline Wischart, Henry L. and Ellen Miller, Solomon and Malita McCormick, William F. and Anna Carpenter, Russell and Elsa Crammer, William and Annanda Cox, George and Elizabeth Shipley, Dica Jarret, Rebecca and Laura Ocker.

This church was organized in 1887, one mile south and one-half mile west of Eaton. The charter members were: Aaron Heft, Rebecca Heft, Henry Witamyre, Nancy Witamyre, Henry Isgrigg, Barbara Isgrigg, William Schweitzer, Mary Schweitzer, Henry Youncc, Margareth Younce. The oldest members now are: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Witamyre, Mrs. Aaron Heft, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. T. M. McKinley, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Frazee, Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Collins, Mr. and Mrs. William Bowman, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Cruea, Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Lewis, Mary Eller, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hoover, Mr. and Mrs. William Miller, Mr. and Mrs. O. V. Cruea, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hoover, Mr. and Mrs. James Sholtz, Mr. and Mrs. Everett McMahan.

The list of pastors: Rev. W. W. Summers, Rev. L. W. Ditch, Rev. M. S. White, Rev. E. D. Burnworth, and present pastor, Rev. C. C. Grisso. A. W. Evans, Secretary.

Tjii; Evangelical. First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Muncic. The preliminary meeting for organization of this society was held at the home of B. C. Bowman, February 27, 1889, at which time a constitution was adopted, and the following 15th of March a constitution was adopted and a council elected. The charter members were: B. C. Bowman, Joseph Prutzman, Isaac W. Sayler, Francis W. Koch, Joseph C. Mc- Alistcr, Virtic McAlistcr, James M. SchacfFer, Jerusha Kirkc, Allie Keller, John Cassell, C. E. H. Bowman, Amanda Prutzman, Emma Sayler, Amelia C. Koch. Mary J. McAlistcr, James M. SchacfFer, Matthias Xcff, E. A. Bowman, Mary Cassell. Of these all were living at the date of this information except Joseph Prutzman, Jerusha Kirke, Francis W. Koch, John Cassell. At the corner of Howard and Liberty streets a church building was erected and completed in June, 1890, costing about $4,000. The pastors who have served the congregation have been: Charles F. Steck, B. F. Crous, C. U. Larrick, C. R. Dunlap, G. B. Schmitt.

German Evangelical Church, Muncic. This society was organized October 10, 1894, the first members being: Henry Miller, Louis Edclmann, Charley Fickert, Philip A. Dctcrling, Martin Klopfcr, George Bundcl, R. Hartmann, Charles Gass, John Roger, John Langenbeck, Minnie Vogt, Mrs. Harbold, Conrad Davis. The church erected by this congregation cost $3,000, and the parsonage $1,000. The following pastors : Revs. Chumstone, Webber, Hohman, Katterjahn, Gabel.

Cross Roads Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1843 Rev. Irvine organized a joint Lutheran and Presbyterian congregation; a church was built on the line between Henry and Delaware counties; the Lutherans predominated and in 1848 Rev. S. Sayford organized the "Richwoods Evangelical Lutheran Church." In course of time a Sunday school was organized in the schoolhouse at Cross Roads and the congregations here were larger than in the old church, so in 1866 Rev. P. G. Bell organized a Lutheran church at Cross Roads; the old organization gave way to the new and in 1868 a new brick church was built at Cross Roads called "Richwoods Evangelical Lutheran Church," costing $2,900. The names of charter members: Jacob Bowers and wife, Andrew Bowers and wife, George Bowers and wife, Adam Wean and wife, Peter Shcetz and wife, Henry Sheetz and wife, Christian Sourwine and wife, Ephriam

IVurlin and wife, Barnct Gets and wife, David Bowers and wife, David Warner and wife. Mrs. Polly Stricklcr, Mrs. Mary Sayford, Christian Swigart and wife, Mrs. Dr. Boor, Mrs. Elizabeth Clcvcnger, Daniel Fultz and wife. The oldest members living are: Mr. John Morcland and wife, Mrs. Mary Cromer, Mrs. Harriet Blazer, Mr. Rush Cromer and wife, Mr. Luther Mowrey, Mr. Cyrus Van Matre. The pastors have been: Samuel Sayford, Peter G. Hell. J. H. Link, J. C. Myers. P. G. Bell, Adam Height, G. W. Enders, A. E. Wagner, W. H. Keller, J. B. Baltzley, E. W. Simon, C. F. Steck, G. G. Clark, J. M. Bramcamp, M. R. Mohler, E. G. Howard, E. C. Harris,' H. C. Stuckcnberg, Colver, William S. Tomlinson. present pastor.

Miscellaneous. Society of Spiritualists, Muncie. The Spiritualists were organized in Muncie in January, 1888. William Lynn was chosen president and Ed. Crossfield secretary of the society, and Hummell Hall was designated as the place of meeting. This notice of an early organization is obtained from a newspaper of that date, but the present society give the time of their organization as 1891, with the following as the first members : J. H. Mendenhall, A. J. Wilson, Mrs. Sarah J. Mong, J. W. Wittemyre, Augustus Baker, A. R. Mock, T. J. Lockwood, J. M. Best, L. H. Harper, Wallace Hibbits, J. J. Shields. The society have held their meetings in halls, and according to custom have had no regular ministers.

The Christian Scientists society at Muncie was organized November 2, 1899, with the following charter members: Mr. John D. Wood, Mr. Samuel Cecil, Mrs. Amelia Cecil, Mrs. Laura Dunn, Mrs. Alice Minnick, Mrs. Jean Davis, Mr. Thomas McShea, Mrs. Rowena McShea, Mr. Fred Ritter, Mrs. Elizabeth Ritter, Mr. William Pixlcy, Mr. Andrew Todd, Mrs. Ella Todd, Mr. Olen Todd, Miss Omole Todd, Mr. A. F. Scott, Mrs. A. F. Scott, Mrs. Anna Collis, Mr. Andrew Fulton, Mrs. Adda Fulton, Mrs. Augusta Anderson, Mr. Henry Cecil. The readers for the society have been: Mrs. Rowena McShea, Mr. J. D. Wood, Mrs. Jean Davis, Mr. Fred Ritter, Mrs. Elizabeth Ritter, Mr. Andrew Todd, Mrs. Rachel Conkling.

A tabernacle of the Gideon band was established in Muncie at the corner of Ohio avenue and Blaine street and first opened for services August 20, 1906. C. H. Stratton is the leader of the movement in Muncie. Star of Hope Mission.

This mission on South Walnut street, Muncie, was opened October 7, 1906, with the professed purpose of giving "the Gospel to the poor, lift up the fallen, bring back the erring ones and point sinners to Christ." It is a non-sectarian and chiefly voluntary organization. Salvation Army of Muncie. In the chronological record will be found some notice of the. early meetings of this organization. It was once in disfavor in Muncie, as in fact in most places, until its objects and the great charity accomplished by the Army became better understood. Of course the Army has no definite organization and regular membership like the other churches, and no history can be given. Some of those who have longest been identified with the work in Muncie are Mr. and Mrs. High, Mr. and Mrs. Keys, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.