Dubois County, Indiana - Chapter 5: Churches and Religions, 1896

Chapter 5: Churches and Religions

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was the first to appear upon the frontiers in Dubois County, Im 1818, that denomination began holding services in this county. Perhaps the first was at Shiloh Camp Meeting ground, said by some to have been in the Josiah Risley settlement in section 35, southwest of Ireland. At any rate, it was the fore-runner of the present Shiloh in Madison township. This is considered the second church organization of the C. P. denomination in the state of Indiana. One thing is sure, and that is, that the Presbytery for Indiana was organized at Portersville, Tuesday, April 18, 1S26, and its fourth meeting was held at Shiloh Church, October 2, 1S27.

When Jasper became the county-seat a C. P. church was built of logs, later a frame one was built, which was torn down, in 18S6, and the timbers became a part of i> dwelling house on "Little Round Top" at Jasper.

"The Diocese of Vincennes," a history by Rev. H. Alerding, says that in 1834, only two or three Catholics were found at Jasper. Rev. St. Palais visited the congregation. Services were held on the banks of Patoka River, later on lot No. 118, in the town of Jasper. In 1840 and 184 1, the first brick church was built in Jasper. It is now used as a parochial school and for music and lecture rooms. It was built before the court house, and by the same man, Rev. Joseph Kundeck, mention of whom is often made in our little book. At Huntingburg Catholic services were first held October 20, 1859; at Ferdinand, April 33, 1840; at Celestine, in 1842 ; at St. Anthony about i860; at St. Henry,

History And Art Souvenir German Evangelical Salems Church, Huntingburg

The Lutheran Church has some of the finest buildings in Dubois County. For the number of church buildings in the county, Huntingburg comes first. For large congregations Jasper and Ferdinand lead.

services were often held at the residence of some settler. The minister came once in four weeks. He began services at 4 p. m. on Thursday in summer, and at night, during winter. The sermons were noted for being "lengthy and powerful." The entire Bible constituted the text. The male members of the congregation always took their dogs and guns with them. The guns were stacked, and while the minister preached, the dogs fought, sometimes

M. E. Church And High School. Jasper

Originally, (1840) St. Joseph's Church. Here Jasper College was also founded in 1889. The building leading out to the right is the parsonage of St. Joseph's Church.

indoors; at other times about the grounds surrounding the "meeting house " If the fight became too general, the preacher would stop until the men restored order, and each man returned and held his dog until the close of the sermon. No more of this is seen now.

Dubois County has many fine churches and church properties whose total value is estimated at $1,000,000. x\t present there are fifty churches in the county.