Fayette County, Indiana - Chapter 16, 1917 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 16

The religious life of Fayette county spans a period of more than a century, and during these years scores of churches have come into existence representing fourteen different denominations. The religious history of this county is not unlike that of all other counties in the southern part of the state ; many of the churches which (ince boasted of flourishing congregations have long since disappeared, and some others have practically been discontinued.

When it is taken into consideration that there were more people living in the rural districts of Fayette county in 1840 than there are today, an explanation may be seen for the disappearance of these rural churches. With the abandonment of most of the churches there also disappeared their records and for this reason it is difficult to trace their history wuth any degree of accuracy. This county, like all other counties in the southern part of the state, formerly had what were known as union churches, that is, a building erected bj' the people of the community for the use of any denomination which might care to occupy it.

The first denominations to establish congregations in the county were the Methodists and the Baptists and both denominations had secured a foothold in the county before it was organized in 1S19. The Methodists have had no less than twenty-two different churches in the county, while the Baptists have had at least twelve distinct church organizations. These two denominations had the field to themselves until about the middle of the twenties, when the Presbyterian church made its first appearance in the county. The Christian church came in before the close of this decade. These four denominations - Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians and Christian.s - represented practically the only Protestant denominations up to 1850.

In the early part of the fifties the Lutheran church made its appearance, following immediately after the first influx of Germans to the county. Later came the Universalists, United Firethren, Episcopalians, Seventh-Day Ad\'entists and the Pentecostal church of the Xazarene. Mention should be made of the Society of Friends, which had a church organization for a sliort time in the cmiiity. It was located in tlie extreme eastern part of Jackson townsliip (section 23). hut tlie most difficuU research lias failed to disclose just when it was estahlished or wlien it was ahandoned. Tt is known, however, that it disapjieared many years hefore the Civil War.

There is only one Catholic church in the comity and it is found in the county seat. It dates from 1844 and has had a continuous and prosperous existence since its organization. There is a Catholic church at Laurel in P'ranklin county, a few miles below the Fayette county line, and another Catholic church at Cambridge City in Wayne county, just north of Fayette county. Both of tliese churches have members in b'ayette county.

The early liistor\- of AletlKKlism in I*"a}-ette county is \er_\- obscure owing to the fact that there were no regularly organized congregations, but only "classes", as they were then called. It was not until the early twenties that the population was sufficient to warrant the establishment of a church with a definite organization. Rev. David Sharpe. who traveled the White Water circuit in 181 3, has left the liest account of the early history of the church as it existed in the count} at that time. The old account, which also carries with it the history of his whole circuit, is here gi\-en in full:

Mr. Sliiirpe began his work at Brookville, and preached there his first Sunda.v. from there on Monday to Williams' on Deer Creek: Tuesda.v. to Dryson's tilock-house, about four miles below Laurel: Wednesday, to Robert's block-house: Tuesday, to Jlontgomery'.s, in Wayne county; Friday, at Moflitt's, on the east fork of White Water; Saturday, in Hugh Cull's neighborhood: Sunday, at .John Meek's, on the east side of the East Kork of White Water; Jlonday, in the court house in Xew Salisbury; Tuesday, at Hardy Cain's; Wednesday, at Abijah Cain's; Thursday, name of place forgotten; Friday, at Eaton, Treble county, Ohio; Saturday, si.x miles north of liiton-; Sunday, at Widow Sharpe's, on Twin Creek; Monday, at Stepheus', fonr miles south of Eaton; Tuesdaj-, at Hanna's. on Hanna's Creek. Indiana ; Wednesday, at Xott's, west of the East Fork on White Water; Thur.sday, at .Tones' school hou.se; Friday, at Bright's. eight miles above Brookville ; Sunday, at .Johnson's, on the West Fork, four miles above Brookville: Sunday, in the school house in Brookville.

There was no jjreaching at that time at "t'onnersville Sr.it ion." Iiul lie pivmcIumI occasionally at Mr. Tharpe's. near the river, about one .ind one-lialf miles above Connersville.

That the early citizens of the village of Connersville were not very religi')usly inclined may be judged from the following extract taken from a letter of a pioneer preacher. "The proprietors and first settlers of Conncrs-

\'ille were skeptics on religion, and it was a hard place for any Evangelical religious influence. The towns of Center\'ille and Brook\ille were much in advance of Connersville in Methodist societies."

The Connersville District

Fayette county is in the second, or Connersville district, of the Southern Indiana Methodist Conference. At the present time there are thirteen churches in the county, t\vo of which are independent charges, the others being attached to circuits of two or more churches. The following table compiled from the last report of the conference, shows all the Methodist Episcopal churches of Fayette county, except the two colored branches of the church at Connersville.

The Alain Street Circuit (Connersville) also includes the Mt. Pleasant church of Union county: the Everton circuit includes Ouakertown, in Union county; the Falmouth circuit includes Raleigh, in Rush county; while the Brownsville circuit includes Brownsville, Woods Chapel, Boston and Locust Grove, all in Union county. The thirteen Methodist churches of Fayette county have a total membership of 2.376.

The I'irst ^Icthodist Episcopal church at Connersville traces its l)eginning tii the time when the first Methodist class met in the \illage at the home of Robert Swift. .\s Swift settled here in 1818 it is likely that the meeting was held in the same year. Rev. John Havens, a local preacher, formed a circuit in 1S21 in which was included the village of Connersville and was styled the Conners\ille circuit, which became a member of the conference the following year. Rev. James Murray was appointed to the circuit in r822 and in the following year was succeeded by Rev. .\aron Wood. When Re\erend Wood Ijegan his labors on tlie circuit the Cnnnersville societ}' was composed of eight women and two men.

In 1825 preparations were made for the erection of a church building. .A site was procured from John McCormick, Sr., on the south side of Fourth street between Water street and Eastern avenue. The deed bears the date of November 8, 1825, and was made to the trustees of the church, the same being Joshua Mclqtosh, Thomas Hinkson, David Melton. Isaac \\^iod and "(26)

Charles Donovan. During the following summer a brick building twentytwo by thirty-two feet was erected and it thus became the first edifice dedicated to God as a place of public worship in the village. Continuous service was held in this building until 1,840, wlien it was supi)lanted by a much more modern structure on the same site. The congregation worshiped in this church thirty-two years at the end of which time it was sold to the German Presbyterian congregation. Serx'ices were then held in the court house until in January, 1873, when the congregation took possession of the Grand Opera House which they had purchased in December, 1872, at a cost of sixteen thousand dollars.

In 1848 the church was divided and two societies were formed, one remaining in the old church and the other located on ^\'estem avenue. A church building was built by the later societ}- and the two congregations became the heads of two circuits known as the East and West Connersville circuits. The societies were made into .stations in 1850 and 1851 and continued as such for three years.

In 1853, Rev. S. T. Gillett became the presiding elder of the district. He and the ministers were of the common opinion that the two churches should be consolidated and under their management the union was effected and ratified by the bishop at the next session of the annual conference. The pastors who served the church on Western avenue were Rev. F. W. White, 185 1 : Rev. Jacob Whiteman, 1852, and Rev. E. D. Long, 1853. The pastors of the eastern charge during the same time were Rev. J. B. Lathrop, 1851; Rev. Tewis Dale, 1852, and Rev. Joseph Colton, 1853.

In 1889 and 1890 the beautiful church edifice, located on Central a\-enue and Eighth street, was erected at an approximate cost of forty thousand dollars. The pastor at that time was Rev. R. Roberts and the building committee consisted of the following: William Newkirk, J. H. Riley, L. T. Bower, N. W. Wright, L. J. Edwards, J. A. Sargent, Charles Roehl, A. E.

The site of the present parsonage of the First Methodist church was formerly occupied as the family burying ground of General McCarty. After making preparations to lea\e Connersville for the West, (jeneral McCarty deeded the site to the trustees of the Methodist church, with the proviso that they should build a church over the bodies of his children. The offer was accepted and a church Iniilding was erected. The buildingwas a low, one-story structure, with the floor laid on the ground. The building was entered through two front doors, one for the men and the other for the women. As the congregation grew and prospered the limits of the church were outgrown and a new site was very much desired. Howe\'er, according to the provisions of the deed, the property was to revert to the McCarty heirs in case the site was abandoned as a church. But this matter was satisfactorily arranged during the pastorship of Rex-erend Ro1)erts, tlie heirs giving a quit claim to the property.

The church projDerty includes the stone church, the sexton's residence and the parsonage, and is probably worth $60,000 to $70,000. The Sundayschool has an average attendance of over 600. E. V. Hawkins, the superintendent, has done long )'ears of efficient work in building up and maintaining this branch of the church. He has been ably assisted by John E. Page, assistant superintendent, and Charles C. Hull, teacher of the Men's Bible class, which has an average attendance of over 150 men.

In tlie year 1S88 three young women. Misses Rose Lilie, Hattie Piper, and Anna Elmendorf, became interested in the many children on the East side and organized a Sunday scliool. Tlie)' desired the use of tiie school house in which to hold their sessions, but for some reason their request was denied, although the law would iiave lieen on their side. They did not ])ress their claims, as William T. McEerren gave them tlie use of a Ijuilding whicii stood on the rixer bank south of the bridge. Here the school grew to number about one hundred and thirty members. The building was on a temporary foundation and so open that hogs would congregate under it and their squealing seriously interfered with the work of the school. Others liecame interested and Herman Fuchs, a Lutheran, gave the ground for a church building. Several of the different denominations of the city assisted in building a house to be used as a community ciiurch. The project looked well on the sur- face, as all such church enterprises look, but it ended as all such organizations usually do. A Reverend Mr. Herch, the pastor of the First Presbyterian church, endeavored to bring the factions together. He was a man of gentle spirit and had some success. The deed was made by Herman Fuchs and Eliza h^ichs. his wife, to the trustees of "East Connersville Chapel," August 12, 18S9, "for church purposes only," and with the proviso: "In case there are no church services, Sabbath school or prayer meeting held in the building to be erected for a period of five years, the said real estate should revert to the said grantors." The trustees of East Connersville chapel were men of different denominations; no more than two from any one denomination could be allowed on the board. The trustees arranged with a Mrs. Ayers, wife of the Methodist pastor at Arlington, to hold a revival meeting and several professed conversion. Her husband came to do the baptizing. Among the candidates were some who desired to be immersed. This the preacher did, caught pneumonia and died. As the enterprise was not fulfilling th.e dream of the organizers they held a meeting on March 3, 1892, and instructed the trustees "to di.spose of the property to some religious organization recognizing the best interests of the people," the vote standing forty-eight in favor and five against. Se\en days later the property was deeded to the Methodist Episcopal church, and the trustees of the newly organized East Connersville Methodist Episcopal church, Charles E. Grubb, William G. Thomas, William T. McFerren, Ed. A. Enos, and A. J. Faurote, assumed the indebtedness of the old organization. In diie time this was paid. In 1896, under the pastorate of Rev. John T. Jones, the building was remodeled along modern lines at a cost of three thousand one hundred dollars. The church with its country members supports a resident pastor, Sabbath school, senior and junior Epworth Leagues, a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and has a flourishing Ladies Aid Society. The present pastor is F. M. Westhafer, A. M.

The Methodist Episcopal church at Columbia was organized in 1822 and became a part of the Connersville circuit the same year. The church was the outgrowth of a class composed of Rev. Charles Hardy, Sr., and his family, with others whose nanies are not now obtainable. Their first place of \\(irship was a school house, which stood about half way down the hill on the north side of the road in the village of Columbia. Later, in 1838- 1839, a church was built west of the present residence of Noah Hood. The present church building was erected in 185 1 by Rev. Hugh Compton, Noah

Heizer and Daniel Hall. The bniklino- was repaired in 1894 and remodeled in 1908. At one time Columbia was the head of the circuit and the frame church that stands on the lot west of the church was the parsonage.

The church was lirst a charoe on the Conners\-ille circuit, later being changed to the Columbia circuit, .\niong the pioneer preachers were Rev. .Mien \\'iley, James Ha\ens, and James Coiiwell. Reverend Griffith became the pastor in 1844, and was succeeded in the following year by Rev. D. A. Robinson and Rew Thomas Crawford, Columbia then being on the "doulilc circuit." .After Columbia became the head of the circuit the following early pastors served it: Rev. Jacob Miller, 1851-1852; Rev. VV. Dole, 185-'- 1853: Rev. James Barnes, 1854-1855: Rev. Jesse Tasoner, 1856-1857; Rev. George P. Jenkins. 1858-1859: Rev. B. F. Gatch, i860; Rev. Patrick Carlin, 1861; Rev. Isaac N. Tomlinson, 1862: Rev. T. B. Carey, 1863-1864. These were followed by Rev. Thomas Williams, Rev. D. C. Benjamin, Rev. Landy Havens, Rev. James McCaw and Re\'. John W. JNIellender. The following presiding elders have administered to this church: Rev. Allen Wiley, Rev. Enoch G. Wood, Rev. John \\'. Locke, Re\'. F. S. Holliday, Rev. Samuel T. Gillett, Rev. John W. Mellender, Rev. John Tevis, Rev. James A. Sargent, Rev. Charles Tinsley. Rev. E. L. Dolph. Rev. F. .\. Hester, Rev. C. C. Edwards, Rev. F. S. Tincher, Rev. E. B. Rawles, Rev. V. W. Tevis and Rev. C. E. Bacon.

In connection with the church is a lively Sunday school and a Ladies Aid Society. The church is now associated with the Main Street church. Connersville, and Rev. F. M. Westhafer is the pastor.

The colored Methodists ha\e met with more or less regularity since 1844. Their pastors have been connected with the Lexington conference and have many of them been capable men; particularly can this be said of Rev. E. A. White, twice elected to the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. The membership is about 125 and Rev. Singleton is in charge. The church has recently spent several thousand dollars improving the property owned since 1872. A comfortable parsonage is also owned.

The first Methodist society in Waterloo township and one of the first in the county, was that out of which later grew Robinson's chapel. Just when the society was organized cannot be ascertained, but it was several years before the formation of tlie Connersville circuit in 1822. As far back as history can be traced the original class was an appointment along with Waterloo, a class at John Ouinns, Brownsville, Bethel, Alquina, Veatches (Mt. Garrison) and others farther south. The old White Water circuit was formed in 1806 or 1807 and in all probability the society was a part of this circuit. A house of worship was built sometime between 1820 and 1830 and was replaced by the present church building in 1845.

The follo\\ing list contains the names of the earlier preachers who traveled the old White Water circuit and the circuits growing out of it, on which Robinson's chapel was an appointment: Bigelow and Gatch, 1823; Everhart and White. 1824; Stephens and Griffith, 1825; Havens and Jones, 1826; Havens, 1827; Hitt and Scott, 1828; Thompson and Robinson, 1829; Havens and Smith, 1830; Taylor and Kimball, 1831 ; McReynolds and Dailey, 1832; Tarkington and Griss, 1833; Bonner and Robins, 1834; McReynolds and Harris, 1835; Burwick and Stallard. 1836; Phelps and Kiger, 1837; Beswick and Hartie, 1838: Beeks and Kelso, 1839; Kig'er and Landy Havens, 1840.

Among the organizations of the church are a good Sunday school, Epworth League, a Woman's Home Missionary Society and a Queen Esther circle. The present membership of the congregation is seventy-five.

Alquina Aietiiodtst Episcopal Church

The Methodist Episcopal church at Alquina is one of the pioneer reHgious organizations of the county. The exact date of organization is not known, but the society was probably the outgrowth of a class that was formed prior to 1820. In all probability the society was officially organized about 1825. In 1828 the congregation was a part of the \^'hite \Vater circuit and remained as such for many years. Among the early members were the Darter, Jones and Mills families.

The original church building was built in the early thirties and was a log structure, twenty-four by thirty-four feet. As the society grew and prospered the log church was outgrown. A new frame Ixiilding- was liegun in tlie spring of 1858 and was decHcated on August 8 of that same year.

The Methodist Episcopal church at Orange iiad its origin in a class that was organized in 1822 hy Rev. J<ihn Ha\'ens, a local preacher, at the home of Judge Gregg, one luile west of the village of Fayetteville (now Orange). The class was comj^osed of the following: Judge Gregg and wife, Samuel Rounds and wife, Noah Dawson and wife, Mrs. Sarah George, Hugh Wilson, Thomas Dawson', John Merrick, Sr., and John 'Merrick. Jr. Prior to tlie erection of a building in Fayetteville in 1838, meetings were conducted in a wagon shop Owned by John Merrick. The first church was used until 1872, in which year a new edifice was erected at a cost of three thousand dollars.

In the beginning the church was an appointment on the Conners\-ille circuit and remained as such until the formation of the Columbia circuit in 1 85 1. Later it became a charge on the Glenwood circuit and still remains as such. Rev. Daniel Ryan is the pastor and the membership is about fifty.

' A sufticient number of ^Methodists settled in Jackson township during the earl}- days to establish the Mt. Zion Methodist church. Among the early settlers who were instrumental in forming a Methodist church were John Plummer and wife. Noble Ladd and wife, ^Michael Bash and wife, John Williams and wife, David ^^'illiams and wife. Miles H. Larimore and wife, the Silveys and.Eskews. The site of the graveyard and church was donated by John Plummer. In the course of time additional burial ground was needed and a two-acre tract was deeded to the church by Basil Roberts.

The first church house was a hewed log structure that was built about 1820, and was used as a place of worship until destroyed by fire about 1836. Soon afterward a new edifice Avas erected by Alfred Shaw. Until 1835 Mt. Zion was an appointment on the old White Water circuit, which at that time included nearly twenty preaching places.

congregation is now an appointment on the Everton circuit and the pastor is Rev. E. A. Hartsaw. Tlie present membership of tlie cinn'ch is seventyseven.

Bunker Hill Methodist Episcopal Church

Rehgious services were first held at Bunker Hill by the Baptists. On September 22, 1832, a deed to fifty-three one-hundredths of an acre of ground, where the church now stands, was made to Avery Gates, Isaac Travis and Charles Henderson, trustees, by Calvin Smith and Deborah Smith, his wife; consideration twenty-five dollars. After a time the Bap- ':ists ceased their work there leaving the church to an\- denomination that would continue the work for the good of the community. The Disciples of Christ took up the work for a time and abandoned it. After this Rev. Thomas H. Hench, pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Connersville, frequently preached for the people there, but did not organize a society. The work seems to have been, during these years, that of a community church, for most part, and resulted as such religious work usually does - bore poor fruit, from lack of system and Organization. Later the Methodists got permission to carry on the work, repaired the building and had a reopening. The Presbyterian preacher, who had made many friends among the people, was invited to speak on this occasion. He said he had set Presb3'terian eggs, but they had hatched out Methodists. For awhile this church was on Columbia circuit, later with Falmouth circuit. The early ]\Iethodists were Washington M. Michener and Eliza, his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bundrant and "Grandmother" Derrickson, who always "testified," to the pleasure and profit of all who heard her. Following these the \york was continued by Josephine Michener, Mary B. (Michener) Burris, now of Indianapolis, Edwin Michener, Abraham Michener, Ella (Michener) Davis, Oscar Michener, Effie (Michener) Ouyle and her husband, L. E. Quyle, C. L. Tate and others, who started early in the work and are continuing patiently. Bunker Hill Methodist Episcopal church is now connected with Main Street, Con- - nersville circuit. Rev. F. AI. Westhafer is the pastor.

Wiley Chapel Methodist Church

Wiley Chapel Methodist church was the outgrowth of a class organized during the early settlement of the county. The charter membership of the society included the families of the following: John Hawkins, Joshua Wallace, Robert Fielding, Andrew Moffett, John Moffett, Sr., Thomas

Moffett, John Rees. Steplien Kees, James Moldeii and Tiatl Molden. For many years the society owned no Ijiiikhng- but held services at the home of Thomas Moffett. Later, Sunday scliool and church serxices were held in a building formerly used as a store room, which was owned ])y Moffett. Finally a chapel was built b>' John Moffett in 1S44, which lias been remodeled twice since that time.

Among' the early ministers connected with the church were the l\e\-erend Stone. Re\'. John Winchester, Rew \\'illianison Terrell, Rew John Locke, Re\-. George Smith, Rew G. P. Jenkins. Re\-. Samuel T. Gillett, Rew Isaac N. Tonilinson, Rev. B. V. Gatch, Rev. S. S. McMahan and Rev. J. R. Soured. For many years the congregation was a charge on the Falmouth circuit but at a recent conference it was placed in the care of the Main Street (Connersville) circuit. The present membership of the congregation is twenty-three. Although Rev. F". M. ^^'esthafer is the pastor in charge, he is assisted in his work by Rev. Phares Di Ball.

Li the earl_\- fifties a .Methodist society at F^verton erected a small frame editice, which was used until both congregation and building became so weakened as to be abandoned. Prior to this meetings were held in the village without res]ject to denomination, hut finally resulted in the organization of a regular church society which in the course of time became a Methodist congregation.

In 1889 ]Mrs. Rebecca Lake donated two acres ior church and cemetery purposes and in the same year the present building was erected. V.. R. Lake donated an additional acre for cemetery purposes a short time afterward. The last report of the church shows a membership of one hundred and thirteen. The present pastor is Rev. E. .-\. Hartsaw.

Abandoned Methodlst Churches

A Methodist class was formed three miles southwest of Alquina prior to 1820, but no organization was formed until about 1825. F'or many years services were conducted at the homes of the meml^ers and very often at the home of James Worster, whose father was the first Methodist minister west of the Allegheny mountains.

The first church building was the usual log structure and was rather small, being about twenty by twenty-seven feet. The lot for the building was given by John and Samuel Huff. This building- satisfied the needs of the congregation for many years, but in the course of time a frame addition Avas made to the log structure, making the building thirty-six by forty-five feet in size. The families who were instrumental in the organization and maintenance of the church were the Veatches, the Worsters, Eyestones and Millners.

Tl'Li.Is Chapel Methodist Church

The Tullis Ghapel Methodist church was another one of the Methodist churches organized at the time of the institution of the Coimersville circuit in 1822. At that time a class was meeting at the home of a man by the name of Hinkson, located in the southern part of Connersville township. Among the early members were John Hinkson and wife, Susan Hinkson, Anna Reagan, William Harrall, Mrs. Roberts, George Hinkson and wife, and John Grace, the latter of whom was leader of the class. About 1836 the society erected their first church building, which was constructed of brick and was used until about 1861 or 1862.

The site of the old church and graveyard was donated by Henry Tullis. The site of the later church was deeded to the congregation by John Messersmith. The congregation ceased to exist many years ago.

One of the early religious societies in Orange township was that of the Methodists. Services were held in school houses and in the homes of the members until about 1837, when a small building was erected in the southern part of the township. The society existed until about 1875, when, on account of natural and usual circumstances, the organization was abandoned and the building was sold to Alexander Matney.

Quite a large number of the early settlers in Posey township were Methodists and it was they who formed the first religious body within the township. Meetings were conducted in the homes of the members, who, in the beginning, included Dower, Hardin, Miller, Wilson and a few other families. Among the later members were Thomas Stiles and' wife, George Patterson and wife and John Eyestone and wife. The society was included in the Connersville circuit, which only recently had been formed, and was a very large one. The appointment remained on the Connersville circuit foi" many years hut later became a part of the charges along the western part of the county.

and a half southwest of Bentonville. Later tlie congregation IniiU a frame house at Bentonville, but this was tinally disposed of to the township and was converted into a public hall. The society is no longer in existence.

For twenty-five years or more prior to the Civil War, there existed a Methodist congregation which worshipped at a log church that stood on the ground later occupied by the English Lutheran denomination in the northern part of Jackson township. The society exerted a great deal of influence during the early period, but gradually passed out of existence because of deaths and removals. The ground upon which the old log house stood was donated by the few remaining Methodists, about 1863, to the English Lutheran denomination, which completed a frame church there in 1865. The first congregation was styled the Union Methodist Episcopal church and among those identified within early organization were Basil Roberts and wife, Isaac Updyke and wife, P. Silvey and wife, George Talbot and wife, Nathan Aldridge and wife, and ,\mos Noah and Nicholas Pum- ])hre}' and their wives.

During the early forties the Methodists built a small lueeting-house on the land of James Mount in the northwest quarter of section 33, Connersville township. Services were held there for many years by the Methodists, and later by other denominations, but all traces of the building have long been erased.

The first Methodist congregation in the township that was included in the Connersville circuit was at the home of the grandfather of Thomas Hinkson. The size of the society was very small, in 1823 consisting of Grandfather Hinkson and wife, Thomas Hinkson and wife, Mrs. Basil Roberts and daughter and Merrill Williams.

Baptist Churches

The Baptists were the first to establish churches in Fayette county and as early as 18 14 there were three definite congregations in existence in the county: Franklin church, located just below NuUtown ; New Bethel, which now stands at the edge of the village of Lyonsville in the northern part of Jennings township, and Lick Creek, the first branch of which was established a short distance south of the village of Harrisburg. Of these three churches the one located at Lyonsville is still in existence, and has had an unbroken history of nearly one hundred and three years^ - the oldest church organization in the county, and one of the oldest in the state.

ized there have heen eleven different Baptist churches organized in the county, and of these seven are still in existence. In the forties there was a schism in the Baptist communion, a schism which extended to nearly all the Baptist churches of the United States, and this resulted in the formation of new churches by those who seceded from the parent church. So many years have passed since those troublesome times of the forties that the causes of the dissension which disrupted so many of the churches have been nearly forgotten. Tiie main facts in the matter seem to be substantially as follows:

In the confusion arising from the use of a multiplicity of local names it is extremely difficult to define the distinction between the several branches of the church. There were Softshells and Hardshells, Means and Anti- Means, I'rimitive and Missionary (Free-Will), Close Communion and Open Communion, New School and Old Schdol, and other names, some of them applied in derision - all of which were in current use in the forties and many years later.

These different names were often applied indiscriminately, but in reality there were but two marked divisions of the church - the Primitive, or Anti- Means, and the ^Missionary, or Means. Questions of church discipline and management, of music in the church, of Sabbath schools, of the character of ministerial call, were responsible for the dissension. Those who beheved in a divinely called ministry for the edification of the saved, were denominated Hardshells. or Anti-Means, while those who softened the predestination dogma considerabl\- were the ^Missionary Baptists. The question of secret societies was also a frec^uent cause of trouble.

Both branches are still represented in Fayette county in 191 7. As far as is now known there have been only two branches which have called themselves Missionary Baptists. One was located about a mile west of Bentonville, but disappeared before the Civil War ; the other is still in existence. It is the Twelfth Street church at Connersville, locally known as the First Baptist church. There are still three branches of the Primitive Baptists in existence, the Village Creek church, located about a mile and a half southeast of Connersville; the second, known as the Williams Creek church, is in the northwestern comer of Harrison township, and the Lyonsville church. The Regular Baptists are represented by two congregations, the North Lick Creek and East Connersville churches. Another branch of the Baptist church, the German Baptists, usually called Dunkarcls, or Dunkers, is represented by a church in Waterloo township.

First Baptist Church At Connersville

The First Baptist church at Coiinersville was formally organized (ju March 12, 1899, with the following- charter members: H. T. Thomas and wife, Cora Thomas, S. D. Lynch and wife, L. D. Worden and wife, L. J. Stiff and wife. Claire Stiff, Buelah Stiff, Mrs. Minnie Watson. G. L. Huxtable and wife, W. C. Seward and wife, Mrs. Alice Jordan, Ola Jordan, Mrs. Lida Swain and R. B. Fowler and wife. Most of these charter members were former members of the North Lick Creek church. Rev. O. J. Redmon was the first regular pastor and he was succeeded by the following : Rev. C. L. Berry, Rev. H. E. Wilson, Rev. William Spencer, Rev. L. C. Bauer, Rev. S. A. Sherman. Rev. C. F. Dame and Rev. J. Leo Noland, the present pastor.

The congregation owns a frame building at the corner of Twelfth street and Grand avenue that was dedicated in March, 1900, at a cost of five thousand dollars; also a neat parsonage built in 1906 at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. The congregation has grown steadily since its inception and now has a membership of ninety.

Franklin Baptist Church

The original records of the Franklin Baptist church at Alpine show that it was formally organized on March 17, 1814, and thus it was one of the first churches to be organized within the limits of the county, if not, indeed, the first church. The church started out with twenty-three charter members, namely: Charles Scott, Archibald Guthrie. Rachel Guthrie, William Helm, Elizabeth Helm, Allen Cresler, Frances Cresler, John Conner, Polly Conner, Joshua Cregler, Sarah Cregler, David Gillam, Elizabeth Gillam, Polly Gillam, William Morgan, Sarah Morgan, Edward Webb, Polly Webb, John Webb, James Xewbouse, Eliza Newhouse and Hugh Brownlee. James Newhouse and David Conner were among the first ministers. The church was organized by Riders Lewis Deweese and William Tyner. of Cedar Grove, in Franklin county: Elder James Smith, of West Fork churcii. and Elder John Blades. .\s first constituted it was what was then known as an "Old School" Baptist churcli.

Meetings were held at the homes of the members until a building was provided. The first liuilding was erected of iiewed logs, and was a one-story structure with a gallery, .\lthough it appears from the records that it was not completed until 1817, yet it is known that services were held in the house a year or more before it was finished. For many years the pulpit was filled by ministers from neighboring churches, the congregation not being able to employ a regular minister. John Conner was made an elder in 1817 and, with James Newhouse, served the church until his death. Among the other early elders were David Conner, Madison Conner and William Sparks. Madison Conner was a regularly licensed minister, while William Sparks, althougli only an elder, preached regularly for the congregation for several years. The log church was abandoned in 1850 and a frame structure was erected within the village of Alpine. This remained the property of the congregation until November 29, 1898, when the only remaining trustees. B. F. Conner and George M. Newhouse, deeded it to John H. Gray, William Seal and Euphrates I. Chance, trustees of the Christian church of Alpine, which was organized in that year.

The history of the Franklin Baptist church at Alpine is the history of practically all the Baptist churches of southern Indiana in one respect. In 1845 the Baptists of the state became divided as the result of differences in regard to church polity - and there arose the "Old School" and "New School" Baptists. The definite schism in the Franklin congregation may be set down as occurring on June 30, 1840, although the separation had been pending for four or five years previously.

It was e\'idently the seceders who erected the new l:)uilding in Alpine, the new congregation being known as the Fayette Baptist church. This second congregation was organized on the above stated date with the following charter members : Elder Daniel Conner, H. D. Conner and wife, Mary Conner, Nancy Reed, Henry Morris, Corwin Millspaugh and wife, and Benjamin F. Carter. Daniel Conner was the regular minister of the church until his death. Other leaders were Elders Harvey Wright, Corwin Millspaugh. H. W. Conner and Benjamin F. Carter. Elder D. H. Conner is recorded as still preaching in 1885.

The history of the Baptists at Alpine from the time of the schism in 1849 on down to 1898 seems to be largely the history of the Fayette church. Year by year the congregation grew smaller and it became increasingly difficult to ha\'e regular services. The membership had practically disappeared by the nineties and with the purchase of the old frame building by the Christian church in i8q8. ihe Baptist church of Alpine concluded its history.

In the years 1813 and 1814 a number of the members of the Baptist church removed from the lower part of the White Water valley, chiefly from the Ijounds of Little Cedar Gro\e church in Franklin county, and ItKated on the west fork of White AN'ater river. They carried with them letters of dismissal, and on May 14, 1814, the following named persons met at the home of James Tyner and there formed an organization known as the Baptist Church of Jesus Christ : John Tyner, Forest Webb, James Tyner, Thomas Carter, Richard Kolb, William \Vebb, John Gilliam, Jehu Perkins, William Henderson, Jesse Webb, Robert Atkinson, Fannie Tyner, Katie Webb, Nancy Carter, Nancy Webb, Flizal>eth Perkins, Lear Webb, Martha Henderson and Rebecca Anderson.

In the following June a committee was appointed to secure a site for a church building, and subsequently a tract of land belonging to Forest Webb was chosen. It was decided by the congregation to construct a meeting house on the purchase in the s]>ring of 1816. This edifice was constructed of logs and was about thirt\- feet scjuare and contained a small gallery. This building served as a place of worship until 1833, when a brick structure thirty-five by fifty-five feet was erected. This building stood until 1882, when it was replaced by a neat and commodious frame structure.

Forest AA'^ebb and John Tyner were chosen deacons of the church early in 1814. For a time in the l)eginning the congregation was served by visiting elders, among these being James Smith and Stephen Oldham, as moderators. Later moderators of the early period were Forest Webl), John Tyner, John Caldwell, Isaac ]\Iartin, Lewis Johnson, ^^'illiam Miller and Elder Thomas.

Elder William Miller seems to have been ordained on June 3, 1820, as one of the first ministers. Later, along in the early part of the thirties, were John Sparks, Joseph ^Martin and Wilson Thomps(^n, all of whom served as pastors, the latter serving the congregation for a number of years, beginning early in 1835.

Controversies On Doctrinal Points

on points of doctrine finall}- arose, which terminated in a division of the church, occurring on April ii, 1846, at which time the membership was one hundred and twenty.

Out of this division grew two churches, which have been numbered among the strong rehgious societies of tlie count)'. Tlie division was not merely local, but extended beyond county and even association limits, and affected many of the "Old School" Baptist churches of this entire region of the country. Both branches of the Lick Creek church retained the name of the original church and each claims to be the old organization. The same can be said of the associations to which each belongs. For a time the two churches were styled the "Means" and the "Anti-Means," although these names were not countenanced by the congregations. For convenience one is herein termed the "South" church and the other the "North" church.

This branch, after the division, retained the church property and continued to worship in the old building until 1882, when a new edifice was erected. The regular minister of the old church at the time of the division was Elder Wilson Thompson (1846-63), who remained with those continuing worship in the same church. The membership of the old church, herein spoken of as the South church, after the division was about eighty-seven. Elder Thompson's successor was Elder George Harlan, who served the congregation three years. Harvey Wright followed in 1866, for a period of thirty-three years, or up to 1899. There was no regular pastor between 1899 and 1903. In the latter year M. L. Ford became pastor and served until 1910. Din"ing Ford's pastorate manv of the meetings were held in the homes of the few members. There has been no pastor since 1910, the membership having fallen away until it is not possiljle to employ a regular pastor.

About forty of the old Lick Creek membership, prominent among whom were James Tyner, William Webb, Ale.xander Dale, William Thomas and Enoch Applegate, withdrew from the old church, and declared themselves the Regular Baptist church of Lick Creek. Elder John Sparks was chosen their pastor. In 1847, o"^ and one-half acres of land, located one-half mile north of Harrisburg, was secured from John Caldwell and B. S. Trowbridge,

Fayette Cutnty, Indiana. 4I7

Upon which was erected a church edifice. Alexander Dale, William \V. Thomas and James Tyner were chosen the first trustees. In March, 1848, Elder D. H. Drummond began giving the church a portion of his time, and in 1854 Elder George Harlan was employed, followed by E. D. Thomas. Elder W. T. Pence began to serve about 1865. Following Pence came in succession the following: E. D. Thomas, William Sparks, Samuel Williams, Tlromas Lines, and William Rupert, of Kentucky. Elder Rupert preached for tjje congregation for about twenty years, being followed in the nineties by Elder Sliirle}'. Rufus Reed followed Elder Shirley in 1902. for a twoyear period. Elder Gregg, of Boone county, Indiana, came in 1904 and serxed until 1006, followed by Preston Smith, a minister-banker, of \Vhitestown, Indiana. R. A. Fuson, the present pastor, also of Boone county, has had charge of the church since 1908. Regular services are held on the fourth Sunday of each month. There are about thirty regular members.

.\bout 1892 a few members, about twenty-five or thirty, of the Xorth Lick Creek church, seceded from the old society and established themselves at the old brick school house, a half mile west of Harrisburg. William Rupert was the pastor of the seceders until his death, about ten years later; although during the latter part of his life. Rev. Edward W^ Harlan was the regular pastor. The congregation styled itself the Lick Creek Baptist church, while those not belonging to this group called them "Murphyites," because of John Murphy, one of their leaders.

The most important event in the history of the Lick Creek church occurred in 1892. In this year, November 22-24, the general meeting of the Regular Baptists of America was held in the little church in Fayette county. Delegates were present from Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Kan.'^as, and Canada.

Missionary Baptists

There have been two congregations of Missionary Baptists in Fayette county, but one of them disappeared more than thirty years ago and its history has been difficult to trace. The date of its organization evidently was shortly after the Civil War, although it may have been even before the war. It was composed of a number of families living in Posey township, about a mile west of Bentonville, among the members being the Longwells, Carvers, Thomases and Knapps. They first held their meetings in a neighboring (27) school house, and after the school house was abandoned for school purposes the congregation bought it, built an addition to it and used it for a church purposes until the society was disbanded. The church as a definite organization disappeared about 1880.

From 1804 to 1808, something like fourteen families, most of whom were from Pennsylvania and Virginia, formed a settlement along what is known as Four Mile creek in eastern Indiana and western Ohio. These pioneers were all adherents of the German Baptist church and upon effecting a permanent settlement began to look forward to the organization of a church of their denomination. Elder Jacob Miller is thought to have been the first German Baptist minister who preached west of the Great Miami river and it was he who first preached to this little group. He with the assistance of John Hart and a man by the name of Bolton effected the first organization. In later years the congregation grew rapidly, two districts were formed and a second church house was erected in the southern part of Union county, Indiana. Subsequently an organization was formed in Waterloo township, among whom were John Moyer, Samuel and Elizabeth McLinster, Salome Fiant, Sarah Moyer, Mrs. Daniel Fiant (the first member of this denomination in the community), Daniel Jamsey, Susannah Strong, Catherine Priser, Martin Fiant, Mrs. Fiant, John Moss, Elizabeth Disc, Jonas and Mary Fiant, Samuel and Catherine Crick, Ada Simpson, John Fiant and wife, Polly McPherin, Lewis Paten and wife and Elizalieth and Susannaii Ward.

Prior to the erection of a church edifice services were held in the homes of the members and also in a Ijarn. Finally tlie need of a building became urgent and a building committee composed of John Fiant and Isaac Pritchard was appointed for the purpose of securing a church site and securing funds for the erection of a building. The edifice was completed in 1868. Among the ministers who have served the congregation have been Rev. John Moyer, Rev. William Moss, Rev. Abraham Moss, Rev. Daniel Miller, Rev. Daniel Brown and Rev. Jacob Rife.

New Bethel Regular Baptist Church, Lyonsville

The New Bethel Regular Baptist church, long since discontinued, had its inception on the fourth Saturday in February, 18 14, and is probably the first church to attempt an organization within the present limits of the county. Meetings were held at the homes of the members at first, but in July, of the same year, Charles McLaughlin and one Litteral, a committee selected by the congregation, made prqjarations to Iniild a house of worship. They bought one acre of ground from Thomas Simpson, Sr., for two dollars, and on this lot erected a log structure, twenty-six b)- twenty feet. This stood about half a mile east of their second church.

The petition for the establishment of the church was drawn up on January 15, 1 814, and was signed by the following prospective members of the proposed congregation : Elder Stephen Oldham, Rebecca Oldham, John Keny, Polly Keny, Thomas Simpson (deacon), Sarah Simpson, Rebecca Conner, Katherine Williams, Charles and Jane McLaughlin, James and Sarah Conway, John Keny, Sr., Jonathan Keny, William and Ann Oldham and Susan WTiite. This petition was sent to one of the established churches, undoubtedh- in Franklin county, was favorably acted upon, and on the Sunday following the fourth Saturday in February, 1814. the new congregation was constituted as the "New Bethel Regular Baptist Church" by Lazarus Whitehead and James Smith.

The log structure was soon found too small to accommodate the growing congregation and in 1821 steps were taken to provide a new and larger building. In 1822 Elder Oldham donated an acre of ground about half a mile west of the first church, a short distance south of the present site of Lyonsville, and here was erected a second log church, under the direction oT Matthias Dawson, Aaron and Jonathan Haughman. This continued in use until i860 when a frame building was erected at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars.

Elder Stephen Oldham served as minister until his death in 1834. Other early pastors were William Sparks, George Harlan, Daniel- Conner and Thomas Lyons. In 1885 Elders Reed and Parker were ministering to the church. The congregation has been served by many ministers of more than local importance, and it is only within the last decade that no regular services have been held. The membership has grown smaller and smaller with time, and now the number is comparatively few.

This church was made up mainly of members formerly belonging to the Lick Creek church, and was instituted on July 21, 1832, representatives being present from the churches of Lick Creek, Franklin and East Fork.

The original membership was composed of the following: Eleazer Carver. Gregg M. Thompson, Abigail Trowbridge, Mar_v Johnston. Anna Drapier, Harriett Thomas, Phoebe Thomas, Schuj-ler Jagger. D. F. Thomas, Elizabeth Stephens. Benjamin Stephens, Aiartha Aloqahew, W. M. Buck, Ellen F. Buck, Elizabeth Carver, Phoebe Jagger and Elizabeth Rich.

The first letter of the church and messengers were sent to the meeting of the White Water association on July 21, 1833. the latter being prepared by Gregg M. Thompson and Nathan Morphew. In the following August the church was received into the association as one of its members.

The first clerk of the church was Nathan Morphew, who was followed by G. M. Thompson. For several years prior to the erection of a church building, services were held at the school house then standing on the site of the edifice that was erected in 1846.

Among the pastors who served the congregation were the following : Elders James Newhouse, G. M. Thompson, Wilson Thompson, John Sparks, David Drummond, William Sparks, E. D. Thomas and Charles Reed.

This church, like many of the other country churches of Fayette county, has had a long period of prosperity and usefulness. Within recent years it has gradually declined vintil its membership is too small to employ a fulltime pastor. Services are still held at intervals.

Primitive Baptist Church On Village Creek

The Village Creek Baptist church (the Primitive branch) began its existence as an organized body on July 24, 1824, with the following members: Robert Gilky, Thomas Wolverton, William Denman, William Sparks, Phineas McCra\-, Stephen Harlan, James \Vood, Sarah Gilky, Mary Denman, Mary Sparks, Mary Harlan, Sarah McCray and Hannah McCray. The society was organi;;ed at the home of Robert Gilky. For the next two years services were conducted at the homes of the various members. The first church, a small hewed-log building, was erected in 1826 and served as the place of worship until 1848, when it was replaced by a brick structure located about a mile and a half southeast of Connersville, which was later replaced by the present frame building. Among the regular resident pastors of the church have been Elders Minor Thomas, George Harlan, William Sparks, Samuel Harlan, Walter Benson and Charles Reed.

One of the very early Baptist churches in the county was located in section 20, Connersville township. No definite information can be gained as to when it was organized or when it was abandoned. However, it is known that the members belonged to the Primitive branch of Baptists. Among the members were Samuel Martin, Ann Martin, Benjamin Booe and Philip Hoyl.

Christian Churches

The historv of the Christian church in Fa\-ette county dates from the latter part of the twenties. The church in this county is what is scMiietimes known as the "Campbellite" church, a designation formerly used to dififerentiate it from another denomination claiming the right to the name "Christian," the latter being commonly called the "Newlight'" church. The Newlight branch never secured a foothold in Fayette county to such an extent that its members were strong enough to organize a congregation of their own.

The organization of the first Christian church in Fayette county may be traced directly to John P. Thompson, a Baptist preacher, who came fr(^m Bracken county, Kentucky, to Indiana, in 1822. He became the pastor of the Baptist church at Little Flat Rock in Rush county and preached the orthodox doctrines of his church until about 1828. The story of his conversion to the doctrines of Alexander Campbell is an interesting chapter in the religious history of Indiana.

In 1828 the teachings of Campbell, as set forth by eloquent Kentucky preachers, particularly by the Rev. John Smith, reached the ears of young Thompson in Rush county. The more he heard alxiut the new doctrine the more interested he became, and finally he decided tri return to his old home in Kentucky and investigate the new movement at first hand. He m;ifle the trip in the summer of 1828 and the new doctrine appealed to him so strongly that he became fully converted to it, and renounced the doctrines of the Baptist church which he had been serving so faithfully.

Shortly after Thompson returned to his charge in Rush county he issued a notice that there would be a meeting at the house of Elias Stone, a farmer living near Fayetteville (then called Danville), on Sunday, October 5, 1828. On that memorable day Thompson preached the first sermon in eastern Indiana advocating the doctrines as set forth b\- Alexander Campbell. This meeting was followed by a revival at his church at Flat Rock (in Rush county) and in the course of a few weeks he had bajitized about one hundred persons.

It seems that most of the members of the various Baptist churches which Thompson had previously organized were willing to follow him into the new church. This was not accomplished, however, without considerable dissension and, as a result, religious controversies were found everywhere throughout this section of the state. Many churches became divided, and schisms brought about which exist to this day.

Thompson naturally became the moving spirit in the organization of all the Christian churches in this section of the state and, being a man of unusual energy and ability, his efforts were attended with marked success. The first formal organization in Fayette county was made at Fayetteville, the church being established on July 4, 1829. About the same time he ' effected an organization at the home of Judge Webb, then living near Null-' town, the members later erecting a house of worship at the village of Columbia. Connersville followed with an organization in 1833: Bentonville, in 1836; Fairview (just across the line in Rush county), in 1843; Harrisburg, in 1864, and Alpine, in 1898. An organization also was early effected at Springersville. At the present time there are seven distinct societies of this denomination in the county, located at Connersville, Harrisburg, Orange, Springersville, Alpine, Bentonville and the church known as Sain's Creek, located in the southeastern part of Orange township.

Connersville Christian Church

[The following history of the Christian church at Connersville was written by Marguerite Thiebaud, assisted by Louisa Nelson, Balzora Schofield and other members of the congregation. Miss Thiebaud spared no pains to obtain the fullest possible data regarding the early history of the church, and the history as she compiled it is here given. It was read before the congregation on June 15, 1908. on the occasion of the diamond jubilee of the church. The editor has brought the history of the church down to date. - The Editor.]

In the early part of the nineteenth century the little village of Connersville was one of the most important trading posts in the White Water valley and was made a stopping place by all travelers in the middle west. Thus the inhabitants of this little settlement were, in a way, kept in touch with the world at large. So it is not surprising that when the teachings of Alexander Campbell were causing so much excitement in Kentucky and the neighboring states that their influence should be felt even in Fayette county.

In the summer of 1832 Dr. Ryland T. Brown, a man of great intellectual ability, a scientist of note, and later state geologist and still later a professor in Xorthwestem Christian College, at Indianapolis, settled in Connersville, where he engaged in the practice of medicine. In August of the same year Gabriel Ginn and his wife, Hannah, removed to the village from the Webb neighborhood. As both of these families soon gained prominence in the community, and as they had previously become interested in the Christian church, it was largely through their efforts that the first organization was effected here. For some time these two families, together with a few others, held meetings of prayer and devotion in the Ginn home, which is supposed to have stood where the Big Four depot is now located.

In October. 1832. Elder John O'Kane stopped in Connersville on his ivav to Milton and held services for several successive days in the court house. These meetings resulted in several accessions to the little band. Again on Christmas Day, O'Kane made the village a visit. By this time the country was being aroused by the teachings of such men as O'Kane, John P. Thompson and Gabriel C. McDuffee, and Christian churches had been established at Fayettesville and Nulltown. This fact made the little company of Disciples at Connersville all the more anxious to organize themselves into a church, and at length this was brought about, in January, 1833.

-About this time the little band of worshippers were joined by Elder Jesse Holton and family, who had recently moved from Kentucky to a farm a few miles north of town, thus bringing the charter niembers up to about seventeen. Among these were Gabriel Ginn and wife. James McCann. Sr., and wife, Jesse Holton, wife and son, Alexander C. Holton and daughters. Elizabeth and Mrs. Mary Helm, Daniel Morrison, Mrs. Jacob Vandergrift, Rhoda McKinney, Mr. and Mrs. Paqua, Dr. R. T. Brown and wife and Elijah West, a colored servant of the Holtons.

Shortly after the founding of the church Elder O'Kane renio\ed to Connersville and had the distinction of being the first regular pastor. Because of his wonderful strength and ability, as well as his vehement and awe-ins])iring sermons, he was often known as the "Cyclone of the Reformation." During Elder O'Kane's residence here a religious paper under the title of the Cliristiaii Caslccf was published in connection with the church. It was a monthly paper of si.xteen pages, but was discontinued at the close of the first volume (1834).

In those early days it was frequently necessary for the \illages which were fortunate to secure the serxices of a minister, to permit him to hold services in other portions of the country as weh, and so during Elder O'Kane's pilgrimages of this sort, Elder Jesse Holton and Dr. R. T. Brown served the church in a pastoral relation. Holton died in 1839 and ill health compelled Dr. Brown to abandon the practice of medicine about the same time.

For two years the society continued to meet in the court house and during this period many noted men held services there. Prominent among these was Dove H. Jamison, who is remembered by all who knew him as a great and good man. It was during one of these meetings that Louisa Nelson united with the church and was baptized. At the same service in which Miss Nelson came into the church. Martha Ginn, a girlhood friend of Miss Nelson, was also baptized. Later she moved to the west and had not been heard of until a few days ago when Miss Nelson word that her friend, now Mrs. Dale, is still living and resides at Cedar Vale, Kansas. The wife of Reverend Jamison is also living [1908] and is taking a prominent part in the jubilee services which are being held in the Central Christian church at Indianapolis today, [June 15, 1908].

Carried The Message East

Another noted preacher of this early period was John Longley, a small, earnest man, who throughout his career, baptized more than three thousand people. One Sunday morning while Reverend Longley was holding service in Connersville, George Campbell, a young man from Connecticut, was among the congregation, and to this youth from the East the principles of primitive faith as taught by this religious body, were both new and impressive. At the close of the sermon he stepped forth and confessed this new faith, and on the following day he straightway set forth to prepare himself for the ministry. Indeed, he was such a successful minister that even toda\' the name of George Campbell is held in the utmost regard.

In the latter part of the year 1834 or the first part of 1835, Rev. S. K. Hoshour, one of the greatest preachers the Christian church has ever known, came to Connersville. He was one of the most highly educated men of his time, and his elocjuent sermons, together with his impressive personality, are remembered by many of the present congregation. Reverend Hoshour livefl at Centerville, where he was engaged in teaching, and for fifteen years he preached in Connersville once each month. Louisa Nelson remembered distinctly his first sermon and recalled that his text was found in the eighth

But perhap.s tlie interest and entliusiasm were ne\-er so great in Connersville as when Alexander Campbell visited the local congregation in iS3_i. Little is known of the events connected with his coming, beyond that he was entertained, with forty other visitors, at the home of Sherman Schofield, a man prominent i nthe early church organization.

At length the meeting place of the little ciMnpan\' nf men and women who bore the name Christian was changed, and for some time serx'ices were held in an upper room of the county seminary, which was situated where the Fifth street school building now stands. The organization had gradually gained both members and strength and at this time (the latter part of the thirties) they determined to build a house of worship for themselves. Sherman Schofield donated a lot on the bluff of East Fifth street hill and pre- ])arations were immediately made for the erection of the building. The contract was gi\en to Schutield and work was liegim as soon as possil)le. Clark I'orter, the father of William and Robert I'orter, laid the brick for the walls of the new edifice. Before the buikling was completed, h(.iwe\er, Andrew Ringer, an e\-angelist of some note, came to Connersville to hold a meeting. Ser\ices were begun in the seminary, but the crowds soon became so great that it was necessary to find rooms elsewhere. As a result, benches and boards were carried from the school to the unfinished church building, and there, before the walls were completed or the windows even in place, the meeting was successfully continued. At length the building was completed and in January, 1S41, the little company of Christians entered their first real teni]jle of worship.

l'^)r years the)' gathered here on each Lord's Da\- and in their peaceful and unassuming manner worshipped their God. Many successful re\i\als were held during the period that followed, the congregation being \isited by the leading preachers of the middle west, among whom were George Campbell, John Sweeny and the Pinkerton brothers from Kentucky. Joseph and Benjamin Franklin were also frequent visitors to the church. Often when things seemed depressing- and the people desired a change, the pastor would summon someone whom everyone loved, to hold a few days' meeting, and in .such times Rev. D. R. Van Buskirk was usuallv called.

In 1849 Henry R. Pritcharcl lield a successful meeting here, and from that time often conducted services in this community. Because of his knowledge of Bible subjects and his cheerful willingness to impart information, he was called a "walking encyclopedia." Until his death he never ceased in liis untiring efforts in behalf of the church.

Time passed swiftly and in the course of time few of those who endured the early hardships were left, but their children were carrying forth the work which these sterling pioneers had begun. About 1868 it became possible to take up the work in larger measures and a Sunday school re\-ival took place. A large class of men who saw the need of Bible training was organized with the pastor, Rev. S. R. Wilson, in charge, and soon the interest became so intense that about two hundred members were enrolled. This growth in the Sunday school caused the entire church to aspire to greater things, with the result that in 1869 Rev. Knowles Shaw, a preacher and singing evangelist, was secured to conduct a revival in .\ugust and Septeml)er. The meeting was one of the greatest ever held in Connersville.

.\gain in 1871 Louis Pinkerton and John Shackleford carried on a re\-ival meeting which lasted ele\'en weeks, a meeting of almost phenomenal character. In 1872 Rev. Black ^Viles, of Covington, conducted a revival of great importance. By this time many new members had been added and a .spirit of enthusiasm filled the congregation. The little building on the river bank, which had ser\ed them for over thirt\- years as a place of worship, was no longer sufficient for the needs of the enlarged congregation. At this juncture the Old School and New School Presbyterians of Connersville eiit'ected a consolidation and the Christian church purchased the building occupied by the older branch of Presbyterians, the purchase being concluded in July, 1872. The deed was signed b}' William Huston, Valentine Leonard, Thomas M. Little, John Gilchrist, F. M. Roots, Edward F. Claypool, \Villiam Pepper and ^\'. J. Hankins.

The Christians paid thirt\'-fi\-e hundred dollars for the building and at once began extensive re])airs un it, finally expending about three thousand dollars in overhauling the building and refurnishing it. In the meantime they had sold their old building to the Second Methodist Episcopal church of Connersvilk. The new house of worship was dedicated on June i, 1873, by Rev. Isaac P'rrett, editor of the Christian Standard, of Cincinnati.

From the organization of tlie church in 1833 until 1873. a period of forty years, nine different pastors had served the cliurch. John O'Kane, Thomas Coughley. Jacob Vail and Charles Evans were the early ministers. but no records were kept of their services and it is impossible to give the years of their respective tenures. Following Evans came Matthew R. Henry, 1859-60: R. L. Howe, 1861-63: William Irwin, 1863-66; S. R. Wilson. 1866-71: William Irwin. 1871-73.

Congregation Steadilv Gains In .Strength

For a number of years after the congregation had moved to the I'^ourth Street building the church continued to develop gradually along larger lines and to gain strength in so doing. During this period the Christian Womens Board of Missions was organized, and with the Ladies Aid Society, proved to be of lasting importance. The first evangelistic meeting held in the new church was conducted liy J. C. Hobbs. while later other successful revivals were held by J. H. O. Smith. J. V. Coombs, and Revs, b'owler, Doris and Spicer. In the fall of 1888 Rev. Ira J. Chase, later governor of Indiana, held a remarkable meeting here, which resulted in about fifty accessions, which, at that time, was an unusualh- large number for a revival meeting.

In 1888 the church became imbued \\ith the spirit of progress and decided to improve their house of worship* The building was again remodeled, decorated and rededicated by Rev. Sweeny, of Columbus, Indiana. The years came and went, the church took an acti\-e part in all mo\ements of the community which stood for better citizenshi]). and in e\ery way attempted to fulfill the highest mission of the church. Little arose to disturb the even tranquility of the congregation : various ministers who came to guide this band of four hundred souls, soon learned to love them, and then were called to other fields. Thus runs the history of all churches and the history of the Christian church of Connersville is no exception to the rule.

A New House Of Worship

One of the most important events in tlie history of the cliurch during this ]3eriod was tlie founding of the Society of Christian Endeavor during tiie nu'nistry of Re\erend Stairs (1S88-90). ^^'ithin twenty years after the congregation went into their new home on Fourth street, it was very evident that larger quarters were necessary. The question of a new building was agitated during the pastorate of Reverend Darsie (1897-1901), but nothing more was done at this time than to purchase a lot at the corner of Central a\'enue and Eighth street, the lot costing the sum of fifty-three hundred dollars. It was not, howe\-er. until 1903 that definite plans were completed for the Iniilding of a house of worship on the new site. It was planned to build a church which would satisfy all the demands of the congregation for man\- years to come, and to this end it was proposed to construct a building of greater proportions than the congregation at that time really needed. The accepted plans of the architect and the subsequent successful bidder of the contract contemplated a structure to cost about thirty-four thousand dollars. This seemed like an almost pr(ihibiti\e amount, but those in charge of the construction never faltered and went \'aliantly to work to raise the money. Their first canvass resulted in donations of seventeen thousand dollars, while on the day the church was dedicated (October 15, 1905) an additional sixteen thousand dollars was ])ledged.

The dedicatory sermon was preached on Sunday, October 15, 1905, by Dr. F. \[. Rains, of Cincinnati, before an audience that taxed the capacity of the church. The building is a Gothic structure of brick and stone with a tile roof and copper gutters. One of the most striking features of the interior of the building is the series of Biblical scenes painted on the walls, the work of an artist, B. F. Harris, of Union City, Indiana. The main part of the Iniilding is finished in golden oak. the basement being finished in hard pine. It has a fine pipe organ, Sunday school rooms, a beautiful baptistry, dining room and all the appointments of a modern house of worship.

The Christian church at Bentonville was organized about 1836, the first organization being brought about by the efforts of Elder John O'Kane. Among the charter members were George Van Buskirk and wife, Philip

Slirader and wife, 'i'rueman Munger and wife. Moses Ellis and wife, and Richard Kolb and wife. Services were first held at the homes df nienil)ers, but in 1840 a building- was erected, a frame structure, which stoDtl snuth of Bentonville a short distance. Tiiis building was in use until 1SS4, when the present building was erected at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. The ground, an acre and a half, was donated to the church b\- b)hn Gilleland. and a cemetery was established adjoining the church. Among the early ministers of the congregation were the following: John ()'!\ane, Elijah Martindale, John Longley. b>hu llnnvn, Jacol) Daubenspeck, K. T. Urown, Thomas Conley. \^^ G. Irvin, hdijah Goodwin and Lewis Wilsim.

The church maintains an active organization and regular ser\ices are conducted by Rev. G. F. Power, of Falmouth, Indiana. The present membership is ninet}'. -\n acti\-e Sunday school of one hundred and ten members is in charge of Frank Hackleman, as superintendent.

Alpine Christian Church

The Christian church at .\l])ine came into existence in i8gS and has maintained an organization since that year. There were a number of mem- 1)ers of the denomination in the community antl they secured the old frame church erected by the Baptists in the fifties, the deed for the same being made on November 29, 1898. The only surviving trustees of the old Fayette Baptist church w'ere B. F. Conner and George M. Newhouse, and they sold the building and lot to John K. Gray, William Seal and Euphrates L Chance, trustees of the Christian church, on the date mentioned. The newcongregation remodeled the building and has held regular services since it was established. The present pastor is Reverend Burns, of Gw\nne\ille, Indiana. The present membership is thirty. A Sunday school of twentyfi\e is in charge of John McGraw, as superintendent.

Harrisburg Chri.Stian Church

The Christian church just east of the village of Harri.sburg originated out of a series of religious meetings conducted at private homes and in the school house at Harrisburg a few years before the Ci\il War, although there was no formal organization until 1864. The organization is said to have been efifected by Elder W. G. Irwin, there being thirty-two members in the beginning. Among those who were identified with the church were \\'arner

Broadclus and wife, Edwin Wilson and wife, Edward Higliam and wife, Thomas Robinson and wife and \\'arren Drennen and wife. A neat and commodious chnrch building', erected in the summer of 1871, was dedicated in tlie fall of that year bv Elder Daniel Van Buskirk.

The church has always maintained an organization, although at times small in number. Elder T. A. Hall, of Indianapolis, is the present pastor and services are conducted twice each month. An active Sunday school is luaintained in conjunction with the Baptists of this community. The present membership of the congregation is twenty-four.

Orange Christian Church

The Christian church at Orange was formally organized by Elder John F. Thompson on July 4, 1829. Soon afterward a small church building was erected by "Elias B. Stone, mostly at his own expense. In 1851 another building was erected, principally through the efforts of E. S. Frazee, who preached for the congregation for a number of years. In 1875 the building was remodeled into a substantial and commodious structure. Among the early pastors of the church were William McPherson, John O'Kane, R. T. Brown, George Campbell and Henry Pritchard.

In 191 3 the Christian church of Indiana divided the state into six districts, and placed an evangelist in charge of each district. It was his duty to visit all of the churches and endeavor to build up all of the weaker congregations, the church at Orange being among these. The congregation had grown smaller year by year for the past quarter of a century, and to all intents had practically ceased holding regular meetings. Rev. C. E. Oldham, a nati\e of the county, the son of C. F. Oldham, of Springersville, was secured to serve the church at Orange, beginning in January, 1914. He was a graduate of Butler College, an accomplished musician and singer, as well as an effecti\e pulpit orator. Under his leadership the church grew from an inactive membership of nineteen to a flourishing congregation of one hundred and thirty-two. During the course of a revival held in the fall of 1 9 14 he added fifty-seven members to the church. There is also a Sunday school of one hundred and fifty members which is doing active work in behalf of the church. Roland Morris is the present superintendent. Reverend Oldham resigned in January, 1917, to continue his education, and was succeeded at that time by Reverend Francis.

Tlie Sains Creek Cliristian clnircli is anotlier of tlie Christian churches of the county which began a new lease of life in 1914. The building now occupied In- the congregation stands in the soutlieastern corner of Orange township, and was erected in the carl)- history of the county as a union church. Several different denominations ha\e had charge of the building at different times, the L nited Brethren having held regular services for a number of years. It is not certain when the Christian denomination obtained control of the building, but they ha\e had regular services in it since the fall of 1 9 14.

The credit for putting the church on its feet is due Rev. G. I. Hoover, who conducted a re\-ival in the old building in the summer of 1914. h'ollowing the revival Rev. Moody Edwards, of Glenwood. took charge of the church, and has been holding services regularly twice each month. The congregation is contemplating the erection of a new building in the summer of 1917.

Springersvili.E Christian Church

The Christian cb.urch at Sjjringersville is the outgrowth of a Union church which made its appearance in the little village in the early history of the county. The little building which stood in the graveyard was erected for both church and school purposes, and continued to serve for both purposes until 1856, when a separate building was erected for school purposes. The first site was owned by William Dawson and later by Thomas Simpson, Jr., and it was the latter who donated the ground in the corner of the old cemetery where the "little brown church," as it was called, was built.

It is not now known when the Christian denomination first secured control of the building, but it was 1>efore the Civil \Var. The early records of the church are missing and it was not until 1880 that the church began to keep the permanent records from which this history has been compiled. Apparently the congregation had Ijecome very weak by 1880; at least the present record states that the church was reorganized on the second Sunday in March, 1880. They still worshiped in the old building until 1883, when a lot was purchased by David Fiant from Thomas Simpson and presented to the church for a new building. The same year the present structure was erected, and dedicated in the fall of the same vear.

Upon the reorganization of the church in March, 1880, four members were chosen as deacons: Henry C. Simpson, W. H. Dales, Francis Riggs, J. M. Shepler. The man instrumental in the reorganization of the church was T. M. Wiles. With the reorganization the first trustees were Francis Riggs, S. H. Riggs, Frank Montgomery, Henry C. Simpson and W. H. Dales. Some of the oldest and most prominent members at the time of reorganization were as follow: Lewis Monger, Mary Ann Monger, Susan Riggs, Jennie Riggs, Elizabeth Riggs, Pamelia Schreiver, Mary J. Riggs, Narcus Monger, Amanda Dales, Sophronia Laflan, Huldah J. Montgomery, Henry C. Simpson, Jonathan Brown, Angle Eshelman, Elizabeth Barnes, W. H. Dales, J. M. Shepler, Myra Monger, Rosella Riggs, Addie Price, Iva Riggs, Nancy Riggs and F. M. Riggs.

In the spring of 1883 T. M. Wiles was chosen as pastor at a salary of two hundred and ten dollars a year, and services were held once a month. It was at this time that preparations were made to erect a new building and a lot was purchased by means of a general subscription. Those who were instrumental in the erection of the building were the following: Susan Riggs, Jennie Riggs, Mary Riggs, Francis Riggs, F. P. Montgomery, W. H. Dales, S. H. Riggs. The church was dedicated in the fall of 1883. 'Among the ministers who served the congregation shortly after the reorganization were Elders T. M. Wiles, Eugene Scofield, Robert E. Hdwe.

Soon after the dedication of the new church a revival was begun which resulted in the addition of more than fifty members to the congregation. The church was occupied until 1898, when it became inadequate to the needs of the times and was remodeled. A new Sunday school room was added and also a baptistry. The chvirch now maintains an active Sunday school, a Ladies' Aid Society and a Woman's Board of Missions. During the winter of 1914 a splendid revival was held by Elder G. Dungan, and about sixty additions were made to the church. The present membership is one hundred and fortyone and the pastor is Elder C. C. Dobson.

A society of the Christian church was organized by Rev. John D. Thompson at the home of Judge Webb, along the river near NuUtown in 1829 or 1830. This organization in later years resulted in the formation of a society at Columbia, which erected a building there. Among the families that were identified with the church during the early period were the Johnsons, Michners, Heizers, Thomases, Utters and Blakes. The church has long since been discontinued and the only church now in the \-illage is in charge of the Methodists.

Presbyterian Churches

The first Presbyterian church in Fayette county was organized in 1824 in Connersville and it remained the only church of this denomination for many years. The denomination has never been numerous in the county, only five congregations having been organized, and two of these were really offshoots of congregations already in existence. The Presbyterians, like so many other Protestant denominations l^efore the Civil War, suffered from internal dissensions which resulted in the division of congregations. Thus there arose what were known as "Old School" and "New School'' Presbyterians, a division that continued until 1869.

The early history of Presbyterianism in the White Water valley was written by Rev. Ludlow D. Potter more than forty years ago and is here given in full as far as it concerns Franklin and Fayette counties, the same ministers preaching in both counties.

The first I're.sb.vteriun minister of wliose hiboi'S in tlais region (Wliite W'iiter valley) we liave iiny record was Itev. Samuel Baldridge, who organized a society of seventeen members at the house of John Allen, near Harrison (Dearborn county), where he preached steadily until 1S14. From ISIO to IS14 he worked as an itinerant missionary in the White Water valley, having various preaching places from Lawrencehurg to Dunlapsville (Union county). He ])reached at Brookville. at Robert Templeton's and at Robert Hanua's (all three places in Franklin county). At that time there were several families in Franklin county (which, at this time, included more than half of Fayette county) who were adherents to the Presbyterian faith. Among these were Jlr. and Mrs. Barbour from Ireland, .Tudge Arthur Dixon and wife and brother, Mr. Young. .John ^'incent and wife, Robert Templeton and wife, the Knights and Mr. .lud Mr.s. William .McCleary. All of these resided in town (Brookville) except Mr. Templeton. the parents of Jlrs. Ryburn and one of the Dixons. The latter lived on the lUishville road at the foot of Boundary Hill. He (Dixon) afterwards moved to a farm near Connersville and a few years afterward united with the Methodist church.

Arthur Dixon was a blacksmith. He removed to Connersville in 1S2.3 and his wife was one of the early members of the church organized there. After the removal of Reverend Baldridge from Harrison, there was occasional preaching at Harrison, Brookville. Somerset (now Laurel, in Franklin county), and ad.iacent places, by Iteverend Robertson, of Kentucky. Rev. .lames Dickey, of Ohio, and others, for fonr or five years. during which period .several other families had settled in the valley. From ISilO ro ^H25 efforts were made to gather these people into churches. This resulted in the organization of churches at Brookville (ISIS), Mount Carmel (1S20), Somerset (IS2.'!). Connersville (1S24) and Bath (1825).

from 1824, the second one came into existence in 185 1, the two being amalgamated in 1869. The German Presbyterians in Connersville effected an organization in 1871. The only other churches of this denomination were organized in Orange township before the Civil War, one being the offshoot of the other, and both have long since been discontinued.

First Presbyterian Chirch At Connersville

In the year 1824 the Cincinnati Presbytery of the "old school" of the Presbyterian church sent Rev. Daniel Hayden to Connersville to preach, and, if practicable, to form a society. Reverend Hayden came to the village on Saturday, October 22, and preached in the court house the following day and then on Monday organized the society. A. \'an Vleet, Adam Smeltser, and John Boyd were elected the ruling elders. h~or a numljer of vears after the organization the society was without the services of a i)astor. but were supplied from time to time by preachers sent out by the presbytery. In 1833, the congregation built a church building on the lot later occupied by the Caldwell block. The building was twenty-five by thirty-five feet in size and was erected by Sherman Scofield. The church lot was deeded to Adam Smelzer, David Ferree and Julius Whitmore, the trustees, by John Williams. This edifice served as a place of worship until about 1845, when the trustees sold the propert\- to George I-'ryliarger and ]nirchased the site owned by Abraham B. Conwell. This deed was made on April 14, 1845.

The first regular pastor of the church of which there is anv record was Rev. J. M. Stone, who served the congregation for a number of years, at the end of which time his connection with them was dissolved and be was succeeded by Rev. Charles Sturdevant, who remained as pastor of the church until 1845. when he was succeeded by Rev. William Pelan, who was the pastor for twenty years, preaching his farewell sermon on June i, 1868. The Rev. William Pelan was more extensively known throughout the valley than any other minister of that denomination, and was a popular man with the mas.ses, in and out of the- church.

In the autumn of 1868 Rev. H. M. Shockley was appointed to take up the work in this place and he served the congregation for a period of one year. In 1870 the pulpit was supplied by Rev. John H. Link, of the Kvangelical Lutheran church of Connersville.

In 1 85 1, the Hamilton Presbytery authorized Rev. Daniel Tennv, of Oxford, to organize a "new school" church at Connersville. Accordinglv. on August 16. 1851, the organization was affected in Temperance Hall,

The following ministers have served this branch, known as the Second Presbyterian church, in the order named: Rev. J. Steward, two years; Rev. James Brownlee, two years; Rev. Eli B. Smith, two years. It was during the latter's pastorate, September 3, 1855, that the new church building was dedicated. Reverend Smith was succeeded by Rev. B. F. Morris who served the congregation two years. He was followed by Rev. Daniel Bassett, and the latter by Rev. A. D. Jemison. Next came Rev. Alexander Parker, who served the pastorate from June 3, 1866, until October 24, 1870.

On Noveml>er 14, 1869, the two schools of the Presbyterian church in the United States were united and on the 24th of the following October the First Presbyterian church and the Second Presbyterian church of Connersville became one church with one hundred and ninety-one members. On April 6, 1871, the building of the Second church was chosen by vote as the future place of worship. The building was repaired in 1876 and was reopened on Sunday, August 27, 1876, with a sermon by Doctor Cooper, of Covington, Kentucky.

The pastors who have served the congregation since the union of the two congregations include the following: Rev. G. O. Little, January, 1871, to August, 1873; Rev. H. H. Budge. October, 1873, to August, 1874; Rev. H. W. Woods, March, 1875, to January, 1877; Rev. A. C. Junkin, October, 1877, to October, 1883: Rev. T. H. Hench, February, 1884, to October, 1894; Rev. Charles H. Little, January, 1895, to March, 1898; Rev. H. Mount, June, 1898, to August, 1903; Rev. George C. Lamb, November, 1903, to December, 1909; Rev. W. H. Clark, February, 1910, to 1914, and the Rev. W. D. Lewis, June, 19 14, to the present time. The present membership is three hundred and fifteen.

The first Presbyterian church in Orange township was organized 'm the twenties, but owing to the loss of the church records the history of the church is very obscure. Some of the first settlers of the township were of this faith and they appear to have held services at more or less regular intervals for some years before they had a building. A lot for church and cemetery purjwses was donated by Samuel Hornaday (in section 3, adjoining the Rush county line), and a building was erected thereon. The building was several years in the process of construction, its completion evidently being delayed on account of the schism in the Presbyterian coninninion in 1833. Among the first members of the church were the Russells, Dills, Craigs and others of the immediate neighborhood.

The first congregation, as has been stated, started the erection of a building, but it was not fully finished until 1848 or 1849. When the division in the church occurred in 1833, those adhering to the faith of the "old school" withdrew, and built another house of worship about a half mile south of the parent church. This second building seems to have been completed about a year after the building started several years previously had ])een finally completed. The seceders included the families of John Alexander, Mr. Reed, Mr. Gowdy, Robert and Martin Gamble, the Hustons and others.

The membership of the chqrches was not sufficiently large to employ a regular pastor and both branches had what were known as "supply" pastors. For several years prior to the Civil War Rev. Josiah Dodds had charge of the "old school" branch, and afterwards, the Reverend Robb, the Reverend Johnson and the Reverend McClerkin served the congregation. The "new school" branch was served by Rev. Andrew Heron during the decade prior to the Civil War, and from about i860 until the building was burned in 1 88 1, it had only "supplies." Even before the time of the destruction of their building by fire, however, the congregation had l>een holding most of their services at Glenwood, and after the fire the congregation continued to meet" there, not rebuilding on the old site. The congregation has been disbanded for several years.

German Presbyterian Church

Nearly a half century ago the German population of Connersville increased to such an extent that some of the spiritual minded workers advocated the idea of organizing a German Presbyterian church. Roth the Reformed and Lutheran advocates favored such a move and began to invite neighboring German ministers to hold divine services, which were held in the Presbyterian church building. This movement developed into a church organization, which was effected through the instrumentalitv of the Rev. I'Vancis 1". Freidgen, who was called from the German church at Shelbvville, Indiana, and on 7, 1871, organized the First German Presbyterian church of Connersville. Twenty-four memliers were included in the charter membership and these, through their trustees, filed articles of incorporation on June 22, 1871. .According to the laws and usages of th^ Presb\terian

The pastorate of the Rev. Francis F. Freidgen continued for fourteen years and was blessed spiritually and in number, receiving one hundred and forty-six members during his ministry. Upon his resignation, the Rev. Daniel Voltz was called, July 28, 1885, and the latter was instrumental in making many needed improvements about the church building. Rev. A. M. Lewis supplied the pulpit from the time Reverend Voltz resigned, in 1889, to 1 89 1, at which time Rev. Jacob Hummel, the evangelist, was called and served until 1893 and then was succeeded by Rev. Edward A. Elf eld, of Portsmouth, Ohio. During the latter's ministry of seven years many accessions were made to the church and a local branch of the Christian Endeavor Society was organized. On May 18, 1901, Rev. Julius F. Schwartz was called, after graduating from the German Presbyterian Theological School of Dubuque, Iowa. He served the congregation about fifteen years and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. A. F. Staiger.

The congregation, after having leased cjuarters for one year decided to procure a church home of their own. The Methodist church had increased in membership to such an extent that it became necessary for them to secure a more spacious house of worship and they offered their property for the consideration of two thousand six hundred and fifty dollars. On April 29, 1872, the trustees accepted the offer and paid one thousand dollars cash and the remainder in two years. This edifice is situated on Fourth street. About 1886 a number of changes and improvements were made in and about the building. Two entrance ways were closed and one main approach leading into the main assembly room was built. The total cost of the alterations and additions was seven hundred and ten dollars. The building was again remodeled in 191 1 at a cost of one thousand six hundred dollars.

The congregation owns a beautiful and spacious nine-room parsonage, which was erected on a lot adjoining the church and completed in August, 1896. The manse was erected at a cost of one thousand six hundred dollars and was paid for soon after completion. The present valuation of the entire property exceeds five thousand dollars.

The church maintains an active Sunday school, a Loyal League and a Ladies' Aid Society. The present membership of the congregation is one hundred and thirtv-six.

United Brethren Church, Waterloo

The United Brethren church at the old village of Waterloo has been out of existence for just about half a century, so long ago that few people are now able to recall that such a church ever actually existed. The best account of this once flourishing congregation has been furnished In- \\'illiani Dungan, of Connersville, a member of the church during its early career. There was a small cemetery at the north edge of the town and in this some of the citizens of the village and surrounding community started to erect a house of worship about 1852. After the frame had been raised it was decided to remove the building to a site within the village, so the frame was taken down and reconstructed on the new site. The building was completed l)ef(ire the end of the year 1852 and opened for services.

The records of the church have disappeared along with the church and its members. As far as is now known the only charter member still living is James Henry. Other early, if not charter members, were Jacob Heider, Marshall Hurst, Doctor Gillum, Doctor Rose and Mrs. William Forrey. Thomas Price was one of the first preachers of the church. In 1855 occurred a famous revival under the direction of' Rev. William Nichols, during which about one hundred members were added to the congregation. Among this number was William Dungan, then a boy of thirteen years of age, and the authority for this account of the church. The church prospered for at least ten years, but the Civil AVar came on and most of the members were lost by the end of that struggle. In fact, by the close of that struggle there were not enough members left to keep the church in existence, and the building itself seems to have been torn down in 1866 or 1867. Mr. Dungan says that it was torn down board by board, timber by timber, its various parts being used for kindling-wood by the villagers. Thus passed away the first and only church the village ever had and now nothing but the memory of the once flourishing band of worshippers is left to posterity. When the church was in its prime it had the largest Sunday school in the count\\

Palestine United Brethren

Along the south fork of Bear Creek in Jackson township there once lived a numl)er of families who were adherents of the United Brethren church. For many years services were held in a neighboring school house. In 1872 or 1873 a small building was erected and used as long as -the con- reg-ation was in existence. The families who were prominent were the Lakes, Reeds, Wrights and Sherwoods. That old church building is now owned by the Lakes and is used as a tobacco warehouse.

During the early fifties a United Brethren Society was organized in the southwestern part of Columbia township and about 1855 a church building was erected near the creek in section 30. Reverend Shumway organized the society and was the minister for several years. Rev. John Morgan and Rev. Alexander Carroll were also ministers of the congregation. Among the early members were the Stephens, Wilson and Cushner families.