Marshall County, Indiana - Chapter 11, 1881

Denomination

to gather the statistics of the churches, and trace the rise and progress of religious matters, since the organization of the county; but such is not the case. Like everything else of a secular nature, the records, such as have been made at all, have been poorly kept, and the information gained from an examination of such as are at hand, is of a very indefinite and unsatisfactory nature. Rev. Warren Taylor, an itinerant of the Wesleyan persuasion attempted, some twenty years ago, to place upon record such reliable information as he was able to gather at that time concerning the introduction and progress of religion in the county, up to the time he wrote Such portions of his sketches as are applicable to the subject under consideration are herewith appended. Hesays: " Ministers of the Gospel of different denominations, appear to have preached to our earliest settlers almost immediately after the latter located themselves in the county.

Mr. Owens, with a pleasing demeanor, possessed also fine natural abilities, and gave strong indications of rising to eminence as a minister of the Gospel. both in talents and usefulness. But his career was short. Possessing a constitution that predisposed him to consumption, his disease was, in all probability, accelerated by the hardships of an itinerant life, and in two or three years after closing his labors on this circuit, he sank into the grave, lamented by all who lmew him. Mr. Owens was succeeded by Rev. Boroughs Westlake. He was at this time an elderly man, somewhat illiterate, but possessed much energy, and was, apparently, a devout Christian. He afterward became Presiding Elder, and died at Logansport about 1847. His successor was Rev. J. B. Mershon, who commenced his labors on the circuit probably in the spring of 1840, perhaps in the fall of 1839. Mr. Mershon was not at that time distinguished for his abilities as a speaker, being young in the ministry, but the excellences which his character exhibited secured to him great esteem. Many who peruse these lines will recollect his affectionate and winning manner. Among those who followed Mr. Mershon were Revs. J. M. Stagg, William J. Forbes, Erastus Doud, L. Monson, A. Bradley, J. C. Robbins, Z. Hancock, E. Hall. Since those days, many noted divines have labored in the Methodist vineyard, among whom are remembered Revs. L. Nebeker, W. S. Harker, John G. Osborn, W. C. Webb, L. C. Buckles, Rev. Brooke, J. C. Stephens, J. L. Boyd, T. C. Stringer, Rey. Mr. Bowers and Rev. Mr. McKinsey, present minister in charge.

During the winter of 1836-37 the Christian Church was organized in the neighborhood between Lake Maxenkuckee and what is now Wolf Creek Mills. This church embraced from the first a large membership, among whom were several ministers of the Gospel, viz., Elders William Thompson, Henry Logan and Abraham Voreis. These Christian fathers were among the first settlers of Union Township, who came in July, 1836, They were the first who brought Christianity into this region. They were not only Christians in name, but they were Christians in fact. They preached in the "wilderness," without money and without price, and left behind them, when death ended their labors, the applaudits of all who knew them - *Well done, good and faithful servants."

Several of the earliest settlers were members of the Presbyterian Church before they came here. In May, 1838, a Presbyterian Church was organized in Plymouth, which at the first numbered twenty-two members, and several others joined soon afterward. Of the meeting which was held at the formation of this organization, Rev. W. K. Marshall, of La Porte, was Moderator. About the commencement of 1839, Rev. E. W. Wright became the Pastor of this chureh and acted in that capacity about one year. Mr. Wright possessed excellent abilities as a preacher, and was apparently a worthy young man. For several years after Mr. Wright left, the church was without a Pastor. During the year of 1843-44, Rev. William Westervelt preached in Plymouth for a few months with much acceptability, and then returned to Oberlin College, of which institution he was at that time a student. In 1845, the Presbyterian Church of Plymouth obtained a Pastor in the person of Rey. John M. Bishop, who had then just graduated at Lane Seminary. Mr. Bishop possessed learning, fine abilities, and other characteristics that were calculated to make him highly useful in the ministry. His stay of two years is remembered by many with great pleasure. Tho successorsof Mr. Bishop came to

50 AISTORY Plymouth about in the following order: Rey. D. C. Meeker, Rev. N. L. Lord, Rev. J. B. L. Soule, Rev. J. H. Spellman, Rev. N. Armstrong, Rey. William Porter, Rev. Mr. Campbell, Rey, William Lusk, Rev. J. E. Chapin, Rev. A. Taylor, and Rev. George A. Little, the present Pastor. The Presbyterian congregation of Bourbon has erected a large and substantial brick church edifice, and the congregation, which numbers among its membership some of the most substantial citizens of that place, is in a flourishing condition.

The Baptists have had two or three congregations since the settlement of the county, but at present no organization of that kind exists so far as is known. Leland preached the doctrines of that faith in an early day. Several Baptist ministers besides the two whose names are mentioned above, preached in these parts, to a greater or less extent, since their day, prominent among whom was Elder James Maxwell. This gentleman lived in Plymouth for several years, during which time he was actively engaged in his ministerial duties, preaching at numerous appointments, the most of which were at a considerable distance from each other. He was very industrious as a minister, his preaching was well received, and his labors were crowned with considerable success.

The Wesleyans, in 1543, organized a church numbering fourteen persons in the neighborhood of Plymouth. Rey. Mr. Rains, the first Pastor of this church, came to his field of labor in 18-44-45. His immediate successors were Revs. William Gladden, Amos Finch and Elias Marsters, There are now several organizations of this denomination in the county, but the particulars concerning them are not at hand.

In Polk Township, the first religions organization was of the Mormon belief. The society did not hold together as a church organization, and have long since passed away. The next church organized was the United Brethren, in 1850, and was followed the same year by the organization of a Methodist Church, both of which were afterward abandoned. A United Brethren Church was organized in Tyner City in 1858, by David Ross, with 12 members. It now has a membership of 40, A Methodist Church was also organized in Tyner- City in 1860, with 9 members, and now has 40. In 1860, Warren Taylor organized a Wesleyan Society with a few members, but it is now extinct. The Church of God organized a society in 1870, at Morris' Schoolhouse, and now have amembership of 20. There is also a society of Tnnkards at Blissville, nambering perhaps 20) members; making in all 120 members.

In West Township there is one German Reformed Church, having an estimated membership of 100. There is also a Dunkard Church, which has a membership of about 150; and Wesleyan Church organization, which has a membership of near 40. These are all the church socicties, so far as the writer has been able to learn.

In Center Township there are nine organizations - six of which are located in Plymouth, all on Center street, as follows: Methodist, Christian Chapel, German Lutheran, Episcopal, Presbyterian and Catholic. The Methodist society erected the first church edifice, which is now known as the "Christian Chapel." It was built about 1850, and was considered at that time a very convenient and commodicus house of worship. It was owned and oceupied by that society until about the year 1867, when the present brick structure was completed, at a cost of some $12,000. St Michael's Catholic Congregation in Plymouth, was organized in 1862. Up to this time, Plymouth was only a missionary station,

In 1862, the congregation purchased one of the nicest localities on Center street, and in 1863 built on it aneat frame church. The members being few and of the poorer class, the progress of the congregation was slow for some years, until a new impetus was given, in 1870, by the erection of a new brick schoolhouse, costing the congregation about $12,000. The school was given in charge of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, from St. Mary's, St. Joseph County, who have assisted wonderfully to make the congregation prosper. Good, respectable and well-off Catholics, farmers and business men have extent that the church is almost too small to hold its members. Number of Catholic families in Plymouth and vicinity, is about 140. There are some Catholics in almost every town and village in the county.

The Methodist Congregation was organized in Plymouth in the year 1836. The membership was small in the beginning, but steadily increasing until 1849, the membership was sufficient to justify the erection of a building for their own accommodation. The building was erected and used until 1867, when the present church building was erected. The membership of the church at the present time is over 200.

The Presbyterian society was organized some time after the organization of the county, and has continued to keep up its meetings with considerable regularity ever since. It has a membership of about 50. .

The Episcopal society was formed about 1863. From quite a small beginning the church has increased until if now numbers about 50 communicants. Those who have been in charge of the rectorship are Rev. L. P. Tschiffely, Rev. Portmess, Rev. A. Youndt, Rev. William Lusk, Rey. Dr. Hume, and Rev. J. J. Faude, present incumbent.

The Christian Chureh (Adventists, as they are sometimes called) perfected an organization in Plymouth on the 3d day of January, °75, and now has on its roll of members the names of 53 communicants.

Within the past few years the Reform Church, formerly Inown as the "German Reform," has effected an organization in Plymouth, and now has a large and respectable congregation, under the ministration of Rey. J. B. Henry.

There is a church building in the eastern part of Center Township on River Bank. It is oceupied only occasionally. The membership in the neighborhood will perhaps reach 30. The Methodists own a church building and have a flourishing organization at Inwood, with perhaps 50 communicants.

Tippecanoe Township has but one church building, which belongs to the Wesleyan Methodists. The total professing Christian element, however, will reach perhaps 200.

In Bourbon Township the Methodists, United Brethren, Dunkards, Presbyterians and Wesleyans have several organizations, and most of them houses of worship, which will be treated more fully under the head of "Bourbon Township."

Union Township has five churches and a total membership of 258, as follows: Evangelical Association, two churches valued at $3,500, and a membership of 118. German Reform, one church - $2,500, and 50 members. Methodist Episcopal Church, one

Green Township has two Methodist, one Christian, and one Presbyterian Church, with a total membership of about 150, divided as follows: Methodist, 100; Christian, 30; Presbyterian, 20.

Walnut Township has six church organizations, with a membership of about 250, and $6,000 worth of church property, as follows: Two Methodist, 100; one Christian, 50; one Church of God (Advent), 40; one Wesleyan, 30; one Dunkard, 30.

German Township, German Evangelical Church, organized in 1849, by Rev. C. Plotz, with 16 members; now has 150, and 225 Sunday school scholars, and own property valued at $5,700. The Evangelical Emanuel Church was organized by Rev. P. Wagner, in 1857, with 15 members; now has 25, and church property, $1,000. Evangelical Church, Bremen, was organized by Rev. Earst Kent, of Michigan City, April 12, 1874, with 10 members; now has 32, $350 worth of church property, and a Sunday school of 75 scholars. The United Brethren in Christ, organized by Rey. Amsley Lamb, December, 1849, 11 members; now has 80; a Sunday school of 200, and church property valued at $1,000, The Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's C. U. A. Confession was organized in the year 1846, with S members, by Rev. G. K. Schuster, who presided as Pastor of the church for twenty-three years. The church has now a membership of 55, a Sunday school of 65 members, and church property valued at $8,000, The Church of God (Advent) have also an organization of about 15 members. The Catholics also erected a building in Bremen, last year.

In Tippecanoe and North Townships, the different denominations, such as Methodists, Presbyterians, Wesleyans, Adventists, Catholics, Christians, etc., have each a respectable following.

For want of systematic organization among the different denominations through the county, it has been impossible, except in a few instances, to arrive at the facts exactly as they probably exist, but from personal observation the approximations are believed to be not far out of the way. There are in the eounty at this time about fifty churches, with a membership of about 3,000. Amen.