Posey County, Indiana - Chapter 8: Churches, 1913

Chapter 8: Churches

It is believed that the Rev. Samuel Jones, a Baptist minister, was the first minister to preach in the county. Previous to the building of churches preaching was in private houses or in groves. There were comparatively few people to attend church in those days and private houses, though small, furnished reasonably good accommodations for them and many of the private houses became fixed places of worship.

Revs. Thomas King, Thomas Davis and John Schrader were the first Methodist ministers who rode the circuit in Posey county. They all came to the county about the year 1815.

The Cumberland Presbyterians began preaching in this county as early as 1820. Their most noted ministers were: Revs. Denny, Carsins, John and William Barnett, David Lowry, William I.ynn (Uncle "Billy") and Hiram A. Hunter.

The Christians preached in the county as early as 1816. They were then called the New Lights. Revs. James Aloultry and Joseph W'asson were the first ministers. The latter is usually regarded as the founder of that denomination in the southern part of the State.

In 1823 the Methodists designated the entire southwestern corner of the State by the name of "Patoka Circuit," and December 27, 1828, it was changed to "Princeton Circuit"; November 21, 1835, it was called the "Evansville Circuit," and December 24, 1836, it was changed to the "Mt. Vernon Circuit." The following were presiding elders between 1823 and 1850: William Beauchamp, James Armstrong, C. Holliday, George Locke, Enos G. Woods, Aaron Woods, John Miller, H. S. Talbot, John Kern, John Kerger and E. Whitton.

In 1849 Black's Chapel was erected on land then owned by Ezekiel Black, who deeded the lands to the church for the consideration of $1. Prairie Chapel was organized about the same time and Welborn's Chapel was built in 1857. There had been preaching at Welborn as early as 1824 and conferences were begun in 1825. Regular camp grounds were established near John ^^'elborn's about 1830. Nathan Ashworth and Joseph W'hitworth were licensed to exhort in 1825 and Wil-

Ham Pool, Andrew Joel, William Bonner and Absalom Duckworth in 1836. Prominent among the Methodist families at the first organization of the church were the Welborns, Aldredges, Ashworths and Blacks.

In 1825 the General and Regular Baptists united and built Mount Pleasant Church, about three miles northeast of Mt. Vernon, on the Blackford road. It was a small log house but was soon replaced by a larger one. This house burned down and a building with a seating capacity of about 300 was erected. Rev. Benoni Stinson was the first minister. In 1866 the membership was 240.

The first religious services of all denominations were held in private houses. A small brick house was erected on the corner of Main and Sixth streets in 1828. This was used by different denominations for a time, but with the population steadily increasing it soon became too small and in 1840 the Christians erected a church on Fifth street, between Main and Walnut. The lot was deeded by Aaron Baker and William Hendricks. This church was organized in 1833. Among the first members were William Daniel, William Hendricks, Aaron and John Baker, James Moore, Noble Craig, Mrs. Larkin, William Larkin and the Douzouchett family. The first preacher was Elijah Goodwin. Later ones were Philo Dibble, Flower, Mason and McReynolds.

Their first services were held in private houses and in the brick church above mentioned until 1840, when they built a church on Fourth street, between Walnut and Mulberry. They used this building till April, 1852, when they sold it to the German Methodists for $400. They then built a church on Walnut street, between Fourth and Fifth.

In 1853 a German Evangelical congregation started up. At first their membership consisted of only twelve Germans, holding religious services in private houses. Soon their memership increased and four years later they built a new frame church on North Mulberry street at a cost of $800. The first regular minister was T. H. H. Schmitz. This was the Evangelic Trinity Church.

In 1883 they built a new church, which was completed and consecrated March 17, 1884, at a cost, including furniture, etc., of over $10,000. The congregation now embraces some of the most prominent families in Mt. Vernon.

The Presbyterian church of Mt. Vernon was organized in 1839, with ten members. Their first minister was Rev. Rankin, who came as a missionary and held monthly services for about a year. A few years later Rev. Tiffany came. He was also a carpenter and through his efforts their first church building was erected in 1851. The next minister was Rev. Charles Fitch. He had charge of the church for several years and was succeeded by Rev. N. T. Tuck, who preached and taught school.

The first German Methodist society was organized in Cincinnati in 1836. The society at Mt. Vernon was organized in 1843 with about twelve members. The first missionary was Peter Schmucker. In 1854 they bought the church pfoperty occupied by the English speaking Methodists, previous to the erection of their new church.

During the pioneer days of Posey county the Baptists (Hardshells) and the Methodists were the principal denominations represented, though itinerant preachers representing other denominations came occasionally and preached to the settlers.

Rev. John Schrader, a Methodist preacher who traveled extensively in this State, Illinois and Missouri, came in 1814. He was one of the first preachers to locate in Robb township and was regarded as a powerful preacher. He died in 1880, at the age of ninety.

Among the early ministry of Robb township were Revs. Scrip, Holliday and Thomas Davis. Among the pioneer Baptist preachers were Elders James Martin, Benny Keith, Charles Whiting, Ezekiel Sanders, Louis Williams, Joel Hume, Elijah and William Goodwin. The Elders Goodwin denounced unequivocally the use of the "mourners' bench" and the doctrine that people could and did "get religion." They declared that the mourners' bench was without precedent in the Bible and that religion consisted in doing good works and obeying the commands of the Scriptures to the letter.

Rev. Joseph Wasson, dissenting from those views, organized a faction and withdrew from the church. This was about the year 1816. Henceforth the followers of Rev. Wasson were called Wassonites, but called themselves the Christians. They built a log church at a place called Liberty in Smith township and several years later, through the benevolence of "Uncle" Isaiah \^'ilkinson, a neat frame building was erected on the old site and the Wassonites continued to "hold the fort" at the same old stand. About the year 1821 they built a large log church and laid out a camp ground, in the form of a hollow square, at Mt. Pleasant, also in Smith township. A large number of log huts were built all around the outer edge of the square for the accommodation of campers. Here the people flocked in great numbers to attend the camp meetings and revivals. Some of the greatest revivals of the time occurred at this camp ground. Thomas Smiley, 'Squire James Wilson, "Uncle" Tommy Wilson, and "Uncle" Johnnie Shelton were prominent in camp meeting days. At times the excitement became very intense and the penitent sinners were seized with strange hallucinations, declaring that they could see the Savior or the de\il ; smell the burning of brimstone in hell, etc.

day but was modeled after the design common in most churches of that day and would be quite a curiosity to church-goers of today. The floor was about four feet above the main floor. It was six feet wide and twelve feet long and was enclosed or boxed up all around to a height of about four feet, with the exception of a small opening on each side for doors, which were approached by stairways.

The first church in New Harmony was the old frame church of the Rappites. In 1842 the St. Stevens Episcopal Church was built. For many years this had a large membership, had a large Sunday school, supported an able minister and was in a flourishing condition, but in later years it ceased to maintain a minister. The first Methodist ministers to preach in New Harmony were Revs. Meek and Burkitt, who were in the town in community days. They organized the first Methodist class in 1846 at the house of Mrs. Anderson. A Sunday school was organized in the same year with John R. Hugo as superintendent and Mrs. Heaton as assistant. The Methodists built a camp ground at Beech Grove in Lynn township in 1843 ^nd in 1870 the General Baptists built a church at that place which they called Bethsada, a church organization having existed there for several years previously. The trustees of the church were John G. Donaldson, B. S. Aldrich and William York.

The General Baptists built the first church in Center township in 1876 on land in section 26, which was formerly owned by John R. Skelton. The first trustees were Weston Lewis, Robert Willis and Francis M. Tennison. The church has a very large membership at present.

Greathouse Church in Point township was built in 1872, at a cost of approximately $1,500. The ground on which it was built was given by Henry Stripe on condition that the house should be called and retain the name of Greathouse Church. It was a Methodist institution. Previous to its erection the Methodists, as well as the Baptists and Christians, worshipped in the Stripe school house, which was a log building, the first school house built in the township.

In 1843 Zion's Evangelical Church was organized with sixteen families, and a log building was erected in the southern part of Robinson township. In 1856 they erected a new frame house at a cost of $2,200, and a $600 pipe organ was installed.

In 1815 the Baptists built a small log house in Bethel township and worshipped here for many years before they became strong enough to build a more commodious frame building. Jerry Cash, Louis Williams and Peter Saltzman were their earliest preachers. After the Baptists built their new church the Disciples preached in their old log church till they also grew stronger and built a new frame house.

Today, beautiful, commodious and up-to-date church buildings are to be found in every hamlet, village and town in Posey county, representing the Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, Christians, Presbyterians, Epis-

St. Matthew'S Church, Mt. Vernon

When this part of the country was practically a wilderness and the forests primeval still surrounded the locality now occupied by the city of Mt. Vernon there was already a thriving town beautifully situated on the banks of the Ohio river known then as McFaddin's Bluff. As the river trade brought with it an increasing population, the missionary would come along also to look after the spiritual wants of his people. The only means of travel the missionary had in those days was on horse back along the trail in the woods, unless he could glide for a time along the streams in a little boat or skiff. As early as 1840 the Rev. E. J. Durbin, a zealous and well known priest from St. Vincents, Ky., came to Mt. Vernon on his trips through southern Indiana and Illinois, visiting the Catholic people, attending to the sick and dying and occasionally stopping to hold services for the little flock at Mt. Vernon. Father Durbin was a typical Kentuckian. He was noted for his kindness to everyone, also for his bravery when called upon to face danger in the exercise of his duties. One stormy night there was a man walking up and down the banks at Uniontown looking for some one to to take him across. The river was too wild for the most expert oarsman to venture rowing a skiff across, when the man spied a fisherman and said, "If you will let me have a skiff, I'll go myself." The man gave him the boat but said, in amazement, "You are either a crazy man or else you are Father Durbin." "Well," he said, "I am Father Durbin." He was on his way to a dying man across the river. He was a welcome guest in any company on account of his wit and democratic manners. He dedicated the first churcli at Mt. Vernon. Doing services in Kentucky for man}- years he lived to a ripe old age and died revered by all. In 1844 the Rev. A. Deydier, the first resident priest at Evansville, came occasionally, but the Rev. Roman Weinzoepfel was the first priest to pay Mt. Vernon regular visits, holding services in the parlors of the hotel then owned bj- the Schenk brothers. In 1857 a lot 140 x 140 v/as bought from Hiram P. Casselberry for $660.00. Father Wein.'.oppfel received substantial encouragement from the citizens in general and soon let the contract for a church building 40 x 22 to be built of brick. The church was dedicated in October, 1857, by the Rev. E. J. Durbin and named after St. Matthew, the apostle. Father Weinzoepfel visited Mt. Vernon for the last time in 1858, attended New Alsace, Ind., for several years, but spent the decline of his life in the quiet cloister of Meinrad, Ind., where he died about twelve years ago. He was held in high veneration, being the martyr priest during the early know-nothing times, when bigotry ran high. He was persecuted for several years, until the tide turned, principally through the intervention of President Polk and Governor Whitcomb, of Indiana. The congregation of Mt. Vernon was now attended by priests from St. Wendel, Evansville and Vincennes, until 1865, when the Rev. H. J. Diestel, residing at St. Philip, visited Mt. Vernon once a month. He took a great interest in the congregation and built a spacious one-story frame school house and parsonage. Father Diestel was beloved by everybody on account of his genial disposition and kindly manner. He could make himself at home in the court house, swapping yarns with the county officers, or on the business streets shaking hands and saying a kind word to everybody. After remaining at St. Philip for twenty-two years he became pastor of Trinity Church, Evansville. He died October 27, 1907.

In 1868 St. Matthew's Church received its first resident pastor, in the person of Rev. J. F. Sondermann, who remained until May, 1874. From now on the little congregation made rapid progress. Father Sondermann made many improvements in the church, also bought the ground for a Catholic cemetery. Being of a gentle disposition and conscientious in his work he soon won the favor of all classes of people, went through the sieges of cholera and smallpox and came very nearly dying of smallpox himself. After being pastor at Evansville for a while he was promoted to take charge of a church at Lawrenceburg, where he has endeared himself to his flock and is the pastor to this very day.

St. Matthew's parish has always believed in a good school. From the very beginning a parochial school was established and a competent teacher secured in the person of Jacob Weiss, who taught for fifteen years. The school was very popular from the start and many of our most prominent business men received their education in St. Matthew's school. Fifty or sixty years ago our schools through the country were mostly subscription schools, the people of a neighborhood subscribing for a teacher, whom they hired for as many months as they could afford. Up to 1820 all our public schools were denominationl schools under the supervision of the clergy. In our present school system much has been done for education, but religion was entirely abolished from the schools. Catholics, believing that morality is based on religion, make it a matter of conscience that education is complete only when religion is taught along with the secular branches, and since the State school cannot teach religion without violating the law, they maintain their own parochial schools, carrying their own burden and saving thereby a great amount of money to the town and State. At the present day many of our most prominent educators and sociologists maintain strongly that we must come back to a system in which religion is taught in our schools if we care for the welfare of our country. The parochial school is not inimical to the public school ; on the contrary, its attitude has always been that of friendly relationship.

In 1900 a large substantial brick building was erected for a school house with an entertainment hall on the second floor, on the corner of Fifth and Mulberry streets. The school building is modern in every way, with high ceilings, is well lighted and ventilated and heated by steam. The equipment of the school is up to date in every particular, has its sanitary drinking fountains, all the latest maps, charts, globes, and whatever belongs to the educational system. At this time the Servite Sisters, of London, England, were induced to come and take charge of the school. These ladies are members of a religious community that stands high in the ranks of educators. They have prominent schools in Paris and London. They devote themselves entirely to teaching and have the traditions of centuries in their order to profit from. They established a separate kindergarten on scientific principles and taught it for eight years to the great delight of the parents as well as the little one who attended. The curriculum of St. Matthew's school includes the usual eight grades of the public school, and a graduate is fit to enter the city high school. Manual training, drawing, sewing and physical exercises have always been part of the school work. At present the Sisters of St. Benedict have charge of the school. Besides striving for efficiency in school work they conduct a music academy, where an able teacher gives lessons in both vocal and instrumental music. The school is in a flourishing condition.

After Father Sondermann left, the Rev. Mathias A. Gillig was pastor until July, 1877, when the Rev. J. J. Schoentrup took charge of St. Matthew's parish. The church was now entirely too small for the accommodation of the rapidly increasing congregation and the necessity of building a new and larger church became evident. Father Schoentrup, then a young and energetic man with pleasant manners, went to work with a will and was generously supported by all the people. There never was any religious bigotry in Mt. Vernon, the people believing in religious liberty and living happily together in perfect harmony. They were glad to see a new and beautiful church edifice being erected that would be a credit to the city. The building was begun in the summer of 1879 and was completed in 1880. The building is Roman style, 112x50 feet. The steeple is 146 feet high. Bishop Chatard dedicated the church October 10, 1880. The cost of the building was $10,000, the interior furnishings $1,700. The congregation has always kept on improving the interior of the church by adding new artistic furniture and church furnishings. The whole interior of the church is beautifully decorated in fresco, done by three arti.sts from Italy. The columns are in onyx. The ceiling reprents heaven with clusters of angels, natural as life, in the alcoves. The facade of the sanctuary shows our Lord inviting us to pray; on each side is a recording angel. The ceiling of the sanctuary shows the representation of the Holy Spirit hovering over the altar. The whole scene is very inspiring and devotional. The roof of the church was changed and covered with the very best material - the fire-proof asbestos slate. The other buildings are covered with the same material. In 1893 the first church building, one of the old landmarks, was removed and a priest's residence built on the north side of the church, corner Fifth and Walnut streets, which greatly improved this place. Rev. J. J. Schoentrup worked faithfully for the welfare of the church during six years of his pastorship and was then called to take charge of the church at Aurora, Ind. He died March 14, 1891. He was succeeded by the Rev. A. Koesters, a brilliant man and great orator, who remained until December, 1883, when he resigned to take up literary work. At his request the Rt. Rev. Bishop Chatard, D. D., appointed the present pastor, the Rev. F. B. Luebbermann, who officiated at St. Matthew's Church for the first time on December 8, 1883. During his administration the church has grown to be a large congregation, which became a factor in the history of Posey county. It numbers over a thousand souls and in its fold are some of our most prominent business men and most substantial farmers. The congregation, always progressive, has steadily improved its church property, which today is an ornament to the city. In 1912 the parish built a new and modern priest's residence facing Mulberry street on the old Mc- Arthur property, which was purchased some years before. The building is made of vitrified brick with asbestos slate roof. This part of the property being shaped up is a great improvement to that part of the city and a credit to the congregation.

The Town Clock

About twenty years ago there was a general desire of the citizens of Mt. Vernon to have a town clock that could be heard all over the city, and besides its practical use would be like music and poetry to the people. It was a luxury that few cities of the size of Mt. Vernon would dream of. The city was not in the position to get one. The only way, therefore, to secure it was by popular subscription. This v.'as done, Frederick P. Leonard heading the list with fifty dollars. The natural place for it would have been on the city or county building, but the subscribers wanted it on a place where it would surely be well cared for. and decided in favor of the tower of St. Matthew's Church.. The clock is a fine piece of mechanism, built by the M. Schwalbach Company, of Milwaukee, Wis., and has done service all these years, and having been overhauled lately is as good as new. It strikes the quarters on two bells and the hour on the largest bell. The city pays the nominal sum of fifty dollars a year for taking care of it. It is wound up every day and the weights are from 400 to 600 pounds. The

St. Matthew's Church now has a cluster of substantial and up-to-date buildings on the half block it owns, which, with the grounds all neatly trimmed, are a credit to the city and in keeping with the city's progress. What adds mostly to the neat appearance of the city of Mt. Vernon is its improved streets, clean-cut curbings and concrete sidewalks. St. Matthew's parish put down the first concrete sidewalk in the city of Mt. Vernon, twenty years ago. The work was watched by all the people with keen interest and has now stood the test of time, for, though made in large blocks, it is as good today as it was at first, not showing even the sign of a crack.

The history of St. Matthew's Church would be incomplete without mentioning its religious services and its singing choir. The church itself, being consecrated to the worship of God, is never used for anything else but Divine worship. The services in the Catholic church, if rightly understood, are beautiful and elevating. The Latin language is used only in its ritual and it shows that the church is not national but universal, being the same all the world over. The people, however, have the vernacular translation of it all in their prayer books. The sermons in the St. Matthew's church are always in the English language. Anybody is welcome to any and all of its services. At certain times a course of lectures is given to non-Catholics, explaining in all charity the doctrine, customs and the history of the Catholic church. Although the church advocates congregational singing of popular hymns by the people it always maintains a select choir of superior voices for the more difficult chant. Miss Mary Munchoff and Miss Olga Joest, two star singers of the world, were members of the St. Matthew's choir and received their first instructions in its rehearsals. The music is taken from the masterpieces of the greatest composers of the world, who found their inspirations in the solemn services of the Catholic church, and if properly rendered is always inspiring and devotional. The St. Matthew's choir has always kept up its record for efficiency in highclass church music.

St. Matthew's congregation is a model for harmony. There is never any friction or antagonism among its members. The people work in harmony with their pastor and the pastor is devoted to his flock. The pastor had many calls to higher places in larger cities, but when the people found it out they always petitioned against it, and he was willing to stay with them. The priest is naturally kind to everybody, irrespective of creed, and is everybody's friend. The people of St. Matthew's congregation always believed in the proverb, "United we stand," and to this united work and sentiment is probably due in a large measure the success of St. Matthew's church.

Through the munificences of Hovey and Menzies, each of whom gave forty acres of timber land, it was made possible to start a church in Point township. The pretty little frame church, 72 x 35. was built in 1900 and dedicated with great solemnity in October, 1902. It is attended to once a month from Mt. Vernon, Ind. A church, wherever established, becomes not only an educational and moral factor in the community, but also a great help in the material progress and prosperity of the country. When this church was to be built a half-mile stretch of the road was yet in timber and had to be cleared. It is now a continuous, much traveled road, the longest and straightest in Posey county. The improvements about the church stimulated the farmers and everyone began to improve and progress, so that the general verdict of the people was that nothing ever contributed as much for the development of Point township as the building of this church. Other substantial farmers, seeing the fertile soil and the possibilities for the future, bought land and settled down. The prices of land have more than doubled and quite a transformation took place in that section within the last ten years. With thrift and energy on the part of the progressive farmers, with improved roads and proper drainage, Point township is destined to be the garden spot of Posey county. The church has also provided for the social enjoyment of the people. In the rear of the church building is a beautiful grove, where large gatherings have their amusements in summer time, in an orderly way, and are protected from ruffianism of any sort. The church is free and open to all and admits non-Catholics as well as Catholics to all of its services. The congregation is steadily growing and in the course of time will be a substantial country parish.

St. Philip'S Church

Prior to 1846 Catholics living in this vicinity were attended b}' the Rev. Fathers Czackert, C. S. S. R., A. Deydier, C. Schniederzans and Charles Oppermann, who celebrated mass in private houses. During the year 1843 ^ 'og chapel was raised, but not completed. The place, selected by Rev. Schniederzans, was located a quarter of a mile east of the present church site. Not proving satisfactory, the work was abandoned until the arrival of Rev. Roman Weinzapfel, who took charge of the mission in 1846. By order of Rt. Rev. Bishop De La Hailandiere the chapel was to be erected on a piece of land near the West Franklin road. The chapel was rebuilt near the present site of church and completed in 1846. Mass was celebrated for the first time September 12, 1847, and the chapel was dedicated to St. Philip, the apostle. In the year 1857 Rev. Weinzapfel made preliminary arrangement for the building of a large brick church 50x100 feet. This work was completed in i860 by Rev. F. Wagner, of St. Wendel's. who had charge after the resignation of Rev. Weinzapfel. From 1861 to 1865 Rev. J. B. Marl had charge of the mission. On the fifteenth of January, 1865, Rev. H. T. Diestel arrived at St. Philip's and became the first resident pastor. He remained until his promotion to Holy Trinity church, Evansville, Indiana. During the twenty-one years of his pastorate a substantial brick parsonage and a school building were erected. The church steeple was replaced by a new and beautiful chime of four bells placed therein. Mrs. E. Deig donated a costly high altar. Later on a pipe organ was obtained by general contribution, the organ costing $1,700. Other improvements were made, all of which rendered St. Philip's congregation a most desirable and flourishing congregation. Rev. VV. Kemper was in charge eighteen months. He was obliged to resign on account of failing health.

On the seventh day of August, 1888, Rev. George T. Loesch received the appointment as pastor of St. Philip's church. The congregation at that time numbered ninety-three families, with an average school attendance of fifty to sixty children.

George Schenk, an uncle of Rev. Loesch, taught school, with only one year's interruption (1865), for a term of forty years. George Loesch, father of the Reverend Loesch, and A. T. Alles also taught school for short periods very successfully. Since 1896 three P>enedictive sisters have had charge of the school ; ninty-five pupils are now enrolled and the sisters' work is duly appreciated. One of the pleasing and useful features of the school is the industrial work, which is taught to the girls by the sisters one day each week.

The congregation owns eighteen acres of land, moreover two cemeteries, each having many beautiful and costly monuments. The congregation now numbers 100 families, of whom many are rich and prosperous farmers.

Rev. Father Loesch has had charge of St. Philip's Church twenty-five years. Two other events worthy of mention were the silver jubilee of the ordination of the pastor of St. Philip's on Decoration day, May 30, 1910, and in October, 1910, the golden jubilee of the church, built in i860. At both celebrations hundreds of friends and visitors from Mt. Vernon and Posey county were present and entertained.

St. Wendel'S Church

Prior to December, 1841, mass had been celebrated in St. Wendel parish from the time of its creation in the home of Martin Kohl, but, in Christmas week of the year mentioned the congregation, composed of twenty families, prepared the material and erected within five days a log structure as a house of worship. This chapel was regularly visited by Rev. Roman Weinzoepfel until May, 1842, and in October of the same year Rev. Conrad Schneiderjans became the first resident pastor, enjoying the hospitality of Mr. Kohl until a primitive log cabin was erected for his home, and here he remained until the fall of 1845, when he was called by the bishop to Vincennes, after which St. Wendel was occasionally visited by Revs. Charles Oppermann and Martin Stohl until April, 1846, when Father Weinzoepfel returned to the mission.

Rev. Father Weinzoepfel labored hard for the improvement of his parish and the church property. The little log building had now become too small for the growing congregation and steps were taken for the erection of a new church. The material was mostly donated. A subscription of $5,000 was raised and April 17, 1853, Bishop de St. Palais laid the corner stone of the present church. The cost of the structure, exclusive of the material, which was mostly donated, was $5,600.

From 1858 until 1879 St. Wendel's was in charge of a number of priests, none of whom remained more than a few years. However, each one took up the good work where his predecessor left off and improvements went on. During this period a brick school house of two rooms and a residence for teachers was built and other improvements made.

June 6, 1879, Rev. Michael Heck was placed in charge. He has much improved the church by adding a sacristy to it, thoroughly renovating the interior, placing in three beautiful altars, hardwood pews, new wooden floor, nice communion railing and pulpit, had the church frescoed, put in stained glass windows, put a slate roof on the church, as well as the erection of a superb school house, 70x70 feet, at the cost of $8,000. Father Heck died the thirty-first day of January, 1899, and was buried at St. Wendel's cemetery the third day of February.

The schools of St. Wendel have by no means been neglected. The first classes were taught by F. W. Pepersack during the pastorate of Rev. Father Weinzoepfel, but it was not until the incoming of Father Heck that the schools were truly vitalized. The school is in charge of three Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Ind.

After the death of Father Heck Rev. James Pfeiffer had charge for a brief period and on February 21, 1899, Rev. Nicholas Klein was assigned to the parish. During his pastorate the church and school property have been extensively improved and the parish brought up to a high standard. The improvements and articles purchased amounted to over $23,000.

The congregation of St. Wendel is in a flourishing condition, numbering 185 families, and the largest country congregation, with the finest property in the diocese of Indianapolis, as a country congregation.

Zion'S Evangelical Church At Lippe

This church is one of the earliest established in Posey county. It is located south of the center of Robinson township. Seventy years ago this location was selected by the first German Evangelical settlers and founders of Zion's Church. The membership includes Parker's Settlement, Blairsville, Caborn, St. Philips and vicinity. The local name "Lippe" was given to this church and community by its early members from Lippe, Germany. The early records of the congregation at this place date back to 1842.

Six miles east, on the New Harmony road in Vanderburg county, there was a small congregation already in existence. The pastor of this church, named Krassauer, came from time to time to do pastoral work. Services were held in a nearby district school house. And as all these settlers had come from good Christian communities in the old country, the opportunity of worshipping God in their accustomed way seems to have been highl}' appreciated.

The fathers of this church, however, soon realized that a school house could not properly be turned into a house of worship and laid plans for the future. An organization was formed and a suitable place for the location of a church building was considered. As a result, an acre and a half of land was bought for $18 and is now occupied by the graveyard and the parsonage. Additions have been made to this land, so that at present the site comprises over six acres.

After Rev. Krassauer's services, between two and three years. Rev. Zaupert, stationed at Evansville, Ind.. attended to the pastoral work for one year. He was succeeded by Rev. Lauer, pastor of St. John's Evangelical Church at Evansville, for two years. During his pastorate a more complete constitution was adopted and the organization was made permanent. For the last time, in 1848, Zion was found in want of a neighboring pastor's services. Rev. Dulitz, on the New Harmony road, took up the work here and carried it on for about one year.

In 1849 with the general tide of immigration came a bright and well educated Christian young man, Mr. Austmann, from Lippe, in Germany. His ability as well as his qualifications for evangelistic work found the approval of Zion's members. Upon application he was ordained to the ministry by the German Evangelical Synod of North America. This marks the very first occasion of Zion's Church coming into touch with an organized church body, while so far it had worked its course as an individual or free Protestant congregation. In 185 1 it formally joined this body and has ever since held its membership with this church. All its pastors for the past sixty-three years were members of the same church.

Of the twelve men who have served as pastors all but three have gone to their reward. L. Schmidt, G. Tillmanns and C. G. Kettelhut still are in active service. Rev. C. F. Warth died September i8, 1884, while in his pastorate at the congregation. His remains, as well as those of his wife and a grown son, are interred at the congregation's cemetery.

In 1850 the congregation built its first parsonage, a log building, for Rev. Austmann. When a few years later it was destroyed by fire the congregation rebuilt it at once. Early in the '50s we notice the first efforts toward the establishinent and maintenance of a regular parochial school. The first teacher, Mr. Stahlschmidt, was engaged. When in 1856 the congregation had to build a larger and more commodious frame church, the old log church was remodeled into a school building and served its purpose up to 1865, in which year a spacious frame building was put up for $600. This school has flourished from that time, having at times an enrollment of nearly 100 pupils. In this school not only German Bible history, but also all the various elementary studies of our common schools are taught. Besides the teacher above mentioned we find the names of the following men on the record, some of whom have for a number of years continually taught this school: H. Weiss, A. C. Walther, George Appel, Henry Scherer, Ernst Wandtke. In 1904, for the lack of proper interest, the school was discontinued and the school building was torn down in 1912.

We might conclude that these people in their pioneer days, some of them with large families to support, might have been taxed to the limit of their means in keeping up with the running expenses of their own church and school ; but to convince us that even in those early days of comparatively meager means a lively sense of Christian sympathy and brotherly love had been cultivated and manifested.

To show the spirit of loyalty with which the church has been supported a few figures may be produced from the records. We shall take the years from 1858 to 1865, bearing in mind that two years previous a new church had been built, and in the last year of this period a school building finished, we find that Zion's congregation in these eight years, through collections and personal offerings, raised $1,781.44, including nominal sums for deprived families of Union soldiers on the battle field.