Tipton County, Indiana - Chapter 12: Church History, 1914

Chapter 12: Church History

The present membership of the church, in January, 1914, is seven hun¬ dred and fifty. The enrollment of the Sunday school totals four hundred and fifty. The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, the Standard Bearers, the Woman's Home Missionary Society, the Queen Esther Circle and the Epworth League, are societies which aid in the wrork of the church.

Abraham Kemp died on February 4, 1902, and bequeathed to the Meth¬ odists the approximate sum of forty thousand dollars with which to erect a house of worship. By December of that year, after the name "Kemp" had been adopted, the lots ordered purchased, and the architect employed, the plans were adopted. The contract was awarded to Ed Henry of Tipton. On April 18, 1903, the first work was done on the church building. On June 25th the corner stone was laid, and during the week of June 5-12, 1904, the magnificent church was dedicated to the public under the name of the Kemp Memorial Methodist Episcopal church. The church lot is located on the comer of North Main and Walnut streets, and measures one hundred and eleven by one hundred and ninety-eight feet, while the church building meas¬ ures one hundred and eleven by ninety feet. The structure is built of Indiana oolitic limestone, and the wall linings are of brick. The woodwork of the first floor is oak, dark antique finish. The second floor is finished in yellow pine, natural finish. The various windows are made of opalescent, cathedral and ripple glass. Electric lights are installed in the building, with emergency gas burners. The church is heated with steam. The pipe organ has two manuals, and one thousand and sixty pipes. The auditorium has a seating capacity of four hundred and fifty.

The Methodist Episcopal church at Sharpsville was organized in the fall of 1852, by Rev. Hopkins, who was the preacher in charge of the Normanda circuit. The first class was composed of the following members : Madison Grishaw, America Grishaw, James Comer and wife, Washington Grishaw, Caleb Richardson and wife, George Richardson and wife, Callaway Pierce and wife, V. C. Wisner and several others.

In 1854 Milton Mahin was presiding elder, and Nathan Shackleford preacher in charge, assisted by W. K. Hoback. Martin Morrison was ap¬ pointed in the fall of 1854, reappointed in the spring of 1855, and failed to fill the charge. Rev. Richey was appointed in 1856 by Elder Lamb to fill the place. The district was then known as the Peru district. In the spring of 1857 J. J. Cooper, presiding elder, appointed William Bradford, who re¬ mained two years. Under his supervision the Methodist Episcopal church building was commenced. Then followed Rev. George Havens, from 1839 to 1861, who completed the church building, which was dedicated by his father, Rev. James Havens. J. W. T. McMullen was the preacher in charge in 1861. The following year Rev. William Edmonson was in charge. The following spring Joseph Shackleford was appointed and remained two years. In the next spring came D. F. Streight, who remained one year. After that came Silas Stout, one year; James Black, one year; and W. J. Martindale, six months. The presiding elder employed C. W. Stafford to complete Martin-

In the spring of 1869 Sharpsville was set off from Tipton and made a separate circuit, and in 1870 Rev. L. R. Streeter was sent here and remained a period of three years. During his pastorate, Nash's chapel was constructed. Then followed T. J. Elkin, who stayed three years; A. H. Currie, three years; D. D. Powell, two years; T. H. C. Beall, one year, and F. A. Fish, one year. Rev. White came next. In town, the Methodists first met in a vacant dwelling house south of the square, and then in the school house, until the church was completed.

Since 1885 the pastors of the church have been Revs. A. M. Patterson, Ed Osborne, J. A. Ross Gehring, W. E. McCarty, M. F. Stright, J. F. Radcliff, C. E. Disbrow, C. M. Hollopeter, S. Billheimer, C. Tinkham, O. V. L. Harbour, and the present pastor, W. C. Asay. The brick church building was constructed in 1900, and cost twelve thousand dollars. The present mem¬ bership is three hundred and the Sunday school has an enrollment of two hundred and fifty. The societies are the Ladies' Aid. Woman's Home Mis¬ sionary, Queen Esther circle, Ushers' Union and the Junior League.

The Methodist Episcopal church of Windfall was organized by Rev. George Havens at the village school house, in the year 1857, with an original membership of four or five families. The school house was used as a meeting place until 1873, at which time a frame edifice was erected, costing eighteen hundred dollars. Rev. George Havens was the first pastor, and after him came Revs. R. A. Newton, F. A. Fish, E. M. Baker, D. D. Powell, R. B. Powell, John Kane. P. J. Albright, F. A. Fish, E. W. Osborne.

One of the handsomest churches in the county of Tipton is the Methodist Episcopal church edifice at Windfall. In beauty of line, architectural efficiency and convenient arrangement, this church occupies the front rank of churches and is very unusual in towns the size of Windfall. This church was begur* during the pastorate of Rev. S. F. Harter in 1911, and was dedi¬ cated in September, 1913. The total cost was twenty-eight thousand dollars, most of this sum coming from private subscriptions. The church has rooms for every need, including a spacious basement fitted for public meetings. The auditorium is so arranged that every member of the congregation faces the speaker directly, and the walls and ceiling of this room are designed in view of the highest acoustic properties. A memorial pipe organ is but another feature of the interior, and also every art glass window in the church is a memorial. There are two hundred members of this church at present, with a Sunday school of three hundred enrollment. The Ladies' Aid Society is

In 1909 the Methodist Episcopal church came into existence at Hobbs, due to the separation from the Windfall church. Rev. B. M. Bechdolt was the first pastor of the Hobbs congregation, and he was followed in order by Revs. Alonzo Burns; the third pastorate he succeeded himself, Walter Fouts, and E. C. Fisher, the present incumbent, in 1913. There are about seventyfive members of the church in January, 1914, and the Sunday school enroll¬ ment numbers one hundred. There is a Ladies' Aid Society. At this time there is a parsonage being built, and plans are laid to construct a good church building adjoining.

Goldsmith Methodist Episcopal church was organized through the labors of Dr. J. A. Bouse, who started a movement for the erection of a church building at the village in 1881. John Magnet donated ground for the pur¬ pose and work began on the building at once, which was soon completed at a cost of one thousand dollars. It was a beautiful frame structure, stood north of the village, and did great credit to the originators of the movement. A short time after its completion, a meeting was called for the purpose of or¬ ganizing a class, which was effected through the efforts of Rev. M. S. Metts and Miss Kate Lubrick, an evangelist, assisted by Dr. J. A. Bouse. The class was organized with but three members, Sylvanus Bouse and wife, and Doc¬ tor Bouse, but in a short time this number was materially increased. It was attached to Shielville circuit, of the northern Indiana conference, and in 1882 became the principal head of the Goldsmith circuit. The pastors of the church have been Rev. E. W. Osborne and F. G. Brown. In 1883 a parsonage was purchased for six hundred dollars.

The Goldsmith Methodist Episcopal church has now about two hundred members, and the pastor is Rev. H. L. Liddle. The church is prosperous, and very popular in the vicinity.

The Methodist Episcopal church at Kempton has at present about two hundred members and is in charge of Rev. Modlin. The church building is a

A Methodist class was organized at Nevada, Liberty township, in the fall of 1858, by John B. Fish, of Sharpsville, who was a local preacher and traveled extensively in that capacity. He also filled vacancies in circuits sometimes, and was one of the pioneer Methodists. He died at his home in Sharpsville in 1879. Some of the original members were William Stockdale and wife, Wesley K. Bailey and wife, and A. D. Doggett and wife.

The first religious services held in Madison township were conducted under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal church, about the year 1839, in what was then known as the Center school house. The first preacher was Rev. Sanford Williams, under whose labors an organization was effected at the same place a few months later, consisting of the following members: Joseph A. Wright and wife, John B. Cole and wife, Miss Rebecca Cole, Sarah E. Wright, Mary Orr, Absalom Hobbs and wife, Martha Going, Malinda Going, Allen Going. Within a year the membership had increased substantially, although as yet they had no regular pastor, and had preaching just occasion¬ ally. It continued with varying success until near 1880, when, the strength had so decreased that it was thought well to dissolve the church relationship, which was done accordingly. The first regular supply was Rev. John Kelly, who preached at the home of Joseph A. Wright for one year. He was fol¬ lowed by Rev. Huffaker, under whose pastorate the meeting place was changed to the Antioch school house, which served as a place of worship dur¬ ing the life of the organization. The next in order was Rev. Tansey, who was succeeded by Revs. Pentsen, Newton, Hollingsworth. Cothron and others.

In the year 1863 Ervin Huntsinger, of the Protestant Methodist church, held a meeting at the Goodknight school house in Jefferson township, and organized a society composed as follows : Archibald Dick and wife, Owen Reese and wife, James Stroup, Howard Moon and wife, George Moon and wife, Garrett White and wife, Samuel Dunham and wife, Jane Draper, Ann M. Reese and Ellen Dunham. Rev. Douglas was the first pastor and preached two years. After him came Revs. Miller, Swazey, Boxwell, Smith. Evans and Heim. Their place of worship was a frame building, thirty- four by thirty-eight feet in size, and was erected in 1873. ^ stood a short distance

Christian Churches

The Christian church at Tipton was organized July 29, 1855, by H. St. John Van Dake, an evangelist, with the following as charter members: John Whisler, Caleb Parish, John W. Chambers, Temple Fleet, A. B. Goodrich, Mary Goodrich, Samuel Deal, Ann Deal, Phoebe Nelson, Nancy Thomas, Betsy Whisler and Lanzel Parish. Of this number, John Whisler and Samuel Deal were chosen as elders, and Caleb Parish and John W. Chambers, dea¬ cons, the latter also clerk. No regular preacher was secured until October,

1 859, when Elder B. M. Blount was employed for one year, to preach on alternate Sundays. The meetings had been held in the school house. The school not being adequate to the needs of the congregation, a committee was appointed to confer with the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church, who gave them their house of worship for use every other Sunday. On March 24,

1860, Joseph Van Buskirk was chosen elder, and John W. Chambers and John Young, deacons. Until 1864 Blount and Thomas Bernow were the pastors, and succeeding them have been Knowles. Shaw, B. M. Blount, Col¬ lins, W. S. Winfield, J. E. Taylor, J. B. Blount, L. H. Jamison, H. R. Prit¬ chard, D. R. Van Buskirk, A. H. Morris, A. F. Armstrong, R. S. Blount and R. A. Gilcrist and C. G. Bartholomew.

In 1870 the society built a magnificent brick church, which cost about six thousand dollars. It was dedicated by Elder M. B. Hopkins. The Sunday school was organized over Boyer's wagon shop about 1865, and J. B. Blount was the first superintendent.

Since 1890 the following have been pastors of the church : Revs. Robert Sellers. E. S. Conner, L. E. Sellers, T. H. Kuhn, E. A. Cole, W. C. Bower, Audley Heathers, George W. Henry, L. H. Stine and G. I. Hoover. Rev. A. H. Moore is the present pastor.

The new church building was constructed in 1907-8, at a total cost of thirty thousand dollars, including the furniture and pipe organ. The build¬ ing is known as the West Street Christian church. The present membership of the church is about nine hundred and the Sunday school has an attend¬ ance of about three hundred and sixty. The Ladies' Aid, the Young People's Christian Endeavor, the Junior Young People's Christian Endeavor, and the Christian Women's Board of Missions are the societies in the church.

The Windfall Christian church was organized from an old church which formerly existed near Irvin creek, in the northern part of the township. The original organization was brought about through the labors of Elders Rich- ard Cobb and Philemon Plummer. A house of worship was erected on Jef¬ ferson Wheeler's farm about the year 1854, and a good society maintained for a period of twelve or thirteen years, at the end of which time it was abandoned, because of the members joining the Windfall organization. The first meeting in the village was held at the school house in 1866 and an or¬ ganization was made with fifty members. Meetings were held at this place for eighteen months, when plans were made to erect a house of worship adequate to their needs. A lot was purchased in the northern part of the village and work on the new home begun at once. The building was frame, forty by fifty feet, and cost 'twenty-two hundred dollars, also had a seating capacity of three hundred and fifty. The first pastor was Elder Jacob Blount, who stayed one year. Following him came Elder Wright, staying the same period of time, and then came Elder James Blackman, and then, in regular order, C. Quick, Mr. Taylor, M. W. Jamison, P. Blount, Mr. McGuffin, Hi¬ ram Ford and Mr. Franklin.

The Christian church at Windfall is now in a very prosperous condition. The church has a membership of four hundred people, with a Sunday school enrollment of three hundred and seventy-five. Rev. J. H. Mavity is the pres¬ ent pastor of the church, and among those who have preceded him in the last twenty-five years were Revs. Elmer Sellers, Cornelius Quick, T. H. Coon, Samuel Hawthorne, William Kenney, Wylie Ackman, Myers, C. G. Barthol¬ omew, William Moore, F. D. Muse, E. Miller, Stotler and A. A. Honeywell. A beautiful white brick church was begun in August, 1909, and dedicated in August, 1910. This structure cost the sum of twenty thousand dollars. The church has a Ladies, Aid Society, Men's Bible class, with one hundred and thirty-five members, the Christian Women's Board of Missions and a Young Ladies' Circle.

The Christian church was organized at Hobbs in about the year 1884, the original promoters being Silas Negley, W. C. Morgan, B. F. Good and Sherman Hobbs. Elder B. M. Blount was the first minister, he using the empty room over the Morgan store. Following Elder Blount, Warren Goodykoontz took charge, but the church did not thrive and a number of times it was on the verge of disbandment. The congregation dragged along with more nr less discouragements until 1896, when A. C. George and his colaborers bought the old township school house and converted it into a church building Up to this time, they had been using an old blacksmith shop. This gave the church new life and it began to grow until its membership increased to about seventy-five, and they considered themselves in rather a prosperous condition. Up to this time, services are held every two weeks, but it is ex- pected in the future that there will be regular services every Sunday. The old brick schoolhouse did not meet the wants and desires of the congrega¬ tion, and after a brief campaign among the members they received such en¬ couragement that the effort was made, with the result of a triumphant suc¬ cess. Elvin Daniels was ordained as a minister from this congregation. The following is a list of ministers that have been employed from time to time at Hobbs: O. P. Snodgrass, B. M. Blount, T. H. Kuhn, E. E. Kuhn, John Street, M. J. Hodson, C. Taylor, M. Pyle, \V. C. Bower, L. C. Howe, M. Mc¬ Donald, George D. Foster, Newton Wilson and J. W. Whittkamper.

The Christian church at Hobbs has at present a membership of seventyfive people. The new church building was erected in 191 1, under the pastor¬ ate of Rev. J. \Y. Wittkamper, and cost approximately forty-nine hundred dollars. A. C. George, J. R. Glick and A. M. House were trustees at the time; A. M. House, J. C. Carr, and Glick were commissioners. Roscoe C. Smith is the present pastor of the congregation. This church has a very good Sunday school and a Ladies' Aid Society.

Tetersburg Christian church is the oldest religious organization in the township, and was organized in 1849. It was organized by Elder Lemuel Shoemaker, with an original membership of about twenty, among whom were George Teter and wife, Asa Teter and wife, Ebal Teter and wife, Eli Teter and wife, Mahlon Teter, George Phares and wife. William Wimer and wife. Sarah Wolford, Levi Dunn and wife, and Enos Miles and wife. The organization was made at the village school house, which was utilized as a place of worship for about twelve years, when a new church edifice was built. This house was a frame building and cost four hundred dollars, stand¬ ing on ground donated by Asa Teter. The first pastor was Elder Shoemaker, who staved for a period of two years, and after Shoemaker came the fol¬ lowing: Revs. Abraham Cole, Samuel Poff. John Poff, George Boswell, Henry Puckett, James Humphrey, William Dunfee, Mr. Peck, John Puckett, John R. Kob, Mr. Williams, John, Layman, D. W. Fowler and B. F. Jaynes.

The Christian church at Kempton at present is composed of one hundred and fifty members. Rev. J. A. Parker is the pastor. The Sunday school has an enrollment of one hundred and fifty, and the societies are the Home Workers, and the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor.

Catholic Churches

In the days of 1844, when Tipton was laid out, the Catholics were very few. The first priest- who said mass in Tipton county was Rev. Simon Sie- grist, who on occasion of a sick call to Tipton, said mass in the home of John Murphy. In 1856 Rev. D. Maloney came occasionally. Next came Rev. B. J. Force, stationed at Peru. Rev. Bernard Kroeger attended Tipton from 1864 to 1871, attended by the following assistants: Revs. C. Mougin, 1864; Law¬ rence Lamoor, 1865; Michael Hanley, 1867; B. T. Borg, 1869; V. Frawley, 1870, and J. H. O'Brien in 1871. Rev. John Grogan attended Tipton as a station from Kokomo.

The first church built in Tipton was in 1874, while Rev. Francis Lordemann was attending from Kokomo. It was a frame structure, thirty by forty feet, and cost twelve hundred dollars. Fifteen families then composed the congregation.

Rev. F. G. Lentz became the first resident pastor at Tipton in July, 1876. In 1881 he built an addition to the church. On the evening of December 14, 1885, the frame church was destroyed by fire, caused by a defective flue. Plans were immediately made for a new church and, pending its construc¬ tion, services were held in school rooms and halls. The corner stone for the new church was laid on June 16, 1889. On June 5, 1890, Rev. Anthony J. Kroeger became the regular pastor. Under his pastorate the church was com¬ pleted and dedicated on August 30, 1891. The church is built in Gothic style, of brick and stone, and has two towers, one one hundred and sixty-five feet high and the other eighty feet. Year by year since the building of the edifice additions and improvements have been made, including a three-thousand-dollar pipe organ in 1906.

The school house erected by Father Lentz in 1885 was a two-story brick and stone building. From 1885 to 1888 the school was taught by lay teacners, after which the sisters of St. Joseph took charge. The sisters lived in a cot¬ tage on the southeast corner of the school property until the summer of 1891, when they moved into their new convent, adjoining the school property op¬ posite the church. This is at present used as a parochial school, while the old school is still in use as a hall.

The first priest's house was built in 1876 by Father Lentz. In 1897 a new priest's house, a two-story brick and stone building, was erected by Father Kroeger. The cost was seven thousand dollars.

Rev. Anthony Henneberger succeeded Father Kroeger in Tipton, and he was in turn succeeded bv Rev. F. Joseph Bilstein, who serves the church at present. The congregation numbers about one hundred and fifty families.

St. Joseph Academy

The missionary, Rev. John Medaille, S. J., of Le Puy, was the founder of the congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, in the year 1650. The sisters came to America in 1836, locating at St. Louis. Since that year they have been introduced into many of the dioceses of the United States. In the year 1888 three Sisters of St. Joseph left their convent at Watertown, New York, and journeyed to Cape Vincent, and at this point crossed the St. Lawrence river to Kingston, Canada. It was a dangerous trip, for the spring thaw had caused the ice to break. The stage driver whipped his horses over the ice, to lessen the danger of breaking through the bending crust. Passing through severe snow storms in Canada, they made their way. After many days of weary travel, they reached their destination, Tipton. This was on the after¬ noon of March 15, 1888.

There were very few Catholic families at Tipton at that time, and the church was but a small brick building with Father Lentz in charge. The priest had induced the sisters to come, and he met them at the station. For two weeks the women were cared for until their cottage in North Oak street was ready for them. Only one room of this cottage was plastered, and it served for all purposes. The hardships and privations of the sisters were many, but they bore them in hopes of the bright future.

The sisters immediately began teaching in the small parochial school at Tipton, and otherwise making themselves loved by the people with whom they came into contact. Mother Gertrude, one of the sisters, was fortunate to have a father with means to provide for the erection of a convent for them. This structure was erected in 1891. In 1893 Bishop Rademacher ap¬ pointed Rev. Anthony J. Kroeger as the spiritual director of the sisters. It was by his suggestion that the valuable two-hundred-acre farm, located one mile north of Tipton, was purchased. The first academy was erected on this land in the year 1903. Since then there has been added building after build¬ ing until the large- farm has taken on the appearance of a thriving educa¬ tional center. The academy erected in 1903 has a frontage of over one hun¬ dred and fifty feet and a depth of fifty-three feet. Several years later a new convent was built, on the lines drawn by the best architects money could se¬ cure. A new chapel was also constructed.

The grounds of the St. Joseph Academy are at present beautiful and artistic. Driveways, cement walks, flower beds, shade trees, and a large campus; modernly fitted and equipped buildings, including a gymnasium - all make the place an ideal residence for the girls attending school there. The sisters raise their own vegetables, live stock and crops. The surroundings could be no more ideal for the young girl entering womanhood, or sisterhood.

United Brethren

The United Brethren organized a society at the Oakland school house near the year 1873, and sustained it with a fair membership for nearly four years. The preachers during that period were Revs. Evans, McNew, John McNew and William Bais. The organization was abandoned in 1877. In 1873 the Christians, or New Lights, organized a society at the Oakland school house, under Elder Vanness, who secured a very fair membership. Public services were held at the school house until 1875, at which time the place of meeting was changed to the new Union Chapel church building, near the southwest corner of Madison township. The different pastors of this society were Elders William Hefflin, George Bozwell, De Bois and John Layman. The Union chapel was erected in 1875 by the general public for the use of the public, and favoring no particular use of any denomination. It stood on in the year i860. The first meeting was held at the Zion school house in secadequate to the needs. Rev. Cobb, the founder of the society, preached for the ground donated by Joseph Henderson and cost five hundred dollars.

Baptist Church

The Baptist church at Tipton was organized in 1898 with ten members. C. M. Bragg was the first pastor, and the congregation worshipped in a hall rented for the purpose. A frame church was erected in 1900, costing, with the lot, about seventeen hundred dollars. The pastors have been Revs. C. M. Bragg, F. G. Kenney, C. M. Eddy, Robinson, Grennell, and the present one, C. M. Bragg. There are one hundred and fifty-five members of the church, and prospects are bright for many additional. The Ladies' Aid Society helps materially in the work of the organization.

The Regular Baptists organized a small society at New Lancaster school house in an early day, and sustained it for a number of years, having preach¬ ing at rare intervals. Their membership was few in numbers and no steos were taken to erect a house of worship. The school house and private resi¬ dences were used for the meetings. The minister under whom the society was organized was Elder James Ralston. The organization was abandoned many years ago.

The Missionary Baptist church of Curtisville was organized by Rev. Henry Cobb at his residence some time prior to i860. A house of worship was erected in the village in 1861, and afterward moved to Cobb's farm. This building was a huge log structure, in very poor condition, and was far in¬ church during the greater part of twelve years. Other pastors were William Hughes, Denton Simpson, J. A. Havens and Mr. Ellison.

Mount Zion Baptist church was organized by the Rev. Denton Simpson in the year i860. The first meeting was held at the Zion school house in sec¬ tion 3, and a society formed consisting of twelve members. Public services were held at the school house until 1880, at which time a new temple of worship was erected. This stood in section 3, on land donated by James Ter¬ rell, and was a commodious frame structure valued at one thousand dollars. The first regular pastor of the church was Rev. Valentine Knight, who stayed about four years. After him came Rev. Denton Simpson, two years, and then Rev. Joseph Van Briggle accepted the pastorate and served the time 01 seven years. John Storm, four years, was the next pastor. Rev. Madison Carver came next.

Liberty Baptist church dates its history from the year 1853. It was or¬ ganized at the residence of Peter Duncan, about one and a half miles north of the village of Groomsville. The organization was made by the efforts of Rev. Henry Cobb, the original members being as follows : Roley Smith, Elizabeth Smith, John Smith, Eliza Smith, Edward Coombs, Frances Coombs, Elijah Henry and Judy Henry. Duncan's home served the congregation for about four years as a meeting place, when a log house was built a short distance north of Groomsville, on land belonging to Abraham Kirtlev. This house was used as long as possible, when it was abandoned, and a frame structure erected in this place in the fall of 1882. The latter building was twenty-six feet by thirty in size, and was erected at a cost of nine hundred dollars. The first pastor of the church was Elder Cobb, who preached for a period of four years. He was succeeded by Rev. Simeon Mugg, who stayed but one year. After Mugg's time had expired, Elder Cobb was again called by the church, and remained about two years. Then came Uriah Thomas, one year, after which Rev. Denton Simpson preached at intervals for one or two years. Rev. John Storms succeeded Simpson, and stayed a little over one year, when Madison Carver was called to the pastorate. After Carver, came Storms again for a short time, who was succeeded in the year 1882 by J. K. P. Carson.

Poplar #Grove Separate Baptist church was first organized in the old log school house where the Jackson cemetery now is located. The society after¬ ward held meetings in Sharpsville for a year or two, and finally built a church on John Maze's farm. This building was afterward torn down, and in 1862 the church organization broke up. The early members were Reuben Jackson and wife, George Wiseman, James Bess, James Maze and wife, J. A. Maze and wife, Major Bennett, Oliver Brown and Andy Mills and wife. Elder Joy Randolph was the founder and pastor for many years. Reuben Jackson, A. J. Graham and Robert Sharp also preached at this church.

The Old School Baptist church was organized on the third Saturday in September, 1864, by a council composed of Wilson Thompson, John A. Thompson, A. B. Nay and George S. Weaver. The original members were Jesse G. Jackson and wife, W. J. Tyner and wife, Elizabeth Tharp, Charity Jackson, Joseph Hendrickson, James Powers and Elizabeth Lyon. The church was organized at the Lutheran meeting house. The church building was constructed in 1866. Elder Jesse G. Jackspn was the first attending pastor.

The Windfall Baptist church was organized in the year 1871, by mem¬ bers of the Salem church living in the village and vicinity. The constitu¬ tional members were John Nutter and wife, James Edwards and wife, Eliza¬ beth Alexander and Vinnie Mulligan. Rev. Cobb preached about two year* and was followed by Rev. Denton Simpson, who stayed several years with great success. Revs. Odell and McDade were later pastors. The school house was used for a time as a meeting place, when the Methodist and Chris¬ tian churches were offered to the congregation for their use.

The first preachers in Wildcat township were of the Baptist denomina¬ tion. The earliest religious services were conducted bv Rev. Archibald Leach at the~ residences of Silas Mitchell and John Pumphrev. These meetings were held at odd times, and the congregation increased so rapidly that the resi¬ dences were not sufficiently large to hold them. A log house was built by the people of the community, on the farm of Mr. Mitchell, and immediately after its completion a society was organized under the title of Salem church, con¬ sisting of the following members: John Pumphrey and wife, William Rosier and wife, and John Nutter and wife. Many additions were made to this num¬ ber shortly afterward, among whom were Henry and Mose Martin and their wives. The organization was consummated chiefly through the efforts of Revs. Cobb and Leach, the latter being the first pastor. He served them for about fifteen years. He was succeeded by Revs. Cobb, Denton Simpson and Carver. A neat frame house of worship was erected in 1869, costing fifteen hundred dollars.

Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran church at Tipton is composed of two hundred and ten communicant members. There are seventy-eight pupils and six teachers in the Sunday school, and the societies are the Ladies' Aid and the Young People's Society. The old frame church used by this congrega¬ tion was constructed in 1896, but in 1905 a new brick edifice was constructed. The original Lutheran society of this church was organized in the sixties four miles southwest of the city of Tipton. In 1893 the need of the church in Tipton became so great that it was established there, and the country membership consolidated with them. Among the pastors who served before the consolidation were Revs. G. Gotsch, G. Schumm, P. Seuel and M. Termenstein. The first regular pastor at Tipton was Rev. H. Boester, who had charge of the entire gas belt. H. E. Steuhm came in 1901, and in September, 1905, he was succeeded by C. W. Baer. At the beginning of his pastorate, on October nth, the new church was dedicated. In 1911 Rev. George H. Kase came from South Dakota, and was installed April 14, 1912. He serves the church at present.

The Richland Evangelical Lutheran church of Sharpsville was organized by Rev. A. H. Scherer in the Mud creek school house on June 23, 1857. There -were nine members at the time of the organization, namely : John Long, Jona¬ than Ulrick, Henry Swing, Oliver Saunders, Jane Long, Barbara Swing, Martha Ann Saunders, Sallie Swing and Ladoskey Swing. The church building, two and a half miles southwest of Sharpsville, was built in 1863, at a cost of nine hundred dollars. On January 8, 1879, meetings were begun to be held at the Cole school house, owing to the greater facilities. Alonzo Scherer, S. P. Snyder and Samuel McReynolds are other pastors who have preached for the church.

The Presbyterian church of Tipton was organized at Normanda by Rev. John Dale, on July 14, 1850, with the following enrollment: Andrew Evans, Susan Evans, Elizabeth J. Montgomery, Charles Rumsey, Sarah Rumsev, Elizabeth Paul and Martha E. Goar. Andrew Evans was ordained as elder. The Normanda church, by order of the Logansport presbytery, was dis¬ solved. and out of it and the Amith church, near Boxley, Indiana, a new church was ordered to be organized at Tipton, to be named the Tipton Pres- byterian church. Rev. John Dale and J. E. Rumsey were appointed a com¬ mittee to carry out this order, which they did on September 24, 1854. A frame church edifice was erected on West Jefferson street, where the Ed-La garage is now located, where it served its purpose until 1904 when the present brick and stone structure was built on the corner of Jefferson and West streets, at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. On the steeple of the old church was a lightning rod, on which was a large gilded ball. During the Civil war a soldier standing in front of the Long hotel, a square away, shot a minie bullet through this ball, creating considerable excitement and indignation. The leaders of the church had in mind the two-fold purpose, to educate the children and advance the church.

The Presbyterian church of Tipton is now in an excellent condition and rapid growth is prophesied for the future. The membership is about two hundred, and there are the Ladies' Aid Society, and other smaller organiza¬ tions, which aid in the work of the church.

Hopewell Presbyterian church, two and a half miles east of Sharpsville, was organized February 22, 1873, by Rev. J. S. Craig, by permit of the presbytery of Muncie, synod of northern Indiana. The organization consisted of eight members, who were William Bowlby, John C. Henderson and wife, Abraham V. Voris and wife, Martha S. Voris, Ann Caldwell, Lydia Kirk¬ patrick and Olivia M. Davis. William Bowlby and John C. Henderson were chosen elders, and Abraham V. Voris, deacon ; Bowlby, Henderson and John Kirkpatrick were named as trustees, and plans were immediately laid for the erection of a church house of worship. This building was completed in the summer of 1874, costing sixteen hundred dollars, and dedicated in October by Rev. J. S. Craig.

Country Churches

In the country of Tipton county are many small churches thriving and exerting their good influence on the people. Some of them are small, but nevertheless they are important and are deserving of brief description.

Sandbank Christian church is located three and a half miles east of Tipton, and has about eighty members. Rev. Heflin of Russiaville is the pastor. New Hope has a Christian church three mijes south of Tipton, with one hundred and twenty-five members, and presided over by Rev. G. D. Fos¬ ter of Tipton. Tetersburg Christian church has one hundred and fifty mem¬ bers, with Rev. A. L. Featherstone as pastor. Union Chapel, eight miles southeast of Tipton, has one hundred members; Rev. Johnson, of Indianap- olis, is the pastor. East Union Disciples* church is ten miles southwest of Tipton, has one hundred and fifty members, and Rev. Bartle, of Indianapolis, is the pastor. Albright Methodist church is eight miles southwest and has one hundred and twenty-five members. Jackson Station has a Separate Bap¬ tist denomination with one hundred members; Rev. Bruner is in charge. Rev. Omar McCoy is in charge of the United Separate Baptist, twelve miles northwest of Tipton, having one hundred members. Meins Baptist church near Groomsville has fifty enrolled. The Methodist church in Groomsville has seventy-five members, and is in charge of Rev. Modlin of Kempton. The Dunkard church, three miles north of Kempton, has fifty members, but no regular pastor. Hopewell Presbyterian church, northeast of Tipton, has seventy-five members. Hopewell Methodist Episcopal has two hundred mem¬ bers, a modern brick church, and is in charge of Rev. Liddle of Goldsmith. There is another Methodist church named Wesley chapel three miles west of Tipton, with one hundred members, in charge of Rev. Liddle. The Westpoint Disciples' church, in the northwest corner of the county, has one hun¬ dred members. The Prairieville Christian church, northwest of Tipton, has two hundred members, and a modern brick building with Masonic hall over¬ head. Rev. Agme is the pastor. There is a Dunkard church six miles north¬ east of Tipton, in Liberty township, and the pastor is Rev. John Stout.

The first religious services in Jefferson township were held by traveling preachers of the Methodist and New Light denominations, several years be¬ fore any permanent organization was effected. The citizens of the western part of the township met for worship with an old Methodist society in Clin¬ ton county, while the Presbyterians had an organization many years ago a short distance east in Cicero township.

In the year 1844 the citizens living in the vicinity of Mr. Nash's resi¬ dence inaugurated measures for the purpose of erecting a house of worship to be used for general church purposes, and a building committee was ap¬ pointed to select ground and otherwise further the project. The committee was composed of the following: Robert Nash, Robert Pyke, Joseph Town¬ send, Thomas Pratt and William Pyke. Mr. Nash donated one acre of ground and the building was erected according to specifications. It was frame, thirtytwo by forty feet in size, and cost sixteen hundred dollars. Immediately after the erection of Nash Chapel, as it was called, the few members belong¬ ing to the Methodist church living in the vicinity called a meeting for the purpose of organizing a class. Rev. T. J. Elkin had charge of the meeting, and a society numbering twenty members was duly organized and attached to the Sharpsville circuit. Under the Elkins pastorate, which occupied the time of two years, the church grew very rapidly and was soon increased to fifty members. The second pastor was Rev. Adam Curry, who preached three years. Then came Rev. Powell, who stayed two years. He was followed by Rev. Beall, who served one year. The next supply was Rev. Asbury Fish, who remained the same length of time. Next came Rev. Charles White.

Rev. Richard A. Newton was the pioneer preacher in Liberty township. In the fall of 1851 he preached at three different points, Sharpsville, Mc¬ Gee school house and at Uncle Cale Richardson's. A portion of what after¬ ward became the Hopewell class was organized by him at the McGee school house in 1851.

The Rock Prairie church, four miles southeast of Sharpsville, was or¬ ganized in 1852 by Elder Joy Randolph, with nine charter members. Elders Langman, G. W. Turner and W. H. Spurlin have been pastors of the church. A frame building was constructed at a cost of twelve hundred dollars, and dedicated in 1876 by Elder G. W. Baumgardner. The church, which is Sep¬ arate Baptist, has now seventv-five members, and is in charge of Rev. Omar McCoy.

Other Denominations

In the year 1854 a union church building was erected in the southeast corner of the township and named Pleasant Hill, after the old cemetery in the same locality. It was built by members of the different church societies and the citizens of the community, for general church and Sunday school pur¬ poses, being thrown open to all denominations alike. The house was of frame, and cost about six hundred dollars, although its real cash value would repre¬ sent more than that amount, as much of the labor and material was donated. It was used principally by the Methodists and Christians (New Lights).

An organization known as the New School, or Anti-Methodist, came into existence under the preaching of a certain James DeHoritv, near the year 1855. For some time the organization was a success, and DeHoritv attracted many of his congregation. The society was organized at the resi¬ dence of Philip Litzinger. This was sustained for four years, and was ad¬ ministered to at intervals by Revs. Ransom Smith, Jonathan Carey, Goff and DeHoritv. Many of the members afterward returned to the Methodist Epis¬ copal church, and the society of New Schoolers was abandoned.

Nash's Chapel, Friends church, was organized in 1876, with a member¬ ship of twenty-five. The first meeting was conducted by Rachel Middleton, who, with the assistance of George Wilsie, effected the organization. Meet¬ ings were at first held at the chapel, when, on account of some misunder- standing with the Methodists, the place of meeting was changed to private residences. Among the list of ministers have been Revs. Rachel Middleton, Lemuel Middleton, S. Tollert, James Newland and Aaron Cosand.

The introduction of religion into Prairie township is dated with the com¬ ing of the first settler, although no definite organizations were effected for several years later. In 1844 Elder Laomi Ashley, a minister of the "Chris¬ tian Connection/' or New Light church, held public services at the residences of Alexander Suite and Vincent Garner, in the northwestern part of the township. These meetings were held at regular intervals for one year, at the end of which time an organization, under the title of Prairieville church, was consummated at Gamer's residence. Elders Ashley and Samuel PofF officiating. Among the early members of this society were Alexander Suite, Peggy Garner. Thomas Scott, Silas Scott, Rachel Garner, Elisha Comer and wife and Nancy Orr. Elder Ashley was the initial pastor, in which capacity he served faithfully for several years. The second pastor was Lemuel Shoe¬ maker, after whom came Samuel Poff, Abraham Cole, Almon Cook, Adam Kellison, John Poff and Henry Puckett. Later there were Elders George Hubbard, Thomas Hubbard, George Boswell, Isaac Goldsberry, Mr. Vanness, Johnson Dipvoy, John Puckett, John R. Kob, James Comer, James Winegardner and B. F. Jayne. The society met at the residences of the different members of the congregation for about two years, at the end of which time a log meeting house, twenty-four by twenty-four feet, was erected on land bought of Isaac Eads and William Chapman. This home served until 1853, when a frame building was erected near the same place. The latter home cost about six hundred dollars. The society used the frame house until 1877, when steps were taken to put up a better house. A build¬ ing committee, composed of Robert Orr, Gilbert Van Sickle, R. McReynolds, John Carter and Riley Suite, were appointed to draw up plans and specifica¬ tions for the new building and to solicit subscriptions. Work on a brick edifice was begun in 1877, but, owing to the lack of available funds, it was not completed until 1879. It was a large, commodious structure, two stories in height, thirty-seven by fifty feet in size, and cost approximately thirty-five hundred dollars.