Vanderburgh County, Indiana - Chapter 19: Churches, 1897 (part 2 of 2)

The Assumptions schools consist of four rooms. Mr. T. A. Crosson taught there from 1882 to 1885, when he was succeeded by Mr. John F. Boyle. The Sisters of Providence, who live in the adjoining residence, teach three of the rooms. The building was erected in 1881. It is of brick, and is two stories high. Some of those who aided in this great work are : Messrs. Patrick Raleigh, Michael Gorman, Joseph Dillon, T. W. Venemann, C. J. Murphy, Eugene McGrath, John J. Nolan, Charles McC^arthy and John McDonough. The last named gentleman has been on duty since 1870, and for twenty years has kept the books.

All the church societies are in a flourishing condition. Some idea of the importance of the Assumption church may be gleaned from this all-too-brief history. There are two hundred families in its fold.

The parish remembers with sadness and fond regret the names and golden deeds of the deceased members, Dr. James R. Crosby, Wil-* liam Hughes and Walter Raleigh, whose assistance during their lives was material and generous.

The present immovable pastor. Very Rev. Eugene F. McBarron, was born near New Albany, Indiana, June 18, 1844, of thoroughly Irish and Catholic parents. He first studied Latin under Rev. Louis Neyron, first pastor of New Albany, and afterwards continued his studies at St. Thomas' Seminary, near Bardstown, Ky., at Notre Dame University, at St. Meinrad's Benedictine Abbey, and at the grand seminary of St. Surplice, Montreal, Canada, where he finished his theology and learned the French language. He was ordained priest at Vincennes, June 18, 1871, and his first mission was at St. Mary's of the Woods, Vigo county, Indiana, where he remained eight years. Since 1879 he has been pastor of the church of the Assumption.

One of the greatest institutions of the city, working always for good, is the Young Men's Christian Association. Its history is an interesting one. It was organized on the 15th day of April, 1876, by Dr. L. W. Munhall, the famous evangelist, who at that time conducted a revival service in this city. At his suggestion T. H. K. Enos, of Indianapolis, was called as the first general secretary. The building first occupied was the oue in the rear of the lot where Adank's confectionery now stands on Second street, and was owned by Cyprian Preston, who gave the use of the building free. The work, which at that time was in its formative stage, consisted of a mission Sunday school at Oak Hill or Vogel school house, a regular jail meeting, open air meetings at the court house corner and at E. & C. depot, and cottage prayer meetings on High street and in other parts of the city. About the only work carried on in the building was a Bible study class once a week, conducted by the Rev. C. B. H. Martin, of Grace church, and an industrial school for poor girls held on Saturday afternoon by the ladies. The early records show that the following were the first officei-s : President, John Wymond ; vice president, S. H. Huffman ; secretary, James L. Orr ; treasurer, William G. Brown ; executive committee, Charles H, Warner, J H. Ashley, Alvah Johnson, John Reimer, Daniel G. Mark, James Lindley and W. H. Boniface.

Mr. T. H. K. Enos resigned as general secretary February 13, 1877^ -and W. N. Nanney was chosen as his successor. He held the position *only six months, having resigned to continue his medical education. The following are the names of the general secretaries in the order of their successors: E. R. Awbrey, Dr. Floyd Stinson, William T. Jaquess, A. M. Dawson, H. P. Zimmerman, John F. Habbe, W. A. Kling and Edwin C. Browuell, who is now in charge for 1897.

Ou June 12, 1877 - Will Warren, Jr., president; Wm. H. Boniface^ vice president; Eli Overlin, recording secretary; J. O. Pittman, corresponding secretary; David A. Nisbet, treasurer.

Fpr 1878 - W. P. Green, president; Henry Grim, vice president; James N. Chandler, recording secretary; A. W. Igleheart, corresponding secretary; Wm. A. Heilman, treasurer.

For 1887 - Dr. F. L. Davis, president; Gen. J.M. Shackelford, first vice president; A. W. Emery, second vice president; J. Will Gleichman, recording secretary; Ira D. McCoy, treasurer.

For 1889 - James T. Walker, president; S. N. Curnick, first vice president; D. A. Nisbet, second vice president; R. Millican, treasurer; George L. Daum, Jr., recording secretary.

For 1897 - J. C. McClurkin, president; Major William Nelson, first vice president; Gilbert Wright, second vice president; J. N. Jorgenson, recording secretary; James M. Davidson, treasurer.^

In April, 1879, the association moved into the second story of the building , No. 110 Main street, then occupied by Lyon, the clothier. During the year 1881 a change was made to the ground floor of the double building, long known as the superior court building, on Locust street, between the Lottie hotel and Third street. Early in 1882 the association occupied a part of Evans hall, where the work continued to develop. It was here that the gymnasium department, with bathrooms, was added to the work. The work amoug the German young men was also organized, under John F. Habbe. The star course of entertainments and the educational classes were also inaugurated while Mr. Habbe was general secretary.

The Junior department was also started about this time, under the supervision of Christian Porter, assistant general secretary. During the years 1887 and 1888 the work developed to such an extent that there was a demand for larger and more suitable quarters. The board of directors at this time were S. E Gilbert, H. M. Lindley, James M. Davidson, T. B. Jones, James A. McGill, S. W. Little, M. J. Bray, Jr., J. W. Gleichman, John Hubbard, W.F. Newman, W. W. Ireland, James L. Orr.

After much consultation and investigation, it was decided by this board to call upon the public for a building. The result was that the present site, ou Fourth and Sycamore streets, was selected, and the subscriptions taken soon proved to be sufficiently large to justify them in erecting a home for the Y. M. C. A. as fine and as well adapted to the work as any in the country. The building and the site it occupies cost about $80,000, and it is not only an architectural ornament to the city, but a monument to the wisdom of the donors who made the erection of such a structure a possibility.

The names of the members of the board of trustees at this time are : Dr. F. L. Davis, James M. Davidson, William Blackman and James L. Orr, and the names of the building committee are : Major A. C. Rosencranz, James L. Orr and James T. Walker. To these gentlemen composing the board of trustees and the building committee, as well as to the board of directors named above, and to the indefatigable general secretarj-, John F. Habbe, is the credit due for the grand results obtained.

The ground for the building was broken September 15, 1890, byeleven young men who loaded the first wagon with dirt, while singing " Praise Him, Praise Him," and " There Shall be Showers of Blessings." The laying of the corner stone took place November 10, 1890, with appropriate ceremonies. The three trowels, handled on this occasion by James L. Orr, Mayor N. M. Goodlet and state secretary Stacey, were made especially for the occasion, and were presented by the president of the association, James T. Walker, to the families of Mr. Orr, Mr. Bayard and Mr. Mackey, in acknowledgment of their generous donations to the building fund. The other exercises on this occasion were : Invocation by Rev. F. G. Cairns, reading of Scripture by Rev. A. A. Abbott, and addresses by state secretary E. E. Stacey, Rev. W. H. Hubbard, of Baltimore, and Rev. John Frick in German, and benediction by Rev. Dr. Heagle. The formal opening of the building took place on the evening of September 23, 1891, with a program consisting of Scripture reading by Prof. S. N. Curnick, prayer by Rev. Otis A. Smith, opening address by Rev. C. E. Bacon, and principal address by Rev. J. A. Rondthaler, D. D., of Indianapolis. Acknowledgment should here be made of the credit that is due to M. J. Reid, the architect, who was assisted by Frank J. Schlotter, and also to the contractors, Bippus and Kanzler. The Ladies' Auxiliary, which was organized in 1882, has always been a valuable ally of the association. Their work has been a very important factor in the development and success of the Y. M. C. A, About the year 1877 a railroad branch was started, and a reading room was opened in the old E. & C. R. R. shops, but it was shortlived because there were not enough Al. Lyons to sustain it. In the minutes of September 15, 1887, there is an item which indicates that there was a colored Y. M. C. A in existence at that time. In June, 1857 an organization of the christian young men, with Rev. E. H. Sabin as president, and John W. Foster - who afterwards gained world-wide reputation - as secretary, met in the various churches for a time, but no rooms were opened and the society was short-lived.

The association is now prosperous, is popular with the people, and the many departments of the work, patronized by hundreds of young men, require the entire time of five men, besides much of the time of voluntary workers.

The Star course of entertainments, comprising the best talent in the country, and largely patronized by the public generally, a splendidly equipped gymnasium and bath rooms, the educational classes in music, languages, drawing, penmanship, etc., besides many other features, are included in the membership ticket costing six dollars a year. The prospective features of the work are plans to afford the opportunity for young men to acquire an industrial education and also plans for a dormitory for young men.