Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 34, Number 177, Decatur, Adams County, 27 July 1936 — Page 44

PAGE FORTY-FOUR

Adams County Is Rich

First Presbyterian Church In Existence Ninety-Six Years

By CLARK J. LUTZ The history of the Presbyterian Chureh of Decatur with Its ninety six years of existence is indeeed interesting The records kept are al) in existence except one important record of the session which was destroyed by tire when the home of Elder Samuel Moses burned. But we find among the records this very important and interesting entry made by that old patriarch, Samuel Moses, who long since has gathered to his Fathers and he had entered upon the session record this itefti. “Notice, the session records of the First Presbyterian Church of Decatur having been lost in the burning of the house of Mr. Samuel Moses on the 21st. day of March 1869 so that all that can be gathered from the session records with reference to the organization is from memory, dated April 2, 1869. However the record of the Board of Trustees from the beginning is still in existence and is indeed an interesting rec ord. From this we und that in the year 1840 the Presbytery of Miami upon the petition of several persons of Decatur and vicinity directed the Rev. Isaac Ogden to organize a Presbyterian Church in Adams County, Indiana and that agreeable to the aforesaid instruction and pursuant to public notice a meeting was held on Saturday the 19th day of September 1840 in the court house in Decatur, Adams County, Indiana., after the service by Rev. Ogden a church with twelve charter members was organized. Sam u e 1 Patterson and William Allen were chosen elders. tin June the 5, 1843 a call was extended to the Rev. John H. Nev-, ins and at which meeting George Caskey. James Patterson and James Niblick were chosen Deacons. First Presbyterian ♦ -1 ■ • a r" J . I '

| Congratulations For many years our firm has enjoyed the privilege of serving the hardware and equipment needs of the citizens of Decatur and of a wide surrounding territory. Every manifestation of growth during those years has been a real joy to us and the Centennial Celebration merits our congratulations and best wishes for grand success. ■ e l . IW—.I m . « «- ' © | LEE HARDWARE CO MONROE ST. DECATUR

Rev. G. 0. Walton E Mm ...» '***” / The Rev. George O. Walton has been pastor of the First Presbyterian church since July 30, 1932. The chureh was organized in this city in 1840. The first building was completed in 1854. On July the Ist a committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws. This committee accomplished its work and the Legislature of 1843 passed a special act incorporating the First Presbyterian Church of Decatur, Indiana. One of the peculiarities of this Incorporation was that said church could handle property up to the limit of $20,000.00. Acts 184,381.844. Page 14. On December 27. 1845 a committee reported that a plan for a house of worship had been considered. It was to be a name building 40 x 30 and 15 foot story and to cost SBOO.00. A resolution was adopted to raise $1,000.00. The first financial report was given October 15. 1847 and covered five years. The total amount for all purposes during that five years was $1,077.47 being a little over $200.00 a year. Pastor's Salary S2OO At no place in the records do we find where Mr. Nevius's salary was over $200.00, yet this faithful man labored for twelve years in the church and even after he closed his pastorate he helped the church in many ways. In March 1850 the

; question of building a chureh was again brought up. Thia time they proposed to build a building 40 x 50 feet with an 18 foot story and j J. C. Wilson and A. Crabbs were ! appointed to act as the trustees in! erecting a house of worship. On January 23. 1850 Jacob Van Buskirk and J. C. Wilson reported to the trustees that they had purchased Lots 327 and 330 for $35.00 and had deposited the deed with the Recorder. These lots are the ones where the church and parsonage now stand The original lot donated by Mr. and Mrs. Rugg at the corner of Monroe and Fifth street was sold for SIOO.OO, the payment for which was in lumber, to be used in the construction of the new church. On March 27. 1854 the building committee made a complete report the total cost of the first church being $2,413.00 In other words there was a period of fourteen years from the time the church was organized until the first building was completed. Just after the | comjHetion of the new church it i was decided to sell the pews. The | old record books shows the plot and the list of the names and numbers of the first sale. List Os Pew Holders None of the persons are living at this time whose names appear in this sale. Tradition has it however, that the plan was a financial success but because of the sentiment against it the plan was disconfTuiled. The complete list of pew nolders were as follows: Jacob Oaks. Samuel Moses, James Rockwell, J. R. Scherer, Benj. Rice, John P. Smith, J. Wisner. G. Hunter, J. C. Wilson, Wm. Trout. 1 A. Bollman, P. Bollinger, H. Barnett. John Woy, Wm. Christy. C. M. Stevens. Jacob Cramer, Jacob Kind, David Studabaker. E. Numbers, John Crawford. James Patterson, D. McDonald, A. Crabbs, D. ' Allen, W. Chapman, C. S. Scheneger, S. S. ’Michel. J D. Nuttman, W. G. Spencer, D. D. Humbent, Miller and Brown, Asa Woodward. P. C. Bolinger, B. Wertzberger, John Bradley. J. M. Crabbs. G. Numbers. C. D. Hart, O. ' F. Hart. P. Crahbs. Church Burns—No Insurance On October 13. 1855 Rev. Nevins resigned. He was succeeded by Rev. Mclntire who occupied the pulpit for about two years. On November 15. 1862 on a beautiful' Sabbath morning Rev. Wilson Donaldson. who resided at Ossian, Ind-1 iana was preaching a Communion sermon in the Decatur church from the Text. “I will baptize you with fire and the Holy Ghost.' 1 In the midst of the sermon he was interrupted by the cry of ‘‘Fire’’ and the congregation barely escaped. The entire building was con- , sinned and was not covered by in-| surance. New Brick Church Built In 1861, Rev. Ek-ocks was called! to tne church. He was pastor for, six years and during that period a j brick church was built costing a-, bout $3,000.00. The Rev. Elcocks lived at Van Wert, Ohio and died j several years ago. He was followed *>y C. B. Lowes and the minist-I ers, who since that time have supplied the pulpit are as follows: Rev. Norman Jones from 1872 to 1878. During his pastorate the parsonage, now standing south of the church was built at a cost of i $1,698.68 The building has been i remodeled several times since■ then. Rev. C. A. Kanaus followed Mr. Jones. During his pastorate the old church building was remodeled at a cost $2,051.81 and a new organ was also purchased. The next pastorate was Rev. A. J. Reynolds and was followed by I. T. Hott who served the church ten months. His untimely death was a severe blow to the church. Mr. Hott was followed by the j Rev. E. A. Allen whose pastorate! lasted five years. Rev. Allen was followed by the Rev. W. J. Alex-' antler who served two years. The I

First Evangelical Church J k i ■ —”'**"**Ts&" i « - 7 ’ ’Uifll W1 ■ew ’fl*t'B Ik wt Bl w ruse st W - J a> jwgy y '‘itaM* 4< - ”*“ißr‘' ■ . w/ > ;;? ' n \ ■.-.•■•••■

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT MONDAY, JULY 27, 1936

i Rev. John F. Horton followed with ■la pastorate of two and one half years. He was followed by the Rev. H. C. Duckett who served aI bout three years. He was followed I by the Rev. E. A. Allen that being his second pastorate here. Present Church Erected In the year 1901 the old brick church building was practically destroyed by fire and during the second pastorate of the Rev. E A. Allen the present church building was erected. It was dedicated on Octcber 18. 1902, The building cost approximately $17,000.(10. Then followed Ihe following names of the Ministers, William H. Gleiser. 1911, Rev. J. C. Hanna 1915; Rev. A. H. Saunders 1919; Rev. B. N. Covert 1922; Rev. Harry Ferntheil 1927 died December 24. 1931. The present pastor Rev. George (). Walton was installed on July 30. 1932.

Evangelica! Church in The County Dates Back To 1839

By REV. GEORGE S. LOZIER The first direct contribution to | the religious life of Adams county I made by the Evangelical church was in the year 1839 It was dur-; ing that year that the Rev. S. Altimos visited the community about seven miles north west of Decatur and began his missionary work antong the German speaking people of the community. The efforts were quite successful and the new converts were organized into a congregation. The church was known as “Zion” or “Fuhrman" Class. The congregation continued its existence for many years, but because of the removal of many of the families from the community the church disbanded. A second church in the county was organized in 1840. This church was located several miles east of Decatur and was known as the Salem church. The Rev. George A. Blank was the first minister. The church continued its existence until a few years ago when it was | merged with the First Church of ! Decatur. A cemetery, adjacent to the church site is still being main-1 taiiied as a burial place. The church at Linn Grove was' j begun in 1858. It was organized as I 1 a congregation in 1859 by the Rev. i Christian Glaus. The church is the ! oldest present congregation in the county. The Rev. F. D. Stemen is the present pastor of the church, i He is In the fourth year of a second pastorate in the church. The Jerusalem church was located seven miles north east of Decatur. It existed as early as 1866 i when the Rev. Peter Wiest preachIcd there. The church was also I known as the ‘ Miller's” class. The J first church, a brick structure, was erected in 1867. The church continued until 1890 when, because of i inadequate support, it was ordered sold by the Annual Conference. Mt. Carmel Church, located eight j miles south east of Berne, had its | origin prior to 1875. The exact date of the beginning of the work in this community is uncertain The congregation is attached to the Celina Circuit and is being 1 served at the present by the Rev. . E. O. Habegger. Berne Church The church at Befne had its beginning in 1881 when the Rev. George Roederer, then pastor at Linn Grove, began to preach in the community. The outlook was encouraging. In December of that year the congregation was organized The following were the charter members — Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Gottschalk. Mr. and Mrs. Dav- ; id Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mari ker, Mrs. Adam Houdyshell and | daughter Hattie. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Riefy. Dr. and Mrs. Noah Berg- ! man. Mrs. Harvey Haruff and Miss Mabie Jones. There is a prosperous

7n Church History

11 Prezent Officers t The present membership is »p- --■ proximately 300 and the officers -of the church are as follows: I Pastor, Rev. George (). Walton. ; Elders: Amos Biggs. Ed Moses, C. J. Lutz. C. D. Teeple, Wilson Lee, John Shaffer. Jesse Cole Jr. C. D. Kunkle and Roscoe Glenden- ’ ning. Trustees: Chas. Langston. Roscoe Glendenning and J. L. Kocher. Deacons: Mrs. C. D. Teeple. Mrs. Earl Adams. Mrs. John Magley, Charles Langston, C. D. Kunkle and M. A. Frlsinger. Superintendent Sunday School. William R McCoy. President Christian Endeavor, Frank Franz. Jr. President Ladies Aid. Joint. Mrs Dale Moses and Mrs. Wm. Affolder. President Missionary Society. Mrs. John Magley.

Rev. G. S. Lozier i The Rev. George S. Lozier became pastor of the First Evangel! ; i-al church in this city and the Cal- ' vary Evangelical church in April, 1936. The first church building was ■ erected in 1873. and growing congregation at this place. The Rev. M. O. Herman is the present pastor. Calvary Church The Calvary Church is located five or six miles east of Decatur. ■ The Rev. S. S. Condo, who was serving Decatur, was probably the first of the Evangelical preachers to serve the community. He began his efforts in 1870, using the Young's Schoolhouse, one mile south of the present church edifice, as a preaching station. The church was a small beginning. J. Eli Stoops. Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Hawk, a Mr. Struby and wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Wetter composed the original membership. A chureh edifice was erected in 1877. The congregation is well organized with a church membership of io. a Sunday-school and a ladies aid society comprise the auxiliary organizations of the church. The congregation is being served cojointly with the Decatur church. Recently made improvements on the church edifice make the church inviting in appearance and adequate for a constructive church program. In 1865, Peter Weist Reported that he conducted a religious service in Decatur in a private home. These services were held in Christian Schafer’s home, located where the present county infirmary is located. Tire, results of the efforts were very encouraging. In 1870 the Rev. S. S. Condo organized the converts iuto a society. The charter (Continued On Page 45)

- ' Interesting History Given Os Zion Reformed vnuren

By REV. CHARLES M. PRUGH , The beginnings of Zion Reform ed Churches are inseparably inter ' woven with the fortunes of the early German settlers of Decatur and Adams County. As early as the year 1856 Rev Peter Vitz. a ( native of the Fatherland, was work-, Ing among the German settlers in, the vicinity of Monmouth and Magley. He succeeded In forming a congregation at Magley in that year and became its first pastor. Four years later the congregation in Decatur was organized under his leadership, and the first building. a frame structure on North Third Street, was dedicated Aug-| ust 30, 1863 For some 25 years after its founding, the congregation continued to be served by the pastor from the Salem Reformed Church at Magley. However, poor roads and inclement weather often seriously hampered these ministers from carrying out their pastoral duties toward the members of the Decatur congregation. A movement for independent organization ■ began to gather force with the re- ! suit that early in the year 1885 the Zion Classis of the Reformed Church was petitioned to effect a separation from the church at Mag-1 ley. This request was granted and the congregation proceeded to call Licentiate Henry Vitz. son of the . Magley pastor, to be the first regular pastor. First Decatur Church The official name of the charge i was “Die deutsch reformierte Zi-i ons Gemeinde in Decatur. Indiana. "! The official church record shows that there were thirty-two communicant members at the time of organization. The first Elders in the church were Daniel Linn and George Wertzberger. The first Deacons were A. Schoenewald, Herman Sellemeyer. Wm. Wetter, and George Kraft. Trustees were August Sellemeyer and Ludwig Genthuer. All services were conducted in the German language until the year 1895, at which time the English was substituted in the evening services. Under the faithful and self-deny-ing ministry of Rev. Vitz the congregation grew steadily. A Sunday School was organized and a parsonage was added to the church property. Rev. Ernest W. Kruse, succeeded Rev. Vitz in the year 18-

Quarter of a Century ■ in the same location The Peterson Clothing Co., sellers oi good clothes for Men and Boys are particularly proud of the record their store has established during their business years in Ddcatur. This store has been doing business in the same location for over twenty-eight years. Your splendid patronage throughout the years has enabled spirit and good fellowship for which Decatur is so widely known. From the time of its or- W |\ ganization, the policy of this store l ) was to sell only quality merchan- fF" j?’ ■ dise. We have kept this pledge / \ i throughout all these years and to- JOW kJ day are featuring the finest merch- L ? 1 andise the markets afford. We hope IF J we may continue to serve you. S■ 'SI ■ Hie Peterson Clothing Co. |B Harold Essex Cal E. Peterson Donald Wail J K \ ——- f w ■- . I -> . . ‘Access to the Centennial. It is a f- K W splendid tribute to the founders of our cits VxJ’® V < May w e continue to grow and progress as w<" Xu < - have during the past one hundred years. W

Rev. C. M. Prugh ■ p. ’ i S ' <r »j L St M' Wz J HreTf J • Jr ' .. tA. « 4 *•» »• The Rev. Charles M. Prugh has 1 been pastor of the Zion Reformed church in this city since November. 1932. The first building ocicupied by this church was dedicated August 30, 1863. i 93 and served for two years. Two I young men followed him in the pastorate, both of them coming from the Mission House Seminary at Plymouth. Wisconsin. The first of these was Rev. George Grether j who came upon the completion of j his studies in the spring of 1901. In the year 1906 a call was extended to Rev. L. C. Hessert. who came upon his graduation in that year. New Church Dedicated As early as the year 1908 a church building fund was started. Fuhds were accumulated during the pastorate of Rev. L. W Stolte, who served from 1915 to 1920. During the pastorate o( Rev. R. R. Elliker, which began in 1921, plans for the new church edifice were laid and the work of building begun. The cornerstone was laid on August 12. 1923 and the building dedicated -April 4, 1924. The cost of the new building was approximately $52,000. The membership at the time of dedication was two hundred and sixteen. -’ Rev. A. R. Fledderjohan began

a fruitful ministry (>n I 1925 which added strength to the form of new members, a mal < ’ chievement of his the work of decorating lh( , , lor of the church building und stalling the two-muinwi SciLt ' organ. Theduedlcatlon or th,. d ’ 1 ’ ' organ. The dedication of the , church took place on Dec * 1929. These improvements ed an expenditure of s7,sso , i spite of the distressing 7 through which the congr. * had passed in the depression, the chureh to grow and was in a very able financial condition. Rev. Charles M. Prugh. the ent pastor of the church. (>ni ;, 1 the charge in November I 75th Anniversary of the fo Un fc! of the church was celebrated »j---appropriate services during 2 I week of September 24-29, 1935 I Four Sons Ministeri I During the period of its elisl ' ence the congregation has four of its sons to the Christiu ministry: Rev. Jason who is at present, pastor of tke Reformed Church at West Coa. cord, Minn.; Rev. Carl Weidlw who is pastor of the Churca at Abilene, Kansas: Bed Walter E. Scherry, who j., of the Reformed Chureh at Stow,, ville. Ohio, and Rev Vidor Weis ler, who is pastor of the Retormej Church at Humbird. Wis. o ne daughter of the congregation ha, entered the fore 1 g n. missionary work of the denomination. Misa Esther Sellemeyer served as a teacher in the Girls' School « Shenchow, Hunan, China. The present membership of the church is approximately 340. Th e enrollment in the Church School (Continued On Page 45) Zion Reformed i R - PS at ■'a ‘ T I U- ■■■!. -