Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 37, Number 237, Decatur, Adams County, 6 October 1939 — Page 6

PAGE SIX

Evangelical Churches Celebrate Centennial

Seed Was Sown By Solomon Altimos In Local Territory

(By Rev. Gm. 8. Letter) Solomon Altlmua. a pioneer ramtotor of the Evangelical Church, became a pathfinder for the church In Northern Indiana In the year 1838. He mlntotered to the German speaking people of the community located about seven miles northwest of Decatur. He founded and organised in the community. the Zion congregation, al»o known aa the Fuhrmans CteM." The congregation continued it* existence for many yeara. but was later merged with the First Church in Decatur. A second church in the county waa organiaed one year later. Thia church waa located several miles eaat of Decatur and waa known aa the Salem congregation, alao aa the "Kern's Claaa.” Thia church waa alao later merged with the Firat Church of Decatur. A cemetery located adjacent to the church building waa developed Boon after the church waa organised and us ed by the congregation for burial purposes. It ia one of the flneat and beet kept rural temeterles in the county. The Calvary church at Unr Grove waa begun ia ISM. It wax organUed ai a congregation In IMB. The congregation la the old eat Evangelical congregation tn the county. The prevent congrega tioa la well organUed. Ita member* are aggressive and loyal to the church. The congregation ii> being served in conjunction with the Old Salem congregation inf Welle county. Dr. T. J. McKean ia the Sunday school superintendent and the Rev. George G. Holaton ia the paator of the church. The Jerusalem congregation waa located approximately seven miles north-east of Decatur. It was in existence as early aa 1888. Thia society was also known as the "Millers Claes'* The Reverend Peter Wetot was one ot the early ministers—possibly the first regu tar pastor of the church. Some of the early members were: the Mill er. John Swarts. George Haley and Broad be. k families The first church edifice was built dn 1887. during the pastorate of the Reverend Joseph Maier. The congregation continued its ministry in the rrnnmwniry until 1381, when the membeis disbanded ana united with other congregations tn the several communities in which they had located The First Evangelical Church of Decatur dates Ita origin to the days immediately following the Civil War. Thia waa a bit more than 28 yeara after the Evangelical missionaries began their ministry tn Adams County. The Rev, Peter Weist reported that tn 1885 he conducted a meeting in a private home in Decatur. About this time services were held In the home of Mr snd Mrs. Christian Schafer, located where the present County Infirmary to. which resulted in 10 conversions and an

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 1839-1939 Program General Theme: “Follow Thou Me.” MONDAT. OCTOBER NINTH—SEVEN THIRTY O'CLOCK P. M. Place: Decatur Calvary Evangelical Church. Theme: “Our Heritage.” Speaker: The Reverend George G. Holston, Minister, Linn Grove Calvary Evangelical Church. TUESDAY. OCTOBER TENTH—SEVENTHIRTY O'CLOCK P. M. Place: Linn Grove Calvary Evangelical Church. Theme: “The Cross Must Triumph.” Speaker: The Reverend M. Herner. Minister, Mt. Carmel Evangelical Church. WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER ELEVENTH - SEVEN-THIRTY O'CLOCK P. M. Place: Mt. Carmel Evangelical Church. Theme: "Facing the TaXk in the New Century.” Speaker: The Reverend George S. Lozier, Minister. Decatur First Evangelical Church. THURSDAY, OCTOBER TWELFTH—SEVEN-THIRTY O'CLOCK P. M Place: Decatur First Evangelical Church. Theme: "Following the Gleam.” Speaker: The Reverend Charles P. Maas, Minister, Berne Trinity Evangelical Church. FRIDAY. OCTOBER THIRTEENTH—SEVEN-THIRTY O'CLOCK P. M Place: Berne Trinity Evangelical Church. Theme: “The Laymen Building the Evangelical Church.” Speakers: at, Zr C. E. Hocker ; Decatur Calvary, • 2 tlg Shifferly; Mt. Carmel. Jess Engle; Linn Grove, John Duff; Berne, Guy Eley. BUNDAY. OCTOBER FIFTEENTH TEN TEN O'CLOCK A. M. Place: Decatur First Evangelical Church. Theme: “Christ and His Glorious Church." Speaker: Professor Edward N. Himmel. North Central College, Naperville. Illinois. SUNDAY, OCTOBER FIFTEENTH-TWO-THIRTY O'CLOCK P. M. Place: Berne Trinity Evangelical Church. Theme: “Thy Kingdom Come.” Speaker: Profeasor Edward N. Himmel, North Central College. Naperville, Illinois. SUNDAY. OCTOBER FIFTEENTH SEVEN THIRTY O'CLOCK P. M Place: Berne Trinity Evangelical Church. Theme; "Doing the Will of God.” Speaker: Professor Edward N. Himrrfel, North Central College, Naperville, Illinois.

equal number of accessions. | The society waa organised In • 11870 under the ministry of the ‘ the Rev. 8. 8. Condo. Charter mem- ' here were: Solomon and Mary Linn. Christian Buehler. Ellas and Anna WentatU. Fred and Mergeret Cook and Katherine Ahr. For a time the services of the newly organised congregation were held in the old County Court House The ' society was then a part of the 'St. Marya Circuit. In 1878 the St. Mary s Circuit was divided and the English appointments constituted Decatur Circuit. In 1874. during the pastorate of the Rev. J. F. Bockman. the Decatur and Salem churches were designated Decatur Mission. The first church building was erected in 1878. It was a frame structure. 38 by 50 feet In site. The first Board of Trustees was composed by Fred Cook. John Kern and Elias Wentsel. A Sun-day-school was organised tn 1878. There wm an attendance of 90 on i the second Sunday following the dedication of the church. Following the dedicatory services a revival meeting was held which resulted In a goodly number of converts and accessions to the church. The church got the name "Frogeyed" church, due to the fact that ithe church was built on a low place on posts. Wster collected under the building and remained during the spring months. Frogs congregated in the water and sang ' their songs beneath the church while the congregation sang within. In 1878. the congregation was re-attached to the St. Mary's Circuit The society built a convenient parsonage adjoining the church lot in 1882. The parsonage waa the residence of the ministers who served the congregation until 1923. when the present parsonage, located across the street from the church, was purchased. The earlier parsonage to now the home of the custodian ot the church building. A note-worthy incident occurred - during the ministry of the Rev. J. • ,Eli Stoops in 1888. The congregai tion was not a little disappointed l at the thuuaui I list Rev. Sloops had been assigned to be their paator. Rev. Stoops had lived tn the community before entering the ministry, having been a member of the Calvary Church Rev. Stoops announced a revival meeting The meeting was continued for two weeks, but no results were apparent. The officials of the congregation advised the pastor to discontinue the meeting. He announced publicly that be was "running the meeting, and it will continue through the week” The meeting did continue and before the week closed a wonderful revival of religion broke out and nearly 100 souls were converted before the close ot the meeting. Many of the

Ministers and Churches of the Evangelical 4 Congregations in Adams County, Who Join in Their Centennial Next Week BL i WHIIIiII rvß WißwllMlK> _ I Iw” Bl flßj|B t icxf | xanuelic.il < hut ch. Ih-catur J Rev George S. Loner Mlntotor Carmel Evangelical First and Calvary Church Evangelical Churches c . hn . c.rcu.t o<catur 7 onio l ?: W; J irl fit id? Rev George G. Holston Minister Rev. Charles F. Maas Calvary Evangel .cal Church „ Minister Linn Grove Trinity Evangelical Church ■erne

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✓ < Ji W - - • V-SW

Calvary Evangelical Church

converts united with the church. Among the convert* were three young men—A. Van Camp. Charles McConnehey and E. Elxey. all of whom were later licensed to preach by the Indiana Conference. The congregation haa been ag- , gresalve In Ita adoption of the program of the church. A Woman** Mlwlonarjr Society wa* organ lied In 1889; a Young People'* Alliance (Christian Endeavor) In 1891; and the Ladle* Aid Society In 1891. The original church was remodeled in 1399. during the paatorate 'of the Rev. W H. Mygrant. at a j coat of 81.150.00. It wa* re-dedlcai-ed by Editor 8. P. Spreng. D. D.. of Cleveland. Ohio. A new and commodious brick edifice wa* erected In 1910. during the paatorate of the Rev. J. H. Rilling, nt a coat of 115.700.00 The building ha* an audltorldm and I balcony, and ten cla** room* for Sunday school purposes, also a

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT FRIDAY. OCTOBER 6, 1939.

Mt. Carmel Church

basement for Sunday-school purpo*e* and for social activities. The total seating capacity I* 460. A beautiful and sweetly toned pipe organ, with chime* attached, wa* Installed several year* ago. during the pastorate of the Rev. M. W. Sundermann. A new root was built, a new furnace Installed, and the entire church, both Inside and outside, was redecorated during the pastorate of the present pastor, the Rev. Geo. 8. Losler. Ml** Gladys Kern, a product of this congregation. I* serving on the teaching staff of the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky. The present membership of the church I* 310. The enrollment In the Sunday-school is approximately 300. The other auxiliary organisation* of the church have proportionately large memberships; and are doing effective service in Kingdom building. The following pastor* havs sent-

Trinity Evangelical Church. Berne

'■ , nr

Linn Grove Calvary Evangelical Church

ed the Decatur congregation: i Peter Wiest. 18*5; D. 8. Oakes. 1965; Joseph A. Mayer. 1867; Ad-I nm llartaler, 18*8-69; P Roth and 8 8. Condo. 1870-71; H R. Price. 1871: c. C. Beyrer. 1873: J. F. Bockman. 1874: J. Wale*. 1875: Joseph Fisher, 1876-77: J. M Dustman. 1881-83: A. R Schafer. 1884*5: J. E Stoops, 1816-88; F. W Hart. 1889; F L Snyder. 1890-91; 8 R King. 189193; J. J Wise. 1894-95: c. D. Wendall. IR9S-97; W H. Mygrant. 1898-99; D. Mart*. 1900; S. 1. Zechlel. 1901-03; S R Albert. 1903; A. B Halst. 1904-07; D O Wise, 1908-11; J. H Rilling, 1911-17: W R Mill*. 1918-19; C L Haney. 1980-11: R W tx>o*e. 1913-17; M W. Sundermann. 191835; Geo. 8 Losler, 1936 to present time. The church I* well organised. A Sunday-school with an average attendance of approximately 300 I* under the *uperintendency of Mr Earl Fuhrman and hie assistants. A Woman's Missionary Society, a Young People's Missionary Circle, A Mission Band and the Util* Her-

ald*. all. find a fertile field for I missionary instruction and inspiration The Udlea Aid Society maintain* a membership la excess of 100 A Brotherhood and a Christian Endeavor Society, each are serving In the particular Held* of their endeavor. A young people'a choir add* a large contribution to the worship service of the church RURAL CHURCHES Union Chapel U- B. Church Stacy F. Shaw, Pas’or Sunday School 9:16 A. M.. Thurman Drew Supt. Thia Is Rally Day In the Sunday School and Church. Special numbers will he given. The goal has been set for 200 Morning Worship. 1015 A. M Sermon Subject, "The Value of the Church." Special music by the double-sextet. Christian Endeavor 6:30 p m. Studies m the Book of Levltlcu* Evening Service 7:16 p M. Sermon Snbject. "Christ and Satan". Midweek Prayer and Praise Service, Thursday 7; 30 p. m.

Berne, Decatur And R UrQ | B Churches Plan For P ro <J

The Calvary Evangelical Church I la located approximately five miles eaat of Decatur. A small congregation wan organised In 1870. The following were the charter members: J. Ell Stoops. Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel Hawks. Mr. and Mrs Henry Struby and Mr and Mrs. William Wetter. For a time the congregation held Ita services In the Young Schoolhouse, which waa located one mile south of the present building The Rev. 8. 8. Condo, who waa then the minister of the Decatur congregation, was probably the first of our Evangelical preachers to minister to the people of the community. The congregation made a slow, yet steady growth for several yeara. In the year 1874. the Rev. C. C. Beyrer. who waa then serving the Decatur congregation, conducted a revival service for the newly organised congregation which resulted in 37 conversions Thia revival gave a new Impetus to the work of the church. The remits called for better church facilities in which to carry on the work After much prayer and counsel, J. Eli Stoops began to raise funds for a new church building. A part of the needed funds were collected. A site was purchased from Samuel Shell. The erection of the church waa begun. The work waa delayed for certain reasons Mr. Daniel Durr then became Interested in the project and invest ed moat of his earnings The build Ing waa completed and waa dedicated in the fall of 1877. It was a frame structure and served amply for a time the needs of the congregation. The ministers who served the .congregation during the earlier years of Its existence were: Fred Launer. 8 C. Schup. J. Wales. Joseph Fisher. 8 8 Albert. William Ackerman. I. B. Fisher and J. M. Dustman. These all. added their contribution to the growth ot the society. In 188 S. Rev J Eli Stoops, formerly a member of the congregation, waa the pastor of the church. A| heavy indebtedness threatened the existence of the congregation A committee waa appointed and authorised to eel! the church propc<y and liquidate the indebtedness it Frural churches * Peasant View Baptist Church Wren. Ohio Sunday School al 10 A M In . charge of Aaron Hoover. Rapt. 11 A. M Service tn charge of Chas P. Meeuer.. Chicago Hebrew Mission. Special afternoon servlc- at 8:38 la charge of Mr Meeker and his co-workers. Evening service at 7:45 P. M also in charge of Rev Meeker. Prayer and Praise service each Thursday at • p m. Calvary Evangelical Church George 8. Loder. Minister 830 A. M Sunday Schon!. Mr. Will Johnson. Superintendent. 10:30 A. M Prayer and Praise Service. Mrs Otis Shlfferly, leader. 7:30 P. M.. Monday. Centennial Celebration Mass meeting. Oeeatur Circuit Methodist Churches Rev. Robert J. Yunker. Pastor Mt. Pleasant Sunday School „ 0:30 William Jones, gupt. Pleasant Valley Sunday School 8; 30 Harold Porter. Supt. Rrulah Chapel Sunday School 0:10 Oort ha Shady. Supt. Morning Worship ...—. 18:30 These services wtl! be la observation of Rally Day and Home-com-ing. There will be a bosket dinner at the noon hour, to be fn’Hwnd by a time of fellowship and renewing of old friendships. There will be a special service In the afternoon for which Mr. David Hogg wilt be the guest speaker. The pubic li invited to attend.

CENTENNIAL HEARTILY SI PI’OKTKD (By Rev. Oso. 8 Letter) To know the history of the Evangelical Church In Adam*' 'J for Evangelicals, to become aware of our great herltas- T . of hlatory Is to prove the existence of an unseen h ' watchfuineaa of an unseen eye and the Intelligent leading* ••( 8 J ~l dj Providence The underlying principle* Involved In th-—’ events are deeply significant of the hand of God In human ■f a" ~ help u* to recognite and appreciate the Infinite goodne** ,ls " M therefore eminently fitting that the centennial of the EvantellM' “ A £? m " Colln,r should be thus appropriately celebrat-d The step* leading up to the observance of Ihl* ‘ c„,intv ’' r “ ry . "T ,ollow " Three year* ago the cltUrn* of yMm* celebrated the centennial of Decatur The author of this » r ih(l Invited to prepare sos publication In the local pre** ~.h for h » ory of th* Evangelical Church In Adam* County * v ,.|»tloit historical data revealed some Interesting fact* The chi* (Ml uding hal ,h * Evangelical Churob haa had no small P“ r ' 1,1 ”, . nr . fl rlv of the moral and spiritual life of the community forth- P"' l, ~i n for on* hundred year* The thought that a centennial Th) , Evangelicals should be observed became a growing convlrl W “ flri ‘ •hared with the Official Board of the Dec* gellcal Church This Board endorsed the proposal T ‘ ~h lirit ie* •hen presented to the pastor* of the several Evangelical t(irT the county and endorsed by them and the congregation* rlnfendrepresent. The project wa* also endorsed by the dlstr I' hes ir * llosgtsd. * n^l “ n *PoM« District, In whose bound* these c

<>n Th- ■"" i ■ . . Wilft Tll,lr T '" " : W !y r.-m -l- . . : . • a i,bl ’ “ - - . ■. Th '' ■ 'i-’v-n- "kSI torai.- of . l; ' w Th ‘ ‘ “ •''"' -* IBW I ' » . f>l '' l ■ ■■ SI t oiiy a!,<! -a l<(t . added !i. ,h. .• , 11 • ■ s T'' in M>y ■ r . th.- I>u hlu . -. ;.. rjJHB thr.-uth -.- in.- .. tractive fashion T> ''' 1 ’Si .!- . . inut.i'y .c . . A larr- i- ■ ■■ and y -ui . ; I trustees .>( th. chunh Shiffrriy -. Mill.-r. M . "-'.<tlß U t><- i-,...... ... .am Hm-lety T! • .-'.-ry S Johnson itender Th- / ■ B. hool is TJ tendan--- ■'H Sunday Thgrosstion is th- IM C-tp iM Loder. ■ Th.- Momr rated eight tn: < -nrh Berne It is a i.art of 9Circuit and Is !■< n-K v*H the Hope and it-th-'. i-oSgMjM tions Th- orntu.a: U«» was not form.. nd ’*■ ed as early a- '.«■ I •»» :vs*g ly organised in and »»» Jdg called "B- th.-l !' ■ '.-.in. «r»*R er changed to Mt (arm*! IJO church edlfli e »..» .r- '-dsMgH the ministry of the li. >. o-tn! T«-B othy Carrol and t.i« »** *B Reverend Hiram Overmeyei 7MM church has been i . imdeled *>■ still serving th- . o-.gtvgsttoSMH meeting plaie M- Harley Tm* non is the effl< lent Sunda’wsm auperintend-n! Thto being served by the Kev*"" M Hemer, pastor , J The Reverend George waa the first minister of '*» Trinity congregation Thu •» the year 1881. For a time th»«* gregatlon worshipped In * ™ one-roomed frame s< "d hl " Later the aervnea were the "Trinity Hall' which «»» * second floor of a &!•<KMnl'*"* , A new and commodious bail* waa erected in darlM * i pastorate of the RevnrtM P . Zechlel The church has rw* l 'into its membership »m<* I nine hundred and flfty-on» i The present membership l» •• 'while the Sunday school ! ment is 388 The Reverend C £ ■ Maas to the present * I church. _