page: 78[View Page 78] CHAPTER XIII CHURCHES AND MINISTERS BAPTISTS THE First Baptist Church was organized in the old brick school house on the corner of Fifth and Walnut streets, in July, 1836, with nine members, as follows: Rev. Samuel Sparks and wife, Joseph Cooper and wife, Henry Thomas and wife, William Stark and wife, and Mrs. Massa Pound. Father Sparks served the church for about eight years, preaching one Sabbath in each month, sometimes in private houses, and sometimes either in the Court House, or in the old brick school house. Rev. George C. Chandler for a time was engaged as an assistant pastor. In 1847 Rev. Joseph A. Dickson was settled over the church giving his whole time to the work. The Universalist church building was leased as a place of worship, and the church began to take on new life. Many influential members about this time moved into the town. The first church building erected by this people was begun in 1847. The location was on the west side of Fourth street, between Mulberry and Eagle. At the first, the house was inclosed and only the basement finished. On Sept. 10th, 1861, this building was destroyed by a wind storm. This was an unlooked for calamity, but in due time a chapel was built on the west end of the lot located on the northwest corner of Cherry and Sixth streets. Some years afterwards the commodious building now occupied by this congregation was built. One can understand that there must have been some staunch men and women to build up so successfully from such small beginnings. page: 79[View Page 79] As intimated this people look back to the pastorate of Rev. Joseph A. Dickson as the beginning of their strength. Since then the church has had some strong and devoted pastors. Among these and deserving of mention are such names as Reverends David Taylor, Joseph Brown, S. M. Stimson, Charles R. Henderson, --- Wheeler, Lycurgus Kirtley, John S. Holmes, and the present pastor, Rev. George H. Simmons, D.D., who, after resisting the repeated invitations of a sister church at Peoria, Illinois, at last yielded and the Baptist pulpit is now temporarily vacant. One of the earliest pioneer churches of Vigo county was that of the Union Baptist, which was organized in Pierson township in 1822 by Rev. --- Pierson, after whom Pierson township was named. He came into the county in 1820. A log house was first put up, afterwards one of brick was built. Old Joseph Liston, of pioneer memory, was not only a member of this church, but clerk of the session from 1824 to 1855. Good brethren of the Baptist church, as you have an honest pride in the heroism of these noble pioneers, look up these old records, and have them placed in a fire-proof safe. It is recorded of Liston that as an Indian scout employed by Gen. Harrison, he did more for the protection of the cabin-homes of the early settlers than any other one man. CATHOLICS The first Catholic church erected in Vigo county was located at St. Marys on the west side of the river, about three miles from Terre Haute, in 1837. It was a small frame structure, and put up by Father Bateaux, who was the first resident priest. This parish became the center of influence, not only as the home of the Sisters of Charity, but the nucleus of the St. Marys Academic Institute, an account of which will be found in the chapter below on Schools and School Teachers The frame building was burned in 1842, when a brick house took its place. Father Bateaux was the active pastor page: 80[View Page 80] of this church till 1842, when he moved to Boston, Mass. He was succeeded by Rev. A. Parrett, who remained till 1844. The missionary work of Father Bateaux doubtless began some years before 1837, as I learn from another source, that he commenced his work in a log cabin ten feet square in which he officiated with a board placed on logs for an altar. St. Josephs was the first Catholic church built in Terre Haute, on the west side of Fifth, between Ohio and Walnut streets, and is said to have been erected through the efforts of Father Bateaux of St. Marys parish, in 1837. Previous to this date he had done missionary work in this region. Evidently Terre Haute was a missionary station till 1842, when Rev. G. P. Lalumiere took charge. He says: I found in Terre Haute a real edifice, well furnished. And again he records the fact, that the few families, who assembled, lived long distances apart; but little to encourage and much to discourage. His field covered a wide territory, extending from Vincennes to Lafayette, and from Clay county on the east to the town of Mattoon, in Illinois, on the west. Father Lalumiere became the first resident priest of the St. Josephs parish. He was a pioneer missionary, and was born in Vincennes, Indiana, in 1804. He lived here and ministered to the parish till he removed to Vincennes. He died in 1857. He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, and was greatly revered by his parishioners. CHRISTIANS This denomination was late in laying its foundations, even in the county, and yet we are assured that the first church founded in Fayette township, was by the Christians, or Disciples, as some prefer to be called. Unfortunately there are no particulars recorded, not even dates. The Central Christian church was organized in Terre Haute in June 28th, 1841, by Rev. John OKane. A permanent place of worship was secured in 1846 on South Fourth street, opposite the City page: 81[View Page 81] Hall. In 1852 a reorganization was effected with nineteen members, and such good men as William Begg, A. P. Law, and Benjamin Cooper, were called in turn to take charge of the little flock. Rev. L. H. Jamison was chosen pastor in 1854. He was succeeded in turn by Reverends J. P. New, A. D. Fillmore, and W. F. Black. During the labors of these three evangelists, some men since prominent in the business world, became members. In 1865 Rev. James H. McCullough was called to the pastorate. About this time the congregation resolved to build, and accordingly a new church building was erected on Mulberry street between Sixth and Seventh. When Rev. McCullough retired, the membership amounted to about two hundred, and from this date the success of the church was assured. While not financially strong, the church has been able to command the services of strong men, who have been successful, and made their presence felt not only in the church, but in the community as well. Following Rev. McCullough the list comprises such well known names as Reverends H. W. Cure, B. B. Tyler, G. P. Peale, J. H. McCullough (recalled), Geo. W. Sweeney, H. O. Breedon, Benjamin L. Smith, J. L. Brandt, A. J. Frank, F. A. Morgan, W. W. Witmer, William Mullendore, and L. E. Sellers, the pastor now in charge. CONGREGATIONALISTS The Pilgrim churches of Connecticut held a State conven- tion as early as 1798, and declared their purpose to christianize the new settlements of the United States. Accordingly a tour of exploration was made by Samuel J. Mills and J. T. Schermerhorn in 1812, through Indiana territory, under the auspices of the churches of Connecticut and Massachusetts. These were followed by other missionaries, among whom was Rev. Nathan B. Derrow ; but no church of this denomination was organized in Terre Haute till Dec. 30, 1834, when Rev. Merrick A. Jewett organized the First Congregational church, with the following members: page: 82[View Page 82] Amory Kinney, Joab Corwin, Thos. Desart, Robert Brasher, Alexander Ross, Thos. L. Bishop, Mrs. Nancy Warren, Mrs. Mary C. Gilbert, Mrs. Elizabeth Cruft, Mrs. Julia McCabe, Mrs. Mary Wasson. This list was furnished me on request, by Mr. L. F. Perdue as found by him in an old record book. In 1837 a lot was purchased on the southeast corner of Cherry and Sixth streets, where a brick building was erected which was dedicated on July 2, 1837. This house was dismantled by a wind storm on the evening of Wednesday, April 23, 1853. In 1857 a new structure was built at a cost of some $20,000. In 1871 this building was enlarged or rather rebuilt at nearly double the cost of the first house. The funds were raised in part at least by the sale of pews, which sold as high as from $160 to $440 each. On the roll of buyers stood such names as Hager, Hite, Dowling, Thompson, McKeen, Warren, Crawford, Tuller, Deming, Farrington, Gookins, W. K. Edwards, Ryce, Bement, Potter, Cook, Ross, and so on ad infinitum. Rev. Dr. Jewett was a remarkable man and in many respects adapted to the people among whom he was called to labor. In 1842 this church took upon itself new life in that it experienced a genuine revival of religion. In this work the pastor was aided by Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, who was at the time a pastor of a Presbyterian church at Indianapolis. As the result of this revival an hundred members were brought into the church. In 1848 for the sake of organizing a Presbyterian church, by request a joint letter of dismission was granted to John F. Cruft, Elizabeth Cruft, Joseph Miller, Margaret Miller, E. V. Ball, Sarah E. Ball, A. C. Potwin, Helen Potwin, F. R. Whipple, Mary P. Whipple, Zenas Smith, Hannah Smith, James Cook, J. B. L. Soule, Jordan Smith, and Mary E. Cruft, who, as will be seen below, were organized into a Presbyterian church by Rev. William M. Cheever. Dr. Jewett continued pastor of the Congregational church in the faithful discharge of his duties till 186o, when page: 83[View Page 83] on account of failing health he resigned. He died in Texas at the home of one of his sons, on April 3, 1874. As the years pass by the early members of the church if possible grow in their appreciation and loving remembrance of Dr. Jewett. His remains were brought here for interment. In the funeral discourse pronounced by the pastor, Frank E. Howe, he expressed not only his own appreciation, but that of others, when he said: He (Dr. Jewett) stood prominent as a preacher in all this region . . . . As we met in the association, there was no man that was heard with better attention, and with marks of greater favor. And as one of his old friends said to me the other day: He could preach six times a week, and we were always proud of him. After a pastorate of some twenty-six years, Dr. Jewett was succeeded by a long list of worthies, whose memories are fragrant in the minds and hearts of the members and friends of this church. The list begins with Rev. Dr. Lyman Abbott and closes with Rev. Dr. W. A. Waterman, the present pastor. page: 84[View Page 84]
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 18:55:13 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015