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CHAPTER X.
THE CHURCHES OF AUGLAIZE COUNTY.
No more illuminating commentary can be made on the state of the church in Auglaize county than that silently submitted by the pictures of a representative number of the churches of the county presented in this work. These pictures, of course, are those of but a few of the churches of the county, but they may be regarded as typical of the average style and character of the edifices erected for worship here, all deeply significant of the earnestness behind the motives of those congregations which promoted and secured their erection.
The history of the settlement period of this country shows that wherever men gathered in settlements their first thought after getting themselves housed was of church and school, temples for worship and temples for learning. As has been shown in the chapter preceding this, church and school more often than not were the same, for the little log house which served as a place of schooling for the youth not infrequently served for the time as a place for the worship of the elders. The church, architecturally, at least, in this county has been a gradual evolution, even as has been the school. It is a far cry from the humble log church in the wildwood to the handsome and substantial edifices in which the people of the county today gather for worship, but no one will dare say that the worship of the fathers was any less sincere or fervent, the service of the heart any less deeply felt that was rendered in the cabin than that rendered in the stately edifices of today; or that the quavering voices pitched to the vibrant tones of the old "tuning fork" of the pioneer precentor fell less short of the Throne of Grace than those of
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today attuned to the deep and reverberent notes of the costly pipe organ. The heart behind it all remains the same.
At first the pioneers were content to erect their church buildings in much the same fashion as they erected their school buildings and their homes—following the lines of least resistance in woodscraft architecture. After awhile, as saw mills came in or brick-kilns were established, these log houses gave way to the humble frame or the modest brick structure, ample in size for the needs of the congregation. As settlement advanced, these houses became too limited in dimensions and others, a little better in style and more commodious were erected to supplant them. Then during the practically reconstructive days of the '80s and '90s of the past century, when all forms of endeavor hereabout were being accelerated, many of the present handsome and imposing edifices were erected—proper symbols of the growth and increase of the community. Others were rebuilt even as late as the early years of the present century, but church building in this county, for this generation, was practically completed twenty years ago. And the same tearing down and rebuilding process no doubt will be carried on by the succeeding generation and each succeeding one. While the saying that each generation makes its own religion is not one of common acceptance, it has been proved practically true that in this country each generation does make its own churches. Hence fifty years from now the pictures of the churches presented in this volume will have a real historic interest to the grandchildren of those who worship in these now ample and stately edifices. Will they smile at their "humble" proportions, even as this generation is wont to smile at the "humble" proportions of those accommodations which served well the needs of the fathers ?
SIXTY-FIVE "GOING" CHURCH ESTABLISHMENTS.
From the report of the church and community survey made in Auglaize county in 1921 under the direction of the Ohio Federation of Churches it is revealed that there are no fewer than sixty-five "going" churches in this county and
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eleven abandoned churches, these latter including one each of the United Brethren, Methodist Protestant, German Methodist Episcopal; two each of the Radical United Brethren and Methodist Episcopal, and four of the Christian denomination or Disciples of Christ. The construction of the complete system of good roads and the coining of the automobile, with the easy means of reaching the social centers of the various communities of the county, have sounded the knell of the rural church in many communities in Ohio and Auglaize county has profited by these conditions, the members of many of the rural churches finding it just as convenient to drive into the town or village for service and thus relieve the unnecessary "overhead" of maintaining a church whose day of immediate usefulness has passed.
The continuing churches of the county are divided among the several denominations as follows: Adventist (Seventh Day), one ; Baptist, two ; Catholic, six; Christian Union, one; Christian, three; Church of Christ, two ; Church of God, two; Evangelical, four; Lutheran, five ; Lutheran (German), one; Methodist Episcopal, twelve; Methodist Episcopal (German), one ; Methodist Protestant, six; Methodist (Free), one; Pentecostal, one ; Presbyterian, four; Reformed Church, three; United Brethren, six; United Brethren (Radical), two. There are Catholic parishes at Wapakoneta, St. Marys, Minster, Freyburg, Glynwood and Egypt. In the two towns in the county of more than 5,000 population, Wapakoneta is served by the following churches: First Methodist Episcopal, First Presbyterian, St. Joseph's Catholic, St. Mark's Lutheran, St. Paul's Evangelical and the First English Lutheran, while at St. Marys there are the Christian, First Baptist, First Methodist Episcopal, First Presbyterian, Friends, Holy Rosary Catholic, St. Paul's Reformed, United Brethren and Zion's Lutheran. The villages of the county have their full complement of churches and quite a number of flourishing rural churches still are maintained.
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CHURCH AND COMMUNITY SURVEY.
The field work for the church and community survey of Auglaize county above referred to was supervised by the Rev. C. E. Schmidt, of Wapakoneta, assisted by representatives of the Ohio Federation of Churches, and was completed in March, 1921. The report of this survey sets out that "in some instances church records had not been kept as accurately as they should have been and that fact, coupled with other difficulties, made it impossible to secure complete data. In the main, however, this report fairly presents the conditions in the county." In connection with the community survey it was pointed out that "there are thirteen well defined communities in the county, including Wapakoneta and St. Marys. The people mingle together freely in nine of them. In four there is a noticeable community spirit. It has been developed by co-operative enterprises and the schools. There is a fine spirit of co-operation between farmers and business men in most communities. It is manifested through social life and business dealings. There are, however, several farmers' cooperative organizations through which a large number of farmers do business. Noting that "Wapakoneta and St. Marys, with populations of over 5,000 each, are not included in this report," it is stated that "out of the forty-six Protestant evangelical churches, fifteen are located in villages of over 250 population, thirty-one in the open country or villages of less than 250 population. There is one church on the average of a little less than 403 people. The church development of the county is not recent, only one church having been organized in the past ten years. Most of them have been organized from fifty to sixty years. * Forty-six churches own their buildings. The average value of the church buildings is as follows : In villages, $16,366.66 ; in open country, $3,081.43. Fifteen parsonages average in value $2,986.66. Thirty-one of the church buildings are of the one-room type."
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STATISTICS RELATING TO CHURCH SERVICE.
On the subject of finances the report states that "of the forty-two churches reporting on finances, eighteen use the budget system for all monies raised; twelve use single weekly envelopes; four use duplex weekly envelopes; thirty-six meet denominational assessments, and thirty-six, other obligations, Thirteen churches put on an annual 'every member' canvass, Four churches have some debt. The total amount of the budget raised in this county last year (1920) was $84,652.97, * * * Seven churches, one in the village and six in the open country, received mission aid last year to the amount of 1,300. The open country churches have received aid for one and four years, respectively; the village church, for one year. The average per capita contribution of resident members was $16.21 for all purposes. * * * The typical dollar of church money is spent as follows : Salary (village), 31.1 cents —(open country), 41.7 cents ; benevolences (village), 36,9 cents—(open country), 22.9 cents ; all other purposes (village), 32 cents—(open country), 35.4 cents." It then was pointed out that "the total church enrollment for the entire county is 8,586, including Roman Catholics, etc. The Protestant evangelical resident membership is 5,811. The population of the county is 18,553, according to the 1920 census, excluding St. Marys and Wapakoneta. Thus 31.32 per cent, of the inhabitants are resident members of evangelical churches ; 13.44 per cent. are members of the unevangelical churches and 55.24 per cent. are not members of any church, According to the reports of the pastors, only 5,222 are reasonably active members of the evangelical churches, or 28.13 per cent. of the population. Making allowance for the children, who are included in the percentage of the population not affiliated with the churches, but are members of the Sunday schools, there is a tremendous percentage of the population of Auglaize county yet to be reached by the gospel. * * * Thirty-three churches in the county have 100 members or less, out of which only nine are growing in membership,
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Twenty-three churches have fifty members or less, out of which only seven are growing; five churches have twenty-five members or less, out of which none is making progress. * * * The total gain of all churches last year was 538, or 6.89 per cent. of the net active membership, and the total loss was 254, leaving a net gain for the year of 104, or 1.99 per cent. of the former strength. * * * Fifteen churches experienced a net loss during the past year. Four of them are located in villages and eleven in the open country. Eleven additional churches made an even break, nine of which are open country churches and two village churches All other churches made a gain. Ten churches gained less than 5 per cent., four between 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. and six over 10 per cent. Of the churches reporting, 56.52 per cent. remained stationary or declined; 43.48 per cent, made a substantial gain."
SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE CHURCHES.
Concerning ministerial service, the report sets out that "thirty-two pastors serve the churches of Auglaize county (exclusive of St. Marys and Wapakoneta). Twenty-seven give full time. The remaining five have the following occupations: One farmer, one laborer and three do not state their occupations. Seven churches are pastorless. Thirty-two ministers reporting this item divide their time as follows : Eight serve one church each, two of whom have another occupation; seventeen serve two churches each ; six, three churches, and one, four churches. Six churches have full time resident pastors; nine, part time resident pastors ; one, resident pastor with other occupation; twenty-three, nonresident, and seven are without pastors. One minister travels thirteen miles to reach his church, one travels fifteen miles ; one, twenty miles ; and one, twenty-five miles Of the sixteen churches having resident pastors, full time or part time, eleven were growing in membership ; whereas, of the twenty-three churches having nonresident pastors only nine were growing in membership. Of the seven without pastors, not one is making progress.
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* * * Figuring the value of a free parsonage at $250, the salaries of the ministers reporting may be classified as follows: Between $101 and $500, three ; between $501 and $750, two ; between $751 and $1,000, two ; between $1,001 and $1,500, thirteen; between $1,501 and $2,000, nine ; over $2,000, three. The maximum salary of any minister is $2,750, the minimum salary, $250; the average salary, $1,376.90. Fourteen ministers are college graduates and thirteen are graduates of seminaries or other schools. Forty three of the churches have Sunday schools. In four churches the Sunday school is practically the only activity." It then is pointed out that the total enrollment in the Sunday schools is 5,044, an average enrollment per Sunday school of 116, with a total average attendance of 3,418, or seventy-nine per Sunday school, and it then is observed that "the total enrollment of the Sunday schools is 17.29 per cent. less than the membership of the churches. Two churches attempt to increase Sunday school attendance by rewards, contests and special programs Only Oh Sunday school reports any provision for leadership training; seventeen have school picnics and eight, class socials, Only four Sunday schools have classes for preparing Sunday school scholars for church membership, yet during the last year 112 Sunday school scholars joined the church out of a gross increase in church membership of 358. * * * There are thirty-seven organizations 'for women connected with the churches, such as Ladies' Aid Societies, etc. There are only two organizations for men, none for boys and three for girls, * * * Eleven churches hold eight services per month; two, six services per month; twenty, four services ; one, three services; eight, two services, and four have no regular service, * * * In some of the communities there is an occasional union service, although the union meeting is not practiced extensively. Nine churches held protracted meetings last year, varying from fourteen to thirty-five days in length, with a total of thirty-nine converts, thirty-four of whom joined the church. * * * Of the forty-six churches only twenty-seven report any attempt to carry on missionary, edu-
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cational, social or charitable work. Community service, lecture courses, social, benevolent and devotional work within the community constitute the main activities along this line on the part of the other churches."
The numerous tentative suggestions submitted with this illuminative report of the church and community survey, "with the hope that some of them can be put to good use," conclude with the observation that "the churches of this county should be made the inspiration for everything worth while within the community ; the inspiration for better roads, better education, better sanitation, better recreation, better production, better everything that makes more Christlike men. * * * When this county has provided adequate church equipment for every community and competent religious direction for every home, it will have entered upon the road toward the accomplishment of its Christlike task."
SOMETHING REGARDING PIONEER CHURCHES.
The older chronicles have preserved much of interest respecting the beginnings of church activity in the region now comprised within Auglaize county. The activities of the Quaker mission established at the Shawnee village of Wapakoneta have been referred to elsewhere in this volume. Of course, during the pre-settlement period there were visits of other missionaries to the Indians hereabout, for the uplifted Cross generally precedes the Flag. Mrs. Touvelle's interesting little story of St. Marys (1907) has it that "the first religious service held at or near St. Marys (the initial point of settlement here) was held in 1818 under a large tree one half mile south of town on what later came to be the farm of John Armstrong. It was during the negotiations between the Government and the Indians. The Indians were encamped north of where the feeder is. The Government soldiers, two companies, were encamped on the north side of the creek. John Armstrong's cabin was between the camps. (In explanation, it is proper to point out that Armstrong had come up here
(20)
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from Greenville in June of that year, in advance of the pending treaty conference, and had "squatted" on land that had been cleared by the soldiers at the post there, putting up a cabin which was the nucleus of the comfortable home he later created there.)
"A Moravian missionary named Erwig came to the soldiers and asked for an escort and permission to preach to the Indians. The officers assented and the soldiers went, and with them went Charlie Murray, William McCopsey and Capt, Asa Hinkle, Revolutionary soldiers, several French traders and the Armstrong family, to hear the gospel preached to the Indians. The missionary stood between the Indians and soldiers, the officers stood near by and the traders looked on with shrewd curiosity. The missionary read a chapter in the 1 Bible and sang a hymn and one who was present told me that no heavenly music could ever be sweeter than this almost
forgotten sound of sacred song. The missionary prayed and then preached a short sermon. But how to interpret it to the Indians ? Anthony Shane, the famous French trader, was there and interpreted—with strange expressions—the simple sermon.
"In 1829 a Methodist campmeeting was held one mile west of St. Marys on the Vinson farm and following this a Methodist class of ten members was formed by the Rev. J. B. Finley and was called ' St. Marys Mission, Maumee District, Ohio Conference.' The services were held in a log
school house at the south end of Perry street. The society was the first religious organization formed in St. Marys and the minister, Rev. J. B. Finley, was the first preacher. The first
Methodist church was built in 1843, on the south side of High street. It was a frame building, entered by three steps. The bell was hung on the outside, on the east end of the steps,
* The Rev. James B. Finley's ministrations throughout this region began as those of a missionary to the Indians, principally the Wyandots, and he was pointed a sub-agent of the Government in behalf of these Indians. He wrote a book, "Life Among the Indians," detailing his experiences in this connection, a narrative which gives much interesting information concerning conditions in this part of the state at that time.
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and often turned over. The preacher was enclosed in a box pulpit and a railing enclosed the altar. The room was heated by a large iron stove; which stood in the middle of the aisle. The men and boys sat on the east side and the women and girls on the west side. The present church was erected on Wayne street in 1870. The congregation of the St. Paul Evangelical church was organized in 1846 and built a frame church on High street. This congregation suffered during the scourge of cholera in 1849, twenty of the adult members dying within one month. The present brick church was erected on the site of the original one.
"The history of the Catholic church in St. Marys dates from 1846, when Father Zenpent celebrated Mass for the first time here for Thomas Stone, the Geyer, Murray, Black, Whetstone, Delam and Martre families and George Wise and wife. In 1851 the first organization of the Catholic church was made in the house of George Wise on North Perry street. Sabert Scott donated a lot in East St. Marys and the first frame Catholic church was built on it and dedicated by Archbishop Purcell in 1854. The present large brick church was built in 1867."
In connection with the erection of this edifice, it will be timely here to recall that it was built through the efforts of a native son of Auglaize county who later became one of the most distinguished members of the prelacy of the Middle West. The late Rt. Rev. Joseph Dwenger, formerly and for years bishop of the Ft. Wayne (Ind.) diocese, was a native of Auglaize county and ever retained an ardent interest in the affairs of this community. For two years (1862-64) he was the pastor in charge of St. Joseph's parish at Wapakoneta and it is written (Auglaize County Democrat, July 15, 1875) that "upon taking charge of St. Joseph's congregation he found its financial standing to be in a most deplorable condition. The interest upon its indebtedness was accumulating so rapidly that its entire property must soon be devoured unless something shortly was done. So Father Joseph (as he then was called) set to work with great energy and financial skill
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and funded the indebtedness of the church at once, and in a short time the whole was under control and being rapidly extinguished. From here (Wapakoneta) he went to St. Marys for the purpose of building up not only a healthy congregation but a fine church edifice He found the congregation there not only numerically but financially weak—the whole of the members collectively not being able to raise money enough to purchase lumber for a new edifice. But this seeming insurmountable difficulty and financial weakness staring him in the face did not cause him to desist from the object in view. He set himself vigorously to work and in a short time, and outside of his flock, raised the sum of 89,000 for his church. It was completed and stands there today as a monument to his untiring industry. Shortly after leaving St, Marys, Father Joseph was made the bishop of Ft. Wayne. Last year (1874) he formed and led the American Catholic pilgrimage to Rome and return, introducing those under his charge to the Pope and giving the same care to the details of his journey as he did to the smallest affairs at home."
St. Joseph's Catholic church at Wapakoneta, above alluded to, dates from the missionary visits of the Rev. Fr. Horstman down into this region from his station at Glandorf (in Putnam county) during the early '30s of the past century. Father Horstman visited the Stallo (Minster) colony upon its settlement in 1833 and arranged for the celebration of the Mass there once a month. During his trips to Minster he would stop at Wapakoneta and celebrate the Mass for the few Catholic families who then had settled in that neighborhood, following the departure of the Indians, and in 1839 a small frame church building was erected at the corner of Pearl and Black- hoof streets, to which an addition presently was built, the little parish then being attended as a mission, no resident pastor being assigned until in 1857, when the Rev. Andrew Herbstrit was placed in charge of the parish, and in the next year a substantial brick house of worship was erected and dedicated to the honor of St. Joseph. A parish school had been established some years previously and in 1860 a substantial par-
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ochial school building was put up, this serving until supplanted by the present parish school in 1899. In this same year a handsome parish house, just between the church and the school was erected. It was extensively (remodeled in the spring of 1922. The old church served its purpose until the growing needs of the parish demanded more adequate accommodations for service and the present imposing church edifice was erected in 1910.
FIRST CHURCH BUILDING IN WAPAKONETA.
The first church building erected in Wapakoneta was the Methodist Episcopal church, which was built in 1834, a frame building which stood on lot 65 on Mechanic street and which was still in service when the county was erected in 1848 and the sessions of court established in the church building pending the time of the erection of a court house, as has been set out elsewhere. It is said that James Elliott, "the most influential member," contributed most of the means for the construction of the church. There must have been something lacking in the interior equipment of the building when it became used as a court room, for it will be recalled that the terms of rental by the county of the church "for the purpose of holding courts for such length of time as they may need it" were based on the expenditure by the county of "such sum as will seat it and erect a pulpit or stand, not to exceed the sum of 850," as set out in the records of the board of county commissioners. The class of Methodists organized at Wapakoneta in 1834 was constituted as a part of what then was known as the Celina mission circuit, which included classes at Celina, St. Marys, Shanes Crossing, Wilshire and Ft. Amanda and was under the direction of the Rev. Robert Finley, a son of the Rev. James B. Finley, mentioned previously in this review. The records of the church show that the initial membership of this class at Wapakoneta consisted of James Elliott and family, Robert McCullough and wife, Joseph Milnor and wife, Abraham Alspaugh and wife, Mar-
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tin Barr and Mr. Gray. The old church building served its purpose until 1863, when the site of the present edifice at the southwest corner of Mechanic and Perry streets (lot 66 O. P.), directly adjoining the lot on which the old church was situated, was secured and a new church was built, this building sufficing the needs of the congregation until 1905, when the present handsome edifice was erected. The parsonage of the church was built in 1888.
The German speaking population of Protestant faith at Wapakoneta effected a temporary organization for public worship in 1848, the year in which Auglaize county was erected, Two years later the organization was completed, a constitution was adopted, and it was determined to build a church. The membership roll included the following names: John H. Fisher, Paulus Kratt, Heinrich Mueller, Johann Mueller, Johann F. Schubert, Christian Vossler, William Taeusch, Adam Engelhaupt, Frederick Eversmann, Frederick Schlenker, Frederick Speith, George Kutterkunst, Fred Kohler, Gottlieb Machstanz, Manford Warren, J. H. Hassanauer, Christian Koch, F. Geyer and J. F. Katz. The trustees chosen were John F. Fisher and Adam Engelhaupt. The Reverend Duering was the first pastor of this church, serving from the time of its organization until 1855, under the direction of Synod. From 1855 to 1863 the Rev. Heinrich Koenig was the pastor and during his pastorate the congregation grew in numbers and influence. The Rev. J. Sutter was the pastor from 1863 to 1867. Prior to 1867 ministers of this congregation were supplied by a synod, but at this period a number of the Lutheran families withdrew and organized a Lutheran congregation, now known as St. Marks, while the remaining members reorganized as an independent body, with no synodical connection, under the present title of the Evangelical St, Paul's Church. The church site up to the time of the division in the congregation was the west lot of the Union school site, now known as the Williamson school, on Main and Mechanic Streets. In April, 1869, it was determined to build a new church and J. H. Timmermeister, William Taeusch and
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Charles Wintzer were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions. Later a building committee composed of William Heinrich, J. H. Timmermeister and Henry Miller was appointed, a site for the proposed new church building and parsonage on Perry, Main and Mechanic streets was purchased and work on the buildings proceeded without delay. The church edifice cost about $8,000. This building was extensively remodeled and enlarged in 1892 during the pastorate of the Rev. Carl Fritsch. The present (1922) pastor is the Rev. C. E. Schmidt.
The St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran congregation had its birth in 1867, when a number of families of Lutheran faith and practice withdrew from St. Paul's church and organized what is now St. Mark's Lutheran church. When the organization was effected this body had no church building of its own in which to worship, but in 1878 an opportunity was presented to purchase at a very moderate price the unfinished church building on West Auglaize street which had been erected by a few members who had withdrawn from the English Evangelical Lutheran church but who subsequently returned to the mother church. St. Mark's congregation was organized into a corporate body by Professor Lehman, of the Capital University at Columbus and president of the Joint Synod of Ohio, with which body the congregation became affiliated. When first organized the congregation took the name of the St. John's Lutheran church, which presently was changed to St. Mark's. The first pastor was the Rev. G. E. Bucholtz, whose services extended from 1867 to 1871. He was succeeded by the Rev. F. Wendt, who was pastor until 1877. The present pastor of this church is the Rev. George Schultz, who is also pastor of the Lutheran church at Moulton, the two congregations forming one parish.
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AN ECHO OF THE DAYS OF THE CIVIL WAR.
The organization of the English Evangelical Lutheran church at Wapakoneta was effected in the old Methodist church in that city on Christmas day, 1857. A constitution was adopted this day and signed by the following persons, who thus became charter members of the organization : John Shawber, George Reuch, Joshua Shawber, George H. Dapper, Catherine Reuch, Rebecca Shawber, Catherine W. Hills, Rachel Shawber, Catherine Kuhn and Malinda Elliott. The Rev. A. F. Hills became the first pastor of the church and the board of officers consisted of Joshua Shawber and George H. Dapper, elders, and John Shawber and George Reuch, deacons. In 1859 the matter of erecting a church edifice was considered and favorably acted upon. A building committee consisting of John Shawber, J. H. Sifert and Joshua Shawber was appointed and immediate steps were taken to erect the building at the earliest practical moment. This was in April, 1859. In the following June the congregation suffered a great loss in the death of their beloved pastor, the Rev A. F. Hills. However, they continued faithful and completed the structure, a substantial brick building on the corner of Blackhoof and Mechanic streets, the site of the present handsome church edifice, in January, 1860. On the 28th of that month the first sermon was preached in the new church by the Rev. W. H. Wynn, who subsequently became a noted educator and scientist. The building was formally dedicated on January 31, 1860, by the Rev. Dr. F. W. Conrad, then of Springfield, Ohio, assisted by the Rev. W. H. Wynn and the Rev. J. W. Goodlin. The last named, who was a very able and popular preacher, served as pastor of the church from April 1, 1860, to April 1, 1861, when he was succeeded by the Rev. W. C. Barnett, who retained the pastorate until 1865, thus serving during the troublesome Civil war period. It was during this pastorate that dissatisfaction and trouble arose in the congregation over the attitude manifested by the pastor in his consideration of the problems of the war, many declar-
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ing his sympathies were with the South. He was asked to resign and this he finally did, determining in the meantime to organize another congregation. This was done and a few families of the church followed their pastor and became members of the new congregation. They bought a lot and commenced the erection of what is now St. Mark's church on West Auglaize street, but before the building was quite completed they decided to abandon the enterprise. As a result the pastor obtained a charge elsewhere and the members returned to the mother church. The Rev. D. W. Smith succeeded Mr. Barnett and he proved to be a most successful pastor and very Influential and popular in the community. One of the most successful pastors this church ever has had was the Rev. Ross Stover, who became known far and wide as a singer and director of choruses. He resigned to accept the pastorate of Messiah Lutheran church of Philadelphia. The Rev. Ernest Zimmerman is the present pastor of the English Evangelical Lutheran church.
The organization of the First Presbyterian church of Wapakoneta dates from 1854, in which year a committee of two-the Rev. W. C. Hollyday and Milo Templeton—was appointed by Sidney Presbytery to visit Wapakoneta and, if they found it advisable, to organize a Presbyterian congregation. Accordingly on September 23 of that year this committee visited the village and the Rev. W. C. Hollyday preached a sermon. William Shell, John Musser, Sylvia Bishop and Margaret Walkup presented certificates of membership and James Bishop, J. T. Mitchell, Harriet Mitchell, Jane E. Howe and Jane S. Kelly were admitted upon examination. William Shell was elected and installed as ruling elder and it was resolved that the organization be styled the First Presbyterian Church of Wapakoneta. In the following year John Musser, Mary E. Musser and Lydia Young united with the church and in 1859 James and Sarah Harper and Charlotte E. Trimble entered into church fellowship. By resolution, a call was extended to the Rev. W. 0-. Hillman to become pastor, to devote one-third of his time to the pastorate and to receive the
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moderate sum of $200 a year in salary. Mr Hillman accepted the call and became the first pastor of the church. In February, 1860, Probate Judge A. H. Trimble, F. C. Musser and Jane Elliott were received into membership and in April of that year James Harper, John Musser and Judge Trimble were elected ruling elders. The congregation met with a serious loss in the death of Judge Trimble, September 19, 1864. It was in 1862 that the Presbyterians erected their present church edifice on the north side of Main street, west of Blackhoof. At St. Marys a congregation of Presbyterians had been organized as early as 1848, the year in which Auglaize county was erected.
The last church organization effected in Wapakoneta was that of the United Brethren congregation, which in 1890 built a small church on McMurray street. This church never had a large attendance and some years ago was abandoned. The United Brethren at St. Marys have been organized for about twenty-five years. The Baptist church in that city was organized about 1840 and the German Reformed church there was organized about 1860.
NEIGHBORHOOD ECCLESIASTICAL DISTINCTIONS.
An interesting situation with respect to church development was created upon the organization and settlement of the two German colonies at Minster (then Stallo Town) and New Bremen (then Bremen) in the spring of 1833. The former (Stallo) colony was made up wholly of Catholics and the latter colony (Bremen), of Protestants, holding to the Lutheran faith. This ecclesiastical distinction between the two neighboring towns has been maintained to this day, the Catholics having no organized representation at New Bremen and the Protestants having no organized representation at Minster. In both places when the town sites were platted pending the arrival of the respective colonies, reservations were made on the respective plats for church and school lots, and it was not long after the arrival of the settlers from a foreign
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land until both church and school were beginning to exercise their orderly functions, log houses serving at first for the immediate needs of the settlers, church and school being carried on in the same building. The Rev. L. H. Meyer was the pastor in charge upon the organization of the Lutheran church (St. Paul's) at New Bremen and after the settlement had become well established and was recognized as having reached a "going" basis, a capacious frame building was erected for church purposes to supplant the primitive log structure. This edifice served its purpose until in 1888 when a handsome brick church building was erected at a cost of $25,000. In 1895 this building was destroyed by fire, but the congregation was nothing daunted by the loss and straightway erected on the site the present commodious St. Paul's Lutheran church. As the community grew there presently came to be a sufficient number of those holding to the faith of that branch of the Lutherans organized under the name of the Evangelical church and St. Peter's Evangelical church at New Bremen was erected. A congregation of the Reformed church also came to be organized (Zion's Reformed) ; later a congregation of the Pentecostal church was organized, and thus New Bremen has its four excellent church organizations, all doing a flourishing work.
As noted above, the new colony at Stallo Town (Minster) was visited by the Rev. Fr. Horstman, who from his station at Glandorf, up in the Ottawa country, was directing Catholic mission enterprises throughout this section of Ohio, when the colony was established in the spring of 1833 and in that same year he established at that point a mission church, which he made arrangements to visit once a month. A log church building, forty by sixty feet and sixteen logs in height was erected for the accommodation of the members of this new parish in the wilderness and so substantially was it constructed and so admirably equipped that it served as church and parish center until 1850, when the foundations for the present spacious St. Augustine's Catholic church at Minster were laid. Father Horstman continued his ministerial attention to the parish
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for two or three years, at the end of which time a resident priest was established there, the Rev. Fr. Joseph Brand having been the first resident priest. He was succeeded by others and in 1845 the parish became a charge of the Order of the Most Precious Blood, which also maintains a convent at Minster. The Rev. Fr. Salesius Brunner, the first provincial of this order, was the first priest to take charge under this new arrangement and the order ever since has been in charge. Father Brunner was succeeded by the Rev. Fr. John Vandenbroeck, under whose direction the present basic portion of St. Augustine's church was erected in 1850. Originally the edifice was 120 feet in length by sixty in width and was erected at a cost of S15,000. This edifice later, under the direction of the Rev. Fr. Andrew Kunkler, who served as pastor of the church for the long period between 1852 and 1885, was remodeled and extended to its present commodious proportions, Twenty years and more ago, under the pastoral direction of the Rev. Fr. Aloys Malin, the interior of the church was redecorated and completely renovated and overhauled. Originally there was but one tower to this edifice, this rearing from the main entrance, which then faced the east. In the remodeling process, by which an additional twenty feet was added to the length of the church, this tower was removed, the entrance constructed at the west end and the two towering spires erected. At the same time the interior was redecorated, all at a cost of about $20,000. It was under Father Kunkler 's pastorate also that St. Theresa's school building was erected at a cost of $7,000, which building was used for school purposes until 1896, when the present ample public school building was erected.
In a little book published as a "souvenir" in connection with the ceremonies attendant on the re-dedication of St. Augustine's church (June 2, 1901) following the completion of the extensive work of remodeling that edifice, much valuable information regarding the history of this church is carried, together with portraits of Fr. Kunkler and several of the other pastors of the parish who had notably impressed their person-
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alities on that community, as well as of the then wardens of the church, these latter having been John Brandewie, John Albers, George Van Oss, Joseph Busse and Henry Horstman. Concerning the interior of the church, the writer of this interesting "souvenir" of the renovation says : "I do not think the fair critic will not be pleased with what he sees in the `Minster ceiling.' The architecture of the same, as of the entire interior, is in the free Renaissance style. Prominent girders resting on elaborate pilasters divide the ceiling in five distinct panels. The center panel of course is the principal one and is largely occupied by a picture, 20x15 feet in dimension, representing the glorification of the Holy Trinity. God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost are seen in the distance in all their glory, surrounded by the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph and the Apostles, while below we behold a congregation of Saints testifying to the greatness of God. Surrounding this painting are four angels singing praises to their Creator. To the right and left in the semicircles are also placed angels, growing out of rich ornamentation and guarding shields, emblazoned with monograms of the Mother of God. Directing our gaze to the east and west of the center panel we find six more pictures of large size representing respectively the Annunciation, the Nativity, Christ in His agony on the Mount of Olives, the Crucifixion, Christ being borne to the Tomb, and the Resurrection. These are masterpieces, surrounded by profuse ornamentation. The predominating color of the ceiling is a mild gold tone. The walls are enriched by pilasters terminating in elaborate capitals, surmounted by an effective freize running the full length of the church. The space above the windows contains rich ornamentation with cross, crosier and emblems of the Pelican, Eye of God, Bee Hive, Censer, Chalice, Ten Commandments, etc. The walls facing the worshiper are adorned with two beautifully impressive pictures—St. Monica praying for the conversion of her son Augustine and St. Augustinus meditating upon the greatness of God. The sanctuary is very rich in appearance, the principal feature being a representation of Christ as King of Heaven and Earth—a picture of great beauty. We also perceive in the sanctuary the
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emblems of the four Evangelists and emblems pertaining to the Most Holy Eucharist, surmounted by fitting inscriptions,"
Quite a number or clergymen were reared in St Augustine's parish, including the Rt. Rev. Bishop Joseph Dwenger, ordained in 1859, of whom further mention is made elsewhere, and the Very Rev. Provincials (C. PP. S.) Bernard Austerman, ordained in 1856; Henry Drees, 1862, and Boni- face Russ, 1878. Among others of the clergy born or reared at Minster are included the Rev. Frs. Bernard Dickman, ordained in 1862; Bernard Russ, 1879; William Russ, 1882; Charles Meyer, 1885 ; Thomas Meyer, 1895 ; Edward Jacob. 1883 ; Willibald Sleimers, 1889, and Lawrence T. Meyer (S, J.).
THE CHURCH THAT GREW OUT OF THE MUD.
The interesting neighborhood known as "Egypt" in the western part of Jackson township is the center of another Catholic congregation (St. Joseph's), now numbering forty families, who worship in a substantial edifice standing at the cross roads just two miles and a half west of the original Minster section. The story of how "Egypt" came by its name is an interesting one. Mention previously has been made of the execrable character of the roads throughout that section in pioneer days before an effective system of drainage had been devised, and of the swamps which so long and so stubbornly resisted the reclamation efforts of the pioneers, According to the engaging narrative of the Rev. Fr. Thomas Meyer, present pastor of St. Joseph's congregation, a pioneer of the name of Kruse one day jokingly remarked in a crowd that "this place was made of a dab of mud that fell from the wheelbarrow of God when He made the world and therefore it ought to be called 'Egypt.' " And Egypt it ever since has been.
The settlement of that region, even as in other parts of what is now Jackson township, was effected by Catholic families, among these pioneers being the Albers, the Brandewies, the Severings, the Heitkamps, the Siemers, the Knapkes, the
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Dormans, the Meierings, the Schmiesings, the Spruckes, the Schilmullers, the Dahlinghauses, the Poeppelmans, the Meyers, the Bergmans, the Grieshops, the Rolfes, the Osterlohs, the Stuckenburgs, the Heitmans, the Voskes, the Wehrmans, the Kuters, the Bornshorsts and the Hoyings. For years these families struggled to keep up their attendance on church services at Minster. It does not now seem far from Egypt to Minster. Stone roads and automobiles are great lesseners of distance. The character of the roads in those days, however, made it impossible for the women and children to attend church during the greater part of the year and the men could only go on horseback, and sometimes only on foot—and a toilsome struggle at that. Even for the summer months there were no proper vehicles for a trip in state to church. A church at Egypt therefore was desirable. Besides this, the old church at Minster no longer properly could accommodate its growing congregation. Then came the time when dissension arose and the Minster church was closed for six or eight weeks on account of some school trouble. Several progressive "Egyptians" got their heads together. Anton Wehrman was building a log house on his place, splitting the clapboards in the woods in which he had made his clearing. By the way, that old log cabin on the Wehrman place ten years ago was torn down (1912) to make way for a handsome, modern cement-block dwelling. Henry Rolfes was helping Mr. Wehrman out with his clapboards. John Osterloh, a neighbor, called on them in the woods at the noon hour. One remarked that it would be a great blessing if they had a little chapel in the neighborhood, so that their wives and children could go to mass occasionally even if only once or twice a month. The suggestion was enthusiastically received and the three men canvassed the neighborhood on the project. It was found that the settlers all were in favor of building a little church at Egypt and a meeting was held in the new log house of the Wehrmans, even before the floors were laid. The three men who had fathered the project, Wehrman, Rolfes and Osterloh, were appointed to consult with Archbishop Pursell, who was announced presently to visit St. John's. At the appointed
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time they laid the proposal before His Grace, who gave his sanction, and steps straightway were taken to make the plan effective. A subscription paper was passed throughout the neighborhood and it was not long until about $800 was subscribed toward the new church. It was decided to erect an edifice fifty-two feet long and twenty-eight feet wide. Building contractors were called in. Their uniform estimate was $800, all the money in sight. Henry Rolfes rose to the occasion. "I will build the church for $300," said he; with the proviso that the congregation furnish the flooring and siding, he to provide all other material. Of course, he got the job, and when the little church was erected there was enough of the $800 left to pay the priest's salary ($300) for the first year,
That was in 1852, and until a resident priest presently was secured for the parish the priest came from Minster or Maria Stein every Sunday and twice a week to minister to the spiritual wants of the congregation. The records of this congregation reveal that J. B. Schmiesing was the first child baptised in the new church, J. H. Stricker and Mary Brandewie were the first couple married in the church and the funeral of Anna Mary Knapke, child of two years, was the first funeral conducted from the church. Four years later, in 1856, the convent was erected and a parish house provided for the priest. Since then Egypt has had a resident priest. Father John Wittmer, installed in May of 1856, served until in October, 1873, and was succeeded by Fr. J. B. Birnbaum,
who was pastor until in September of 1876. He was followed 4 by Fr. Engelbert Ruff, who in the spring of the following year (1877) was succeeded by Fr. John van den Brock, who served until his death on September 24, 1892, and under whose pastorate the present brick church was erected at a cost of $5,000, the same being dedicated by the Very Rev. Bernard Austerman on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year in 1878, and the late Very Rev. Provincial Fr. Boniface Russ said the first mass in the new church on the day it was dedicated. In June of 1892, during the final illness of Fr. van den Brock, Fr. Ignatius Seib was appointed pastor of the church and he remained in charge until the summer of 1907,
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It was during this administration that the church received new altars and statues. When Father Seib became enfeebled by old age he was replaced by Fr. Erhard Fritz, who had charge of the congregation till March, 1909, when Fr. Leander Linz was appointed pro tem, the latter serving until the present pastor, the Rev. Fr. Thomas Meyer, was appointed and arrived in September, 1909.
St. Joseph's congregation was from the beginning in charge of the Fathers of the Precious Blood and when the convent was erected in 1856 there also was erected a house for the priest and the Brothers, the priest in charge being at the same time pastor of the congregation and chaplain of the Sisters at the convent. When the separation between the male and female members of the Community of the Most Precious Blood took place the male society deeded all the lands and property in Egypt, including the priesthouse, to the Sisters. In 1911 Archbishop Moeller urged the Sisters to sell their land and convent at Egypt. This meant a new priest- house for the parish and the congregation found little difficulty in raising $6,000 for that purpose. In 1912 the new parsonage was erected on a vacant lot between the church and the cemetery, the people giving not only freely of their money to this object but also freely of their time and labor in the work of excavating for the parsonage and in hauling material.
OTHER CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY.
It is said that the first church organization effected in Washington township was in 1838, ten years before Auglaize county was erected. This pioneer church was built by the congregation of Germans of the Lutheran faith who had gathered at the settlement then known as Knoxville and stood on the site of the present modern edifice of that congregation in the village of New Knoxville. Out of this movement also arose the congregation of the First Reformed church there. Besides the two churches in New Knoxville here mentioned, the United Brethren maintain two churches in Washington township, one in section 24 and one in section 25. As early as
(21)
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1844 a local society of the Methodist Episcopal church was organized in what is now the Cridersville neighborhood, services being held in the old log Burk school house until in 1868, when a frame church building was erected on that site. About ten years later this building was moved into the village of Cridersville, where later the present substantial church of the Methodists was erected. In 1875 the United Brethren organized a congregation at Cridersville and in 1896 the Free Methodists established themselves there.
Perhaps the first organized church service held in Logan township was that of the Methodists, who under the direction of the Rev. James B. Finley held meetings at the old block house at Ft. Amanda, out of which grew the society which in 1848 erected a church building on section 24. Later the German Methodists built a church on section 20 and the United Brethren built on section 28. In 1878 the Christian Union church was built in the village of Buckland. In Clay township the Rev. James B. Finley's pioneer circuit also got a start, a society of the Methodist Episcopal church having been organized in the St. John's neighborhood by him as early as 1835 and the Methodists have ever since been a strong force in that community. The Protestant Methodists, the German Lutherans, the Christians and the German Methodists also have organizations in this township.
TRIBUTE TO A PIONEER PREACHER.
In this connection it is but fitting that reference should be made to the work in years past in that community of the Rev. A. J. Frisbie, for many years pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at St. Johns and in whose honor a monument was unveiled with appropriate ceremonies at Wesley Chapel on June 4, 1922, the money to purchase and erect this memorial having been raised by subscription "from persons who had known the deceased pastor and who in many cases had been converted to a Christian life by his voice and example," as a newspaper account of the ceremony had it. It is narrated that the Rev. A. J. Frisbie "was perhaps the best known min-
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ister in Auglaize county for forty years. He came to this county from New York and as early as 1860 he conducted a revival at Wesley Chapel in which almost three hundred persons were converted, and during the progress of which people came from miles around to hear him preach the gospel. His fame spread into adjoining counties and he was reputed to be one of the most effective messengers of the Word in this section of the State. At that time the rule of the church was to change a minister every three years, but Rev. Frisbie's parishioners were so insistent in pleading to have him remain in St. Johns that this rule was changed in respect to this charge. His circuit at that time included Mt. Tabor, New Hampshire, St. Johns and Wesley Chapel. Later, as age came on, his services were confined to St. Johns and it was in this village that he died about 1915. During his lifetime Frisbie often was heard to express the wish that he might be buried in the graveyard at Wesley Chapel, and it was in accordance with this wish that his remains were laid to rest there. That his pious example and his eloquent sermons have not been forgotten is evidenced by the fact that his former parishioners have contributed so willingly to the purchase of a monument to his memory."
In addition to the Methodist Episcopal church at New Hampshire above referred to, the Baptists also are represented in that village. In Waynesfield there are two churches, the Methodist Protestant and the Baptist, both of which were erected in 1866. The Methodist Protestants effected an organization in this (Wayne) township as early as 1840, when the Hopewell church was organized in section 11. About that same year another church of this same denomination was erected on section 22 and was called the Wallace Fork church. In Pusheta township there also is a church of the Methodist Protestants and the Methodist Episcopals and the Lutherans also are represented there, while in Freyburg village St. John's Catholic church provides ample accommodation for the large Catholic population in that neighborhood. St. John's parish was established in 1848, the year in which Freyburg village was laid out, and in 1877 a substantial parish school also was
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built there. At Uniopolis there is a Christian church and a church of the Methodist Protestants, both substantial buildings. In this (Union) township, three miles southeast of Uniopolis, is the historic old Wesley Chapel, to which reference has been made above. It is narrated in an older chronicle that "the first religious society in Union township may be said to have formed by the Rev. James B. Finley, a Methodist itinerant, who preached in the homes of the people, particularly at Charles Lusk's house. The first house of worship was a log building, located three miles southeast of Uniopolis and known as Wesley Chapel. A church known as Poplar Hill church was also a log building. Twenty years later both buildings were replaced by neat edifices. * * * Mt. Lookout Tabernacle, planned by Hugh Lusk, is located on a hill in the eastern part of the township. Services are held in it once or twice a year by the Holiness people." In Moulton township there are five churches, the Catholic church at Glynwood, the Methodist Episcopal and the Lutheran at Moulton, the Oak Grove Christian church and the United Brethren church along the river in section 24. During a tornado which swept over the Moulton neighborhood in the summer of 1920 the Lutheran church in that village was destroyed. It was replaced without delay by a substantial edifice of modern style and construction.
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF NEW KNOXVILLE.
In a review prepared for publication in connection with the ceremonies incident to the laying of the corner stone for the extensive addition planned for the commodious First Reformed church at New Knoxville in the summer of 1922, it is pointed out that the beginning of this church dates back to the years 1838-40, but that "by whom and just when this congregation was organized cannot definitely be determined, as no record of the proceedings of this day is available." It is stated, however, that the first service conducted there was under the direction of a visiting .minister, the Reverend Jaertin, and that the first regular resident pastor was the Rev.
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J. H. Tanke, who served the congregation during 1840-43. In January, 1840, the congregation purchased for $60 a tract of fifteen acres in the Knoxville settlement and thereon erected a log church building and a log cabin parsonage and established a cemetery. On December 12, 1841, the congregation adopted a constitution which was signed by the Reverend Tanke and forty members, representing as many families. Art. I of this constitution states that "the name of this congregation shall be the First Reformed and Lutheran Church of New Knoxville ; therefore, according to the confession of faith, it shall be the German United Reformed and Lutheran Church and freedom of faith, freedom in seeking as to religious truths, shall always be the privilege of all its members."
Two or three years later doctrinal differences arose in the congregation and the Reverend Tanke was obliged to leave, the congregation for sometime thereafter being without a stated pastor but occasionally visited by the Reverend Braasch of Cincinnati. During this period lay services often were conducted by the village schoolmaster, F. H. W. Kuckherman, a young man of devotion and promise, who presently was prevailed upon by his neighbors to devote himself to the ministry. After pursuing a course of theological training at Cincinnati he was licensed to preach in 1847 and in 1852 received his ordination and became installed as pastor of the First Reformed church at New Knoxville. It was thus that the Rev. F. H. W. Kuckherman entered upon his labors in the church at New Knoxville which were to continue for a period of forty years, or until his resignation on account of failing bodily powers in 1890. He continued, however to make his home at New Knoxville, where he died on March 29, 1914, and his funeral was one of the most largely attended ever held in Auglaize county.
It was following the beginning of Mr. Kuckherman's pastorate that the congregation, in 1853, bought a new building site and erected a frame church to supplant the old log structure. Five years later a parsonage was erected which served until the present parsonage was built in 1888. Up to 1874 this congregation had not become affiliated with any ec-
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clesiastical body, but the pastor was a member of the Lutheran Synod of Ohio. The majority of the members, however, held to the Reformed faith and in that year it was formally decided to become affiliated with the Reformed Church of the United States. This church thus then became a member of the Heidelberg Classis, then of the Synod of the Northwest, but now a subdivision of the Central Synod, and in that same year became incorporated as such. In 1890 the Rev. A. Schneck was installed to succeed the retiring pastor and he served for two years, to be followed in October, 1892, by the Rev. Moritz Noll, who served until his death, November 2, 1898, and was succeeded by the Rev. J. Bachman, whose failing health compelled his resignation in January, 1910. He moved to Cleveland, where he not long afterward died. In March, 1910, the Rev. Josias Friedli was chosen to succeed Mr. Bachman and he remained until he was elected general secretary of the home mission board of the church and in April, 1915, left to assume his new duties, and was followed by the present pastor, the Rev. L. H. Kunst, of Buffalo, N. Y., who entered upon his pastorate on the Sunday after Easter, 1915, and under whose direction the remodeling and enlarge. ment of the handsome church edifice erected in 1894 is being undertaken. Twenty young men of this congregation have gone forth as pastors, two of them as foreign missionaries.
FRATERNAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.
In the report of the church and community survey made in Auglaize county in 1921 and to which reference was made in the opening part of this chapter, stress was laid on some of the social activities of the community, such as clubs and fraternal societies, and their relation to the social life of the community. Recalling that the towns of St. Marys and Wapakoneta are not included in this report, it was set out that "there are eighteen lodges reported, with a total membership of 892. Five own their own buildings. Their chief activities are social. There are three granges, with a membership of 427. One owns its own building. There is also one club re-
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ported, with 150 members. The county has a farm bureau, a pomona grange and a county fair association. Their usual relief organizations are centered at Wapakoneta." This latter has reference to the county Red Cross organization, the county public health league, the public nurse and county board of health and the like. In Wapakoneta there is a post of the Grand Army of the Republic, a post of the American Legion, which patriotic organization also is represented in the chief villages of the county, a troop of Boy Scouts, a Masonic lodge, which carries into the chapter and council, and the Order of the Eastern Star; the Knights of Columbus, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to the encampment degree and the Daughters of Rebekah; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, a band of Girl Scouts, a tent of the Order of the Maccabees and the Lady Maccabees, the Woodmen of the World, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, a lodge of Ben Hur, the Woodmen Circle and a benevolent society known as the Schwabischer Unterstuetzungs Verein.
At St. Marys there also is a post of the Grand Army of the Republic and a post of the American Legion, Freemasons to the chapter and council and the Order of Eastern Star, Odd Fellows to the encampment and the Daughters of Rebekah, Knights of Pythias and Pythian Sisters, the Knights of Columbus, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Red Men. In addition to these fraternal organizations there are numerous clubs of one sort and another to give direction to social activities. At Wapakoneta there also is a strong and active Kiwanis Club which is operating quite effectually along the general lines promoted by Kiwanis. Women's clubs are numerous and active. Organized musical activities have been prominent features of the social life of this section from the beginning and some excellent bands and orchestras have been organized from time to time. The Elks band at Wapakoneta, an organization of something more than forty pieces, is now the strongest band in the county, but nearly every community can make up a band on short
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notice to fill in on occasions. School orchestras have done much to stimulate the musical tastes and interests of the youth. Probably the oldest continuing woman's club in Auglaize county is the Irving Reading Club which was organized at Wapakoneta in 1888. The Helen Hunt Circle organized in Wapakoneta at a later date is quite an active social and literary club.