CHAPTER XXIII

THE CHURCHES OF VAN WERT

The First Presbyterian Church—The First Methodist Episcopal Church—The First Baptist Church—Churches of the Evangelical Association of North America in Van Wert and Vicinity—St. Mary's Catholic Church.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Was organized by Rev. John N. Nevins under the authority of the Miami Presbytery, June 10, 1843, a petition having been presented by the Presbyterians residing in Van Wert and the vicinity.

At the time of the organization in the Court House, it was called the First Presbyterian Church, and consisted of 12 members, among whom were : Robert M. Thompson, Andrew Hattery, Annie Hattery, Joseph Hattery, Andrew Hattery, Jr., James Gordon Gilliland, Mrs. Margaret Gilliland and Mrs. Sarah Wells.

After its organization, according to the prescribed rules of the form of government, the members of the church proceeded to elect an elder, which resulted in the choice of Joseph Hattery, who was regularly ordained and continued to discharge the duties of this office until his death.

On June I1, 1843, the first sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered and on the Monday following two infants were baptized viz. : Hugh T., son of Robert Thompson, and Sarah Samantha, daughter of Mrs. Sarah Wells.

On September 12, 1843, the church petitioned the Miami Presbytery for a minister to preach and administer the sacrament, inasmuch as the Rev. John H. Nevins, then pastor of the church at Decatur, who had preached some months to the people of Van Wert previous and subsequent to its organization, finding himself unable to discharge the duties, requested to be released.

The church on the 18th of March, 1844, invited Rev. John Elliott, of Martinsburg, to supply them one half his time, and promised him as compensation $100 in produce. The call was accepted by him and he continued his labors until March 21, 1845.

In this year the church was attached to the Sidney Presbytery. The number of communicants was now 23. From this period until 1851 the church had no regular pastor, but was supplied by Revs. John B. Morton, John S. Galloway, Richard M. Badean, Thomas Elcock, James Anderson and Milo Templeton.

In the spring of 1851 Rev. Richard Graham a missionary of the Miami Presbytery, was called to the pulpit and continued as pastor until the time of his death, September 29, 1851.

Rev. Thomas Elcock preached from Au-

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gust 28, 1852 (once each month) until April 9, 1853, when he was elected the first regular pas-tor and installed as such, the congregation promising to pay him $250 annually. His pastorate continued until 1861, a period of nine years and a prosperous one throughout.

In June, 1861 Rev. Soloman Cook took charge of the church as stated supply until the 26th of November, 1862, when Rev. John W. Allen took charge and preached until 1864: In July, 1866, Rev. Frederick R. Wortring began his pastorate, which continued two years. On June 24, 1869, Rev. William M. Claybaugh was elected pastor and served acceptably until December 4, 1871.

On April 22, 1872, Rev. Brainard T. DeWitt was elected and his ministration continued until March 21, 1874. His immediate successor was Rev. Eugene P. Dunlap, who was elected in April, 1874, and served for one year.

On May 9, 1875, Rev. John V. Stockton began his labors in this church and on September 30, 1875, Lima Presbytery ordained him and installed him as pastor of the Van Wert church. He remained in charge until July, 1881, when he resigned to accept a call to the Third Presbyterian Church, of Fort Wayne.

In April, 1882, Rev. David Street was received from the Cleveland Presbytery and was installed April 27, 1882. He continued in charge for two years.

In November, 1884, Rev. J. A. Bower, was received from the Indianapolis Presbytery and installed as pastor. In 1886 he resigned. On June 7, 1887, Rev. E. W. Work, a licentiate of the Athens Presbytery was received and accepted a call. He was ordained and installed and continued until November 1, 1890, when he resigned to accept a professorship in Wooster University.

On November 1, 1890, Rev. J. A. Gordoncame to the church at Van Wert and commenced his pastorate. He was regularly installed January 1, 1891, and has continued until the present time.

* * *

At the organization of the church, Joseph Hattery was chosen the first ruling elder and was the only one until August 21, 1851, when John Q. Adams and Isaac Tolan were elected additional elders. These three continued to serve until 1855. The death of Mr. Flattery and the removal of Messrs. Adams and Tolan to the West caused vacancies which were filled by the election of Andrew Conn and Evan W. Jones, on January 19, 1856. On January 23, 186o, the church elected Henry Robinson, James K. Scott, Thaddeus S. Gilliland and Oliver P. Clark.

On November 23, 1879 on account of the increase in the membership and the enlargement of the interests of the church, it was deemed to be to the best interests of the church to increase the number of elders to eight, and Dr. William N. Longsworth, Dr. John Glenn, Moses H. McCoy and John D. Erwin were elected and ordained. On July 5, 1883, Elder James Calhoun was received by letter from the Presbyterian Church of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, and was invited to become a member of the session.

On November 15, 1885, John Capper, an elder from the Harrison church, having been received as a member of the church was received and enrolled as a member of the session.

The next elders elected (we have not the exact date but it was sometime in July, 1887) were : Dr. C. A. Murray, Prof. D. R. Boyd and John J. Humphreys. The first Thursday in April, 1899, Thomas J. Jones, W. B. Jones and Vinton L. Passler were elected elders.

On September 7, 1891, Vinton L. Passler was granted a letter on his removal to Boston.

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Dr. John Glenn removed to Chicago. On September 11, 189o, the death of Elder Henry Robinson was reported to the session. On December 16, 1893, Elder John D. Ervine died. On November 9, 1894, Elder Thomas J. Jones died.

On February 10, 1895, Edward K. Ream, William Ervine, John E. Bernard and Hy. Davies were chosen elders. Davies declined ordination. On June 27, 1895, the death of Elder William Ervine was reported to the session. On April 5, 1900, L. C. Morgan was elected an elder; and on April 4, 1901, James R. Mcllvain. Elder Charles A. Murray's death was reported to session March 1, 1900. Elder John E. Bernard moved. Elder John Capper died October 20, 1903.

* * *

On the 22nd day of August, 1851, James Gordon Gilliland, George S. Crafts and Evan \V. Jones were elected deacons and ordained on September 7, 1851. Messrs. Gilliland and Crafts held the office until their deaths; Mr. Jones until 1856 when he was elected elder.

On July 31, 1854, Oliver P. Clark and Henry Robinson were elected deacons. Mr. Robinson was ordained as such October 3, 1854. Mr. Clark had been previously ordained

In 1866 Moses H: McCoy, James L. Price and L. M. Cary were elected and ordained.

In 1869 M. F. Richey, Dr. William N. Longsworth and Nathaniel Hattery were elected and ordained.

In 1874 J. J. Humphreys and A. A. Giffin were elected deacons. After this the church chose trustees.

On November 9, 1879, a board of trustees was constituted, consisting of six persons to be divided into three classes and to serve as follows John A. Conn, and I. H. Eldridge, for three years; H. Kemper and Walter L. Scott, for two years; James Montgomery and O. D. Swartout, for one year.

Here there is an omission in the records of about four or five years.

Recommencing with the year 1886, the following have been elected and served as trustees :

T. S. Gilliland, from 1886 to 1889; W. B. Jones, from 1886 to 1889; J. J. Humphreys, from 1887 to 1890; J. R. Mcllvain, from 1887 to 1890; A. M. Bouton, from 1888 to 1891; E. K. Ream, from 1888 to 1891 J. W. Evans, from 1889 to 1895 ; N. L. Williams, from 1889 to 1895: A. J. Clymer, from 1889 to 1901; Henry Davies, from 1890 to 1902 ; W. M. Flaharty, from 1899 to 1902; J. P. Reed, from 1899 to 1906; W. L. Scott, from 1891 to 1894; J. E. Bernard, from 1891 to 1894: W. H. Heistand, from 1891 to 1906; D. H. Morgan, from 1894 to 1900; L. R. Bonewitz, from 1894 to 1906; R. J. Cavett, from 1895 to 1904; J. F. Sidle, from 1895 to 1904; H. P. McDonald, from 1900 to 1906; H. Kemper, from 1901 to 1906; J. O. Roberts, from 1904 to 1906.

* * *

The First Presbyterian congregation was organized in the old Court House. When the Methodists were building their church, the Presbyterians contributed to the fund for that purpose, and when the church was built they shared with the Methodists the use of the church when they were able to secure a minister.

In 1853 the congregation decided to erect a building for themselves for a place of worship. They purchased a lot on the south side of Main street and west side of Harrison street, on which they erected a neat frame building at the cost of $3,000, which structure was occupied by them until 1872, when the congregation made arrangements for the erection of

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their church edifice on the corner of South Washington and West Crawford streets.

The new building was commenced in the spring of 1873. The building committee consisted of Dr. W. N. Longsworth, James L. Price, M. H. McCoy, Nathaniel Hattery, John A. Conn and T. S. Gilliland. The contract was let to E. W. Wilson, architect and builder. The erection of the building was prosecuted with vigor and in December, 1873, the lower room was occupied for holding church services and Sabbath-school. The old church on East Main street was sold to the German Evangelical congregation.

In 1877 the building committee again resumed their labors and the church was finished, the whole expense, including lot, being $14,000.

* * *

Rev. Thomas Elcock was born and raised on a farm in York County, Pennsylvania. After he became of age, he decided to study for the ministry, and as there were only elementary schools for three months in the winter in his neighborhood he sold his horse and went to Lafayette College to get an education. At the close of the college year, he would sometimes walk home in three days, a distance of 120 miles, and return again the next year the same way. Once he and a companion took a pleassure trip on foot a distance of 80 miles at a total expense of 25 cents. At Lafayette College, where he graduated in 1841, after six years of study, he was associated with young men like Noah Porter, afterward president of Yale; and Dr. W. F. Green, the famous Hebraist of Princeton.

Mr. Elcock's theological course of three years was taken at Princeton under the instruction of her "Big Four"—Addison Alexander, Samuel Miller and Archibald and Charles Hodge—those great theologians whose genius and piety have influenced every part of theworld. He was licensed to preach in 1843 at the age of 32 and spent the remainder of his life in the active service of the ministry.

During the last year in the theological school at Princeton, Mr. Elcock preached regularly to the colored people in their church there, and was ever a warm friend of freedom and the colored race.

Graduating in 1844, he turned toward the great West. His father had died and left him some means, so journeying by canal boat, stage coach and river he made his way to Ohio, and preached for six months at Ravenna.

He was ordained and installed pastor of Covington, Gettysburg- and Mount Jefferson in 1845, often preaching in the woods at the last named point. The country was at that time full of chills and fever, the traveling mostly on horseback and the distance the pastor had to travel was great.

In 1846 Mr. Elcock found that good thing from the Lord—a good wife, talented and consecrated, who helped and cheered him greatly for years until her death.

He accepted a call to the Van Wert and Delphos churches and moved to Delphos from Covington in 1853 and began his life in this region.

While living in Delphos, the village had a scourage of cholera, which swept away many lives. During the epidemic Mr. Elcock and his wife were unsparing and unselfish in the assistance they gave to the plague-stricken people.

In 1855 he removed to Van Wert, where he had already been preaching one half his time. Soon afterward, he purchased the home where he spent the remainder of his life. He built the first church for the Presbyterians hero and was their pastor for a period of nine years continuously after the erection of the new house of worship. In the long period following until

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he was called to his final reward, he was ever active in the church and in all things pertaining to it. In addition to his arduous ministerial duties, which he never neglected, he filled the office of worthy chaplain for 25 full terms in the lodge of the Sons of Temperance.

He died as he had lived, at peace with all the world, in cheerful hope for the future and without a struggle. The gates were opened and the spirit passed beyond, leaving behind a memory that is a life lesson to every man who knew him. After having spent the evening with a neighbor, Mr. Elcock returned to his home and sat in a chair to rest after the walk. When his daughter went to him to assist him in removing his overcoat as was her custom, she found that death had claimed her aged and beloved parent.

Rev. Thomas Elcock celebrated his 94th birthday anniversary and Monday, October 16, 1905, in his usual health and vigor, that bespoke for him many more years of life, and yet ere midweek he had passed over the river, dying on October 18th.

* * *

The old text, "By their fruits shall ye know them," applies as well to educational institutions as to any other. Among those to whom Washington and Jefferson College always pointed with pride, as furnishing the evidence of the character of her training, was Rev. John W. Allen, D. D. He was born February 1, 1837, in Belmont County, Ohio. His parents were William and Jane (Workman) Allen of sturdy Presbyterian stock. A farmer's son spending his early years on a farm, he was given the strong, healthy development that lies at the foundation of an active, useful life. Early in his life his attention turned toward the Gospel ministry, and with this in view he began his educational career. His academic studies were pursued in Miller Academy in Guernsey

County, Ohio, which instituton he entered in the year 1855. Here his course of study was finished with honor to himself. He then entered the sophomore class of Washington and Jefferson College in 1857 and was graduated in the class of 186o. Immediately after his graduation, he entered the Western Theological Seminary, where he remained two years. The third year of his theological course was spent in the Seminary of the Northwest, where he finished his theological studies in 1863. After leaving the seminary, he was called to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert, Ohio, where he was ordained to the Gospel ministry and installed as pastor by the Lima Presbytery. During this pastorate, in the year 1864, he was married to Roxana Purmort. He continued in his first church, laboring with great fidelity and success, until ill health resulting from a malarious climate compelled his resignation.

Removing to Minnesota, he served one year as stated supply for the church at Lake City. Subsequently he removed to Kirkwood, Illinois, where he spent two years as stated supply.

The deep affection and high esteem with which Dr. Allen is still remembered by his former parishioners bear witness to the fidelity and acceptableness of his labors among them.

In the spring of 1868 he removed to Kansas City, where for a short time he supplied the First Presbyterian Church of that city. While thus engaged, he was elected by his presbytery to be the Presbyterian missionary of the Osage (now Kansas City) Presbytery. His efficency and success in discharging the duties of his new office drew to him the attention of the Synod of Missouri, as the man best qualified for the important office of synodical missionary. He was unanimously elected superintendent of missions by the synod in 1873. The duties of his office necessitated his removal to St. Louis,

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where he for years resided,. At the time of his election the mission work of the synod, owing to ecclesiastical divisions which had hitherto prevailed, was in an enfeebled and unorganized condition, but tinder his wise leadership it soon put on new strength and activity. His wisdom and fidelity in his labors soon won for him the confidence of his brethren in the ministry and for eight successive years he was unanimously reelected to his office.

In 1880 he resigned his position to accept that of superintendent of the work of the Board of Publication in the Southwest. The administrative ability which he showed as superintendent of missions was conspicuously manifested in his new work and he had the satisfaction of seeing it grow from small beginnings to large proportions. The position which he occupied and his accurate knowledge of the field led him to see and urge the expendiency of estallishing a religious newspaper in the interests of the Southwest. Accordingly he began the publication of the monthly known as the St. Louis Evangelist, of which he was the editor, carrying on this work in connection with that of the Board of Publication. The success` of the effort led to the formation of a company to publish the St. Louis Evangelist Weekly. Dr. Allen was chosen treasurer of the new company and publisher of the paper. Subsequently the name was changed to that of The Mid-Continent, and about the time of his death this was merged into The Herald and Presbyter.

His manifold and laborious duties did not limit the labors of Dr. Allen. No one in the Presbytery did more active or efficient work in evangelization than he. He preached almost ever Sabbath, and was the recognized leader in the mission work of the Presbyterian Church in the city of St. Louis. As secretary of the Home Mission Committee, the case of the mission stations and pastorless churches fell largely upon him. He was also secretary and one of the managers of the St. Louis Bible Society. In 1875 he was elected moderator of the Synod of Missouri and in 1879 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the University of Wooster. Dr. Allen was an earnest and scriptural preacher, pleasing and forceful in his delivery and was always heard with pleasure and profit. His genial and unselfish disposition won him a host of friends, and his wisdom and well-balanced judgment made him a leader in counsel among his brethren.

He and his wife had no children of their own but minor children of relatives have been educated by them, and an adopted daughter received every educational advantage and grew into womanhood in their happy home. Dr. Allen's duties were those of organizer and superintendent in the work of the church and in this field he displayed signal ability and his work will long abide as a memorial to his faithful, wise and selfsacrificing labors.

* * *

Rev. Eugene P. Dunlap, having decided to enter the missionary field, wanted to spend one more year in this country to complete his medical studies. He accordingly agreed to supply the pulpit for the First Presbyterian .Church at Van Wert for one year. It was With sorrow that the church parted with him. In 1875 he sailed for Siam, where he has since labored. He is a member of the Siam Presbytery and is accomplishing a great work.

* * *

On May 9, 1875, Rev. John V. Stockton began his labors in the Van Wert church and )n September 30, 1875, was ordained and installed pastor of the church. He remained in :barge until July, 1881, when he resigned to

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accept a call to the Third Presbyterian Church of Fort Wayne. Shortly after moving to Fort wayne, he and his family were afflicted with diphtheria that affected his voice to such an extent that he was compelled to give up his charge and rest for a few years; in fact he never fully recovered from the effects of the disease. He was later located at Mercer, Pennsylvania, where he preached for a number of years and became deservedly popular in his home city, as well as in the presbytery and synod. His health failing he removed to Pittsburg that he might the better educate his sons. After suffering for a number of years, he and his wife went to California in hopes that the climate might be beneficial to his health, but the disease had too strong a hold and he died there in 1905. He was a man of great ability and left the impress of his devoted life upon every community in which he lived.

* * *

On June 7, 1887, Rev. E. W. Work accepted a call and was ordained and installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert, and remained until November 1, 189o, when he resigned to accept a professorship in the University of Wooster. He was afterward called to the Third Presbyterian Church of Dayton, of which he was pastor for several years until the health of his family required a change of climate, when he went to Berkeley, California, where he was pastor for a number of years. The health of his family not improving, he finally resigned and accepted a call to a church at Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he is now stationed. He is a man of great ability and untiring energy. He is devoted to his work wherever he is situated and wonderfully successful and a good organizer, being always able to enlist his members in the work of the church.

THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Court House was used by this denomination as their first place of worship.

The enterprise of erecting a church was inaugurated in the year 1845 under the pastorate of Rev. John Graham. A subscription to the church fund was liberal and lot No. 20 on North Jefferson street was purchased from Walter Buckingham for $50. The original trustees were Abel R. Strother, Abraham Zimmerman, Theophilus W. King, Samuel S. Brown and James M. Young, who officiated in that capacity for many years.

The contract for the erection of a frame church was awarded to James H. Long, which included not only its erection but the furnishing of the material. During the winter of 1846-47 the timber was hauled upon the ground and in the summer of 1847 Mr. Long commenced the work, but peculiar circumstances compelled him to abandon it. Abraham Zimmerman undertook to finish the frame work, while Darius and Joseph Evers put on the roof, inclosed the building and laid the floors. The building was not plastered, but was seated with rough boards to accommodate the congregation, while neither pulpit nor tower graced the church. In this condition it was used for several years as a house of worship by all denominations. The plastering was not finished until 1852, when measures were taken to have the rough boards exchanged for better furniture. To the accomplishment of this object, Rev. Nathan H. Taylor devoted the energies of both body and mind, he having been sent to fill the pulpit. Through the days of the week, besides attending to pastoral duties he assisted in cutting and hauling to the sawmill the walnut logs from which the seats were sawed. In 1850, the timber be-

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ing well seasoned, measures were taken to raise the necessary funds and in 1854 the church was finished.

To perpetuate the principal actors and the respective parts taken, we add their names as an encouragement to others to act likewise under similar circumstances. Rev. Nathan H. Taylor was the principal architect and erected the pulpit and altar; the seats were made by J. W. Penn, Joseph Evers and Morgan Mumaugh, and the cupola was built by Darius Evers and Samuel Latimore. he bell was placed in the tower on May 4, 1854.

* * *

The following ministers have filled the pulpit as pastors : 1845-46, Rev. John Graham ; 1846-47, Rev. John S. Kalb; 1847-48, Rev. James Albright; 1848-49, Rev. A. Harmount; 1850-51, Rev. William Guiberson and Rev. Jacob Burkholder; 1851-52, Rev. Reuben D. Oldfield and John K. Ford ; 1852-53, Rev. Nathan H. Taylor, Rev. John Graham and Rev. Gersham Lease ; 1853-54, Rev. Nathan H. Taylor and Rev. J. Duvall; 1854-55, Rev. Joseph Fribley and Rev. N. B. C. Love (the conference in 1855 made Van Wert a station) ; 1856-57, Rev. John Graham; 1858, Rev. A. Hollington (the conference in 1858 united Van Wert and Delphos with two ministers) ; 1858-59, Rev. William A. Baker and Rev. E. G. Longsworth ; 1859-60, Rev. William A. Baker and Rev. J. N. Priddy; 1860-61, Rev. F. Merritt and Rev. J. N. Priddy; 1861-62, Rev. J. F. Mounts and Rev. L. A. Belt; 1862-63, Rev. J. F. Mounts and Rev. A. B. Webster; 1863-64, Rev. A. L. Nickerson and Rev. A. B. Webster (the conference in 1864 changed Van Wert to a station) ; 1864-67, Rev. Oilver Kennedy ; 1867-68, Rev. George Mather; 1868-69, Rev. H. E. Pilcher (his appointment supplied by Rev. J. F. Mounts) ; 1869-71, Rev. William Jones; 1871-72, Rev. A. Harmount; 1872-73, Jacob Halderman; 1873-75, Rev. Oliver Kennedy; 1876-77, Rev. William Jones; 1877-79, Rev. J. R. Henderson ; 1879-82, Rev. A. J. Fish; 1883-85, Rev. William Lance; 1886-88, Rev. Clark Craw-ford; 1889-91, Rev. James H. Fitzwater; 1892-94, Rev. J. M. Avann ; 1895, Rev. L. M. Albright; 1896-98, Rev. A. J. Fish; 1899-1902, Rev. P. P. Pope, 1903-06, Rev. M. M. Figley.

* * *

Work commenced on the First Methodist Episcopal Church in the spring of 1876. The pastor at that time was Rev. Oliver Kennedy. The cornerstone of the new church was laid July 25. 1877, Rev. William Jones then being pastor. The board of trustees was constituted as follows : J. M. C. Marble, president, Levi F. Zimmerman, secretary ; J. S. Brumback, treasurer; J. S. Zook, T. J. DeMoss, D. Casto and Hiram C. Glenn. Dr. Adam N. Krout, E. Laukart, J. M. C. Marble, J. S. Zook and T. J., DeMoss were the building committee, and T. J. Tolan & Son, of Fort Wayne, the architects. The cornerstone was laid with appropriate exercises and in it was placed a copper box in which were deposited the following articles : Holy Bible; Methodist Hymn Book; copies of the county papers; names of all subscribers to the new church to that date, 672 in all ; a writ-ten document by the mayor of the town, containing the names of the founders of the town, when laid out, when incorporated, and names of present officers and population ; the Improved Order of Red Men deposited a copy of :heir by-laws, list of first officers elected, also )f present officers, and a copy of the proceedngs of Grand Council held in May, 1877; he Independent Order of Odd Fellows deposited a certified list of members in good standing, a copy of the constitution and 1y-laws and names of present officers ; the Free Masons deposited a roll containing an ac-

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count of the organization of the lodge, names of present officers, address delivered by A. P. McConahay, master of the lodge, also a Masonic silver trowel ; T. S. McKim deposited a bottle each of rye, wheat, barley and corn ; a small American flag, a paper collar, postal currency, silver coin and samples of dry goods ; and the secretary of the board of trustees of the church deposited a historical . statement, out-lining the organization and growth of the church, which was written by Rev. William Jones. This sketch in part was as follows : Van Wert Mission was organized in 184o and embraced all of Van Wert County, and that portion of territory embraced in Mercer County. The first quarterly meeting was held at William Priddy's home, October 24, 1840; Wesley Brock, presiding elder; Henry Warner, missionary; Simon A. Alderman, local preacher; William Priddy, Asahel Alderman, Wesley Harper and Thomas W. Bowdle, exhorters ; John Mark and Alexander McCoy, leaders; Smith Hill and Richard Pring, stewards. The first quarterly meeting held in the town of Van Wert, which was also the first for the circuit after it ceased to be a mission, was held October 21, 1843; John G. Kellam, presiding elder; James McNabb, pastor. First reference to Sunday-school work on record was under date of 1844.

The lecture room of the First Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated February 3, 1878, Rev. J. R. Henderson then being pastor. Mr. Henderson and Rev. Geiger of the Lutheran Church read the Scripture lessons and Rev. L. A. Belt, of Toledo, offered prayer ; after which Rev. Oliver Kennedy, former pastor, then stationed at Sidney, Ohio, preached a very fine sermon, followed by the dedicatory services according to the ritual of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The audience room was not dedicated until Sunday. September 29, 1889. Dr. LeRoy A. Belt delivered a very able discourse, after which the room was dedicated. Other ministers present were: Rev. Clark Crawford, the outgoing pastor; Rev. James H. Fitzwater, the incoming pastor; Rev. J. R. Henderson, presiding elder of the Lima district; Rev. William Hook, of Cridersville; Rev. C. B. Hickernell, of Shane's Crossing; Rev. L. H. Lindsay, of Convoy ; and Revs. E. W. Work, Thomas Elcock, James F. Mounts and J. P. Snyder, of Van Wert. The church, whose estimated cost was $30,100, was dedicated free from debt. It is a fine structure. The auditorium, lecture room and the church parlor are well adapted to the purpose for which they were built. There was a collection taken up on the day when the audience room was dedicated, to reduce the debt on the church organ. The board of trustees at this time was constituted as follows : Dr. Adam N. Krout, president; Levi F. Zimmerman, secretary; D. P. Dunathan, treasurer, J. S. Zook, F. L. Webster, J. A. Gleason and G. M. Hall.

The pastor of the church at this date (November 11, 1905) is Rev. M. M. Figley. The board of trustees is constituted as follows : D. P. Dunathan, president; Levi F. Zimmerman, secretary; E. I. Antrim, treasurer; J. S. Zook, F. L. Webster, H. V. Olney, William A. Clark, Clem V. Hoke and G. M. Hall.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

There is a record of the organization of a Baptist Church of four members in Van Wert in 1847. The minutes of the Auglaize Association show that the Van Wert church was reported in 1850—12 members with Elder J. G. Van Volkenburg as pastor. In 1852 this church did not report. The records of the church show that it was reorganized in 1853 with eight members. D. D. Johnson was pastor in 1854, when to members were reported.

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The history of the church is a history of serious struggles against many difficulties.

From 1855 to 1859, Elder A. Larue, a member of the church, seems to have been the .,parlor are all well adapted to the purpose for two years Elder R. Edmonds served as pastor and was under appointment as a missionary of the Ohio Baptist Convention.

After that, Elder Isaac Bloomer was pastor for three years, being also aided by the convention. Then Elder Larue and Elder Edmonds again served one year each. Next Elder A. Virgil, for a brief period ; afterwards, Elder Larue again.

For 20 years the congregation had no house of worship, its meetings being held in private houses, in a schoolhouse and in a public hall. The membership in 1871 was only 32. In that year the church bought a schoolhouse in the west part of town and fitted it up for a place of worship. Elder A. Larue was pas-tor. A prayer meeting was started in November, 1870, which preceded a revival in which five converts were baptized. In 1871 and 1873 Elder Larue was pastor; in 1872 Elder Bowers seems to have filled the place. In 1872 at the close of its 25th year the church had only 35 members.

In 1874 G. C. Graham became pastor. That year there were eight additions by baptism and the membership was brought up to 53. In 1875 Elder Larue died. In 1875 and 1876 William Leet was pastor and the church rejoiced over its first large ingathering. Nineteen converts were baptized and 15 others were added, making the membership 72 at the time of the association meeting. In 1878 for a few months V. B. Riley was pastor. Then followed a pastorless interval and a period of decline until 1.882, when there were only 57 members. Then William Leet returned and during another pastorate led the church in an effort, which secured a lot in the central part of the city. Once more the Ohio Baptist Convention made an appropriation to aid in the support of a pastor. This aid was continued for nearly 10 years. In 1884 N. B. H. Gardner became pastor. Twelve converts were baptized, nine others were added and the membership was brought up to 70.

The church then entered upon a building enterprise which did not culminate in complete success until several years later. Mr. Gardner, however, should he remembered as the pastor who led in this movement, and who did the largest amount of hard work. His term of service was three years. In 1887 the church was reported as being almost completed ; the membership was only 36. The next year 61 were reported.

J. E. Thomas in a pastorate of seven years had the satisfaction of seeing-the church more than doubled in membership and greatly strengthened by the adoption of good and systematic financial methods and the building up of the Young Men's Union, the Sabbath-school and the Women's Missionary Society. In his time, on July 9, 1891, the new house was dedicated. Following this was a revival in which the church received 57 members by baptism and had 21 other additions. W H. Wagoner, an equally faithful and laborious pastor, took up the work in 1895 and continued five years, in every one of which there were a few additions, but corresponding removals and deaths with some erasures left the membership at the date, of his resignation about where it was when Pastor Thomas resigned.

In 1900 the church assumed its own support. C. \V. Nichols served as pastor one year, followed by W. N. Ferris for two years.

The present pastor, Rev. Lotus Aspy, has

306 - HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY

been serving the church since 1902, during which time substantial material improvements have been made. The church was decorated and repaired at a cost of $800, and a parsonage was built at an expense of $2,500. In addition there has been an increase of members (now 165), a marked advance in missionary offerings and an increased interest in the Sunday-school and all other departments of church work.

CHURCHES OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION
OF NORTH AMERICA IN VAN WERT
AND VICINITY.

This church had its origin in this country exclusively among the Germans. In the year 1852 Rev. A. Nicholai and Rev. J. Fox were sent on what was then the St. Marys circuit of the Ohio Conference.

They established three new preaching places : One in the old log schoolhouse on Jackson street, between Washington and Jefferson streets, in Van Wert; another five miles south of Van Wert in the Hertle settlement and the third six miles north in the Mohr settlement. At the first named place efforts proved unavailing for a time. At the Hertle settlement immediate success attended the efforts put forth and a class was formed. In the Mohr settlement Revs. Nicholai and Fox labored unsuccessfully, but their successors, Revs Kronemiller and Strickler, succeeded in 1853 in organizing a class.

In 1871; several families having moved into the town of Van Wert, Rev. P. Roth organized a class of eight persons. About 1865. the class north of Van Wert in the Mohr settlement built a church which cost $600.

In 1872 the class in Van Wert built a church which cost $2,400 and the class in the Hertlesettlement built a church at an expense of $1,000.

In 1874 the conference built a mission parsonage, which cost $750. To the credit of the Christian liberality of the Evangelical Association, in the first 28 years of its existence in the county three churches have been erected at a cost of $4,000, and a parsonage at a cost of $750.

St. Peter's Church is located four miles south of town. B. F. Dill was pastor from 1879 to 1881. During his pastorate the church enjoyed a revival that resulted in 35 additions to the membership.

From 1882 to 1884 J. E. Smith Was pastor and was an able minister and a successful pastor. In 1885 and 1886 S. S. Albert was pastor. During a revival in his pastorate many members were added. In 1887 H. Arlen was pastor from April until July, when he was chosen presiding elder and J. H. Evans filled out the unexpired time. From 1888 to 1890 F. Rausch was pastor. In 1891 and 1892 J. E. Smith-was pastor for the second time, but had to give up preaching on account of throat trouble.

From 1892 to 1894 William Ackerman was pastor. He was very useful, always cheerful and happy and made those around him the same.

From 1895 to 1899 D: D. Spangler was pastor. In 1901 D. B. Koenig became pastor and during his pastorate there was a revival in the church. In February, 1901, steps were taken to build a new church, and a contract was let under the supervision of a building committee of which Samuel Hertle was chairman.

The church is of brick with slate roof and furnace and nicely furnished at a cost of $3,-500. It was dedicated in March, 1902, during Aug. Girst's pastorate.

J. E. Stoops, the present pastor, has served

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 307

since 1904. The church has a membership of 63 and is in a flourishing condition. In 1904 the church north of Van Wert, known as the the Mohr church, was made a separate charge with Rev. Rinkeberg as pastor; in 1905 Rev. Raney was pastor. The congregation in Van Wert remains in the same charge with the congregation in the Hertle neighborhood.

ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The Van Wert Catholics were supplied from Delphos as a station and then as a mission from 1867 until 1876. Rev. F. Westerholt paid his first pastoral visit to Van Wert in July, 1867. He continued his visits monthly until January, 1868, and his successor, Rev. A. I. Hoeffel, continued for about seven years. For nearly two years mass was said in the residence of Peter Roach. In July, 1869, Father Hoeffel bought two lots fronting on South Chestnut street. On one of the lots a frame house stood, which he fitted up as a temporary chapel. This, however, soon proved too small and Father Hoeffel was obliged to provide a larger and better place of worship.

He therefore built the present brick church, 30 by 55 feet, in the summer of 1874. The church with the two lots be bought in 1868 cost $4,000, most of which remained a heavy debt on the little mission. Father Hoeffel did not lack courage, however, but with the kind assistance of his congregation at Delphos and of many generous Protestants at Van Wert hegradually reduced the debt and finally canceled it in 1876.

In September of the same year Bishop Dwenger of Fort Wayne dedicated the church, Bishop Gilmour being ill in Europe.

In December, 1876, Rev. J. H. Leddy was appointed first resident pastor of Van Wert, but four months later he was removed.

Rev. J. T. Cahill was pastor from August, 1878, to January, 1879, and attended from Landeck for five months. Rev. P. H. Barry served from July, 1879, to July, 1881 ; Rev. F. J. O'Neil, to March, 1886; Rev. E. F. Rohan, to January, 1888.; Rev. M. J. Clear, to February, 1891; Rev. J. J. Clark, to June, 1898; Rev. S. Weber, from June, 1898, to June, 1902; Rev. P. J. Quinn, to October, 1903. Since then Rev. Joseph J. Beucler has had charge of the congregation.

Shortly after his arrival, Father O'Neil built the spire, thus completing the exterior of the church. In 1881 Father Barry had bought on credit a house and lot in the rear of the church and had it fitted up for his residence. Father O'Neil paid for the property during his pastorate. ' As it proved unsatisfactory, it was sold by Father Clark in September, 1897, and the proceeds of the sale were applied toward paying for the new frame residence he built that year on South Chestnut street.

Although Van Wert is a county seat and quite a business center, it has never attracted much of a Catholic population and for that reason it has not been possible thus far to establish a parish school.