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METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH Union MIlls, Indiana
The Methodist Episcopal Church was the first Protestant church in the county, the first group being formed near where Westville now stands, about l832. A class was formed at Door Village and a log chapel was built--the first Protestant house of worship built north of the Wabash River. From this church several congregations were formed, one being Dormain Church located south of Union MIlls, east of the present Valley Werner farm. (**Now farmed by Valley's son) They erected a church--a frame building completed in l847. J M Dresler served as pastor in l864 and l865 at a salary of $275 a year. This church was vacated in l864 or l865 and the business meetings from that date was the basement of the Advent Church. A new church building was erected. It is now a part of the building of the Kosanke Funeral Home (**It burned to the ground several years ago and a home was built there) and remains on the original grounds where according to the deed, a hitching rack must always be provided and never used as a skating rink. This church had a seating capacity of 220 and was dedicated in September l875. Some of the members were Mrs Martha O'Hara. Mr and Mrs Benjamin Bryant, Mr and Mrs D J Linard. Mrs. Katie Keith (Aunt Katie White), Mr and Mrs Edison Royce (or Boyce), Mr and Mrs William Stephenson. Mr and Mrs Henry Loomis. The same month, the Union Mills church was made head of a circuit bearing the name Union MIlls Circuit and Rev John B Smith was appointed pastor. His son, Wilton Smith, of LaPorte, was well known in later years. The entire circuit had an enrollment of fifty-six--four at Hanna (a sister Reynolds, two sons and a daughter). Calio had a small group. Morgan had a log chapel and later absorbed Calio and was in turn absorbed by Wanatah, Hanna added forty new members in l875 under Rev Smith, the circuit had an increase of fifty-five. In l865, the trustees had purchased an unfinished house and two lots adjoining the church grounds. In l876 the pastor, with a few day's help of a carpenter and masons, completed the house after five weeks hard labor and moved his family into "The Preacher's house". But there was no stable for the pony or the family cow. Brother Alfred Rogers (father of Fred and Ruby Rogers) came to the rescue, purchased some lumber and the two men built the shelter costing $l7. Mr Rogers paying $ll and Rev Smith $6. A cellar was dug and cemented and the pastor writes with appreciation of the good meals prepared by his wife from the contents of this store house, for him "to eat after some weary journey". l878 After two years work here, the membershiip had grown. The church owned property valued at $2500 with a debt of $700. The Sabbath Schools and entire circuit prospered 'The pastor wrote "great peace and prosperity reigns". We are indebted to Rev J B Smith for the splendid record of the early church, which he so carefully recorded. l879 In l879 J T Staffprd was appointed pastor. Chapman's history of LaPorte County notes at this time--The M E Church has a respectable congregation". Former M E's will no doubt be glad to know that! Through the diligence of the trustees, Henry Loomis and William Stephenson, the $700 debt was cleared in one year's time. The congregation showed good spiritual condition. In l880 a series of revival meetings inspired much hope and enthusiasm. l88l In l88l Rev J I McCoy was appointed and a bell was purchased for the church, "which added much to the convenience of church goers". l888 ` In l888 the charge consisted of Union Mills and Hanna, later was changed, and Union Mills became part of a much larger one--the South Bend District N W Conference. The church building was remodeled in l909 or l9l0 while Schuyler Rogers was pastor. l865-l874 Pastors mentioned were J S Budd, Ezra Hayes, J Harrison. George R Struch, O R Beebe (l878) S Lorenz, W E McLennen, L W Elkins, E P Bennet, Lynn Bates. G L Hosford. N E Tinkham,. R M Simmons, Homer Ivy, Frank Hovis, Rev Otter, William Taylor, David Rogers, Rev Cutschell. John Dean, Rev Nehl, Rev Burns, Rev Sanka. The earliest membership recorded was of William Eaton of Calio who united with the Union Chapel (western half of the county) in l840. Some early members were Daniel Linard. Perry Shoemaker and wife, Mr and Mrs James Gibson and children, Dale and Nellie Hay, the John Hockneys, the Bert Wakeman family, Henry and Rosa Fox, Mr and Mrs William Geist and daughter, Grace, and the Amiziah Hunt family. The church grew weaker and finally merged with the Presbyterian Church. |
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Union Mills, Indiana At an early date, in Noble Twp. LaPorte Co., Ind., a congregational church was organized by a Rev Davis. The members were not satisfied with that denomination for some reason, and in l845 it was organized by a Rev Steele into a "New School" Presbyterian Church. There were two distinct lines of thought so there was an "Old School" and a "New School". This ceased to exist within five years and no record can be found of it or its membership.... On Saturday, June 22, l850, Bethel Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev F P Cummins in the schoolhouse two miles east of Union Mills, the second Presbyterian Church in the county. Rev Cummiins was moderator and Mr John Moore was secretary. The object of the meeting was explained and careful inquiry was made as to the existence of a church organization or any records of such. The answer being negative, the moderator proceeded to organize the church which was named "Bethel Church". Mr John Billington was elected Ruling Elder, having acted as elder previously. There were ten charter members--John, Amelia and Lorenzo Billington, Mary Dexter, Joseph and Sarah McPherson, Bird and Abby McLane, John and Anna Moore with Rev Cummins as pastor. On the Sabbath. July 7th, Mrs Hannah Loomis was admitted to membership by letter--the first new member. Elizabeth McPherson and Benoni Bennet were admitted in l85l. In l85l a church building was erected in town on the ground where Dr Tom's (south end of Union St) residence is located. Rev Cummins himself handling much of the lumber used in the construction, hauling it from Michigan City. It was a frame building and faced south. John Billington had served alone as elder until the election of David Finley in l854. He was still serving in l856, passed away in l857. In that year, Mr. Finley moved from the community and William Way was elected, serving until l883--twenty-six years. He was sole elder until l870 when Job Northam, Seth Loomis and Amos Brown were elected. In l856 Rev Cummins left to serve the LaPorte church, was followed by Rev John Fisher, the next year by J M McRae who served a short time, then the pulpit was vacant a few years. Then R C McKinney came--C E Evans, followed by Rev F M Elliot from l867 to l87l. Many additions were made to the church under this pastor, the parsonage built in l87l and the hymn books purchased for the choir. The church had great activity in its spiritual life and gained many members. Rev Elliott closed his labors in l87l. April l, l872. Rev Sextus E Smith came from Gardiner, Illinois to fill the pulpit, being installed four years later. He and his wife were untiring workers and the church prospered. There was a decided awakening in l876 through a revival and many new members were added. The church grew in numbers. The Sunday School was so large, the building was crowded and present church building was erected. The congregation met in the old church on Saturday night, then entered the new one Sunday morning, Jan 3l, l892. Isaac Way, in charge of raising money for the building fund, presented the new church bell. The old building was sold, moved to Main Street and was used by Mr John Schweitzer for a furniture store but was burned in the second Union Mills fire in l90l. In l897, the church celebrated the 25 years of Rev Smith's pastorate here. Ten years later, after 27 years served, he tendered his resignation due to failing health. The church was a mission church when he came here and in l872, was aided by the mission board until l877 when it became self-sustaining, There were 68 members in l872, during 25 years, Rev Smith received 235 into the church, 35 members died, and many moved away, There were l30 on the roll in l897. He had preached more than 300 funeral sermons and married l29 couples. Pastors following him were W H Huston (l899-l900 and l902). A E Ewers (l903-05), F A Munneke (l906-l909), Cyrus A Price (l909- l9ll), J W Hamlin (l9l2-l3), C E Osborne (l9l3-l4) R H Berger (l9l4-l5), E E White (l9l6), W J Gerlach (l9l7). Changing times affected the churches of the communities,as most communities, and as time passed. They grew weaker. The Advent Church closed its doors about l9l9, and the members joined the ranks of the other two. It was decided to federate the two churches, this taking place in l9l9. Pastors were Rev Burns (l9l9). A B Buckner who met a tragic death, I M Houser (l92l) and A R Sacks (l922-25). In l928 the two churches merged into the Presbyterian that being the stronger of the two. E P Fink (l927), F B Hockmyer (l929). Harry Parker (l930), I M Real (l933), Martin Prehn, Arnold Lambert, Herbert Fuller and Rev Robert Sidebotham were pastors. The present membership is 207. Among elders serving in former years were Eugene Loomis, Herry Gard. Arden Hay, George White and Frank Block. The oldest living elder today is Mr. Fred Elis, elected in l889, 6l years ago. Today we stand as we are, the result of many years labor by many workers. I can find no more fitting way to close than to use the words of Rev John H Smith written in l878--"Great peace and prosperity reigns. The Lord continues to pour out His Spirit upon the people. Amen". (compiled by Ida Sanderson in l950, centennial year) Additions: Serving as pastors following Robert Sidebotham were Cecil Atkinson and Carl Hatfield before Charles Ross, student pastor came in l960 and completed his seminary work. He and his family were killed in an auto accident after he had moved South. The present manse was built around l960 across the street from the church at Hamilton and Union Streets when Rev Charles E Ross was pastor. It has been home for successive pastors including the families of Craig F Meyers, James F Murray, David McDonald, Craig Erickson, Nancy Elgar and Richard D Rife. Interim pastors have been Ed Dykstra, Jon Wyberg and followed by the present lay pastor, John Beehler, who owns his own home on Union St. The church has undergone a major renovation including a handicapped ramp and lift, new entry which includes a coat room, new steps to the basement and a handicapped restroom in the basement as well as two no-sex bathrooms on the first floor, new furnaces and air conditioning. A kitchen was added several years ago along with digging a basement. The Presbyterian Women operated a resale shop downtown in Union Mills for a few years and the Calvin House immediately south of the church was used for Sunday School about l970 |