Histories for the churches listed
below are being worked on at the present time. In time we hope to
gather many of the histories of the churches pictured below. But this all takes
time. If you have a history on any of the
LaPorte County Old Houses of
Worship and would like to share it with us and/or contribute photos of the
same,
contact us at laportecountyin@yahoo.com
Also
See the History of LaPorte County where many are mentioned.
| La Porte County Photos | ||
 Carmel Church New Durham Twp |
 Pinhook Church New Durham Twp |
 Newer Church St. Mary's at Otis New Durham Twp |
 Waterford Christian Church Circa 1905 |
 St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Otis |
 Original St. Mary's at Otis Destroyed by fire in 1917 New Durham Twp |
 Westville M E Church
Circa 1910 |
 Westville Trinity Ev. Lutheran Circa 1950 |
 Westville - Methodist Episcopal
Circa 1944
|
Coolspring Churches
Presbyterian Church
Services were held in homes and then school houses until the first church was built in about 1855 near Waterford. This was the only known church building in township during the early part of the history there in. The church was really a union church and was used by several denominations.
New Durham Churches
The History of Carmel Chapel and Cemetery
By Bruce R. Johnson
In the year of 1869, many Swedish families were settling in and near the hills located in southeastern Coolspring, southwestern Center, northwestern Scipio, and northeastern New Durham Townships of La Porte County, Indiana. Many of these people were members of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of La Porte now known as Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church.
It was very trying and difficult to make the journey to La Porte as the roads were bad. Walking or horse and buggy transportation was very slow and time consuming. It would often require from one and one-half to two hours to make the trip, depending on the time of year. These settlers were church-minded and believed they had a sufficient number of members to erect a house of worship near or centrally located to each family. A spot was suggested in the northeastern corner of New Durham Township.
A meeting of the Swedish settlers was called on April 14, 1872. Mr. John Anderson was chosen chairman and John Bard, secretary. After some discussion it was decided to purchase from John Peterson an acre of land sixteen rods north and south and ten rods east and west. The purchase price was $70.00. If necessary, five years was allowed to pay for it at 10% interest. However, it was fully paid in a few months. The title of the land was in the name of Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Durham Township of La Porte, County, Indiana. These settlers were first concerned to erect a schoolhouse or house of worship, which was done promptly, and a carriage house was built near the road for the pastor’s horse and buggy. Sunday School and worship services were held on Sunday afternoons by the pastor of Bethany in La Porte. Services were conducted in the Swedish language. Bible School was held for many years in the summer.
On August 9, 1874 thought was given to have a place of burial near this house of worship, which was an old custom. Twenty lots were plotted at 16 X 16 feet with an aisle of 8 feet. There were three aisles north and south with five lots facing each aisle. These lots were sold for $4.00 and $3.00, due to location, and promptly purchased in a few months. Soon over 40 lots were plotted and added.
On June 5, 1882 the name was chosen as Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Carmel Chapel and Carmel Cemetery. It was also decided to register and incorporate the chapel and cemetery in accordance with state laws.
About 1915 the cemetery and chapel were only called Carmel. The Swedish language was dropped. The cemetery was then opened to all people regardless of church affiliation. Additional land was purchased in 1904. Later, more land was donated by the Ryden estate. The early purchasers of lots placed a curb or fence around their lots, which raised them above the aisles.
In 1937 lot owners were requested to remove the curbstones and fences, which was eventually done. This was done in order to take care of the cemetery more easily. A Civil War veteran named Andrew Johnson was the first person buried in the cemetery. Nearly all of the original settlers are now resting in Carmel Cemetery. Some of the more prominent family names are Anderson, Carlson, Erickson, Garwood, Gustafson, Johnson, Larson, Lindborg, Magnuson, Olson, Palm, and Swanson. During 1917 a group thought it well to establish a fund that could be invested and the interest used to assist in the upkeep of the cemetery. The amount of $1300.00 was collected within a few days. When the Carmel Endowment Fund reached $2000.00, it was invested at a rate of 5% interest and so held for several years.
In 1946 the Carmel Cemetery Board of Trustees decided to transfer the property to the Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church of La Porte, Indiana, but received the privilege to elect their own board members at the annual meeting which is held on the Sunday before Memorial Day. The Board members are elected for three years and can be re-elected. The board members must be members of Bethany Lutheran Church.
Baptist Church - Westville - . Arrival of many Baptist families was in 1856 (circa)
Christian Church
of Westville and was formed in about 1857 a building was built in 1859. Elder H. Z. Leonard was the first pastor.Methodist Church
New Durham Township, Pinhook town
In 1847 a Methodist church was built in New Durham and the first minister was Rev. J. J. Cooper. Rev. Mr. Parrott, previous to that time, had conducted religious services for the Methodists in private homes.
This church, although services are no longer held there, is the oldest standing church building in the county.Lutheran Church of Westville, Indiana - The Lutherans arrived in about 1855.
Methodist Episcopal Church in Otis - first service in 1870.
Methodist Church in Westville, Indiana - a pioneer church. Historically: Methodism moved into this area in about March of 1829 and located on the land now known as Westville.
Rev. James Armstrong in the fall of 1832 was appointed Presiding Elder of the most northern district (of the Indiana Conference). This extended from LaFayette on the south to Kalamazoo Michigan and from the Ohio line to the Illinois line. Mrs. Armstrong found when he came to the work. a small class had been former at a Mr. Ahart's home (acturally William Eahart) near Westville, by Jeremiah Sherwood, a local preacher who had preceded him in the county.
1836 Classes were formed at the home of Henly Clyburn, near Westville. In the same year Mr. Clyburn built the first permanent residence in the wotn. Later it would be owned by his granddaughter Pearl Gardner Ansley.
A chruch was built in 1843 and later sold to the Catholic Church.From 1843 until 1857 the church was served by preachers from Union Circuit and then organized as a circuit with Frank Taylor as pastor.
A new church was built circa, 1867-68. At a later date the older building was sold to the Lutherans.
The official name of the church today is Westville United Methodist Church. Caleb Mock was the pastor from the fall of 1866 to Sept. 1868. Daniel West, a fine Christian and public-spirited citizen, bequeathed $5000 to the church; and by the subscription of friends, in addition, the building was made possible. Before this Rev. James Armstrong, a Methodist minister arrived around 1832 he found a clan of Methodists already meeting at the home of William Eahart, under the direction of Jehemiah Sherwood. The new church was built in 1931-32.
This church built in 1868 still stands today, although improvements and additions have been made to it.Pinhook Methodist Church Article from their Bencyation Celebration 1847-1989 - This little white clapboard sided building still stands today. Carpenters, McLung and Nelson Barnard built the church from handhewn Walnut logs in 1847 on land that Wm. Garwood had donated, stating "I give this land for the purposee of a chruch. It shall be forever and forever."
Lester Loomis and his brother halued stones for the foundation. The first sermon was preached by Re. James Armstrong, who came during the Sak Indian War and stayed to lead a flock headed by Jeremiah Sherwood.
Church was first served by a Methodist circuit rider, later become a joint parish with Westville and Door Village. When the congregation could no longer support a full-time pastor, the church was closed in 1968 and deeded over to the Pinhook Cemetery Association by the Methodist Conference.
Saved from the wrecking ball: In 1977, member of the Cemetery Association talked of destroying the church and using the land for additional burials. But the pelase of the community were heard and the cemetery board granted a stay. IN 1987 the church was then renovated and the leading roof and other bruises of age were repaired. The restored church was a labor of love from Julia Alt and Phyllis Marks, who with their husbands, Vernon and Tom, spearheaded the restoration efforts.
Community volunteers, LaPorte County Work Release prisoners, Westville Correctional Center inmates, local businesses and merchants and untold donors are on the list of those who gave help to restore this old beauty.
St. Mary's Catholic Church in Otis - First church was built in 1872 and completed in the Spring of 1873. Many of the first parishioners were from Keynia, Szubin and Krolikowo, Posen (which at that time was a part of Germany). Reverend Szulak, blessed the new church. Pastors from the beginning of the church to 1932 were:
Rev. Peter Koncz and remained until July of 1875.
Rev. Louis Machdzicki 1875 to August 1881.
Rev. Urban Raszkiewicz August 6, 1881 to 1909 when he died.
1909 to 1914 the following priests served at St. Mary's - Rev. Alexander Buechler,
Rev. Peter Budnik
Rev. Thomas Jankowski
Rev. John Wroblewski became pastor on July 6, 1914. He and the parishioners redecorated the interior and the exterior of the church.
In February 21, 1917, a fire destroyed the church. The only building left standing was the school house where services were temporarily held.
Another sad note should be added here. When the church and rectory burned, all church and cemetery records were lost.
In 1918 A new church building was started. And in May 1919 the new church was completed. Father Wroblewski "boarded out" until the new rectory was completed in 1922.
Rev. John Biernacki served for approximately five years (1927 to 1932.
On September 15, 1932 Rev. John Biernacki and Rev. John S. Hosinski exchanged parishes.
St. Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Church at Otis1855 to present.
Also known as "The Toll Road Area Church".
Following article written by: Warren A. Ransom (1915 to 1995)
St. Pauls 1855 - 1985
From the beginning of its existence in 1855, St. Pauls Lutheran Church of Otis has served its community and its people with great pride, although the church was not built until 1874. The church located on a hill celebrated its 90th anniversary in Sept. 1963. The Rev. Karl Hofmann, acting pastor, stated that June 17 was selected for various reasons of convenience and expediency as well as the Sept. 15 date according to the records. The first baptism recorded in the combined records of both the Westville and St. Pauls Trinity Lutheran Church was on Aug. 6, 1871. However the records indicate that Lutheran Services were conducted as far back as 1855 by Rev. Mr. Bofinger of Valparaiso, who was active until 1865. From 1865 to 1871 the church work was continued by Rev. Meyer pastor also of Valparaiso. Then the Rev. Mr. Heber, a graduate of the Lutheran Seminary, began his pastoral duties. His stay was quite short in the Westville and Otis area, but it was he who intensified the work at Otis resulting in the organization of St. Pauls church in 1873.
The Pastor for St. Pauls church also serve Westville Trinity Lutheran Church. The Sunday school classes and Worship Services were staggered enabling the Pastor to conduct sermon topics to both congregations weekly. In 1874, a modest small structure was built under the leadership of the Rev. W. J. B. Lang of Valparaiso. The Congregation still worships in the same building.The Rev. F. W. Schlechte entered the parish in 1882, and remained with them until 1895. It was under him that the Sister Congregation Trinity was formally organized as a congregation in 1887. In 1895, Rev. M. C. Baade assumed the pastorate for his first time of service. He also resided in Otis. In 1903, the Rev. E. H. Polzin became pastor. Now the area of Otis began to grow . A group of Lutherans in Michigan City were organized and they were being served by Rev. Polzin. When he left in 1912 he was followed by Rev. O. A. Sauer. He served not only Otis and Westville but the Lutherans of Michigan City. However, when Rev. Sauer left the parish was faced with the problem of finding another pastor. Michigan City, a seed congregation from the mother church of Otis, decided that it was large enough and strong enough to start out on its own. Accordingly they decided to withdraw from the parish and to issue a call for their own pastor. There was some discussion as to the separation of both Otis and Westville. However, it was decided that it would be best if they remain together. They called Re. Paul Buck and it was decided the pastor would reside in Westville rather than Otis.
In 1933 Rev. Edgar P. Schmidt was installed pastor, then in 1948, Rev. Behrans was pastor and the first one to move into the new parsonage in Westville. It has been remodeled, redecorated and refurbished over the years. .....
A new organ was purchased in 1957 and dedicated on April 27, 1958, ...(article describes other improvements).... The Rev. Hofmann state during the entire history of the St. Pauls, the church has been the recipient of numerous memorials. ....
The Ladies Aid Society of the church was organized in 1908 with Mrs. Hildebrand as president. Group disintegrated after several decades. The society was re-organized and new constitution adopted.
Other details noted in Mr. Ransom article are:
Feb 1948 - 16 charter member were : Mrs. Rudolph Duetscher, Mrs. Lloyd Mattote, Mrs. Elmer Miller, Mrs. Marion Miller and Mrs. Lester Radke. Other officers were Mrs. L. J. Watson, Mrs. Lester W. Radke, Mrs. Lloyd Mattote. Contact the church for a continuation of the church in later years after 1957.
Trinity Lutheran Church of Westville - Organized on January 9th 1887, sixteen members signing the constitution.
Serviced conducted as early as 1855 in private residences by pastors from Otis.. etc.. The Rev. F. W. Schlechte, who resided in Otis and led the congregation 1882 to 1895. During this era the congregation was officially organized.
May 13th, 1888 they purchased the Catholic chursh building adjacent to the Westville school. Previously services were conducted in the old Baptist Church which later was remodeled as a home for L. R.Cass.
Others who served the church were: Rev. M. C. Baade in 1895, Rev. E. H. POlzin in 1903; and Rev. O. A. Sauer from 1921 to 1921.
In 1922 a parsonage and vacant lot were purchased in hopes of building a new church.
1925 - Rev. Paul F. Buck (1922 - 1925 pastor) went to Wisconsin and Re. H.W. Medler too charge. The erection of the new chuch began during the pastorate of Rev. Curtis C. Stephan (1930 - 1933). It was dedicated January 17, 1932.
1933, Rev. Edgar P. Schmidt becamse its pastor . Rev. Howard C. Behrens, who served the church during a granted absence of Rev. Schmidt, was installed as pastor. And in 1942 a parsonage was purchased and later sold to permit the building of a new parsonage on the church proptery. The Behrens family first occupied the new home in April of 1948.
January 15th, 1950 Rev. W. M. Ave Lallemant was installed. This church continues now into present times.Union Chapel was the first church within New Durham Township and was built in 1839 in section 34.
Universalist Church -
1837 to 1838 - William C. Talcott - Served as probably the 1st minister.
La Porte County Indiana Gen Web
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