Howard-Cass County IN Archives History - Books .....Churches 1909
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Book Title: History Of Howard County Indiana

CHURCHES.

   Fortunately for Kokomo and Howard county the first settlers were men and
women who believed fully in both religion and education, and as soon as they had
provided themselves with homes, however rude and uncomfortable they may hove
been, they began to plan and prepare places and means for the education of their
children and at the same time to hold religious services. Because of the fewness
in numbers the early meetings were small congregations. The first meetings were
held in the homes and the people traveled miles to attend service, and usually
as soon as a half dozen people of the same faith could be gotten together a
church would be started. That did not mean that there would then be regular
preaching service. Often the church was compelled to be content with only an
occasional sermon from a minister who made a wide circuit and served a large
district. There were many earnest Christians then who were strong exhorters, who
made stirring appeals for the better life.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

   While Kokomo had but thirty families in 1848, there were enough Baptists
among them in 1847 to organize a church with seven members. Who were the
ministers of that early Baptist church neither written history nor tradition
tells us. History tells us that the last recorded meeting of that church was
held August 26, 1858, and that there were about one hundred members, and that of
this number were Corydon Richmond, Matthew and Mrs. Murden and Denton Simpson.
Denton Simpson, we know, was then living in Taylor township. Up to that time it
was accounted one of the flourishing churches of the little town. Corydon
Richmond was one of the foremost citizens of the community and a leading
physician. Matthew and Mrs. Murden were highly respected citizens, and Denton
Simpson was one of the learned men, who had been the village schoolmaster. It is
said that they disbanded by mutual consent. Why they disbanded by mutual consent
there is not a hint.

   For the next sixteen years Kokomo was without a Baptist church, and of the
one hundred members who had disbanded and broken up their church home only three
or four are left. Many of the others drifted off into other folds and some had
gone into the beyond.

   In 1874 W. A. Stuart and family moved to Kokomo. Mr. Stuart was a hustling
real estate dealer and an earnest Baptist, as were his family. He and his wife
began immediately to look about for Baptists. They found a very small remnant.
They organized a Baptist Sunday school and began earnestly to build up the
Baptist faith where it had been permitted to go down. The school met at the old
Third Ward school building, at the corner of Clay and Taylor streets, with W. A.
Stuart as superintendent and R. L. Upton as secretary. The school prospered.
Early in December, 1874, was established what was called the Sunday school
prayer meeting. The Rev. Joseph Brown, missionary of the Baptist state
convention, was present and preached.

   On February 6 and 7, 1875, and at his request, a meeting was held on Monday
following to discuss the Baptist situation. Twelve Baptists were present and
participated and passed a resolution unanimously to organize a church. A meeting
was appointed for February 18th, when an organization was completed with eight
members, as follows: James W. Fisher, Nancy P. Fisher, Minnie B. Fisher,
Brasilia A. Rickard, Sarah C. Gray, W. A. Stuart, B. H. Stuart and Naomi Upton.
A council was convened March 20, 1875, to consider the recognition of the
organization, of which Rev. B. R. Ward was moderator and Jackson Morrow was
clerk. This meeting occurred in the midst of one of the most violent snowstorms
that ever visited this section, and while six members were sick at home, leaving
but two to represent the church at the meeting. Every element of discouragement
was present and it seemed to the council that failure was sure to follow. While
discussing this phase of the matter Grandpa Thomas, of Galveston, said:
"Brethren, let us give them a chance." That decided the matter. The council
voted to give them a chance.

EARLY STRUGGLES.

   With little influence in society, few in numbers with a property valuation of
less than one thousand dollars, limited in ability as to leadership, without a
house of worship, without a pastor, and all this under the shadow of six strong
church organizations, one of which was built up to ninety members by a revival
meeting held in the same house and to whom was given the use of the house
one-half of the time from January till September following, when the wants of
the pulpit required its entire use. In the meantime, and until November 1st, the
pulpit was supplied by neighboring ministers lending their services. When
ministerial aid failed sermons were read or prayer and conference meetings were
held.

   Ministers who gave their services were Joseph Brown, P. Odell, B. R. Ward, J.
C. Burkholder, W. N. Wyeth, P. McDade. S. Cornelius, and others.

   A meeting of days followed the recognition service, mainly conducted by
Burkholder, in which eight members were received by baptism. Three more were
received during the summer by baptism and five by letter, making twenty-four
members, when Rev. S. Cornelius, D. D., was settled as pastor. November 1, 1875.
twenty-seven more members were added, chiefly as a result of meetings continuing
from January 1 to February 20. 1876. On June 1, 1875, the Third Ward schoolhouse
was purchased, with one and one-half lots, for two thousand dollars, five
hundred dollars in cash and the balance in one and two years. This was promised
without knowing where it was to come from. John Kenower, of Huntington, paid the
first one hundred dollars and M. H. Thomas fifty dollars and the remainder was
raised within the church. Under Rev. Cornelius' pastorate the membership
increased to eighty-eight. April 26, 1878, Norman Carr became pastor and
remained till September 25, 1882, when he resigned to become financial agent of
Franklin College. Rev. Carr did a grand work while pastor. During his pastorate
of four years and five months the membership increased to two hundred and
twelve, the church in the meantime having lost one hundred by deaths and removals.

PAYING OUT OF DEBT.

   A debt of one thousand two hundred dollars on the church had been paid and a
parsonage costing one thousand dollars had been purchased. On the 10th day of
January, 1883, N. C. Smith became pastor, doing a good work spiritually and
causing the debt on the parsonage to be paid. In 1893 the church, having
outgrown their house of worship, built their present commodious brick structure,
moving the old house back and building on the front. They have now a property
valued at twelve thousand dollars. This house was built while the Rev. J. H.
Wynans was pastor of the church. The money to pay for the construction of the
new church was collected largely from the membership. The largest giver outside
of the membership was Monroe Seiberling, of the Plate Glass Company and one of
Kokomo's first and most liberal givers.

   Other pastors have been Allen Hill, E. G. Shouse, J. C. Rhodes, G. B. McKee
and J. W. Clevenger. The Rev. McKee was probably the ablest preacher ever
holding a pastorate in Kokomo. The membership in 1908 is two hundred and eighty.
The church at present is without a pastor, and is also out of debt.

   In reviewing the history of this church the conclusion must be that it is the
outgrowth of faith. Its members have not been of the rich nor those highest in
social circles. The success of this church must be ascribed to Him who uses the
weak things of the earth to manifest His power and glory. The Baptists hold many
views in common with other evangelical denominations. They believe in a personal
God of infinite perfection, in the fall of man, the atonement through Christ's
death, the resurrection from the dead, the final judgment, the everlasting
blessedness of the righteous and the everlasting punishment of the wicked. The
central supremely characteristic doctrine of the Baptists is their belief in a
regenerated church membership. As baptist symbolizes regeneration; that is,
spiritual death and resurrection through faith in the death and resurrection of
Christ, so nothing but the immersion of the believer represents the truth
symbolized by scriptural baptism.

   Those who have been prominent in the work of this church are W. A. and Mrs.
Stuart, Rev. B. R. Ward, Sampson Lett, W. T. Merrill and Mrs. Murden.

THE NORTH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH.

   Many years ago the Baptist church began a mission Sunday school on North
Smith street, near the site of the Doxey factory, in a vacant frame house quite
simply fitted up for this purpose. This met a ready response from the people of
that section, which had no church nor Sunday school other than this. For several
years this work was carried on with but poor equipment in the way of a house and
furnishings. After W. S. Armstrong had platted an addition to Kokomo on North
street, being a part of the T. A. Armstrong estate, he offered the Baptists a
choice lot at the corner of North and Morrison streets if they would build a
church-house on it. The Baptists accepted the offer and in the fall of 1904 laid
the cornerstone of a new church, and one year later, in the fall of 1905,
dedicated a neat frame church costing two thousand dollars, free of debt.

   Before the dedication Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Armstrong publicly donated the lot
to the Baptist people for church purposes and made a deed therefor. The lot was
valued at three hundred dollars. A little while later Harry and Lizzie Linsday
jointly donated a second lot adjoining the other. Neither of these families were
Baptists and their actions were regarded as special favors. This church is
located in a section of the city without other church facilities and thus
presents a rare opportunity for Christian work.

   The chief workers and promoters of the work in this mission field are Mr. and
Mrs. J. C. Smith and J. A. Rivers.

MAIN STREET CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
BY OTIS C. POLLARD.

   The Christian, or Disciples', church was organized on the 21st day of
February, 1851, with seven members. They were Lewis Anderson and wife, Thomas
Shepard and wife, John E. Linsday and wife and Edward W. Shepard. Lewis
Anderson. Edward Shepard and John Linsday were elected trustees; Thomas Shepard
and Lewis Anderson elders. Two of the members died a few years later, Lewis
Anderson and Edward Shepard. In a few months Thomas A. Armstrong and family
moved to this city and took membership. The membership in a short time was
further augmented by the addition of Martin M. Preble, Benjamin B. Preble,
Alfred H. Plough, and families. For six years this faithful band of followers of
the Lord, with a few recruits from time to time, as the village of Kokomo
increased in population, met in the homes of the members of the congregation, to
break bread and serve their Master as best they could. At times they hired a
hall in which to worship and, as often as possible, secured some one to preach.
The preaching for several years was mostly done by the elders of the church
without any compensation whatever, "yet they prospered."

   In 1854 the congregation purchased of John Bohan, then auditor of the county,
lot No. 45, in the original plat, for which thirty dollars was paid. Early in
1857 a building committee was appointed, of which A. F. Armstrong was a member,
and during the year the frame church, a building painted white and known as the
old Christian church, was erected on East Mulberry street and completed at a
cost of about one thousand eight hundred dollars. It has a seating capacity of
three hundred. In this building the congregation worshiped for thirty-two years,
from 1858 to February, 1880. Early in the year 1866, while in this building and
during the pastorate of Rev. R. E. Pearee, the organ, as an instrument of
worship with music, was introduced into the services of the congregation. It
created a commotion for a time, some believing it to be a machination of the
devil. The final result of the contention over the matter was the passage of two
resolutions by the congregation, the first of which called for the resignation
of the pastor and gave him but fifteen days in which to resign. He resigned. The
second resolution permitted the church organ to remain in the church building,
but with the strict condition that it was not to be played upon but was to
remain quiet during the services on the Lord's day. It was agreed that it would
be available for use in Sunday school and at weekday meetings. These resolutions
gave general satisfaction and were adopted by a unanimous vote.

   In 1872, while under the pastorate of Rev. James W. Conner, the membership
had increased to two hundred and twenty-three members, and the congregation was
able to pay its pastor a salary of fifteen hundred dollars per annum and yet
keep out of debt. Of the early church Thomas Auter and Thomas A. Armstrong were
members of decided personal characteristics. Auter was at one time an elder, and
a very ardent man in his religious convictions.

BOTH PREACHER AND JANITOR.

   He could not only preach successfully, but he served as janitor with all the
ardency of his nature and nothing pleased him more than to ring the church bell,
summoning the faithful to worship. Ardent also in his sympathies, and hearing of
the mistreatment of John Russell, a negro just arrived from the South, Elder
Auter waited upon the man whom he had been informed had threatened to kick
Russell out of a place Russell had entered and informed the party waited upon
that if there was any kicking to be done just to kick him, Auter. As the elder
was a large and active man, the invitation was not an alluring one and was never
accepted. A beautiful picture is that lingering in the minds of the older
members of the congregation, who recall that nearly each Sunday, while in the
old church, Thomas A. Armstrong, venerable and feeble, attended upon divine
services. He was supported upon two canes and conducted to the front by his
sons, where he occupied a large arm chair, provided for his use, near the
pulpit, in order that he might hear. He invariably wore a large red bandana
handkerchief about his head. In this instance was exemplified the truth of the
scriptures, "Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the
earth." His children each enjoyed a long life. Martin B. Preble and others of
the pioneer members were forceful personalities, valiant soldiers for the Lord.
In 1875 lots were purchased of Worley Leas for three thousand dollars, on which
was erected the brick church destroyed by fire, and predecessor of the present
beautiful stone structure, now called the Main Street Christian church.

   In February, 1876, plans were submitted and approved by the congregation for
a new structure. A building committee was appointed and instructed to go forward
at once, its duty being to secure subscriptions and erect the building. In the
fall of 1876 a cellar was excavated and the foundation put in to the first
joist. In 1877 the walls were constructed and the roof placed. But in 1877
nothing further was done, the building funds having run short. In 1879 the
floors were laid and rough plastering spread. Temporary doors were placed and
the windows nailed up with plank. In this condition the building committee
turned over to the officers of the church a building encumbered with an
indebtedness of fourteen thousand dollars. The audience room was seated with
chairs, the members each furnishing one or more chairs. On the first Lord's day
in February, 1880, with the floor bare and the windows planked, the congregation
held the first services in the new church building. The membership, then less
than three hundred, was badly discouraged, yet were true and faithful to the
cause which had been entrusted to their hands. Rev. E. L. Frazier held the first
protracted meeting in this church in February and March, 1880. Rev. J. L.
Parsons was the first pastor of the new church, being called in May following
its occupancy. He tried hard to infuse new life into the church, but resigned in
February, 1881.

   On March 2, 1881, pursuant to public notice, the membership of the church met
at the new church building. Elder M. M. Preble was in the chair, and declared
the object of the meeting to be to settle the question, "What shall be done with
the church debt?" Several speeches were made. A. F. Armstrong spoke of the
general situation, and indicated that it might prove impossible to meet the
heavy debt. He advised that the buildings and lots be sold for fourteen thousand
dollars. Brother A. B. Walker offered the following resolution: "That the new
church building and lots be sold to the city of Kokomo for fourteen thousand
dollars, secured by ten-year bonds, drawing six per cent interest, and that the
trustees be and are hereby authorized to complete said sale." Mr. Armstrong
seconded the motion. It was unanimously adopted. Many persons objected to the
city buying the property, some advising to hold out longer, while certain
influential persons hoped that it would sell cheaper at sheriff's sale,
expecting to buy it at their own price. The movers in the proposed sale had
shrewdly calculated the effect upon the congregation intended, the fire of the
church's spirit was rekindled and the sparks began to fly as desired. A
subscription paper was started, headed by Dr. Edward A. Armstrong, who
subscribed one thousand dollars, A. F. Armstrong pledging a like sum, and there
were many five hundred dollars, three hundred dollars and two hundred dollars
subscriptions until a total pledge reached seven thousand dollars.

   The pioneer church structure was sold for two thousand two hundred dollars
and the general indebtedness brought below five thousand dollars. That amount of
debt was placed upon the church building in the shape of a first mortgage,
bearing six per cent. interest. It took seven years to liquidate this
encumbrance, but on the 31st day of December, 1888, the last dollar of it was
paid. Under the second pastorate of Rev. E. L. Frazier, in 1885, the old boards
were knocked out of the windows and new cathedral glass substituted. Individual
donators were Lawrence Snyder, in honor of little May Snider, deceased, H. M.
Sailors, Mary Jackson-Cooper and the Winfield heirs. The various church
societies raised considerable money for the improvements started thus
auspiciously. During the pastorate of Rev. S. M. Jefferson, in 1890, the
building-was completed and furnished, about six thousand dollars being expended.
It was fourteen years from the laying of the foundation to the completion of the
building. The ground on which the building stood, the building and furnishings
cost more than thirty thousand dollars.

   Lawrence and Clara Snyder, at their own expense, erected the church tower,
installing a bell as a memorial for their daughter, deceased.

   In the end the brick structure was destroyed by fire, the furnace in the
basement in some way becoming overheated, presumably, and firing the structure,
which was soon a mass of ruins. Upon its site arose the present beautiful
structure.

   The church has always been a missionary church and a great power for good in
the community, and hundreds of souls have been persuaded through its efforts to
accept the cause of the Master.

   With such pastors as the sweet-souled Father W. S. Winfield, the zealous and
able B. M. Blount, the oratorical and energetic A. I. Hobbs, who. ministered
during the trying days of the Civil war; the true and determined agent for the
right, regardless of consequences, E. L. Frazier; the scholarly M. B. Hopkins;
the Socratic debator, Aaron Walker, and a number of others whose names are too
numerous to mention, the church has occupied a leading position in the community
from the earliest day and progressed steadily forward to greater and higher things.

   For years Dr. J. M. Darnall was a pillar of strength to the church and of
impressive physique and deliberate mein, and devoted with all the ardor of his
nature he constituted an impressive influence in the church life. Though of a
different type, John Nicholson, who resembled a kindly, benevolent father, whose
affection was ever dominant for the souls of all, left a wholesome influence
upon the congregation which time has not obliterated. Dr. Darnall and Mr.
Nicholson were, for a long period, elders of the church, in which relation Dr.
Darnall served thirty-eight years, having been re-elected a short time before
his death, May 10, 1902.

   The old brick church was destroyed by fire February 27, 1904, and the new
church was erected the following summer under the pastorate of J. H. McNeil.
While the congregation were without a house of worship they used the City Hall
as a place of meeting. Up to the 1st of December, 1908, there had been paid on
the new house thirty-one thousand nine hundred and eighteen dollars and
ninety-eight cents, leaving a balance yet due of four thousand two hundred and
twelve dollars. Rev. E. Richard Edwards is their present energetic pastor.

RECENT HISTORY OF MAIN STREET CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

   In the fall of 1902, under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. MacNeill, a new pipe
organ was installed at a cost of twenty-six hundred dollars, the Ladies' Aid
Society paying for the same. A gallery was constructed at a cost of about
twenty-four hundred dollars, and other improvements made aggregating a total
cost of twenty-seven hundred eighty-eight and twenty-three hundredths dollars.

   On February 27, 1904, about fifteen months after finishing such improvements,
and while twenty-six hundred dollars of the cost of the same was unpaid, the
church took fire from an overheated furnace and was totally destroyed, together
with all of its. contents, the church not saving as much as one dollar's worth
of property. The church building was insured for five thousand dollars, and the
contents for three thousand dollars, all of which was fully paid. The building
burned about two o'clock a. m. February 27, 1904, and at nine o'clock the same
morning the official board of the church met at the office of the Kokomo
National Bank and resolved to rebuild at once. And further resolved that the
loss should be a financial loss only, and not a loss to the cause of Christ,
which is nearest and dearest to the hearts of the official board as well as the
general membership of the church.

   Subscription papers were soon started and subscriptions to the amount of
fourteen thousand thirty dollars speedily obtained. The new building was
commenced in May, 1904, and completed by August, 1905. The building and
furnishings cost thirty-nine thousand six hundred twenty-five and fifty-five
hundredths dollars. The same was dedicated on August 6. 1905, F. M. Raines, of
Cincinnati, General Secretary of the Foreign Missionary Society, officiating.

   Subscriptions to the amount of eighteen thousand fifty-nine and sixty-five
hundredths dollars were taken on that day. The structure is of Bedford stone and
is of beautiful architectural design, being one of the best buildings of the
denomination in the state.

   The following amounts were contributed upon memorial windows: Mrs. A. F.
Armstrong and daughter, Jennie Howe, seven hundred fifty dollars; Mrs. Mary A.
Holmes, two hundred fifty dollars; M. M. Wiley, one hundred dollars; F. F. and
Walter Jackson, one hundred dollars; family of Alex. C. Hopkins, one hundred
dollars; family of Rev. W. S. Winfield, fifty dollars; Mrs. Julia Jackson, fifty
dollars; Thomas Turley, fifty dollars; Rev. J. H. MacNeill and family, fifty
dollars; Aaron Albaugh, fifty dollars; Mrs. Emma Moore, fifty dollars; E. E.
Reynolds, twenty-five dollars; Will S. Clore, ten dollars; L. C. Hoss' Sunday
school class. fifty dollars; Miss India Martz's Sunday school class, thirty-five
dollars; Mrs. Jennie Knipe's Sunday school class, twenty-five dollars.

   The pastorate of Rev. MacNeill ceased in the spring of 1907, and the present
pastor, E. Richard Edwards, entered upon the duties of his pastorate on May 1,
1907. The membership of the church is about eight hundred. The average
attendance of Sunday school is three hundred. Every department of the church
under the leadership of its efficient and energetic pastor is making
satisfactory advances.

ST. ANDREWS EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
BY OTTS C. POLLARD.

   The Episcopal church of Howard county dates back to 1885. Then Bishop
Knickerbocker, who was a thorough missionary, made his first visit to Kokomo.
The Congregationalists kindly lent their place of worship and many who had been
identified with the church in former years, in other and even distant lands,
came to assist the good bishop in the service. Brother R. L. Wilcock, prominent
among the Kokomo Methodists for many years, and who has now returned to old
England, came down to that first service of Bishop Knickerbocker in Kokomo
expressly to make the required responses for the bishop. The Episcopal service
is a responsive service and Brother Wilcock was much exercised lest the good
bishop have no one "to talk back to him." A congregation was organized which
worshiped in various places, sometimes in church buildings, sometimes in lodge
rooms and halls and office rooms. Clergymen came from a distance to hold the
services. The future was rather uncertain for the little company, but they kept
together and kept on. Accessions came.

   The discovery of natural gas brought factories and hundreds of new families
to Kokomo. Many of these new families belonged to the church in old England, or
in the Eastern states. Their arrival served as a stimulus to the little
congregation and strenuous endeavors were made to raise money for a lot. These
efforts were finally successful and, in 1891, there was a resident minister
ready to put up a church on the lot that had been secured on the corner of
Taylor and Lafontaine streets. A church building was erected two years later and
all seemed flourishing. But the panic of 1893 was at hand, and as most of the
congregation got their living from the factories, which now utterly failed,
there was not the strength to maintain the organization and meet the obligations
due to the new church.

   The Rev. T. C. Woodard, now of Rochester, New York (1908), struggled most
heroically under most difficult conditions, for two years, to keep the
congregation together and bring everything to a successful issue. He kept the
congregation together by his loving and most faithful ministrations and is
remembered with gratitude to-day by many families in South Kokomo whom he aided
by ministering with his own hands to their necessities. He inspired his people
and the townsfolk to the same unrivaled self-sacrifice. The effort to put St.
Andrews church into Kokomo seemed to fail. But this was only apparently so. The
congregation was still very loyal, due largely to Rev. Mr. Woodard's fine
leadership and pastoral care. The revival of church life came through the
personal efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Beacon, who are now residents of Kokomo.
In 1897 Mr. and Mrs. Bacon invited the church people to meet in their own house
in South Kokomo. Then the Rev. E. W. Averill, of Peru, came down to hold regular
services during the week. A hall was secured above Charles Jinkerson's grocery
on the corner of South Main street and Markland avenue. The services were
characterized by unbounded enthusiasm and zeal and exerted a wide influence, but
the work was crippled by the removal of active workers.

STEPS FOR A NEW BUILDING.

   A considerable sum was collected in the East, through the efforts of the Rev.
J. O. Ward, for a permanent building. Mr. Ward severed his connection with St.
Andrews in 1901. He had secured several earnest new members for the congregation
and h?id given an example of faithful and persistent work. The present rector,
the Rev. H. R. Neely, came to Kokomo in 1901, and has been in continuous charge
for over seven years. He moved the church from Love's Hall, on Markland avenue,
to the center of the town. He was not afraid to take up the site of the former
disaster. Under his leadership the congregation occupied their former place of
worship for over two years, until a more suitable location could be found.
Meanwhile the congregation increased in strength. The large lot at the corner of
Market and Sycamore streets was secured by the personal efforts of Mr. Neely and
held in trust for the benefit of the congregation. The monthly rental of the old
brick house on the premises, known as the Scoven house, pays for the privilege
of church occupation. On the rear of the lot stands the well-known and
well-equipped parish house, built at an expense of over five thousand dollars.
On this building there was a debt in July of four thousand seven hundred
dollars, which had to be held by private parties because no loan company would
lend the congregation so large a sum. This debt has been reduced to two thousand
four hundred dollars and a mortgage to that amount has been given to a loan
agency. This result has been accomplished by simple, steady, plodding work. The
great advantages of the parish house have also helped. The expense of
administration is the lowest possible. The parish house is really a structure of
three buildings under one roof.

THE RECTORY.

   The upstairs is the rectory, or parsonage, and is hardly equaled in any
parish for comfort, convenience and pleasure. It is a roomy concern and built
for busy workers, and no less for needed rest and refreshment of soul and body.
The main room downstairs serves as church and also for all activities that go
with vigorous church life. Social gatherings are often held there and it is a
center for enterprises that are intended for the good of the community. It is
the hope of the rector and the congregation that this may be even more true of
the future than it has been of the past. When the church is built facing
Sycamore street, the parish house will serve for all sorts of guild and club
meetings. It is greatly to the credit of St. Andrews that it is conspicuous for
missionary zeal. The best meetings it has are the missionary meetings, once each
month. and all contribution to church work elsewhere are made promptly and
generously. The wise financial foresight of the Rev. Neely has given the church
a central location in the city and a very valuable property holding, which by
his able management, go far towards being a profitable return for the church at
present.

GRACE M. E. CHURCH. 
BY OTIS C. POLLARD.

   In about the year 1841 the first Methodist church was organized in this, now
Howard county, at what was known as Spice Run, in a little log hut about twelve
by eighteen feet, and located about two and one-half miles west of the place of
the present court house on the Wild Cat turnpike. About three years afterward,
in the year 1844, that pioneer preacher for this section of Indiana, Rev. Jacob
Colclazer, organized the first Methodist church, and. in fact, the first
religious organization in Kokomo. The house of the late David Foster, near where
the new jail now stands, was used as a preaching place until a new log church
could be built. The members of this organization were: Adam Clark and wife,
Elizabeth Foster, N. R. Linsday and wife, Thomas Lamburn and wife, Dennis
McCormick and wife, and Mrs. Joseph Skeen. No one man did more for the growth of
Methodism in this community than Judge N. R. Linsday. Dr. J. McLean Moulder, in
his interesting monograph on the Methodist church in Howard county, says:

   "A log church was built on South Washington street in the year 1844. It was,
at the time of its erection, probably the most expensive building in the county.
The following year a Sabbath school was organized with Adam Clark as
superintendent. Its average attendance was about fifteen and it was conducted
only during the summer months. This church was used until the year 1851, when a
frame church was built upon the site of the present church. N. R. Linsday, Hay
den Ray burn, and Joshua Sharp were leading spirits in this enterprise. The
church was completed in 1852 under the pastorate of Rev. M. S. Morrison. The old
log church and ground were sold for seventy-five dollars and the money put into
the new edifice. During the next ten years the church and town had a rapid
growth, and the frame church became too small to accommodate the congregations,
and in 1864 it was decided to begin a larger building, and the brick structure,
that was torn down for the erection of the present church, was the result. The
pastor was the Rev. Charles Martindale, and he rendered valuable service in this
vast undertaking.

   "Judge N. R. Linsday, J. W. Crowley, C. Sharp, H. Rayburn, Worley Lease, Eli
Weaver, William Styer, John Steward, John Jamison, David Hazzard and Dr. Buck
were among the most liberal givers for the erection of this church. During its
erection two men lost their lives, one being overcome by heat and the other
being instantly killed by a piece of timber falling on him."

   It is related that about this time, somewhere near the year 1869, an organ
was placed in the church, and was the cause of much bitterness. So intense was
the feeling- that on one occasion, no less notable than the Northern Indiana
conference, someone placed a quantity of cayenne pepper in the organ bellows,
and the meeting was nearly broken up as a consequence. Times changed, and at
last the organ was permitted to remain unmolested. Dr. Moulder continues:

   "The first choir leader was Samuel C. Moore, and Emma Mason was organist. In
the year 1873, under the pastorate of Rev. Thomas Stabler, the church was
remodeled, frescoed, etc., at a cost of four thousand five hundred dollars. The
following were quite active in this work: D. Hazzard, N. R. Linsday, James
O'Brien, J. W. Crowley, S. G. Lane, T. M. Kirkpatrick, George Deffenbaugh.

   "The Sunday school has always been a power in this church. The following have
been the superintendents: Adam Clark, Reuben Woods, John Jamison, John Prebble,
N. P. Richmond, Henry Wooten, David Hazzard, J. McLean Moulder, S. Cox, J. F.
Elliott A. N. Grant, G. O. Roach, J. E. Hillis, G. E. Meek, K. G. Woody, E. E.
Springer, W. E. Sollenberger.

   "During the winter and spring of 1876-7, during the pastorate of Rev. H. J.
Meek, a great revival caused about one hundred ninety to unite with the church.
Also great revivals have occurred under the pastorates of Rev. C. H. Brown, J.
S. Bitler and W. D. Parr. The church has been noted for years in the conference
as being spiritual and progressive.

   "February 2, 1890, under the pastorate of Rev. C. H. Brown, the first service
was held that resulted in the building of the Markland Avenue church, which cost
about four thousand dollars. Rev. Brown, Rev. J. W. Oborn and Judge James
O'Brien were the leading workers in this enterprise. The corner stone was laid
in August by the Rev. C. E. Disbro, and the church was dedicated by Rev. A. W.
Lamport on the 14th of December.

NEW CHURCH EDIFICE.

   "It was during the very efficient and prosperous pastorate of the Rev. W. D.
Parr that the present commodious and handsome church was erected, which, as an
auditorium, is said to have few, if any, equals in the state. This building is
not only a credit to the Methodists of Kokomo, but the entire city and Methodism
as well. The first meeting looking to this enterprise was held May 6, 1893, but
owing to the financial panic that was sweeping the country, it was postponed
until March 4, 1894, when a committee composed of Dr. Parr, A. A. Charles and
Dr. J. L. Moulder was appointed to visit churches and select a plan. March 24,
1895, this committee made a report, and the building proposition of E. S. Hunt
was unanimously accepted. August 5, 1895; the contract was let for the building
to the Armstrong, Landon & Hunt company, the contract price for the building,
without furnishings, being twenty-five thousand three hundred dollars. The
entire cost of the building completed was about thirty-five thousand dollars.
The old brick building was torn away and on the 19th of August, 1895, the first
excavation was made for the new edifice.

   Only two accidents occurred during the erection of the building, neither of
which was fatal. September 30, 1895, the name of the church was changed from the
Mulberry Street to Grace Methodist Episcopal church. The new church was
dedicated December 6, 1896. Rev. Charles H. Paine, D. D., LL. D., preached the
dedicatory sermon and had charge of the finances, assisted by Bishop Charles C.
McCabe, D. D., LL. D. The successful accomplishment of this great undertaking
was almost wholly due to the zeal, energy, and wise management of the Rev. W. D.
Parr, who gave his undivided attention to every detail of the work from the
inception of the purpose to build until the structure was completed. During his
pastorate Beamer chapel was built, as a result of his foresight and
faithfulness. In the spring of 1898 the pastorate of W. D. Parr expired by
limitation, and the Rev. Edward Timberlake Gregg was assigned to the church and
did most acceptably discharge the duties of pastor for one year and about two
months of his second year, when the Father called him from labor to reward at
6:15 p. m., May 30, 1899. No one ever died in Kokomo to whom greater respect was
shown. His body lay in state in the west tower of the church and for three hours
a constant stream of sympathizing friends passed by and reviewed the remains.
There was scarcely a dry eye in the vast concourse of people. The Knights
Templar had charge and the church services were conducted by his presiding
elder, the Rev. M. S. Marble, assisted by many ministers of the North Indiana
conference. During the funeral every business house, including the saloons of
Kokomo, front door and back, were closed. In September, 1899, Rev. Jacomiah H.
Jackson was appointed to fill out the remainder of the year. He did most
efficient work under trying circumstances. The following April the Rev. Arthur
S. Preston was appointed to this church and served with good results for one
year. In the spring of 1901 the Rev. Leslie J. Naftzger was appointed, and did a
grand work for the Master. On June 24, 1901, the board of trustees purchased the
property at the corner of Clay and Mulberry streets of Joshua C. Leach for the
sum of three thousand dollars, to be used as a parsonage.

MARKLAND AVENUE M. E. CHURCH.

   While the Rev. C. H. Brown was pastor of the Mulberry Street Methodist
Episcopal church in 1890 a Sunday school was started in South Kokomo, the school
being held in the building owned by Dr. Lewis C. Kern, an ardent member of the
church. From this Sunday school grew the Markland Avenue Methodist Episcopal
church. The idea of a church in South Kokomo was conceived by the quarterly
conference of what is now Grace Methodist Episcopal church, which had charge of
it until the church was dedicated in December the same year. Rev. T. W. Oborn
was pastor a few months, being succeeded by the Rev. Ross Gahring, who put the
church on a substantial basis. In turn were the Revs. Fred Stone, D. H. Guild,
C. C. Cissell, Charles White, Dora V. Williams, G. B. McNary, and Rev. C. W.
Shoemaker, the present efficient pastor. It was to the Rev. Williams that the
good fortune fell of lifting the church from its load of debt, and who presided
over the ceremonial of burning the mortgage, which had been given for fourteen
hundred dollars. The congregation is now erecting a splendid edifice on South
Main street, which, when completed, will represent a cost of not less than
twenty-six thousand dollars. The members of the present board of trustees
concerned in the building of the new church are J. F. Morrison, president; E. J.
Showalter, secretary; J. M. Jackson, treasurer; O. B. Albright, James Burrows,
Dr. J. O. Greeson, J. B. Davenport, Harry Raines, and A. M. Jackson. The church
is active in religious societies, which are the Ladies' Aid Society, the Home
Missionary Society and the Epworth League. Mr. W. E. Jacks' Sunday school class
is a singular agency for good in promoting special church work. The Markland
Avenue Methodist Episcopal church has done an incalculable good in the locality
wherein it is situated. Its demand has been amply and faithfully met, and it has
touched spiritually the large element of population within its jurisdiction
employed in the South Side factories. It is a growing and flourishing
congregation, with its membership alive to the possibilities of spiritual growth
in the future. It is an active, successful church.

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTISTS.

   The First Church of Christ Scientists perfected a formal organization in
1908, but services have been held by the believers for four years past. The
congregation, which now numbers thirty-five, and includes representative people
of the city, is enjoying an excellent growth within and enlisting public favor
to its tenets.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

   There had been preaching by Presbyterian ministers of neighboring churches
quite frequently in Kokomo, but the first record of an organized Presbyterian
church in Kokomo is November 22, 1868. On this date there is an enrollment of
four names, Dr. R. O. Wilson, Mrs. Isabelle Wilson, Joseph Cain, and Mrs. N. A.
Cain. The first record of a meeting of the official board is December 2, 1869.
Rev. C. M. Howard was acting as stated supply of the church. At that time there
was an enrollment of sixty members. In September, 1870, Rev. W. A. Hutchison
became pastor. There was considerable interest and growth during this pastorate
and that of Rev. F. M. Elliott, who preached for about one year. But in 1875 the
church virtually ceased to exist and for fourteen years the name of the church
was on the roll of the Presbytery with only eight names. The present
organization dates from November 25, 1887, when a meeting was held at the
residence of Mr. John Jay. Rev. Charles Little, D. D., of Wabash, and Rev. Mr.
Gregg, of Noblesville, were present by appointment of the Presbytery to organize
the church. At that meeting seventeen persons were enrolled as members of the
church. This number was soon augmented until it reached forty-five. The
organization showed great vigor and determination and at once began the erection
of the building in which the church now worships. March 27, 1889, the Rev. R. G.
Roscamp was called to the pastorate and served until April 13, 1892, when he was
called to Greensburg, Indiana. During his pastorate the church building was
completed and dedicated. He was followed by the Rev. Henry Gardner, who acted as
stated supply from June 1, 1892, to June 1, 1894. During his pastorate the
indebtedness of the church was considerably reduced. On September 30, 1894, the
Rev. R. G. Roscamp was recalled, and served until April 1. 1897. The pulpit was
then vacant until January 1, 1898, when Rev. E. A. Allen became stated supply,
serving until September 1. 1901, when he accepted a call to the Presbyterian
church at Decatur, Indiana. During his pastorate the last indebtedness upon the
church building was paid and at an anniversary service in 1900 all of the
mortgage papers which had been held against the church were burned. Rev. W. A.
Hutchison, who had been pastor during the time of the first organization, was
recalled to the pastorate and began the work December 1, 1901, but on account of
ill health was not able to continue, and closed his work with the church here
September 30, 1902. Rev. M. L. Pearson began his work as pastor of the church
November 9, 1902, and closed his work December 25, 1904. During his pastorate
the pipe organ was installed. At a congregational meeting held in the church May
30, 1905, the present pastor. Rev. W. T. McKee, was called. His first sermon was
preached July 2, 1905, the formal installation taking place September 27, 1905.
At the same meeting of the congregation at which the pastor was called a
committee was appointed to secure a home for the new pastor, and they succeeded
in purchasing the delightful home of Dr. F. H. Smith, adjoining the church
property on the west, and is now occupied as a manse. The elders who served the
church since its organization were: William H. Sellers, Peter A. Sassaman,
George S. Humphrey, W. M. Souder, W. E. Stansbury, Elwood Haynes, John R. Cain,
T. H. Penn, A. L. Harter, M. C. Kitchen and John C. Kessler. Mr. Sellers and Mr.
Sassaman were the first elders elected. Mr. Sassaman died July 13, 1906. Mr.
Sellers has been serving faithfully and continuously in the office ever since
the reorganization of the church. The church looks forward into the future
hopefully. With an active membership of something over two hundred members, with
an able body of men as the elders of the church, at the present day, the church
is well organized in her temporal and spiritual agencies and moves forward to do
her share of the moral and spiritual uplifting of Kokomo.

THE COLORED CHURCHES.

   There are two prosperous colored churches in Kokomo, with good memberships
and active in the good cause of the Lord. Rev. W. H. Irvin is pastor of the
African Methodist Episcopal church, which has been in existence many years. The
spiritual director of the Second Baptist church is Rev. Gaines.

THE FRIENDS' CHURCH.

   The meeting of the Friends was established in Kokomo in 1865, the first
services being held at the home of Richard Nixon. There were but few families of
Friends living here at the time, they being those of Richard Nixon, Robert
Coate, W. S. Wooten, and William Moore. Additions to the society were had from
time to time, the more prominent being Jesse Turner and wife, Robert Has-kett,
David Coffin, Mrs. William Mavity, Mrs. James Wildman, Amos Hollowell, William
Trueblood, Nathan Dixon, Jesse Johnson, Minnie Trueblood, Francis Macy, Eli
Overman and wife, Asa Hockett and wife, Thomas Rich and wife, and Thomas Moulder
and family. While the first meetings were in silence, mostly after the fashion
then of the Friends, there was usually some one selected for reading and
prayers. In time the meeting assembled in a hall on the north side of the Court
House square, where it worshipped for several years. The pioneer members were
garbed as became the faith, and after the William Penn fashion, but these
distinctive characteristics of the church began to loose their hold as early as
1865, and finally disappeared altogether.

   The church originally had no minister, but the first pastor selected by the
Kokomo church, in fact, the first recognized in the world by an official title,
was Robert Douglas. In time William L. Butler, Henry Coate, Jesse Turner, Emily
Ellis, and Dr. Charles Kirk were enrolled as ministers. Dr. Kirk finally entered
upon missionary work among the Indians. The membership continued to increase
until the year 1870, when an effort was made to build a church house, which
resulted in the erection of the present church building, a good, substantial
brick, forty by sixty-six feet, with a stone foundation and costing about six
thousand dollars. From the time of the completion of this building, in 1872,
until the present time, the meetings have been held in it. Frequently ministers
from abroad conducted services in the years gone by. The church is in a
healthful condition, both spiritually and financially, having 385 members. The
Rev. G. H. Moore is the minister, having been called to the Kokomo pulpit
September, 1907. The church has four societies engaged in the promotion of
spiritual progress, they being the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, the
Ladies' Aid Society, and the Junior and Senior Christian Endeavor societies.

COURTLAND AVENUE FRIENDS' CHURCH.

   The Courtland Avenue Friends' church, a branch of the Union street meeting,
was organized November, 1898, by Dr. S. T. Kirk. It has a membership of 165
members and is under the pastorate of Rev. Calvin R. Choate, who is doing an
excellent work. His assistance in the way of church societies are the well-known
Bible class and the Loyal Legion.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

   On the 8th day of September, 1863, the First Congregational church of Kokomo
was organized under the direction of Rev. Joseph E. Ray, D. D., of Chicago, who,
at that time, was the representative of the Congregational Home Missionary
Society for the district of Northern Illinois and Northern Indiana. Fourteen
persons constituted the membership at the time of the organization. They were:
Rev. J. L. Jenkins and wife, Mr. and Mrs. M. R. Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. H. Y.
Kelso, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Patterson, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Flemming, Mrs.
Elizabeth Davis, Mrs. Margaret Murray, Mrs. Lucinda Hathaway, and Mr. James
Kaufman. Rev. J. L. Jenkins was the first pastor. He served the church for two
years and was succeeded by the Rev. C. H. Richards. The beautiful church edifice
started during the pastorate of Rev. Jenkins, was completed during the ministry
of Rev. Richards. The Rev. Jenkins terminated his ministry in September, 1865.
The church received new life under the pastorate of Rev. A. S. Wood, who served
from 1871 to 1877. The house was renovated, refitted, a fine new pipe organ
added, and best of all, the membership of the church was increased. Eventually
the Rev. Wood, much to the regret of the congregation, severed his connection
with the church and removed to Michigan. Another long pastorate was that of the
Rev. Robert McCune, a very able minister, who served the congregation from 1881
to 1887.

   The present pastor, Rev. Charles W. Choate, was called to the pulpit in
December, 1898. He has builded up the church to a high-degree with the
assistance of the Home and Foreign Missionary societies of the church, which
have revealed a remarkable record 111 benevolence and Christian spirit, and a
valuable auxiliary to the church life is the Ladies' Aid Society, and, in
addition, the monthly social. The Rev. Choate celebrated the tenth anniversary
of his pastorate Sunday, November 29, 1908.

REV. CHOATE'S RECORD.

   For ten years the Rev. C. W. Choate has been the pastor of the local
Congregational church. The decade in which he has served the charge has been the
most important, perhaps, in the city's history. The Rev. Choate has seen Kokomo
double in population and increase in wealth threefold. He has been an interested
and pleased observer of the city's material progress, but his mission has not
been with the city's material welfare. His calling has not been among the things
concrete, but among the things spiritual. No man has had the honor of a higher
mission and no man has served among us more faithfully and efficiently. His
activities have not been confined to his own church and congregation. He has
gone modestly along the way, serving wheresoever he might and whomsoever he
could, doing it always unobtrusively, gently and in a beautiful spirit of
helpfulness. In the church circles of Kokomo, irrespective of denominations, he
is held in kindliest regard. Among those who sent him congratulatory messages on
this occasion were not only pastors and members of the other Protestant churches
of the city, but Father Lordemann, members of the local Jewish congregation, and
many persons who affiliate with no church. In a way, the Rev. Choate has come to
be known as the people's pastor, and it is hardly conceivable that he could wish
a more agreeable position than that in the community.

HARRISON STREET CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

   The church building located at the corner of Harrison and South Market
streets was completed and dedicated December, 3,896. Rev. Kendall E. West laid
the foundations of the society in his gathering together the following as
charter members: A. L. and Mrs. M. A. Vickery, D. H. and Mrs. D. M. Stewart, J.
I. and Mrs. Jennie Martindale, Rev. Taylor and Mrs. S. J. Jackman, James and
Mrs. Lucinda McCool, M. M. Garritson, L. S. and Mrs. R. M. Irby. America Cox, L.
J. Groves, D. L. Philips. David and Mrs. Etta Klepper, Joshua and Mrs. Rebecca
Hurley, Vie Barkalow, and Lizzie Chapman. The dedication of the church building
occurred under the auspices of Pastor West, Rev. J. R. Costner, of Winchester,
Indiana, preaching the sermon. In May, 1893, there had been organized an
efficient Ladies' Christian Aid Society, which did much to make possible the
future formation of the church and the erection of their cozy temple of worship.
Immediately following the installation of the pastor and people in their new
quarters there was the organization of a Sunday school, Christian Endeavor, and
the midweek prayer meeting. These societies have been in active working-order
ever since their organization. Tangible results have been witnessed through
their effective efforts by many having been brought to acknowledge Jesus as
their Redeemer and becoming working members of the church. The polity of the
Christian church is unique, making Christian character only the test of
fellowship, the Bible the only rule of faith and practice, individual
interpretation of the Scriptures, the undisputed right, and duty of all. In the
matter of Christian baptism, in, or with water, the three modes, "sprinkling",
pouring, and immersing," are employed, leaving the selection of either to the
candidate. Members are also received to full fellowship, if they so elect,
without conforming to either of the three several modes of baptism. During the
twelve years' history of the local church it has made a remarkable a remarkable
impress as a moral force in South Kokomo. The present pastor, R. H. Gott, is now
in his fifth year's service with this people, and aided by his excellent wife
and a number of consecrated local workers, every department of the church is
moving grandly forward.

EVANGELICAL CHURCH.

   Several families belonging to the Evangelical Association at the Zion church
and elsewhere, settling in Kokomo, made the establishment of an Evangelical
church in Kokomo feasible. The Indiana conference of the Evangelical association
in session at South Bend, six years ago, 1902, authorized the establishment of
an Evangelical church in Kokomo, and appointed Rev. A. S. Fisher as pastor of
the charge. The Garrigus building was leased and June 1, 1902, a Sunday school
was organized with thirty-two members. J N. Loop serving as superintendent. The
present church site was purchased in the spring of 1905, and during the summer
the church building was erected, and dedicated on the third Sunday in November.
The charter members of the society consisted of the following persons: A. S.
Fisher, Minta Fisher, Elizabeth Fisher, Feme Fisher, A. J. Troyer, Maud Troyer,
Caroline Stutesman, C. D. Rarey, Luella Rarey. The society has grown to a
membership of over eighty and the Sunday school to an enrollment of one hundred
fifty. There is a Young People's Society of twenty-five members, and a Junior
Alliance numbering forty. There is also a splendid Ladies' Aid Society, which
has done much toward helping to cancel the church debt, and rendered valuable
service in other ways. The official board at present consists of J. A. Weaver,
A. J. Troyer, O. L. Webb, J. T. Lines, Merle Toops, J. W. Thomas, Mrs. Matthew
An-aker, and Mrs. Solomon Fisher. The first pastor, A. S. Fisher, served for
four years, Jacob Wise for two years, and the present pastor, M. L. Scheidler,
has served since April.

FREEMONT STREET CHAPEL.

   The Freemont Street Christian congregation is the result of an association
had in September, 1885, for the promulgation of the principles for which it
stands. Literature was sent out, and there was a teaching of the tenets for
which the church stands, which later bore fruit. The society was formally
incorporated ten years ago, in 1898, and then the formal and active
dissemination of its doctrines began in earnest. The new church, so far as
Kokomo was concerned, was brought into being by the diligent, self-sacrificing,
and able efforts of Dr. J. L. Puckett, in which he was seconded by his daughter.
May Puckett-Foster, and later by Mrs. Ida Wygants.

The Christian congregation is sharply distinguished from the ordinary church in
that its cardinal tenet is to make philanthropy through the church as efficient
and wide as that of the secret, benevolent orders, but after a much different
manner, in several particulars. In the first place a member of the Christian
congregation can be a member of any other church at the same time he belongs to
the Christian congregation. He may be a Methodist, a Presbyterian, or a
Catholic; that is of no consequence, so he believes the fundamentals, believes
in God, the divinity of Christ, and other essentials to the Christian system,
but no details of these beliefs are inquired after.

   The congregation is a practically organized agency of philanthropy. If a
member falls sick the president of the official board at once sets in motion the
relief agency of the society. The sick member is visited. If sociability alone
is demanded the matter ends there, but if aught else is needed it is
administered. Need is the sole criterion governing the action of the church in
every particular. Need may mean the employment of a nurse, the securement of a
doctor, the purchase of medicine, the expenses of a burial after mdical [sic]
skill has exhausted itself. But as a guard against imposition there is a record
kept of receipts as well as disbursements, and it is easy soon to discover if
one is receiving more than has been contributed, which leads to a reason for the
situation, which, if not justifiable, can be soon terminated. The official board
of the local congregation is responsible to the District association and the
official board of that body to the General association, so that there is a
general system of balances and checks. The entire scheme of philanthropy is
based upon business principles. A complete set of books is kept, and each member
contributing is given a receipt for the sum donated. The Sisters' Home Helpers
are a valuable auxiliary to the realization of the church's ideal. They often
visit the home of some one sick, and finding the children needy supply the wants
in the way of clothing, and discovering that much sewing is needed bring up the
family sewing to the needful standard. The benevolent fund of the church is
augmented by constant accretion and is always available for any emergency which
may arise. The doctrines of the congregation have been gradually spreading until
there are congregations at Jewel, Darrough's chapel, and Finch chapel. The
accredited ministers are Mrs. May Puckett-Foster, pastor of the Freemont Street
chapel, and at Jewel, Mrs. Ida Wygants, J. S. Butler, and Charles Laird, of
Jewel. The Freemont Street chapel has a membership now of about one hundred. The
subdivisions of the church work include the Junior congregation, the Sisters'
Home Helpers, and the Sunday school. Dr. Puckett, who organized the Freemont
Street chapel, and was for a long time its pastor, preaches, as a general rule,
each Sunday evening, when his practice will permit.

THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.

   About eighteen years ago Mrs. Maria L. Woodsworth, a trance evangelist, held
a series of remarkable meetings in Kokomo. She drew immense crowds of people to
hear her preachments and to witness the heavenly visions, as she presented them.
Her evangelism was impressive upon large numbers of representative people of the
city, who, for a lifetime, had been indifferent to the wooings of the Spirit.
Her followers, in accordance with her example, fell into a trance, which enabled
them, they said, to penetrate into the glories of the future life and approach
even unto the gates of Heaven. The evangelization differed from any experience,
in a religious way, Kokomo had undergone, and when she departed Mrs. Woodsworth
left a large number of converts determined upon the Christian life, and who have
trod the path of Christian duty steadfastly ever since. For several months her
followers maintained a church near the Cloverleaf Railroad station. The Rev.
Shep Shutters preached for several -months with convincing gospel power. In the
meantime the ministers of numerous religious faiths were called into the pulpit,
an indication that the congregation was seeking a permanent Christian home, but
undecided upon just what allegiance to assume. Among the leading proselyters
addressing the new congregation were: The Rev. Fletcher Thomas and the Rev. John
Farmer, of the St. Joseph conference of the United Brethren church. Their work
was done well. They earned the conviction and the affection of the congregation,
which decided to abandon the name of the Mission church and ally themselves with
the organization known as the United Brethren. The present church, in which the
excellent people of the faith worship, was completed about eight years ago. It,
with the parsonage, represents an investment of about twenty-two thousand
dollars. The present pastor is the Rev. C. E. Ashcraft. The membership of the
church is two hundred twenty-five. . The spiritual success of the church is, in
no small degree, indebted to the influence .of the various societies which
constitute such valuable auxiliaries, they being the Young People's and Junior
societies, the Ladies' Aid Society, the Women's Missionary Association, and the
Young Ladies' Band.

BEAMER CHAPEL.

   The Beamer chapel, better known as the North Street Methodist Episcopal
church, is now thriving under the pastorate of the Rev. Gray.

ADVENTIST CHURCH.

   The Adventist church, which for several years has maintained an organization
in Kokomo, has a church located upon West Taylor street. This congregation
believes that Saturday is the real Sunday of the Scriptures and ceases all work
upon that day, treating Sunday as a secular day.



Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA
BY
JACKSON MORROW, B. A.
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. I
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

(circa 1909)

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