Notes for: John Edgar WESNER
[20010314.ftw]
Reed had the place of Newberry within the county of Greene.
http://townofnewberryin.freeyellow.com/worship.html
PAST: A few of the settlers to Cass Township were Quakers, but all of thesettlers were religious and God fearing people. Other denominationsappeared
and became more prominent as churches were built.
The first preaching was held at Andrew Slinkard's house in the Winter andFrederick Slinkard's barn in the Summer. There were Lutheran ministerscoming
from as far away as North Carolina and some later from closer points.Rev. Fairchilds was the first Lutheran minister who lived in thetownship. In
December 1849 a meeting was held in the house of Andrew Slinkard wherethe decision to organize a church was made. The church was to be known asSt.
Peter's Church. In January 1850 another meeting was held at Andrew's andat that time George Wesner was ordained Elder. Other Elders were Frederick
Slinkard and Isaac Skomp. At that meeting, it was resolved that as manymembers of the Union Church of Greene and Daviess Counties as desired to
become members of St. Peter's Church should order their names placed uponthe Church book and 77 names were recorded.
In 1851 a decision was made to construct a building for public worshipand for use as a Seminary. Frederick and John Slinkard and John Wesnerwere chosen
trustees. As a Seminary it was to be free to all students of good moralcharacter and as a Church it was to be controlled by the Lutherans. TheChurch was
built by H. C. Owen for $114 and was finished in July 1852.
Rev. Fairchilds preached once a month until 1855 and was followed by Rev.W. H. Deck who continued until 1858. Rev. Deck and Prof. R. C. Hilburnwere
the only ones that taught school in the Church. School was discontinuedafter better accommodations were established. A new Lutheran Church was
completed in 1890 and its first pastor was Rev. John M. G. Sappenfieldand his son, John V. Sappenfield, served as pastor for many years as well.
Due to a decline in membership the Church was sold to the Nazarene Churchin 1958. In 1988 the old building was torn down and a lovely new buildingwas
erected. Nazarene services continue on that site today.
The Methodist Church was erected in 1872 and in 1875 at an annualconference, the Newberry Charge was organized. It contained, Newberry,Scotland,
Prairie Chapel and Simpson Chapel. Simpson Chapel has now been abandonedand torn down and Mt. Nebo is now on the Charge.
The first Methodist Church was destroyed by fire in 1887 and was rebuiltin 1888. In July 1904, a newspaper item stated "the church is beingpapered-now
if we can get a coat of paint on the outside it will begin to look realrespectable." In June 1916 the church was remodeled with a new floor, newchoir and
pulpit arrangements and the windows were weighted. On August 14, 1937work began on the basement. In late 1958 and early 1959 the outside of the
church was updated. September 23, 1979 was the last service held in thatbuilding. That fall a new church was built and on December 23, 1979 thefirst
services were held in the new church.
The Christian Church was organized in 1871 by Rev. Alfred Elmore. Achurch was built and in early 1911 it was destroyed by fire. A new brickstructure was
begun on March 30, 1911. The steeple was completed in August 1916.Dedication services were held Sunday, November 5, 1916. On July 18, 1934fire did
some extensive damage to the ceiling. It was believed to have startedfrom the electric wiring. The church is currently undergoing widespreadremodeling.
Services are still held every Sunday.