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oEighty beven Years Ut I oil MarksieLCHuge Growth Of Methodist Churchl-1S:hn...[Q*» ~ 'i-n-:rr.r-IVEditor's Note: The followingarticle was prepared f-’om old records of the church, to be used by Mr. Vincent Brunner in his history of Mishawaka, which is soon to be published. The Enterprise is indebted to him for the use of the material.uaid began a general grocery business. The busines was sold a number of years ago, but the building is still owned by Mr. Eberhart and used for business purposes.s.m)V*s,First Methodist Episcopal ( hurch.The First Methodist Episcopal church of Mishawaka has a most interesting history, the first years ofthe church marking an era of self-sacrifice on the part of the earlyr- pioneers of Methodism in this vicinity. The church was practically organized with the town n the latter part of 1834 or early in 1835, arid the charter members were Mr. and Mrs. Richard Tuttle, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Skerritt. Mr. Hard and his sister, Susan Hurd.From 1835 to 1900, or in sixty-five years, the church grew from a membership of six to three hundred forty-five. From 1900 to the present time.liedsd-Idedn-P-h-J.ed1920, the membership has increasedfrom three hundred forty-five to tnir-iteen hundred fortv-three. The Sun-%; day school has experienced a like ‘ growth, now having an enrollment of on ; 800 in main school, Orphans’ Homeon 1150, Cradle Roll 300, Home Depart-an ment 50, East Mishawaka GO.The basement of the Second and Mill streets church was completed in 1873 and dedicated by Bishop C. IE Fowler, during the pastorate of theRev. A. A. Brown. Services wereheld in the basement until 1884, when*the auditorium was completed and the organ installed. The front of the building was remodeled in 1907, stone being usee for the entrance. During the pastorate of Chesteen W. Smith, in 1902, the Annex building and parsonage were erected. The Annex was planned to meet the need of a building especially for the young men of the city to give practically what the Y. M. C. A. is giving. The late Marri V. Beiger was the prime mover in the eiM?rprise and was assisted by manyThe -building was dedicated in February, 1903. William N. North -eoti was the first enterprising secretary. This building was equipped with library, parlors, reading rooms, dining room, auditorium, gymnasium, and baths, and for several years was a pronounced success.x-’*..no-n ft iinlt;e-lrs ;:h ;% arLlt;i V:*k- 1;as .ld-ast:ho• gh iIk- !die ;the ;L.— -- -. . . •i- *•. — .* * *i’thI«po-:The Rev. Richard S. Robinson wasNew Church Erected.the first pastor and began his workar-rn~itilnt-ns*1here in connection with a charge in South Bend in 183G. The combined membership was two hundred evelen, but this number- decreased during 1837-1838 to one hundred twenty-five, owing to emigration to Wisconsin.First Meetings In Store Building.rry mt, ion Inot1 itz’ jsed |)ooiThe first meetings in 1835 were held in a vacant store building and shared with the Presbyterians. The first church building was' erected in jS30on the west side of North Main street, in about the middle of the block, and was later used as a planting office by Hon. N. V. Brower. This building wasAt a time when a great number o: repairs were needed and a largi amount of money required to put thlt; building in good condition again, plan! were conceived for a new building The result was the splendid churcl home erected at the corner of Churcl and Third streets, built during 191] and 1912, and dedicated on June 16 1912, by Bishop Edwin H. Hughes The building was the worthy memoria to Adolphus and Sarah A. Eberhart erected by their children, Mr. E. G Eberhart, Mr. F. G. Eberhart, Mr. J C. Eberhart, and Mrs. Flora Grimes The structure is. of Bedford lime
Newspaper Details
Mishawaka Enterprise
Mishawaka, Indiana, US
Fri, Feb 18, 1921
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Sarah P.
USA 28 May 2021
Other Publications Near Mishawaka, Indiana
Mishawaka Democrat
Mishawaka Enterprise
