| Source: Helm, History of Wabash County, 1884
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
In
1846, Rev. J.B. Oliver, of Dayton, Ohio, came to North
Manchester and organized the Lutheran church at this
point. Rudolph Bickel and family, Reuben Smith and wife,
John Shaubert, Sr., and wife, John Shaubert, Jr., Mr.
Wagoner, Mr. Frederick and Daniel Shaubert were the
constituent members. The organization took place on the
28th of May, and almost immediately active
measures were taken for the erection of a house of
worship. The site chosen was on Main street, west of
Market, and before the close of 1846, the building was
begun, but was not completed that year. Work was
resumed, however, with the spring of 1847, and the
church completed in the summer of that year. In the
fall, it was dedicated by Rev. A.H. Myers, of
Indianapolis, assisted by Rev. Hugh Wells, of the same
city. Mr. Oliver was the pastor in charge at the time,
but resigned about two years later. The church was a
frame building, 34x44 feet, and was used for a period of
nearly thirty-five years. In 1882, the congregation
began the erection of their present church edifice, a
beautiful two-story brick structure, and the old church
was removed to the north side of the street, and is now
[1884} used as a business house. Work on the new
building was suspended for the winter, but has been
resumed this spring, and the church will cost when
completed about $10,000. Pending the completion of the
new church, the congregation hold their meetings in
Hamilton’s Opera House. This church is one of the
largest and most influential in the town, having a
membership of 120.
Rev.
Oliver, its first pastor, was succeeded by Rev. F.
Templin, who resigned and was succeeded in 1852 by Rev.
Hugh Wells. Mr. Wells continued in the pastoral charge
until 1860, when he resigned. His successor, Rev. S.P.
Nellis, served the church two years, and was in turn
followed by Rev. G.W. Wilson. In 1871, Rev. Hugh Wells
entered a second time upon the discharge of the pastoral
duties, continuing for a period of ten years. He
resigned at the end of that time, and was succeeded by
Rev. E.D. Smith, the present pastor [1884].
Source: North Manchester
Journal, May 28, 1896
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSAY
Zion Lutheran Church, of this City, Celebrates the first
Half-Century of its Existence
A BRIEF OF THIS CHURCH'S HISTORY
In the spring of 1846, Rev. J.B. Oliver, of Dayton,
Ohio, then a young man just beginning in the Lutheran
ministry, came west and located at North Manchester. The
same spring he organized the Lutheran church here.
Rudolph Bickel and wife, Ruben Smith and wife, John
Shaupert (or Shaupwood) and wife, John Wagner and wife,
John Frederick, John Shaupert, Jr., Daniel Shaupert and
a few others whose names we have not now at command
constituted the members of the organization which took
place May 28, 1846. In the early part of 1847 the house
was begun and finished in the summer. The building was a
one-story structure, 34x44 feet, located where this
church now stands. It cost about $1000, besides
volunteer labor.
In November 1847 it was dedicated for divine worship, by
the pastor, Rev. J.B. Oliver, assisted by Rev. Hugh
Wells and A.H. Myers. These brethren came here on horse
back from Indianapolis, riding a distance of 110 miles.
Rev. Oliver continued as pastor for two and one-half
years, during which time the membership increased
greatly. Rev. Oliver was succeeded in 1850, by Rev. F.
Templin, as pastor. Rev. Templin carried on well the
work so thoroughly organized and gave additional impetus
to the little band. Rev. Templin continued as pastor two
years, during which time he secured a bell for the
church at a cost of $125 to call the people together,
which bell is doing service now in the present building.
Rev. Hugh Wells became the next pastor in spring of 1852
in connection with the Columbia City church, which he
served acceptably and to the strengthening of the
churches, 'till the spring of 1859, when he tendered his
resignation.
In May, 1859, Rev. P.S. Nellis, a young scholarly,
though inexperienced man in pastoral work, was called to
be pastor and he remained but one year. In June 1860
Rev. G.W. Wilson took charge of the work here and
continued as pastor for nearly eleven years. During this
time he spent nearly a year at college, taking up some
advanced studies. Rev. Levi Rice supplied his place
during this time. Failing health necessitated Rev.
Wilson's resignation, and the high estimation in which
he was held, caused the people to regret the separation.
Rev. H. Wells, became pastor of this charge the second
time in July, 1871. He served the Silver Lake charge in
connection with this. Rev. Wells remained as pastor this
time for nearly ten years, during which time the gospel
was faithfully preached, many persons gathered into the
church and the walls of Zion greatly strengthened. Rev.
E.D. Smith succeed Re. Wells, Sept. 11, 1881. Soon after
Rev. Smith took up the work here, pastor and people
commenced to agitate the matter of a new and more
commodious church building. The old church which had
served a good purpose for thirty-five years and dear to
many, was deemed inadequate to the needs and times, so a
new building seemed to be demanded.
In the spring of 1882, a building committee was
appointed, consisting of Bros. J.F./ and G.W. Eichholtz,
Lewis Petry, J.J. Valdemaire, Michael Henney, and a few
others, as advisory members, and soon the erection of a
new house of worship was commenced. The work progressed
rapidly and in the fall of 1882 the cornerstone of the
same was laid by Rev. Hugh Wells and E.D. Smith
officiating. During the building of the church religious
services were held in the Opera house. Work continued
unceasingly on the new building and in the fall of 1883
the house was finished and dedicated. Rev. Dr. S.A. Ort,
of Springfield, Ohio, preaching the dedicatory sermon.
The cost of the building, exclusive of grounds, was
something over $10,000. This is the second church in
size in this synod.
After serving this charge until the fall of 1886, three
years after the completion of the new church, making in
all about 4 years, Rev. Smith resigned and accepted a
call to Ohio. His ministry here was marked also by some
valuable spiritual material to the church, and well
remembered by some of the membership at present. In June
1887 Rev. C.W. Maggart, a young man from the Seminary at
Springfield, Ohio, was called as pastor, and served the
church for one year and three months. His successor was
Rev. W.J. Funkey, who began his work here Nov. 1, 1888.
During Rev. Funkey's ministration, he succeeded in
adding a large number to the membership of the church
and raised several hundred dollars toward liquidating
the indebtedness on the church building. Rev. Funkey
resigned the charge Oct. 17, 1890, after serving the
same about two years. In February, 1891, the present
pastor, Rev. D.A. Kuhn, received a call to this church
and accepted the call soon thereafter. He visited and
preached a few times for the people, in the winter and
on April 1, 1891, moved here with his family and assumed
the duties of pastor, his time of service beginning
March 1. Five years and three months he has been serving
among this people. During these years, many valuable
accessions have been made to the membership of this
charge and not a few lost to the church by death and
removal. An old indebtedness of about $700.00 through
him has been paid off; the whole auditorium neatly
carpeted, a much needed cement walk in front and around
the church made, all of which have been paid for. A
Young People's Lutheran Alliance was organized several
years ago and is doing good work for the church. But one
person is a member of the church at this time, who was
in the organization 50 years ago, viz: Mrs. Louise
Wagner.
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