Ligonier High School - Lance Yearbook (Ligonier, IN)

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' i-Y.,-.... f , ,A A 4 -K ,v---no-gag W' i 'f E Q-1 XYXX--lQ:Sf': O w sw, I U The Church has never been very strictly sectarian, and has catered to people who are not members of church. It has the usual organizations, the Sewing Society, the Social Hour, and the Young Peoples Society of Christian Endeavor. The Kings Daughters organization which has always been connected with this church has done much for local charity. METHODIST CHURCH. As early as 1831 ministers of the Metho- dist, Presbyterian and Baptist denominations began to appear about once a month and preach to the earliest inhabitants in the vicinity of Ligonier. Meetings were held in log cabins, barns and finally in schoolhouses. About 1842 the Methodists began holding meetings in Ligonier but the society, though probably founded in 1855, did not feel able to erect a church until 1846, when Henry Treer donated a lot to be used for religious purposes. There immediately followed the construction of the first church building in Ligonier. It was a small frame structure thirty by forty' feet but it served the purpose. Great revivals were held soon afterward and the membership grew. In 1855 there was another church building erected. Being remodeled several times it served until 1896 when the present M. E. Church was erected. This one was redecorated in 1914 and about a year ago both the chiirch and the parsonage were redecorated at a cost of sixty-five hundred dol ars. In 1877 two Wesleyan Methodist ministers, Rev. Charles Woodworth and Rev. Woodruff conducted a number of religious meetings in a tent on the public streets of Ligonier. A society was soon formed, many of the members coming from the Methodist Church already established in Lig- onier. Mr. William Lutey, resident of Ligonier, a very earnest Christian and a man of broad charity, immediately went to the head of the society. He furnished fifteen hundred dollars with which a small brick church was built on the north side of town on the corner west of where the U. B. Church now stands. Later this man bought a parsonage costing eight hundred dollars and presented it as a gift to the church. This society ex- isted for some time but finally discontinued and the members again joined the first Methodist Church. . This church has had a number of very strong men as pastors. in- cluding Rev. Beatty, now deceased, W. W. Maring, and Charles L. DeBow. Rev. Reynolds has been pastor for the last three years. The Church mem- bership is about two hundred and seventy-five. Connected with the church there are the Sabbath School, the Epworth League, the Womens Foreign Missionary Society, and Standard Bearers. CATHOLIC CHURCH. The Catholics began to assemble in about the year 1858, at which time Father Henry Fone, an itinerant priest began pilgrimages from Fort Wayne. But few Catholic families lived in Ligo- nier and vicinity at that time but finally sufficient finance was accumu- lated to build a small frame church. This was done in 1806. This with some little improvement was used until 1875 when it was entirely re- modeled at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. .4-Y 1 J u Page 23

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Father Noll who is now Bishop of the Fort Wayne Diocese was priest of the Ligonier Church from 1899 to 1902. Father Marmon, Father Kel- ler and Father Halpan have served since that time. At present Father Stoll leads the congregation which is made up of thirty families. ...MM -f 'W-M' 'H+--Q5 Q .fra was Meetings are held every two weeks except during the summer months when church is held every Sunday. CHRISTIAN CHURCH. The Ligonier Christian Church was organ- ized April 26, 1863, with a membership-of fifteen. During its existence it has wielded,a great influence in the community. The present member- ship is about one hundred. The building in which the congregation worships was erected in 1856 by the Universalists and used by the society for a few years. It was bought from them by Harrison Wood who sold an interest in it to the Christian church in June, 1863. In May, 1867 ,. it was struck by lightning and considerably damaged. It was at once repaired at a cost of 31,200 and a number of changes made. It was moved back twelve feet and placed on a new foundation, the vestibule was changed and the steeple built. Other repairs have been made from time to time as the building needed them. Rev. I. N. G-risso is pastor of the church. The three elders are Baily Ray, Chauncy Bowman, J. C. Kimmellg the deacons are George Brown, John Shell, Ray Wolfe, Charles Cornelius, Howard Helwig, Ralph Smith, and Ed Harper. The property is held by three trustees, J. C. Kimmell, George Brown, and John Shell. Of the Sunday School, Charles Cornelius is Superintendent. The Junior department with Mrs. Baily Ray at its head is a special feature. There are also a Ladies Missionary Society, a Ladies Aid Society, and a Girl's Triangle Club connected with the church. JEWISH CHURCH. The Jewish Church, the Ahavas Sholem, was first organized in September, 1867, when the congregation built a syna- 3 gogue on Main street just south of the residence of Mr. Henry Green. U This building stood there and served its purpose until the new temple was dedicated a few blocks south, in September, 1899, when it was moved and located on the lot at the rear of the new temple and was used for a Sun- . day School and other purposes. Mr. F. W. Straus was the first president u of the congregation, Mr. Solomon Mier, vice president and Jacob Straus 5 and others were the trustees. The first Rabbi was Jacob Baum who of- S ficiated from 1837 to 1871. S - I Feeling the need of newer and better quarters the congregation re- I solved in 1888 to provide a new church home. They secured a lot on South : Main Street just south of the residence of Mr. L. J. Dunning. They put 5 up a fine fine brick structure, with the outside walls of pressed brickg the 5 E roof was of stone slate, and the interior was made beautiful by finishing l E in natural wood and with stained glass windows. The dedicatory exer- 3 cises held on September 5, 1889, were most interesting and imposing, the : sermon being preached by Dr. Rabbi Wise of Cincinnati. Music was fur- : nished by the famous Ligonier Military Band. E u ! 1 S ,I ' A 3 an Page 25