The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-22
METHODISM IN INDIANA.
The Early History Of the Denomination
in the Church and City,
Together with More Detailed Account Of
the Career Of Meridian-Street Church
Interesting Address by Mr. Lynch.

A. ID. Lynch's address the early history OF
Methodsm in Indiana, with more extended ref
erence to the founding and career of the congre-
cation with which he is connected, and the work
in this city. 1t is evident that much care and
study have been employed in preparing the ad-
dress, which gives suecinct and interesting ac-
count of the history Of great religious demon
nation After a brief introduction Mr.. Lynch
said
The early history Of Metholism in Indiana is
, so closely connected with that Of the history of
indianapolis and this church, that in speaking of
THE incidents relating TO the organization Of this
society, it seems to be necessary to refer to the
establishment of the great work, first in the
State, and then in this city.
One hundred and thirty five years ago the first
church in the Territory Of Indiana was estao-
ished. AS has been frequently the case in other
Territories and new settlements, the Romish
Church led the way in the organization and de-
velopment of missionary work
Vincennes has the honor of receiving the first
missionary into the Territory of Indiana But
at a very early day the influence of Methodsm
began to make itself felt, both in the affairs of
church and state.
The first Legislature of Indiana Territory con
vened in Vincennes July %, 1903, and the con
vention which formed the first Constitution for
Indiana met at Corydon, Nov. 4, 1916 at which
place the General Assembly elected under the
new Constitution, held its first session. The
men composing these bodies were men of pa
triotism practical, earnest Inen-and not a few
were noted Tor their piety and high regard for
morals
The delegate from Wayne county,to the consti-
tutional convention was n local preacher of the
Methodist Church, who lived to the age of l0l
years, and Who by his practical sense, as well as
by his consistent Christian character, welded
much influence in the early legislation of this
State. Dennis Pennington and others are re-
corded in history as men of sterling worth
fort niYn Il IN hn Of
ism and for patriotism to theState and Nation
Dennis Ferris, Baptist minister, and Judge
James Scott, of the Presbyterian Church, were
men of the highest Christian character
and their impress for good upon
legislation and in court decisions
remains to this day Such, in brief, were some
of the men and influences which became a
mighty power in forming the future sentiment
of the Territory and State Of Indiana While
very much can be said Of the great work per
formed, and the commendable missionary zeal of
sister churches in the early history of our State
yet we cannot in brief paper give more than a
hasty glimpse Of the work of our own church,
bringing the real review down to the organiza-
ton of what is now known as Meridian street
Methodist Episcopal Church, of indianapolis.
THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CHURCH.
Among the earliest Methodist families who
settled in Indiana were those who came from
Kentucky, locating in Clark county. This was in
1903, and in 1904, among the first Methodist ser
mons ever preached in the Territory of Indiana
were those preached by Peter Cartwright. Some
of us present this evening will remember his
sermons preached in old Wesley Chapel, about
thirty years ago
1t is however, we'll authenticated that as
early as the spring of 1901 Rev. Samuel Parker
and Edward Talbot held two-days meeting at
a preaching place, one and half mile west of
Charlesto@n Parker and Talbot were then local
preachers, while BENZ Lakin and Ralph Lotspeich,
4ha SAINT into
Clark county, which was then known as THE
Grant, portion of which, lying between JEFF
fersonville and New Albany, is still so called.
The first Methodist pastoral charge in the Terri
tory Of Indiana was Silver Creek circuit, in
Clark county Rev. Moses Ashworth was the
pastor The first Methodist meeting house in
the Territory was built in what is known the
Robertson neighborhood, near Charlestown.
The presiding elders district at this time
embraced what are now the three great
States of Indiana Illinois and Missouri
Six appointments appear in what was known as
the Indiana district. In the year 1910 Method
ism numbered by 1855 in the Territory, not
equal in numbers to Methodist church in
this city. But in the year 1920 the growth of
the church kept pace with the population of the
State ana now, at this period of the churchs
history in Indiana, names familiar in every
household and recognized in the civil and social
history of the State, begin to come in review
before us-John 2. Durbin. John Strange
William Cravens, James Scott, Samuel
James Ravens and Calvin w Kuter
Only few families had settled at Indianapolis
as early as 1919, and the settlements in central
Indiana were few and far between, but the
church closely tracked the pioneer, and William
Cravens came to indianapolis and organized the
indianapolis circuit in the fall of 1921. The year
before this Indianapolis had been selected as the
seat of government and now new importance
attached to the little hamlet, (which has since
grown to be one of the largest and handsomest
inland cities of the United States. In the organ
ization of the indianapolis circuit VIM.
Cravens entered upon his work under
appointment from the Missouri Conference
which held its annual session at Cane Girardeau.
The size of the circuits in those days was equal
to two and three times the size of districts now
supervised by our presiding elders But it
must not be forgotten while circuits comprised
six eight counties, so the elders district Gov
cred three States, through which only bride
paths were made; and as was said of John
Strange when travelling this wilderness he trust
ed in Divine Providence, but always carried his
trusty rifle, and kept sharp look out for
Indians. indianapolis circuit comprised nine
teen preaching places included in the
counties of Marion, Madison, Hamilton,
Hendricks, Morgan johnson and Shelby. A
prominent Methodist minister of this State, who
Still is effective in the work. and whose relatives
are in this audience night travelled of these
large circuits. and his first year travelled on foot
and horseback 259 miles, preached 298 times,
and received $50 for his years salary. 1t was
not money then, nor IS 1t gold now, for which
the ministry labors for with such talents as this
and other churches had then and now, they
could command two and ten times the salaries
paid. The Indianapolis circuit extended
east to the Ohio Conference boundary,
which was in q line north of Madison;
Greensburg, Flat Rock ard Blue river from
Columbus, and so far north as any settlement
extended were all in the indianapolis circuit,
While this circuit thus extended its arms,
reaching almost half way to the Ohio river on
fba and m I'M on
the southeast, the work was not neglected al
home.
THE FIRST CHURCH IN INDIANAPOLIS.
The first place Of worship in Indianapolis was
a hewn log house, which was built at a cost OF
5000, and was also used as school-house. II
was situated on the south side of Maryland
street helMean Mnridian and Illinois