The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-20
Congregation Formed at that Time by
n Union of Trinity and Massa-
chusetts-Avenue Churches.
WILLIAM II. SMITHS PAPER
HE GIVES A HISTORY OF CENTRAL
AVENUE METHODIST.
The Heads Of Various Departments
Review the WOrk-The Celebration
10 Be Continued.

tablishment of the Central-avenue Church
was celebrated last night Twenty-Five
years ago union OF the Massachusetts
avenue and Trinity churches was effected
and the present church is the result OF the
union. The growth and progress OF the
church. its present prosperous and growing
condition were described in papers read.
With these papers and music from the
choir and soloists, NJ. Z. Reagin and Miss
Litta Grimm. the audience, which half
filled the church. was instructed in the
history Of the church and united In the
song service OF Thanksgiving. w. ID. Coop
er, chairman OF the board OF stewards and
who has been steward and a member Of
the church since its beginning, presided.
Mr.. Cooper spoke for a few minutes. after
the prayer by the pastor, in telling the
casion OF the service. He introduced Will
liam II. Smith, who, in the following paper.
told the history of the church,
Central avenue Methodist Episcopal
Church originated in 1877 by the union OF
two church organizations. Trinity and Mas
sachusetts-avenue Prior to this consolida-
ton the first named, Trinity, was located
on the northwest corner of North and Ala
bama streets and the last-named on Oak
street, near Massachusetts avenue.
In May, 1853, steps were taken by the
quarterly conference of Roberts Chapel TO
supply what was then spoken of as the
northeast part OF the city with opportuni-
ties for religious worship. A frame build
ing about twenty feet square, located
the west side of North New Jersey street.
between North and Walnut streets, was Sc
cured and a mission Sunday school organ
lied. This building will be remembered by
many as Father Dorseys schoolhouse. he
having conducted a school in IL for several
years. This school was attended by several
persons now connected with this congrega-
ton: The local preachers Of the city sup
lFNfe
prayer and class meetings and rendered
such other service was required. Such
success attended the mission as caused il
TO be recognized by the North Indiana Con-
ference In September. 1854. and there ap-
pears in the conference minutes OF that
year, Seventh Church Mission. to be sup
piled John G. Smith, local minister. was
the first preacher in charge by appointment
of the. presiding elder. Allusion TO the To-
cality above mentioned a mission field
almost provokes a smile but such IL was
Rail fences and corn fields could be found
at that time within FIVE squares north OF
Washington street.
THE title of Seventh given to the new
organization was appropriate. as there had
already been organized Wesley Chapel,
Roberts Chapel. Asbury Chapel. Strange
Chapel, South-street Mission and North
west Mission. The appointment was con-
tinued in 1855 the Seventh Church Mis-
sion with a missionary appropriation OF
500, and left to be supplied. During the
following year a lot located on the north
west corner of North and Alabama streets
was purchased and plain brick church
building about twenty-five by fifty feet was
erected thereon At this time Rev. F. A.
Hardin was pastor. The work of erecting
this building was largely performed by
members of the church. When the church
was being erected the pastor carried the
hod and performed other manual labor.
There is no record OF hod CARRYING having
been done by any of his successors. To
this first building twenty feet on the north
end was afterward added
CONDITIONS IN 1850
AT the conference of 1860 the name OF
North-street appears, il having been
changed after the erection of the new
Oh lrch building. At that conference QS6O
North-street Church was united with sew
eral country appointments north of the
city, with c. p. Wright as circuit preacher.
This plan was abandoned after one years
trial. At the conference of 1861 Charles
Martindale was appointed pastor. In 1862
1t was left 10 be supplied. In 1868 c. c.
Belts was appointed pastor and his salary
fixed at $500 OF this amount Roberts
Chapel agreed TO and paid 500. Mr. Belts
was transferred to Kansas City before the
year was half out and was succeeded by
Rev. William Wilson. After serving the
church for short time Rev Wilson adj
Vlsed the sale Of the church property and
the abandonment of the field. Arrange
ments were made 10 dispose Of the property
but the sale was prevented by the refusal
or one OF the trustees to sign the deed.
AN incident occurred during the earlier
history of the church which will illustrate
the reputation OF the charge I'm a certain
direction and be at the same time illustra-
tive of the habits OF the late Justice Nc
Lean. Of the United States Court When the
court adjourned on certain Saturday aft
ernoon he called member OF the bar (the
late Judge David McDonald) whom he
knew a Methodist to him and asked
where he could find a good class meeting
the next morning. Mr.. Mcdonald though
not member of that church. directed him
10 North street. The two went 10 the class
together. Judge Mclean spoke humhlvS
yet with fervor the leader duly exhorted
him to fidelity and passed on. The regular
attendance on religious services was his
custom all his life and everywhere
AT the annual conference held at Knights
pastor. Bishop Morris presided Hp ~ ,bet
conference. II is related that as the con-
ference was about to begin its first session
the bishop asked IL there was a flag on the
top of the building. Being answered thar
there was one ready he directed tina, tha
flag should be unfurled before the business
was begun.
THE new pastor started ont enerqe,icauv
and was warmly supported by the members
who had hitherto been connected with the
organization: Upon condition that a single
man should be appointed pastor about half
a dozen young men agreed TO become menu
bers OF the North-street Church. who had
been members OF Roberts Chapel. Thus
equipped, the pastor was rejoiced TO find
before the year was half closed that the
little house would not hold the people A
new church building was undertaken and
vas erected within the year following az n
cost OF S22OOO. At the close OF the confer
ence year $3.50 for benevolences was sent
to conference. Thus ended missionary an
preparation to North-street Church
The conference OF 1866 returned w ].
Nsgus 10 the charge. In December OF this
year the new church building was dedicated
by the Rev. T. NJ. Eddy and the Rev.
Thomas Bowman. At this time the name
was changed TO Trinity
CHARGE TRANSFERRED.
Rev. Reuben ID. Robinson was appointed
pastor by the conferences of 1857 and 1853
In 1868 the charge was transferred from
the North Indiana 10 the Southeast Indiana
Conference. James NJ. Crawford served the
church as pastor in 1869 and ls76. z. b.
Snyder was pastor in 1871. 1872 and 1873. and
jeremiah II. Bayless in 1874 1875 and 1876.
In the spring Of 1877 a change OF location
was decided upon. the lot now occupied was
leased and arrangements made for the
merging of Trinity and Observation-Disclosures
nue. congregations. DIR. Bayliss resigned
the pastorate and the Rev. y. r. Morgan
filled out the remainder OF the conference
year The frame church bdilding OF the
observation-disclosures organization was
moved TO the new location and fitted IN
tor occupancy. Afterward the Trinity
Church property was sold for $3.50. An