The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20

ments of indianapolis Methodism, and it is
largely what the men and women who first
went into these organizations made them
that determined the character of the work
OF this denomination. There has been dur
Ing most of the past years of their history
a healthy rivalry, and at times each has
had laudable ambition not only TO do its
work well, but, If possible. to surpass the
other. When the territory was divided into
eastern and western charges in 1912 the di-
vision marked the beginning of what later
became Roberts Park 1t was first known
In 1Si5 Roberts Chapel, and the first
house was erected on Market street where
a part of the Lemcke building now stands.
1t continued under this name until 1870,
when IL was changed to Roberts Park. The
division of the Indianapolis field occurred
at the conference at Connersville in 1872.
when Bishop Roberts was presiding, and
for him the new organization was no doubt
named. AT that time the Indianapolis sta
ton had 610 members and Rev. John S.
Bayless, an eloquent kentuckan, was
placed in charge of the eastern division.
When he called together the Methodists
who lived east of Pennsylvania street he
congregation, without house of worship
without trustees, class leaders or stewards
Until house of worship can be prepared
propose to preach. and If no other arrange
ment can be made give me dry goods box
on the street" This bold declaration
caused many to rally to his support. For Il
time the courthouse was used. The lot at
the corner of Market and pennsylvania
streets was purchased for $500 and il was
sold when the church removed to its pres
ent location, in 1868, to Judge Il. b. Martin
dale, for $4,000. In the language of a Meth
odist brother, Roberts Chapel called to-
gether a society of men and women who
made the ground at the corner of Market
and Pennsylvania streets very Bethel-a
recruiting station for Indiana Methodism.
Something of the struggles through which
these members passed may be learned by
the fact that they purchased their lot in 1S43
and in the spring of that year the building
was begun, the cornerstone laid and the
basement completed. The first report
showed 322 members, 206 in the Sunday
school. 500 volumes in the library, with Cal
win Fletcher superintendent. In the fall
of 1874 the church building was inclosed, the
inside work was done during the winter
and the basement was occupied early in the
year lS45. The entire church was completed
in the year 1876. 1t was a twO-stOry build
ing with audience room in the upper story
and gallery across one end. The work was
done at cost of 5000, and II is said ii was
member. both rich and poor. The sub
scriptions varied from one of $500, one of
$40, four of 500 EACH seven of $780, five
500. eighteen $50 and 255 from 81 to SIS.
About one-half of the entire amount was
made up of the smaller contributions.
ROBERTS CHAPEL CHANGE.
Until the year 1864 it was the custom for
the men and women to occupy pews on the
opposite sides of the house. After much
discussion between the older members and
the younger and more modern people, the
quarterly conference decided that the men
and women should no longer be divided.