The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-03

Church has also been instrumental in start
ing and assisting a number of the younger
churches of Indianapolis and vicinity. Until
1869 there was not another church organiZa-
ton of this denomination in Indianapolis,
so that the history for the first forty years
almost, was made by the Central Church.
The descendants of many of the early fami-
lies nave helped to make these thirteen
churches what they are, and many of them
are still active members. Mr.. John ;. Dun
can is a grandson of DR.. John H. Sanders,
who was one of the early members, and a
number of the Buffers are active members
and are manifeSting an interest similar to
that of Ovid Butler, one of the founders. 1t
is his name that Butler College perpetuates.
A church was organized for the colored
people and was called the Second Church,
but for some reason IT was not greatly pros
pered, and in a few years 1T was abandoned,
but in 1869 the Third Christian Church was
organized at the corner of Ashland 2venue
and Thirteenth street. With the rapid
growth of Indianapolis, and probably be-
cause of the location of what was then
called the Northwestern Christian Univ ersi-
ty, now Butler College GOcated at Try ing
tom, a prosperous class of people livinS in
the northeast part of the city thought it
wise to have another church in that region.
This has been a very successful church,
and now has between 900 and 1000 members.
AT least three of its charter members. A. G..
ShOrtridge and r. NJ. Cosby and wife, are
still living and members of the church. The
ministers who have served this organiza-
tion have been Elijah Goodwin, one year,
1870 to 1871; John c. Miller, who began in
1871 anu COHlllQtu - dlIlOSL u years,
j. L. Parsons, served but a very short
term; William Holt was pastor one
year; a Mr.. Moore preached for one year;
r. T. Mathes was pastor three years; d.
r. Van Buskirk, who continued for the
longest term, twelve years, and was very
successful in increasing the strength of the
church,. Burris A. jenkins followed for a
term of three years; Carlos c.. Rollison
was for three years the shepherd, and the
present pastor, Charles B. Newman,
has been with this church one year. They
have pfoa proporty urOrth about s1S 900 hut
the rapid growth will make a new and
larger building an early necessity.
Among the official members of the Third
Church are such men as elders J. B. Siden-
er, William NJ. Cochran, j. w. P~arkhurst,
j. NJ. DUNCAN, j. W. Schaimsher, r. l..
Bradley and c. B. Newman; Deacons Ben
jamin Franklin, William Z. Avery, l.. f.
Brolaw, r. N. Bennett, III. B.. Burnett, r.
f. Davidson, DR.. NJ. II. Field. II. L. Hadley,
Walter Howe. George NJ. Henderson. George
F.. Homsher, II. l.. Hutson, John w. Inflow,
T. b. Laycock. William b. Little. NJ. F.
Maddox, II. CT. Martin, .. NJ. Pruitt, Richard
II. Reagan. Dora b. Scruggs, DIR. w. r.
Stewart, DR. F. G. Stewart, S. j. Taylor
and c. F.. Kennedy.
LATER ORGANIZATIONS.
The Fourth Church is the third in date Of
organization. 1t was the result of the COM
bination of two organizations, known as the
Bethlehem Church, located on Fayette
street. between Walnut and North streets,
and Salem Church, located at the corner
of Illinois and Thirteenth streets. This
combination was made in December, 1877.
The church building of the Bethlehem
Church was removed from Fayette street
TO the present location on North West
street. between st. Clair and Pratt streets.
The building of the Salem Church was
given TO the colored people, and is now
known as the Second Christian Church.
Isaac G. Tomlinson was the first pastor and
served the church for one year. Ten other
ministers have served the church, and the
present pastor, Rev. George NJ. Anderson,
has been pastor of this church for six years.
They now have a membership Of COO. The
church house was remodeled and enlarged
in 1901 at a cost of 5000.
The Sixth Christian Church is located on
the South Side, at the corner of Pine and
Elm streets. 1t has about 400 members and
is a vigorous and active organization. The
Rev. a. l.. circuit, the present pastor,
served the E~nglewood Church for about
five years before engaging with this one.
When Mr. circuit became pastor. a little