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

mat Name II tuulChNS NoAAC
Christian are now organized in thirteen
different bodies. scattered throughout the
various parts Of Indianapolis.
The original and first organization is
called the Central Christian Church, located
on Delaware street. at the crossing of Wal
nut street and Fort Wayne avenue. In a
brief historical sketch published by this
church, it designated itself as The congre-
cation of Disciples OF Christ. known as
the Central Christian Church Of Indianapo-
lis" 1t was organized on the twelfth day of
June. 1893. at a meeting held in the resi-
dence Of Benjamin Roberts, a log cabin
located on Illinois street. a short distance
north of Market street.
Early in 1922. John McClung settled in the
Immediate vicinity of the State capital. He
had taken a strong stand for the Bible
alone as a basis OF Christian union. He
was one OF the earliest preachers in the
pioneer days. The week after he first
delivered a sermon in Indianapolis, he died
and was buried on the banks of Fail creek,
about two miles from the business part of
this city. Among his associates were the
MaxwelIs, McIlvaines and Robertses. They
were not organized into a church, but were
in the habit OF meeting in the different
cabins when a strange preacher. or one
they had known in Kentucky or Ohio would
come this way. McClung, II is said, was a
good man and a man of good literary at
nme for that day. At an early day
he had settled In part Of what later be-
came Indiana, in what was then called
Clark's Grant. He had for his associates
the McCoIloughs. Tilfords, Hendersons and
MaxweIls. He preached I'm Jefferson coun-
~ and established churches, and later came
to central Indiana and died, as stated above,
soon after coming here.
Between 1922 and 1890 a small church was
constituted at Old Union, in the west part
of Marion county, by the Rev. James
Frazier. but it has long since passed out of
existence. In the immediate vicinity Of this
original church are two churches, sustained
by the descendants of the members of the
first named. The present churches are
Clermont ard Ebenezer. Doubtless from
this first seed sowing has grown much Of
what Is TO be found in Indianapolis. At the
semi-centennial OF the Central Church, 1t
was said that the early Christians seemed
to regard the towns as unfavorable places
for churches; I'm fact, they would say, God
made the country and man made the towns,
hence IL was best to establish churches in
the country. This Is given by good au-
thority as the reason that NO effort was
made to organize a Disciples Church in
Indianapolis previous TO 1893.
A DISTINGUISHED NAME.
DR.. John II. Sanders, of New Castle, KY,
located In this city in 1892. He was a man
OF good address and soon found a number
Of brethren with whom ne associated him
self. He was favorably received, and be-
came an associate of Butler K. Smith and
Carey Smith. DR.. Sanders had come from
Kentucky soon after tho division, and the
union OF some Baptists. under the lead Of
John Smith and the Creaths, and Of the
Disciples under the leadership of b. w.
Stone and the Rogerses. and he was full of
his doctrine, and soon united those Of his
own views. In the winter of 1892 and 33, at
the solicitation of DR.. Sanders, John O'Kane
made his first visit TO indianapolis. On his
first coming he was not able to secure a
place for public worship, but he preached
several times Ia the log cabin of Benjamin
Roberts, on Illinois street. AT that time
the Legislature was in session and on ac-
count OF the courthouse being used by said
body during the week days, he could not use
1t except on Saturday night and Sunday. On
Sunday he preached to a large audience in
the presence of the Legislature. His pre-
sentation Of the gospel made an impression
and awakened a great deal of interest in
the community, and doubtless intensified
the OPPOSITION that had been manifested
previously. The doctrines that had been
received with derision were now given
respectable consideration. The results of
this first visit Of Mr.. O'Kane were the BAN