Pine Creek Church

(1852-)

The Gospel Messenger Dec. 26, 1914 page 830 Vol. 8 No. 52

A History of the Pine Creek Church, Ind.

BY ANDREW M. RUPEL.

During the early part of the last century the Brethren came into the Northern part of Indiana. A very large territory, extending from South Bend southward beyond Plymouth, was included in what was called the South Bend District. Bro. Abraham Whitmer, of Sumptions Prairie, and Brethren Jacob and David Miller, of Portage Prairie, came into this locality on regular dates, and preached in the homes and schoolhouses. In this way they planted the first seed, from which have grown the North Liberty, the Pine Creek, the Blissville, the Union and the Salem congregations. They planted better than they knew. In 1852 Bro. Washington Fenson (a minister) moved within the boi nds of what is now the Pine Creek congregation. The same year Bro. David Rupel was called to the ministry. He built his house with large double doors, so as to use it for a house of worship, as well as for a home. In 1854 the Pine Creek congregation was organized, with Brethren W. Fenson and David Rupel as ministers, and Bro. Abram Whitmer, of South Bend, as elder.

  In 1856 Bro. David Rupel was ordained to the eldership and given the oversight of the church. The first deacons were Brethren William Johnson, Abraham and Michael Miller. In 1857 the official force was strengthened by the coming of Bro. John Barnhart, and the election of Brethren John Knisley and John Hoover to the ministry; also Brethren J. A. Long and Abraham Stump as deacons. Soon after that, Brethren Jacob and Isaac Thomas, also ministers, moved here. In 1864 Brethren David Clem, A. Abshire and A. M. Rupel were chosen to the deacon's office. At this time the Union church, with the territory south, was divided from Pine Creek. Then, also, the homes and schoolhouses were too small to accommodate the people in attendance at services. So, in 1866, the East and the West houses were built. The East house was built large, and used for holding love feasts.

  In 1867 two ministers, Brethren Elias Steele and George Barnhart, came here. Between the years 1870 and 1873 Brethren D. W. Rupel, Samuel Culler, Jacob Hawblitzel and G. E. Steele were chosen deacons.

  In 1875 Bro. A. B. Peters and A. M. Rupel were elected to the ministry. The Blissville house was built in 1875, and the Center house in 1877. These facts give evidence of the work our fathers did, and of the influence of God's Word on the hearts of the people. In 1878 Brethren Allen Maurer and James Brown were chosen deacons. In 1882 Bro. Jacob Summers was elected to the ministry, and Brethren Jesse Thomas and Jacob Jimmerson were chosen deacons. About this time Brethren Jacob Hildebrand and G. W. Armentrout (ministers) moved into the congregation. In 1884 Brethren J. G. Waggoman and S. N. Eversole were elected ministers. In 1888 Brethren Jacob Hildebrand and A. B. Peters were ordained to the eldership. Bro. Levi Pippenger, a deacon, came into the congregation in 1894. The following ministers moved here and remained only a short time : Bro. L. E. Miller, in 1891; Bro. Lemuel Hillery, in 1894; Bro. Edward Ruff, in 1896; Bro. D. H. Weaver, in 1897; Bro. Jacob Heistand, in 1906; and Bro. John M. Markley, in 1912. Brethren William Long, M. S. Morris and C. F. Rupel were chosen to the deacon's office in 1897. In 1898 Bro. C. F. Rupel was elected to the ministry; Brethren David Ruff and S. Burkholder were chosen deacons, and A. M. Rupel was ordained as elder. In 1902 Bro. Lafayette Steele was elected to the ministry; Brethren G. Stump, Jacob Freed and Chris. Killian were chosen deacons.

  In 1904 Brethren C. F. Rupel and Lafayette Steele were advanced to the second degree of the ministry. In 1910 Brethren William Summers and William Killian were chosen to the deacon's office. In 1912 Bro. James Kesler was elected to the ministry, and Bro. Lafayette Steele was ordained elder. In June, 1912, the southern part of the congregation asked for the privilege of organizing into a separate congregation, which was granted them. The organization is known as the Blissville congregation. Pine Creek now has only two houses of worship. The conditions of the East house became such that the congregation decided to remodel it. That has been done, with a credit to every one that has helped with the work. More than this,—we shall hope and labor that it will be the means of giving God much glory.

  In 1913 Brethren Arthur Long and Jacob Gensinger were chosen deacons, and in 1914 Bro. Ira C. Isenhour, a minister, moved here. The present officials are as follows : Brethren Andrew Rupel and Lafayette Steele, elders; Bro. I. C. Isenhour, minister; Brethren D. W. Rupel, Jacob Hawblitzel, Allen Maurer, William Long, David Ruff, G. Stump, M. S. Morris, William Summers, Arthur Long and Jacob Gensinger, deacons. The congregation now has 213 members. The work done at present, in the regular preaching services, the Sunday-schools, the Christian Workers' Meeting, and along individual lines, is growing rapidly and is proving that God is working through his people at this place.

North Liberty, Ind.