Histories for the churches listed
below are being worked on at the present time. In time we hope to
gather many of the histories of the churches pictured below. But this all takes
time. If you have a history on any of the
LaPorte County Old Houses of
Worship and would like to share it with us and/or contribute photos of the
same,
contact us at laportecountyin@yahoo.com
Also
See the History of LaPorte County where many are mentioned.
| La Porte County Photos | ||
 Carmel Church New Durham Twp |
 Pinhook Church New Durham Twp |
 Newer Church St. Mary's at Otis New Durham Twp |
 Waterford Christian Church Circa 1905 |
~ |  Original St. Mary's at Otis Destroyed by fire in 1917 New Durham Twp |
Coolspring Churches
Presbyterian Church
Services were held in homes and then school
houses until the first church was built in about 1855 near Waterford. This was
the only known church building in township during the early part of the history
there in. The church was really a union church and was used by several
denominations.
New Durham Churches
The History of Carmel Chapel and Cemetery
By Bruce R. Johnson
In the year of 1869, many Swedish families were settling in and near
the hills located in southeastern Coolspring, southwestern Center, northwestern
Scipio, and northeastern New Durham Townships of La Porte County, Indiana. Many
of these people were members of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of La
Porte now known as Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church.
It was very trying and difficult to make the
journey to La Porte as the roads were bad. Walking or horse and buggy
transportation was very slow and time consuming. It would often require from
one and one-half to two hours to make the trip, depending on the time of year.
These settlers were church-minded and believed they had a sufficient number of
members to erect a house of worship near or centrally located to each family. A
spot was suggested in the northeastern corner of New Durham Township.
A meeting of the Swedish settlers was called on
April 14, 1872. Mr. John Anderson was chosen chairman and John Bard, secretary.
After some discussion it was decided to purchase from John Peterson an acre of
land sixteen rods north and south and ten rods east and west. The purchase
price was $70.00. If necessary, five years was allowed to pay for it at 10%
interest. However, it was fully paid in a few months. The title of the land was
in the name of Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Durham Township of La
Porte, County, Indiana. These settlers were first concerned to erect a
schoolhouse or house of worship, which was done promptly, and a carriage house
was built near the road for the pastor’s horse and buggy. Sunday School
and worship services were held on Sunday afternoons by the pastor of Bethany in
La Porte. Services were conducted in the Swedish language. Bible School was
held for many years in the summer.
On August 9,
1874 thought was given to have a place of burial near this house of worship,
which was an old custom. Twenty lots were plotted at 16 X 16 feet with an aisle
of 8 feet. There were three aisles north and south with five lots facing each
aisle. These lots were sold for $4.00 and $3.00, due to location, and promptly
purchased in a few months. Soon over 40 lots were plotted and added.
On June 5, 1882 the name was chosen as Swedish
Evangelical Lutheran Carmel Chapel and Carmel Cemetery. It was also decided to
register and incorporate the chapel and cemetery in accordance with state laws.
About 1915 the cemetery and chapel were only called
Carmel. The Swedish language was dropped. The cemetery was then opened to all
people regardless of church affiliation. Additional land was purchased in 1904.
Later, more land was donated by the Ryden estate. The early purchasers of lots
placed a curb or fence around their lots, which raised them above the aisles.
In 1937 lot owners were requested to remove the
curbstones and fences, which was eventually done. This was done in order to
take care of the cemetery more easily. A Civil War veteran named Andrew Johnson
was the first person buried in the cemetery. Nearly all of the original
settlers are now resting in Carmel Cemetery. Some of the more prominent family
names are Anderson, Carlson, Erickson, Garwood, Gustafson, Johnson, Larson,
Lindborg, Magnuson, Olson, Palm, and Swanson. During 1917 a group thought it
well to establish a fund that could be invested and the interest used to assist
in the upkeep of the cemetery. The amount of $1300.00 was collected within a
few days. When the Carmel Endowment Fund reached $2000.00, it was invested at a
rate of 5% interest and so held for several years.
In 1946 the Carmel Cemetery Board of Trustees
decided to transfer the property to the Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church of
La Porte, Indiana, but received the privilege to elect their own board members
at the annual meeting which is held on the Sunday before Memorial Day. The
Board members are elected for three years and can be re-elected. The board
members must be members of Bethany Lutheran Church.
Baptist Church - Westville - . Arrival of many Baptist families was in 1856 (circa)
Christian Church
of Westville and was formed in about 1857 a
building was built in 1859. Elder H. Z. Leonard was the first pastor.
Methodist Church
New Durham Township, Pinhook town
In 1847
a Methodist church was built in New Durham and the first minister was Rev. J.
J. Cooper. Rev. Mr. Parrott, previous to that time, had conducted religious
services for the Methodists in private homes.
This church, although services
are no longer held there, is the oldest standing church building in the county.
Lutheran Church of Westville, Indiana - The Lutherans arrived in about 1855.
Methodist Episcopal Church in Otis - first service in 1870.
St. Mary's Catholic Church in Otis - First church was built in
1872 and completed in the Spring of 1873. Many of the first parishioners were
from Keynia, Szubin and Krolikowo, Posen (which at that time was a part of
Germany). Reverend Szulak, blessed the new church. Pastors from the beginning
of the church to 1932 were:
Rev. Peter Koncz and remained until July of
1875.
Rev. Louis Machdzicki 1875 to August 1881.
Rev. Urban Raszkiewicz
August 6, 1881 to 1909 when he died.
1909 to 1914 the following priests
served at St. Mary's - Rev. Alexander Buechler,
Rev. Peter Budnik
Rev.
Thomas Jankowski
Rev. John Wroblewski became pastor on July 6, 1914. He and
the parishioners redecorated the interior and the exterior of the church.
In
February 21, 1917, a fire destroyed the church. The only building left standing
was the school house where services were temporarily held.
Another sad note
should be added here. When the church and rectory burned, all church and
cemetery records were lost.
In 1918 A new church building was started. And
in May 1919 the new church was completed. Father Wroblewski "boarded out" until
the new rectory was completed in 1922.
Rev. John Biernacki served for
approximately five years (1927 to 1932.
On September 15, 1932 Rev. John
Biernacki and Rev. John S. Hosinski exchanged parishes.
Methodist Church in Westville, Indiana was built in 1843 and
later sold to the Catholic Church. A new church was built circa, 1867-68. At a
later date the same building was sold to the Lutherans.
The official name of
the church today is United Methodist Church. Caleb Mock was the pastor
from the fall of 1866 to Sept. 1868. Daniel West, a fine Christian
and public-spirited citizen, bequeathed $5000 to the church; and by the
subscription of friends, in addition, the building was made possible. Before
this Rev. James Armstrong, a Methodist minister arrived around 1832 he found a
clan of Methodists already meeting at the home of William Eahart, under the
direction of Jehemiah Sherwood. The new church was built in 1931-32.
Union Chapel was the first church within New Durham Township and was built in 1839 in section 34.
Universalist Church -
1837 to 1838 - William C. Talcott -
Served as probably the 1st minister.
La Porte County Indiana Gen Web
Copyright 2006