Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/589

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��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

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��Vernon Station, is one of tlie oldest in the count}'. It was organized as early as 1823 by Father Henni, at present Archbishop of Mil- waukee, Wis.

The first members of this organization were Matthias Ulmcheider, Joseph Kurtzman, Joseph Wensinger, Heinrich Dollinger, John Ritshlin, Theobald Singer, Carl Sutter, Mr. Heitsman, Mr. Richerd, Sebastian Scheibley, Gottleib Schuble, John Brodmann, Joseph Miller, Morris Keller, Mr. Ebner, Mr. Hinsky, Frederick Christen, Nicholas Bieglin and John Bom- gardner.

Forty acres of land, where the church stands, was entered, and the three first above named selected as Trustees, to whom this land was deeded.

A log church was erected in 1836 ; before its erection, meetings were occasionally held at the log cabins of the members.

In 1852, the present substantial and com- modious brick church was erected, costing about $2,600. This building would have cost much more than this, had not much of the material and labor been gratiutously furnished. It is about 45x75 feet in size.

A beautiful cemetery is attached, and also a fine brick parsonage, costing about $2,000. The inside of the church is nicely finished ; the four altars costing about $1,200, and the organ $1,200. The church was erected during the ministry of the Rev. Peter Creusch. The min- isters have been too numerous to receive men- tion here. Father Henni was followed by. Father Tchenhens, C. S. R., a celebrated missionar3^ The present Pastor is Rev. D. Zinsmayer, who entered upon his duties in 1877. The church is very strong numericalh' and financially, be- ing located in what is known as the " German Settlement," a settlement of thrifty, well-to-do farmers, living many of them in substantial brick houses, with well-cultivated and very rich farms. The land is generally level and soil deep.

��About one hundred families are at present connected with the church, seven of whom are Irish, three French and the remainder Germans.

In 1838, a school was established by Father Tchenhens, the first teacher being Jacob Alex. At present the school is conducted b}' three Sisters as teachers, from the Franciscan Con- vent of Tiffin, Ohio, with an attendance of eighty pupils.

The Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, of Shelb}', was organized in 1864, by Rev. H.

D. Best. The preliminary meetings of this so- ciety were held in the dwelling of W. E. Klees. The church was erected by Father Kuhn, and cost about $800. Father Kuhn was succeeded by Fathers Abel, Pitts, Gerardin, Euler, Zinz- mayer, Schmitz and IMurphy. The present Pastor is F. J. Oberly. Fifty-six families con- stitute the present membership. The school was organized in 1877 by the present Pastor. There is now an average attendance of forty- three children.

The Reform'ed Church of Shelby is located on Church street. In 1851, Rev. Joseph B. Thompson was Pastor of the Reformed congre- gations in the vicinity of Shelby. He held evening ser\dces once in four weeks in the M.

E. Church. January 19, 1852, the first meeting to take measures for the erection of a church was held in the Exchange Hotel, William Hawk being chosen President, and Jacob Kuhn Secre- tary. William Hawk and John Strock were chosen Trustees, and they, with J. H. Hershiser and John Bauchman, were constituted the Build- ing Committee.

The organization was eflfected with thirty- seven members ; Moses Crum and Samuel Nazor being elected Elders, and Jacob Kuhn Deacon. The day after the corner-stone was laid. Rev. J. B. Thompson resigned, and Rev. J. C. Klar supplied the congi-egation from June to the end of the year 1852. Rev. Adam Stump occasionally preached during the va- canc}'.

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