Rev. Bardin Bradbury, 1872-73, was born in 1811 in North Carolina and came to Indiana in 1837. He was a pronounced Abolitionist and while in Indiana, through inheriting an estate, became the owner of slaves, a practice strictly against his principles. North Carolina had very definite laws against freeing of slaves. Bradbury couldn't bring the slaves to Indiana and free them without posting a sizeable cash bond charge. He solved his dilemma by appointing a very trusted friend in North Carolina as manager of the affairs of his so-called slaves. They were free in every respect except legally. Their manager hired them out for work, gave each enough of his earnings to care for his immediate needs. The remainder of the wages was put in the bank.

Intellectual sermonsRev. Vessels, 1881-82, was an intellectual, his sermons appealed to the minds rather than the emotions of his congregation, a departure from the accepted style of preaching at the time.

Young at heartRev. John Ballinger, 1883-85, became quite ill in 1903 and requested supernumerary status. Later his health improved and he was much loved by everyone, especially the young people. His appointment was requested by Hamlet Church and it was said that "his heart was ever young".

Church HistorianRev. W. D. Archibald left Rolling Prairie and during a long pastorate at churches throughout the state of Indiana, began to gather and collect history. He worked diligently on church history through the United Methodist Archives at DePauw University up until his death at well over the age of ninety.

People's ManRev. George E. Hartz was often called a "minister of the people" because he was one of the first ministers to actually enter the pool hall on Depot Street in downtown Rolling Prairie. Rev. Hartz would go in and visit with men who were not regular church goers. He was much beloved because of his approach. Rev. Hartz and his wife, who had a large family, were responsible for many youth programs at the church

First WomanA startling appointment for the Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church in 1946 was when the District Superintendent sent Rev. Esther Miller to the church. As the first (and only) woman to serve the church, she brought a new perspective to the pastorate and the congregation.

Gone to PennsylvaniaRev. Hugh Ashby and his wife, June, left Indiana for a pastorate in Pennsylvania where they have retired. They helped keep the youth group going.

In OhioRev. Lynn Garth, said to be one of the tallest ministers to ever serve the Rolling Prairie  Church, moved to the Ohio Conference. 

Washington callsRev. Clyde Bachman and his wife, Elizabeth, left Indiana for a pastor in the State of Washington, where they still minister today.

Family orientedRev. Herbert Wingard and his wife, Mathil, also raised a large family while serving the Rolling Prairie Church. Herb, who left the South Bend District following Mathil's death, has served pastorates throughout Indiana.

Church BuilderRev. James E. Byrd and his wife, Mary, served the church when the administrative board made the decision to build a new church west of Rolling Prairie. Rev. Byrd served other churches in the South Bend District and retired to Arkansas.

TravelersRev. Albert Northrop brought his wife, Florence, to Rolling Prairie following his retirement as a United States Air Force chaplain. During a twenty-five (25) year career, Rev. Northrop traveled to England, Korea and Africa as a chaplain for servicemen. He often said the most difficult period of his pastorate was the first several months.   Particularly when Daniel Lenig died. "While in the Air Force, I used to go with the officers to tell the family  someone had been killed, but then I never saw them again. They always went home to their families. This time, I’ve got to get through the whole thing."   The Northrops were great antique lovers and had many beautiful things from around they world. They retired to a huge two-story brick home in Argos, "fifty miles away so I won't make problems for the new minister," Rev. Northrop announced when he retired.

Warm Fuzzies - Cold PrickliesRev. Kenneth Mahan came to his pastorate in Rolling Prairie on a motorcycle, sporting a leather jacket. He and his big white dog became a familiar sight. Ken married Bobbi in a beautiful ceremony at the church with a reception under a parachute tent. Ken directed and produced Easter dramas featuring many members of the congregation. One Easter morning, bags of "warm fuzzies and cold pricklies" were distributed to worshippers. Ken was instrumental in bringing many young people to the church through MYF and youth programs. He also served other churches in the district and is now at Albright United Methodist Churcin Mishawaka.

First PersonRev. Joseph Andrews presented first-person sermons as the Disciples of Jesus. He not only wore authentic costumes, one morning he (theatrically and very realistically) hung himself during his presentation as Judas Iscariot, the man who betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Joe's wife, Rebecca, an accomplished musician, and Marge Dickie, led the congregation and the choir in many unusual and beautiful services.

PeacemakerRev. Richard Pickering and his wife, Sally, brought even more drama to Rolling Prairie. Rick with his insightful sermons and Sally with a degree in theater. Christmas dramas presented in an elegant dinner-theater atmosphere were sold-out performances before rehearsal even began. Rick was responsible for beautiful living green plants at the church.

Scouts his passionRev. Ron Dixon and his wife, Barbara, brought their two sons with them to Rolling Prairie, and Ron brought years of experience with the Boy Scouts of America. Ron was also interested in computers. The Dixons moved to a church in the southern part of the district until Ron's appointment to St. Paul's United Methodist Church in South Bend.

Out-of-the-pulpitRev. Philip Lutz and his wife, Melinda, came to Rolling Prairie from Mexico - Mexico, Indiana, that is. Rev. Lutz, who worked with a fellow pastor in studying and planning sermons, began preaching from the sanctuary floor instead of the up-on-the-altar pulpit. He also volunteered to conduct two worship services, without pay. Phil was an active member of the Rolling Prairie Lions Club and loves to bake and decorate cakes for all occasions.

Pastoral Couple

Rev. Andrew Martin and his wife, Susan were both Methodist pastors.  Susan was an associate pastor for the LaPorte United Methodist Church.  Andy was interested in bringing young people to the church.

Proper Englishman

Rev. David Tripp, born March 4, 1940, in Lambeth, London, England, and adopted by the late Roger and Alma Tripp, had lived in Northern Indiana since 1991, coming from England.  Rev. Tripp received a BA from Cambridge University and his Ph.D. from the University of Leeds. He taught at Lincoln Theological College, Queen's College, Birmingham, England, The University of Notre Dame and Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.

While with the Methodist Church of Great Britain, he was a circuit minister from 1966 to 1988 and a superintendent minister from 1988 to 1991. From 1991 to the present he served three churches in the United Methodist North Indiana Conference, and, most recently, the Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church.

He was author of Renewal of the Covenant in the Methodist Tradition, published in 1969 in London, and editor of Calvin Washington Ruter's Brief Sketch of his life and itinerant labors, which will be published in 2008.

Rev. Tripp died very suddenly, following complications from knee surgery.  His death came soon after the disastrous fire that destroyed the church on May 5, 2006   Survivors included his wife, Rev. Diane Karay Tripp, a daughter, a son and six grandchildren.

Out of retirement

Dorothy Jones brought her southern grace and loving comfort to the church following the sudden death of Rev. Tripp.  Jones delighted the congregation with her "hugs" and wise counsel.  Her husband, Jeff Jones, is pastor of the Door Village United Methodist Church.