ROLLING PRAIRIE

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH HISTORY

The roots of Methodism go as deep as the roots of the gigantic oak tree that was planted during the early 1800's in the dooryard of a home across the road from the cemetery where many of the earliest settlers rest today.

The earliest settlers arrived in 1829 and Philip Fail was among them. Fail brought his Indian wife to Kankakee Township where he built a log cabin that would become the birthplace of the first white male born in LaPorte County. The original Kankakee Township covered what is today eight townships of the county and was authorized by Congressional order.

A history of the county published by Jasper Packard "History of LaPorte County Indiana," in 1876, describes the area as "prolific in beauty and a region lovelier than in all the west." Packard also stated the region was in:

The first religious leader in the area was Father Chadron, a Catholic priest stationed at Niles, Michigan in 1711. Father Chadron traveled on foot to Lake Michigan by way of Rolling Prairie, according to a history written by E.D. Daniels., "LaPorte County" dated 1904, Indians left their camps at Fort Detroit in Michigan to travel a trail to Illinois and Wisconsin that would later be named the Sac Trail. For years, travelers followed the winding trail through the countryside from Michigan to the west side of LaPorte county. The trail would later become known as the "Michigan Road". The road was commissioned by the United States in 1826 when Pottawattomie Indians ceded a strip of land one hundred (100) feet wide across the state of Indiana. This strip was to be used for a road from Lake Michigan to the Ohio River.

The Sac Trail (later the Michigan Road) wound through the prairie and past a tiny settlement in a grove of trees close to a spring supplying fresh water to travelers. As they traversed the trail, the Indians would pause to rest in a grove of trees close to a spring supplying fresh water to travelers. The Indians rested at "Nauvoo", a cluster of crude cabins fashioned from logs cut from trees in the heavy woods nearby.

Nauvoo was a sleepy village where settlers shared daily life with the Indians. The settlers traveled south about a mile to a bustling community called "Byron". Supplies were sold in the settlement which boasted a post office, grocer store, frame houses, shops and stores, a schoolhouse, a church and a hotel. There were also halls for public meetings sponsored by Temperance Societies and other groups, and a large grain warehouse used to store huge grain harvests brought in by the settlers.

The earliest worship services were conducted in rude log cabins, log school houses, and finally church buildings fashioned with the greatest of care. Congregations were formed by followers of many religions who put aside divisions of sect to participate in a "true pioneer spirit or continuity."

In 1849 the hotel at Byron was so busy an addition was built, but the boom didn't last long. Both of the little towns, Nauvoo and Byron, were drastically changed when the Northern Indiana Railroad passed through the area. The railroad was laid out south of Nauvoo, but quite a distance from Byron and the town began a slow death.

Politicians hoping to build the county courthouse in Byron brought the noted orator, Daniel Webster, for the dedication of the new railroad, but the county seat was moved to LaPorte anyway.

FIRST METHODIST CAMP MEETING

The first Camp Meeting was organized by Hoosier Methodists in 1808, (but there is no further information).  In 1804 a log cabin was built at Gazaway's (thought to be in Galena Township). Unfortunately, the 20-by-18 foot log cabin was accidentally burned before it was roofed and floored.

The first cabin on the site of Rolling Prairie was built by Ezekiel Provolt in the spring of 1831. The land was later purchased by W.J. Walker, who laid out the plats and recorded the legal name as "Portland". The town was later named Rolling Prairie by an unknown U.S. Postal employee when two towns named Portland were found on postal records.

Provolt built his second cabin on thirty-six (36) acres he purchased for forty-five dollars, ($45.00). His son, Johnny, intrigued by the Indians, watched as the "savages" stood around a kettle filled with live turtles. The Indians used sticks to push the turtles into the water as they struggled to escape. Johnny watched the proceedings from the limbs of a young burr oak tree in the front door yard of the Provolt cabin, until his father admonished him to stop bending the tree.

Ezekiel Provolt was a tall, powerful man who won the friendship of the Powattomie Indians. After his death at the age of thirty-nine (39) his casket was placed in the front yard under the burr oak tree and the Indians filed past to have a last look at the white man they loved and respected.

Provolt's house is the house that stands across the street from the Rolling Prairie Cemetery and in the dooryard of the same burr oak tree Johnny Provolt climbed. The tree now towers over the house built by Provolt's widow in 1845. The house was built with a set of double doors equipped with heavy locks and hinges for Mrs. Provolt wasn't as sure of the Indian's friendship as her husband had been.

The first presidential election in LaPorte County was conducted in the Provolt cabin near the cemetery. The year was 1832 and there were 37 names on the poll list.

Kankakee Township also had the dubious honor of recording the first murder in LaPorte County. David Scott shot Joshua M. Copeland as he followed him on horseback. After Copeland fell from his horse, mortally wounded by a shot in the back of his head, Scott removed four hundred ($400) dollars in silver and seven hundred dollars ($700) in gold from the body. Scott, later captured, was tried and found guilty. Sheriff Sutton Van Pelt was paid six hundred dollars ($6.00) for Scott's hanging on June 15, 1837.

Religion came to Kankakee Township in the early 1830's when Myron Ives settled in Rolling Prairie. Presbyterians began meeting in Alexander Blackburn's cabin near the Provolt cabin. Ives was instrumental in the construction of the Presbyterian Church, located where the Joseph and Cecelia Miller home on Poplar Street, stands today.

The Christian Church built their religious home in 1834, and that building stands today much as it was built, with an addition completed in 1887 and another in 1888. The Methodist congregation began meeting in Byron in 1835, but there was also a church known as the Buckeye Church. Mention of the church does not include any information on its location.

C. B. Mock wrote in 1835:

The next record of religious activity in the area was the 1843 organization of a circuit called Terre Coupee which lasted until 1850. Preaching places on the Terre Coupee Circuit were at Posey Chapel, Towner's Class, Kellog's Class, Dawson's Class, Birdsell's Class, Ferguson's, Carrie's, Defreese's and Rush's. A report listed a collection of $21.15 for weddings throughout the year.

In 1846 some of the appointments were discontinued and the work moved westward, embracing Springfield and New Buffalo. Also in 1848 a small house in Byron was purchased to be used as a parsonage for the newly formed North Indiana Conference. Abraham Salsberry was the preacher. On the circuit were Posey Chapel, Hudson Schoolhouse, Mount Pleasant, Dawson's, Webb's School House, Springville, Terre Coupee and Byron.

The Circuit had 174 members and 25 probations. Preachers on the circuit were paid $262.17, with the presiding elder receiving $31.11.

J.L. Smith concluded eleven (11) years as presiding elder in 1852, the name of the circuit was changed to New Carlisle, and it was moved to the South Bend District.

By 1856, the Rolling Prairie Circuit, a part of the LaPorte District, was formed with the following appointments: Posey Chapel - $21.12; Byron - $22.43; Pleasant - $13.25; Summit - $8.25; Salem - $20; and Lamb's Chapel - $19.25. No collections were credited to Bethel, Rones, Bald Hill, or Redding, but public collections brought in $12.45.

The Conference report for 1856 showed one hundred sixty-six (166) members, eight (8) probations, four (4) Sunday Schools with three hundred eight (308) scholars and five (5) churches valued at two thousand dollars ($2,000).

In 1859 the circuit, including Portland, Byron, Posey Chapel, Mount Pleasant and Lamb's Chapel, was renamed Portland.

Preacher Joice was married in the bounds of the work in 1858. In 1860 D.G. Barnes was returned to the circuit. Because of the feeble state of the circuit's finances, Daniel A. Grimes took over. That same year, Grimes married Sarah Teeter, the daughter of Henry Teeter. Henry Fraley and John Leach headed the circuit from 1861 to 1864 and Leach conducted several successful revivals despite a great personal depression he experienced following the death of this wife.

When John E. Newhouse was appointed to the circuit in 1864 he found disorganization, no class meetings, and no class books. Newhouse bought books and organized the circuit into classes, all the time complaining that people were not "Methodized". Newhouse said he "found a body without a head - a Rolling Prairie Circuit, but no Rolling Prairie Church."

Newhouse and presiding Elder S.T. Cooper started a subscription campaign on Feb. 3, 1865, that resulted in a contract to build a church. Jacob Folant was the contractor whose crew commenced work in June, 1865. The church was completed throughout, including furnishings, by January 30, 1866. Dedicatory sermons were given by Rev. T. M. Eddy of Chicago, Elder Cooper, and Rev. E. Holdstock.

The original contract for the church was for $3,400, excluding the furnishings. After the dedication, Rev., Newhouse recorded one hundred seventy-one (171) contributions: twenty-five dollars ($24.00) - old church at Byron; fifty-five dollars ($55.00) - old house; and ten dollars ($10.00) from teachers at Westville School.

C.B. Mock wrote that he noted no marked revival influence under the labors of Rev. Newhouse, but Mock said Newhouse diligently prepared the field for an abundant harvest brought in by James H. Claypool the following year. This was probably due to the great effort expended in financing and building the new church.

Rev. Newhouse wrote:

In 1868, C.B. Mock took the work, even though in feeble health. Three appointments, Rolling Prairie, Posey Chapel, and Maple Grove, were his responsibilities until December when Levi Moore assisted him. Mock received seven hundred dollars ($700); Moore received two hundred dollars ($200) and Presiding Elder James Johnson received one hundred dollars ($100).

Preaching was resumed at Lamb's Chapel that summer, and some improvement was made on church property. A neat wire fence was erected around the Rolling Prairie Church; a well was sunk at the parsonage for a cost of thirty-five dollars ($35.00); and an organ was installed at Posey Chapel for one hundred dollars ($100.00). In 1869 Maple Grove put a good Smith organ into their church with fifty dollars ($50) of the two hundred dollar ($200) price donated by Mock.

Sister Goit, one of the charter members of Posey Chapel, died on July 21, 1870, and was buried in the Posey Chapel cemetery high on the hill overlooking Galena Township and parts of Michigan. Gene Moore served as preacher for the last part of the conference year.

J.L. Boyd was appointed to the charge in September, 1870 and was paid a salary of eight hundred dollars ($800) paid in full. He was known as a good preacher and expert horse trader and debater. S.C. Platts worked as an assistant and was paid two hundred dollars ($200.)

G.R. Streeter, described as quite a young man, was sent to the charge in September 1875, with a salary fixed at six hundred ninety-five dollars ($695.00). Records show he received four hundred eighty dollars ($480), and found a wife in what was termed "a good year for G.R."

H.R. Middleton, pastor of the Rolling Prairie Circuit for three years, came in 1878. He left two hundred forty-six (246) members when he went to Michigan City.

The old parsonage near the church (the two-story house directly north of the Rolling Prairie Branch, LaPorte County Library) was sold and a "good and commodious house in another part of the village was bought for the difference of seven hundred dollars ($700)."  That house is at 201 West Walker Street.

Rev. W. G. Vessles moved to the parsonage from North Platte, Nebraska, in September 1881. The new parsonage is the home today occupied by Charles and Marcia Porter on West Walker Street.

Over one hundred (100) converts were received by Rev. John B. Smith, who was the preacher for three years. He reported his years on the Rolling Prairie Circuit were the most pleasant of his life. At Maple Grove in the winter of 1855-1856, over fifty (50) people joined the church in one meeting - and nearly all remained faithful. When Smith left, the record listed two hundred seventy-six (276) members and ten (10) probations.

This point in history is when the oldest record book of the church ends.

The 44th annual session of the Northwest Indiana Conference was conducted at LaPorte First United Methodist Church from September 11 to September 16, 1895. A direct quote from the conference minutes states:

Fifth day of conference: Monday, September 16 - C.D. Royce stated that the church in Rolling Prairie had been destroyed by fire yesterday, and he moved that a collection be taken to aid in rebuilding. D.M. Wood moved to substitute that we extend our sympathy and that we commend the case to the Board of Church Extension. The substitute was accepted and the motion prevailed."

Records show that Edwin J. Teeter was the lay delegate to the 44th conference from the Rolling Prairie congregation. 

After the loss of the church, Rev. George Cramer was preacher for a year and no serious attempts were made towards rebuilding.

LEAGUE TAKES THE LEAD

In September of 1897, Rev. Wm. Davis was appointed pastor of the Rolling Prairie Charge during annual conference. Davis was a go-getter, and immediately set about the task of rebuilding the church. The foundation was laid that fall before winter set in and in the spring of 1896 the church was finished.

The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Clarence C. Royse, preacher of the old church when it was destroyed by fire. He was on a leave of absence to attend DePauw University at Greencastle.

The contractors for the new church were: Henry Reese, father of Joseph Reese, Rolling Prairie, and Joseph Wainscott, New Carlisle. Carpenters who worked on the church were: Joe Reese, Charles Reese, Nathaniel Wade, Walter Reese, Mr. Quay, Bert Hooton, and Mr. Sandmier. Robert Brockway, New Carlisle, did the painting and finishing with his sons, Charles and Roy, and Mr. Morehouse and Mr. Loomis as assistants.

The church was built over a very small basement just small enough to permit installing a furnace, which was done immediately. The new church cost three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) paid to the contractor in cash raised by subscription. Its exterior was covered with white clapboard siding, and it looked much as the building does today, except for enlargement of the back entry and installation of new front doors. The steeple stood high above the church and the town.

The foundation was laid by Emil and Cecil Danielson and another man from LaPorte who boarded with the Henry Reese family during the time they worked on the church.

Frank Tappan, New Carlisle, did the plastering, assisted by Roy Tappan, Ernie Eckert, and Charles Tappan, Rolling Prairie, as the tender.

Ernie Eckert was plastering over the pulpit, before the flooring was laid, when the scaffold he stood on broke. Eckert plunged between the floor joists, only fourteen (14) inches apart. Eckert fell into the dirt in the basement. To everyone's astonishment, he was only shaken up and suffered no serious injuries.

Another helper, William Rogers, was not as fortunate. He became sick not too long after the church was completed and it was for him the bell first tolled in the new church. The bell was donated to the church by the Huntsman sisters in memory of their father.

The woodwork was finished in its natural color and varnished and the pews, made in Michigan, were assembled and finished by Joe and Charles Reese, who also installed them.

The white clapboards were complimented with wooden shutters painted black and plain golden stained glass was installed in the windows. Sliding doors that divided the back room from the main sanctuary also contained golden stained glass. The altar was three steps up from the main floor with a railing around its sides. A huge carved oak pulpit stood at the center of the altar and was approached by parishioners during communion services.

By 1900, and during the pastorate of Ulysses M. Creath, his wife sparked a drive to purchase a reed parlor organ, used constantly until its replacement by a Hammond spinet organ in 1952. The reed organ was sold to a church in LaPorte.

Revivals were conducted during the winter months, possibly until the area of student pastors. A large portion of the citizenry of the town attended the revivals, there was no competition from radio, movies, and other forms of modern entertainment. Sunday evening services were also conducted as well as Wednesday evening prayer meeting.

Rev. Harry A. Price, 1919, was the first in a succession of student pastors who served the church. Students at Garrett Biblical Institute in Evanston, Il., were responsible for the work of the church until 1933 when H. L. McBride became pastor. Other students served in the Rolling Prairie pulpit until 1953.

The students were in Illinois during the week, and only served on weekends, making it difficult to conduct revivals and mid-week prayer meetings. Fridays the students would ride to Rolling Prairie on the New York Central, arriving in LaPorte and taking the Michigan City-South Bend street car to the depot at the station which was later converted into a home by Burl and Pauline Porter. The house is at the south end of Depot Street.

Sometimes the student pastors brought entertainers with them such as "Kiutus Tecumseh," American Indian, who had written a popular song and was noted as a singer.

During these years the higher criticism of the Bible was being developed in the Methodist theological schools and some of the student pastors were bold enough to air their conclusions - such as they didn't believe the burning bush actually burned.

Catholic immigrants from Poland arrived in Indiana when priests from Terre Coupee, east of New Carlisle, began offering mass in cabins a short distance from the present St. John Kanty Church in Galena Township. The first church was built in 1890 at a cost of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for a small white frame building used as a parish hall after a large two-story brick church was built in 1924. The congregation built a new parish hall in 1977 at the rear of the church property. The congregation also maintains a rectory for the priest adjacent to the church on 600E. Originally called St. John's Cantius Catholic Church, the name was changed to St. John's Kanty in the late 1970s by a priest who preferred the Polish spelling.

Baptists established small churches throughout the county and at one time there were more than twenty (20) Baptist churches in the various townships. Several small cemeteries in Wills, Galena, and other townships are all that remains of those churches and their congregations.

In 1850 residents of Galena Township established a Disciples of Christ congregation, but it is not know if that was at the location of the present Galena Baptist Church on 1000N. The history of many of these religious groups has been lost in time.

The Rolling Prairie Christian Church was built in 1834 and still stands today although the building has an addition containing a large sanctuary with basement classrooms and kitchen.

In the early 1920s cooperation between the Christian and Methodist churches of Rolling Prairie increased to a point that committees from both churches understood the study of unifying the two. Unification efforts broke down over the inability to compromise beliefs on baptism and communion. The Christian Church congregation wanted total immersion as baptism and the Methodists preferred sprinkling.

Nevertheless the fine cooperation between the two congregations continued and each year Union Services were conducted on Thanksgiving, Holy Week preceding Easter and Memorial Sundays.

Members of the Rolling Prairie Methodist Church's Official Board in 1922 were: Edgar Pratt, William Reese, Philip Teeter, Reeves Moore, Frank Rogers, Marion Switzer, W.W. Ludtke, Mrs. W. W. (Floss) Ludtke, Mrs. Orlando (Carrie) Jones, Mrs. William Reese, Mrs. J. M. Cissne and Minnie B. Austin.

Pratt was church sexton for many years and besides his janitorial duties, always took the collection in a light varnish finished rectangular box fastened on a long varnished pole, permitting him to pass it full length of the pews without releasing his hold on it.

William Reese was Sunday School Superintendent for many years, and Floss Ludtke was a faithful decorator of the church altar for years. Carrie Jones was an active member of the Ladies Aid, and also did a great deal of home visiting on behalf of the church. Minnie Austin served as President of the Ladies Aid for many years and also on the church board.

Post World War I times were antagonistic to church going, it was not the popular thing to do. At times during the 1920s and the early years of the Depression, attendance at worship dropped to a handful and forty (40) to fifty (50) persons at Sunday School was considered as a crowd.

At one time during this period, possibly when the church was on the circuit with New Carlisle and limited to evening worship only, there was talk of discontinuing the church and having Sunday School classes only. This suggestion was dismissed and during the latter part of the Depressions the condition of the church became and has continued to become stronger.

Rev. W.D. Archibald served the church from 1939-41 and provided additional history.

Pastor Clyde Bachman reported Wheatbrook told him during a heavy rainstorm, Rev. Archibald rushed to the Wheatbrook home to report the newly dug dirt walls were crumbling in and he though the church in danger of dropping into the new basement. Quick thinking by Archibald, Wheatbook and Harold Wolcott resulted in a solution. The men placed heavy posts across the corners of the newly dug basement under the sills of the church.

Quentin Hand, pastor from 1947-49, wrote the following account:

The Women's Society of Christian Service had an active membership who kept busy with projects of all kinds, including dinners served to the public and the annual bazaar, raising funds for many projects at the parsonage and the church throughout the years.

The District Superintendent recommended reversing Sunday School and worship time so worship was conducted first. Rev. Hugh Ashby reported in 1949 the change greatly increased worship attendance. The exterior of the church was painted by volunteer crews from the membership during Ashby's ministry.

Ground was broken for a basement addition in the spring of 1951 when Rev. Kendall Sands was pastor. Haskell Osborn drew up the plans for the addition, which were approved by the trustees.

Ernest Gladden was chairman of the building committee with Lavonne Lange and Russell Wells as chairmen of the committee on finance for the addition. Charles Wheatbrook, Jr., and William Harris contracted and completed the work that summer. Claude Van Dusen donated his labor in wiring the addition and many others donated money and time.

On November 11, 1951, the new addition was dedicated in a service conducted by Rev. Lynn Garth, church pastor, and Rev. E. R. Garrison, administrative assistant to the bishop.

Mortgage drives in 1955 and 1956 were led by Lavonne Lange, finance chairman, and Virgil Collins, treasurer; Mrs. George Fultz, finance chairman and James Fritzen, treasurer. Income from the drives added to farm Project income completely paid for the addition which cost about six thousand dollars ($6,000.00). The mortgage was burned on October 21, 1956.

During the church year 1950-51, Rolling Prairie became a single church charge, having been with Lamb's Chapel and Maple Grove for many years during hits history.

At the Fourth Quarter Conference on March 8, 1953, the congregation voted to secure a full-time pastor instead of a student. Rev. Clyde Bachman was the first full-time appointment for a number of years. The growth of the church to a membership of 280 made the decision financially feasible.

In 1953 indoor toilets were installed by the WSCS and in 1955 the upstairs was redecorated and the kitchen remodeled. In 1956 the exterior of the church was painted.

A very successful project during this period was "The Lord's Acre", when the church became the tenant of the Willard Griffith farm under the leadership of Floyd Landes.

The Fellowship Class, organized in September of 1952, brought young married couples who began meeting under the leadership of Nedra Jones Dudley. Charter members of the class were Donald and Jane Dahl, Duane and Donna Williamson and Robert and Barbara Nickerson.

The growth of the Fellowship Class was phenomenal, with innovative "coffee and" plus social activities for members and friends of the class, while raising money for redecorating the church, repairs to the parsonage, numerous additions, and equipment purchases. The Fellowship Class farmed a plot on property owned by Charles Wheatbrook, Jr., for two years.

Chancel choir members in 1954 were: Edith Martensen, Charlotte Kitchenmaster, Elizabeth Bachman, Mary Lou Rice, Elsie Bielski, Kay Collins, Marilyn Biehl, Norma Gilchrist, Judy Hill, Mabel Smith, Glenna Gilchrist, Nellie Gilchrist, Grace Lenig, Mona Rehlander, Mayetta Buss, Clyde Bachman, Danny Lenig, Art Lenig, Paul Peeples, Harry Longanecker, Glenn Rice, Harold Wolcott, Claire Fail, Philip Carpenter, Everett Fail, James Russell, Jack Vandewalker, Chuck and Jim Lenig.

On the Official Board were: Joseph Anderson, Clyde Bachman, Mrs. Russell Biehl, George Brewer, Virgil Collins, William Corbin, Donald and Jane Dahl, Everett Fail, J. Leslie Foster, James Fritzen, Wyburn Harris, Wayne Hollett, Mrs. LeRoy Kitchenmaster, Sam Lory, Robert Nickerson, Mrs. Ralph Povolock, Mrs. Milo Shedd, Willard Simcox, Mrs. Ben Smith, Mrs. J. Harold Tower, Charles Wheatbrook, Jr., W. Russell Wells, Duane Williamson, Ruth Ann Landes, Mrs. Willard Griffith and Mrs. George Fultz.

In an official record book dated January 3, 1926, Sunday School teachers were listed as follows: Ruth Teeter, Helen Shellenberger, Mrs. Mollie Gibson, Mrs. Carrie Jones, P.H. Teeter and Mrs. P.H. Teeter. Rev. William Callahan was minister and Carrie Jones was secretary with Wm. Reese as treasurer. Total attendance was 45 with a collection of two dollars and fifty-one cents ($2.51). This was in winter when weather was undoubtedly bad and also in the days when a child took a penny to Sunday School for the collection.

Sunday School officers in June, 1953, were: Carroll Quale, Daniel Lenig, Mabel Smith, Ruth Wolcott, Ethel Lenig, Mildred Collins, Rachel Simcox, Marcia Jones Porter, Mary Lou Rice, Elizabeth Povolock, Rev. Clyde Bachman. Teachers were Mabel Smith, H.B. Osborn, Jessamine Rice, Ruth Rice, Glenn Rice, Bertha Griffith, Johanna Jones, Carroll Quale, LaRue Longanecker, Lenora Harris, Helen Quale, Marilyn Jones and Marcia Porter.

The attendance was 111 and the collection was eighteen dollars and thirty-five cents ($18.35). Sunday School superintendents throughout the years have been: Wm. Reese, Bessie Cissna, Gertrude Rogers, Mrs. Carrie Jones, P.H. Teeter, Mrs. P.H. Teeter, Thomas Rice, Glenn Rice, Dan Lenig, Wayne Hollett, Duane Williamson, Floyd Landes, Don Dahl, J. Harold Tower, Richard Smith, Mrs. Ben Smith, Carroll Quale, Iva Hougendobler, Glenn Buell and Elmer Garrett.

During the church's Centennial Year, 1956, former pastors, Rev. Lynn Garth and Rev. Quentin Hand,

Rev. Russell Hoy, and Rev. Kendall Sands spoke for worship services and the mortgage burning ceremony on October 21, 1956.

That year the Sunday School boasted an enrollment of three hundred thirty-five (335). Ruth Ann Landes led the Methodist Youth Fellowship with a membership of more than thirty (30). When Sandra Bennitt was MYF president, five young people attended Youth Night in Minneapolis, MN., including Chuck Lenig, Ruth Ann Landes, Reese Garab, Karen McCleland and Kay Fultz. MYFer's paid their way to camp, took turns in leading MYF discussions, worship and recreation.

The WSCS sponsored numerous fund-raisers, including dinners and the bazaar, raising money for the church budget and improvements on the church, plus their own social concerns and missionary giving.

One of the most popular activities of the WSCS was the annual Rose Tea. Early teas at the Peacock Fountain Inn with its beautiful gardens, located at the east end of Michigan Street, brought hundreds of people from the surrounding area, Illinois and Michigan. Entertainment was provided by local talent. If the weather was bad, the Tea was moved to the auditorium of the Rolling Prairie High School across the street.

The WSCS also promoted social gatherings in the church plus missionary and other church related activities. The WSCS had a membership of more than 85 and organized an Evening Circle. The membership was loosely divided by ages, with the younger women going to the night meetings and older members continuing to attend WSCS meetings during the day.

Emily Russell directed the Chancel Choir during worship, following Lurene Ludtke as director. The choir has been an important group in the church history, particularly when organized to present musical programs in the Rolling Prairie Church and for other area churches and organizations. At one time the choir, numbering more than sixty (60), presented musical extravaganzas.

Rev. James Byrd was pastor of the church when an ambitious project was proposed, the construction of a new and larger sanctuary.

A building fund was set-up in 1960, when Rev. Herbert Wingard was pastor, four years before Byrd arrived. After the fund was set-up, discussions continued were for a time over whether to rebuild at the site of the church in the center of town or find a new location.   During an official board meeting on April 23, 1961, the congregation voted to take out a six-month option on the Charles Hunt property west of town.

On December 3, 1961, the option was extended for another six months and on March 4, 1962, the decisions was made to purchase the property and establish a building committee. A finance committee was also established to raise funds for building a new church.

The final payment on the church site was made in March, 1965. In August of that year, architect Robert Foltz was employed to draw up plans for presentation to the congregation. The preliminary plans were approved and final plans presented to the congregation on January 12, 1967.Construction began on April 10, 1967, and the cornerstone was laid on July 16, 1967.

First Service in New Church

The parking lot was a sea of mud for the first service conducted in the new sa nctuary on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1968. The congregation sat on planks placed on cement blocks and the music was provided by a small and wheezy electronic keyboard.

The contract for construction was signed for $134,000.00 with Earl J. Snook and Company, Elkhart. Robert J. Foltz was the architect. The congregation decided to build just the sanctuary, offices, classrooms and the connection between the sanctuary and a future Fellowship Hall. Construction on the new church building began on April 10, 1967 with the cornerstone laid on July 16, 1967.

DEDICATE NEW BUILDING

Dedication services were conducted by Rev. Albert Northrop, pastor. He was assisted by former pastors, Byrd and Wingard. Also assisting was Rolling Prairie Methodist's own James Russell, whose parents, Robert and Emily Russell, and grandparents, Harold and Ruth Wolcott, first brought him to church as an infant. Russell, active in youth groups and the congregation, served several churches in northwestern Indiana before his untimely death in 1985. He and his wife, Sandra, also served churches in Africa..

Northrop served the church from 1968 to 1975 when he retired to Argos with his wife, Florence. The Northrops were known for their patient understanding through financial hard times and lived seven years in the parsonage without any redecoration. They believed paying off the church and keeping its obligations came before their creature comforts.

Rev. Northrop, who had retired after twenty-five (25) years as an U.S. Air Force Chaplain, had served around the world. He and Florence brought a life-time collection of antiques and collectibles found at auctions in England, Europe, Africa, Korea and other foreign points. Florence shared her lovely collection of angels for many occasions. Rev. Northrop could often be found on Saturdays, in his army fatigues and heavy boots, clomping around an auction site, searching piles of possessions. Rev. Northrop delighted Rolling Prairie with his red sports car, a convertible he drove during the warmer months.

Rev. Kenneth Mahan came to the pastorate of the church as a bachelor and married Bobbi in the church during a beautiful and joyous service. A parachute provided a canopy for the reception when homemade ice cream and fresh fruit were served. Mahan was responsible for instituting the dramas that gave special meaning to Easter and Christmas for the congregation. Music, drama, costumes and other portions of the dramas brought special meaning to holidays.   Mahan also began "sharing with our brothers and sisters in Christ". During one Easter Sunday Sunrise Service, the congregation was invited to choose "Warm Fuzzies or Cold Pricklies" from brown paper bags. The Warm Fuzzies have grown into a warm and caring congregation, unafraid to share feelings.

An addition at the rear of the parsonage was completed that contained an office for the minister and a bathroom, plus room for the church secretary. Charlotte Kitchenmaster and Marian Watnick worked in that capacity.

On October 5, 1975, the congregation voted to sell the parsonage at Lynn and Michigan Streets and contact builders for bids on a new home for the minister. Dr. Gerald Jones, District Superintendent, conducted a congregational meeting on November 16, 197. Church members voted officially to sell the old parsonage and develop plans for a new structure near the new church.

The first ministerial family to live in the new parsonage, just west of the new church, was Rev. Kenneth and Bobbi Mahan. The new parsonage, a three bedroom ranch with a full basement, was completely debt fee on March 26, 1976, paid for by the sale of the old parsonage and donations from the congregation. Rose Lenig led a drive for parsonage funds.

An open house and dedication of the new parsonage brought Jones back to Rolling Prairie for the service. A tour of the parsonage preceded a pot luck dinner served in the garage of the new home on May 16, 1976.

A Hammond organ was purchased for the church, under the sponsorship of Arthur Lenig, a soloist in the church choir since his high school days.

The church secretary's job became easier in June, 1977, when an IBM electric typewriter was secured from the Whirlpool Corporation through the efforts of Alice Lenig.  Secretaries who worked for the church and its pastor were: Charlotte Kitchenmaster, Marian Watnick, Shirl Sater, Peg Greziowski, Fran Hedstrom, and Kathy Jack.

Rev. Joseph Andrews brought his talented pianist-organist wife, Rebecca, with him when he was appointed to the Rolling Prairie church as pastor in 1977. Joe, as he was affectionately known, gave some deeply stirring first-person sermons, appearing as characters in the Bible. He startled many parishioners the morning he spoke as Judas and hung himself. Rebecca and Margaret Dickie worked very hard at organizing a choir that presented special music not only for worship services, but for other events as well.

In 1978 the congregation voted to sponsor a food booth at the LaPorte County Fair. Also in 1978, an Upper Room was completed in the new church building. A portion of the choir loft was closed in for a stairway to the unfinished attic area. This provided additional classrooms.

The food booth became an annual project for the congregation. Iva Wasielewski was the chairperson for the first year and continued in that job until 1968 when she returned to college to earn a nursing degree. Food served at the booth varied from full meals to sandwiches. Annual profits from the booth ranged from two thousand dollars ($2,000) to three thousand five hundred ($3,500) and in 1996 brought in $6,000.00.

A special campaign "Buy a Piece of the Rock" was conducted to raise funds to install a permanent cement pad at the fair grounds for better working conditions in the booth. Nothing had to be taken out of the treasury for all pieces of the rock were purchased. Dedicated workers at the fair booth through the years have included: Iva and Art Wasielewski, Kenneth and Ella Porter, Gail Dailey, Roy and Ann Gropp, Betty McDonald, Glenna Williamson. Many of the workers take their summer vacation to spend the week at the fairgrounds. Each year opposition to the booth is voiced by members of the congregation, but each year the importance of the project to raise funds overcomes the negative.

Also during the pastorate of Andrews, an Upper Room was completed in the area directly behind the choir loft. This meant cutting into the choir space but the Education Department needed more room for Sunday School so the sacrifice was made. Materials and labor, plus necessary funds, were donated in order to complete the room, used by third and fourth grade students,. Robert A. Russell led the many men who worked long hours on the room.

Andrews became a captive when he punched a hole in the ceiling with his feet and had to be extricated by fellow workers.

Rev. Rick Pickering, named as pastor in 1980, presented scholarly and intellectual sermons and spent a great deal of time working to produce beautiful greenery for the church altar.

Pickering and his wife, Sally, worked with Joann Cavalier in producing and directing moving Christmas madrigals following a delicious meal served by members of the congregation. The dinner theater brought a touch of elegance to the holiday season.

The Madrigal Dinner Theater featured:

"Christmas Dinner at the Home of John Wesley"

"The Long Christmas Dinner"

The New Prairie High School cafeteria was transformed into a breathtaking room of beauty of the productions. Each presentation was great fun and hard work for the members of the cast and support crews, cooks and dining room personnel and the guests.

All involved agreed the Advent season opened with a new sense of awe regarding God's love and the gift He gave to the world. The productions also helped the congregation to share with others by giving them an evening difficult to forget and also helped the church give to the hungry of the world with the profits.

During a January, 1981, administrative board meeting, plans were begun for an addition above the Fellowship Class area. This would house expansion of the Christian Education Department. The plans called for building a new roof with a slope to eliminate the leaking problems from the flat roof. William Rist Construction built the outside walls and roof and the interior was completed by workers from the congregation. Charles Wheatbrook donated materials for the project. The workers must remain nameless as in so many projects undertaking by the congregation. There is simply no way to name them all. The Sunday School rooms were ready for students in December, 1981.

Betty McDonald began a commitment in March, 1981, when the Rummage Place was opened in a tiny empty building on Depot Street. The building had previously housed the Rolling Prairie Branch of the LaPorte County Library.  The Fellowship Class sponsored the project with the hope of establishing a shop where good and usable clothing could be sold at reasonable prices. In 1986 the project came under the supervision of the church's mission committee who used the profits for various mission areas in the community and the world. The shop was later called the Thrift Shop and was open for a number of years.

Another tie to their heritage and the little old clapboard church in the heart of Rolling Prairie, occurred when the brass bell purchased after the disastrous fire in the late 1890s was installed in a new steeple during the spring of 1982.

The steeple was presented to the church in 1982 from Elma Banzhaf as a memorial for her husband, Gust, who had served on the Administrative Board for many years. Electrical work completed by a crew from Campbellsville Industries, from Kentucky, made ringing the bell an automatic process. The bell today is sounded for worship services and can be heard in the town as it was tolled so many years ago in its original home.

Retirees from the church began meeting in June of 1983. They met for lunches and meetings that included plenty of fun and fellowship. They chose the name, "The Best Years" and have grown to a congenial group of more than 50 who are not only Methodists but from other denominations as well. Their monthly meetings feature social times, a meal and entertainment or educational programs.

New carpeting was installed in the Fellowship Class area in January , 1985. Rev. Pickering served as pastor until 1985 when Rev. Ronald Dixon was assigned to the church. Dixon brought long years of experience as a Boy Scout leader and knowledge of the counseling side of the ministry. He and his wife, Barbara, joined a long tradition for ministers and wives of Rolling Prairie Methodist Church, and gave long hours as workers on projects sponsored by all groups of the church.

Dixon conducted the Homecoming Service for former and present members of the church on November 3, 1985. Dedication services were also conducted for the new kitchen area, transformed from the form powder room, the women's rest room, the end hall closet and a portion of the hallway.

The kitchen was the result of long hours of planning and hard work under the supervision of Russell Ritzler, assisted by Wilson Evans, Bob Nickerson, Ray Lange, Bob Eddy, Bob Russell, Lee Williamson, Lew Herrback, and Dixon helped with the painting, hammering and sawing.

Contributions toward the new kitchen were donated by Elma Banhaf, Paul and Marilyn Nelson, Ron and Claudia Estep, Bob and Emily Russell, Roy and Ann Gropp, Ethel Gilchrist, the United Methodist Women and the Fellowship Class.

New carpeting was installed in the church sanctuary in January, 1993 and in the pastor's office also. Pew pads were made in 1995.

A large free-standing brass Advent candelabra was presented to the church in 1989 from Hugh Gary Porter in memory of his wife, Theresa, and their two children, Andrew and Jennifer. Hugh's family died in a disastrous fire that destroyed their home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Hugh is the son of Kenneth and Ella Porter and the grandson of Burl and Pauline Porter and Clifford and Ethel Gilchrist.

The altar greenery was originally placed by Helen Garab and Naida Hunt and has since been augmented by plantings given by Robert and Barbara Nickerson in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Memory Quilt - fund-raising project based on an old quilt at the LaPorte County Museum that was produced by Methodist women before the turn of the century. The quilt was marked with the names of parishioners, Quiltmakers used walnut juice to write the names on the quilt squares.

The modern quilt is also decorated with names - although not written with walnut juice. Members of the congregation paid ten cents ($.10) per name. Although not a money-making project, the money did help pay for materials. Pauline Porter donated the pink print and matching solid fabric for the quilt. Once the squares were marked with names, Marcia Porter wrote all the names on the squares.

The congregation shared the intense grief of the family of Rayne Rison. On January 5, 1993, more than 600 persons attended the funeral service for Rayna, daughter of Ben and Karen Rison, and granddaughter of Gladys McCleland. Rayna, who was missing for weeks, was murdered. Memorials have been given to the church in her memory. A large wreath encircles a photograph of Rayna and is hung in the narthex of the church.

Teri Burkhart, Senior United Methodist Youth Fellowship leader, has taken her group on outings that included a visit to the Homeless Mission in South Bend where the young people helped prepare dinner.

Shelly Canty, an outstanding musician, has brought much joy and spirituality to worship services and other events at the church. She led the choir. Choir soloists have included Colleen Canty, Julie and Scott Lenig, Stefanie Lenig Bowen - who came back to the church as an adult - leading the choir and later becoming Junior Methodist Youth Fellowship leader before moving to South Bend.  The congregation joined Shelly and her husband, John, in grieving for their daughter, Colleen, killed in an airplane crash over Meigs Field, Chicago.  The church was filled to overflowing for the memorial service honoring the talented pilot and soloist.

Youngsters have always been important at the Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Fellowship (MYF) as we know it today, began as the Epworth League. MYFer's raised money through many events. During World War II they had scrap drives to bring in metal, newspapers, and even the blossoms from milkweed plants, supposedly used for parachutes.

Chicken noodle suppers, bake sales, bazaars, festive dinner theater, musicals, concerts, dances, the list of fund-raisers is lengthy. Probably the most important in the past few years have been the annual fish fries and the booth at the LaPorte County Fair.

In 1996, the congregation of the Rolling Prairie United Methodist Church shares its space with a number of community groups. There are several AA meetings during the week and a TOPS group meets on Monday mornings. From time to time, the church is used for Scout events, wedding and baby showers, weddings, anniversaries and of course, funeral services.

A much needed new computer system was purchased in 1996. LeRoy Kitchenmaster donated $1,000 in memory of his wife, Charlotte. Marilyn Alm, chairman of the church trustees, led a successful campaign to raise money for the remainder of the purchase. Donations were made in memory of Carrie Lutz, mother of Pastor Philip Lutz, Marian Watnick and others.

Second Fire for Methodists

With each challenge we have encountered, we became stronger in our faith. We may provide links to other sites that provide more detail on our church history or particular events in our past.

We invite you to become a part of the church today and a piece of its history tomorrow.