First Methodist Episcopal Church of Goshen, Indiana history
Collection — Folder: S2358
Identifier: S2358
Scope and Contents
This collection includes a copy of the typewritten manuscript "Goshen, Indiana Methodist Episcopal Church History" by Charles W. Foulks. Dated February 5, 1933 and written for the church's centenary celebration, the twenty-six page document provides a general history of Methodism in Elkhart County preceding the establishment of a church building, reviews the structures occupied by the church, and recounts significant moments in the church's history, such as its hosting the North Indiana Conference on three occasions. Foulks also lists the preachers that had charge of the church from its origin, with years of service also listed for each man who served from 1852 to 1933. The trustees and committee members serving at significant moments in the church's history are named. The Ladies' Aid Society, the Epworth League, and the Women's Foreign Missionary Society are also mentioned, along with the congregation's "pastor abroad" in Korea in 1933. The last six pages of the history give brief biographies of the pioneers who "helped blaze the trail" of the church.
Dates
- 1933/02/05
Creator
- First Methodist Episcopal Church of Goshen (Ind.) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Historical Note
Elkhart County was established by an act of the Indiana General Assembly in 1830 and Goshen was designated as the county seat in 1831. As early as 1828, Methodist missionaries were sent to this area of the state. The first sermon preached in Goshen was in an unfinished building erected by Dr. Johnson J. Latta and the first prayer meeting was held in the bar room of Cook's tavern. By the end of 1832, the Methodists had built their first church, it being the first church of any denomination in the county. Rev. Richard I. Robinson served as the first preacher. Membership grew following a revival conducted by Rev. George M. Boyd in 1840 and a new church was built in 1846. On June 16, 1877, a third church building was dedicated at a worship service conducted by Bishop S.M. Merrill. Today the church is called the First United Methodist Church.
Sources:
Information found within collection.
Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Plan: Area Info." Accessed June 13, 2022. https://www.visitelkhartcounty.com/plan/area-info.
Layne, Tara. "Church Members Share Memories." The Goshen News (IN), November 17, 2007.
Sources:
Information found within collection.
Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Plan: Area Info." Accessed June 13, 2022. https://www.visitelkhartcounty.com/plan/area-info.
Layne, Tara. "Church Members Share Memories." The Goshen News (IN), November 17, 2007.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by subject.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed in 1998 by Philip N. Williams. EAD finding aid created 2022/06/13 by Laura Eliason.
Creator
- First Methodist Episcopal Church of Goshen (Ind.) (Organization)
- Title
- First Methodist Episcopal Church of Goshen, Indiana history
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
