Thank you all who responded to my question on WPA! You folks are the best! :o) Becky

My father was employed for a time by the WPA. The crew he worked with built roads in Riley Township, Vigo County. One of the big projects was raising the level of the Old Canal Road near State Road 46. That old road flooded and was a mess every time it rained. They built new bridges into the private properties along the first mile north of Riley. When my brother Paul was born, the WPA sent a lady to our house to clean. I think she worked there for one week. She prepared our meals and did all the usual housework which must have hard. My mother had no washing machine. Actually, we did not have electricity! I was about 6, but I remember her sweetness well. I wish I knew who she was. Mary

I think Works Progress Administration. Also called We Piddle Around by some. -----Original Message----- From: KEVBEX@aol.com <KEVBEX@aol.com> To: INCLAY-L@rootsweb.com <INCLAY-L@rootsweb.com> Date: September 29, 1999 8:34 PM Subject: WPA and the Depression >While talking to my mother about my grandmother, she was telling me that my >grandma worked for the WPA during the Depression. My mom couldn't remember >what WPA stood for. Would anyone know what it stood for? > >Thank you, > >Becky > > >==== INCLAY Mailing List ==== >Visit the Clay County Indiana InGenWeb site at; >http://www.rootsweb.com/~inclay/ > >

Works Progress Administration (WPA) instituted May 6, 1935. Since we have learned what the "WPA", a Government Program stands for. A program which gave people employment during the depression days of the 1930's. When President, Franklin Delano ROOSEVELT, was in office. Not all of the Indiana Counties were blessed with this program that has made it easier for people to do research, especially Genealogist. Is there anyone out there who worked at this 62 years ago who would share with us what method you used to do the indexing of Court House records of birth, marriage and death up to the year 1920? Remember folks, they could not push a button in that day and have them in alphabetical order. Thank you for your answer. Betty

Works Progress Administration (WPA) instituted May 6, 1935. >From The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 1999. ----- Original Message ----- From: <KEVBEX@aol.com> To: <INCLAY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 1999 9:34 PM Subject: WPA and the Depression > While talking to my mother about my grandmother, she was telling me that my > grandma worked for the WPA during the Depression. My mom couldn't remember > what WPA stood for. Would anyone know what it stood for? > > Thank you, > > Becky > > > ==== INCLAY Mailing List ==== > Visit the Clay County Indiana InGenWeb site at; > http://www.rootsweb.com/~inclay/ >

Works Progress Administration

While talking to my mother about my grandmother, she was telling me that my grandma worked for the WPA during the Depression. My mom couldn't remember what WPA stood for. Would anyone know what it stood for? Thank you, Becky

Hi... I would very much appreciate a copy to Email of picture#18 WSWS group picture of charter members...which includes Mrs. Ella Storm. Thankyou ambettis@aol.com

I want to thank you for putting this Beech Church History online as I've been reading it with interest. I can remember as a small child my mother telling me how my father belonged to the White River Conference. Mom & Dad were married in 1934 by Rev. Todd and his first church was at Blackhawk over by Riley right south of Terre Haute. Mother used to tell me in those days they didn't have much money so a lot of times the people paid them by giving them eggs. Mom didn't think that maybe she could trade them at the store for other things so they ate eggs for breakfast, lunch & dinner. My father served quite a few of those 3-5 church circuits while I was small. Again thanks for the memories especially of the area he served in and about Dr. Snyder and Rev. Todd because I'd heard both names. I have a photo of the one that married my folks. Jan Baldwin in OKC

Thanks for the Beech Church book information. The church is about 1/2 mile east of the Clay County line in Owen County. Directly north of Coal City and east of Clay City.

I have Furry's on my McCreery line also. My mother has had this book for several years. now. I don't know if the church would have anymore copies or not, but doubtful. It would be nice if they reprinted it and added even more! I believe the church sits on the side of the road that is in Clay County, but the part of the cemetery on the other side of the road is in Owen County. I guess I should go ahead and post it to Owen County. I may be able to help a lot more people there. I just thought Clay County people would like it since the biggest majority of people buried there lived in Clay City. There are such nice people who share what they have on here that I am happy to share what I have also. I will take my book to the CCGS soon and let them copy it to have there for others to use. Glad I could help so many people. I am trying to type the members list and will post it by tomorrow. Linda mary.gardner@juno.com wrote: > Thank you so much for sharing this material. I haven't seen this book > before, but Jacob and Mary Elizabeth Shonk Furry, are my step gr > grandparents. John Furry and his wife were the parents of Jacob. I > don't know if there is a copy of it at the Genealogy Society Library and > it would be a great book to add to my library. I suspect it belongs to > the church. That is still an active congregation down there. They do > have the tombstones copied and they are available at the library. I > think this church is over the county line in Owen County. > > Mary > > ==== INCLAY Mailing List ==== > This list brought to you by Rootsweb,be sure to check us out at > http://www.rootsweb.com/

Since I am getting duplicate requests for information I hope everyone doesn't mind, but I am going to post the names and dates for all members. This email alone was getting into a long list of names with all of the connections. This way everything will be posted excluding the pictures and if anyone is wanting pictures please send me names and page numbers from History #4. I hope this is helping a lot of people! It will be easier this way for all of us I hope! AMBettis@aol.com wrote: > Hi.... > While reading a list of the church members I noticed that the name STORM is > included....I would very much appreciate anything on members of the Storm > family and also any photos of them. Is the Genealogical society going to > offer for sale copies of this book? I would like to purchase a copy. My great > grandparents were George and Barbara Storm....Their son Ananias was my > greatgrandfather. I do want to thank you for all the work you've already done. > Ann > > ==== INCLAY Mailing List ==== > To remove your address from this list visit; > http://www.rootsweb.com/~inclay/list.htm

Thank you so much for sharing this material. I haven't seen this book before, but Jacob and Mary Elizabeth Shonk Furry, are my step gr grandparents. John Furry and his wife were the parents of Jacob. I don't know if there is a copy of it at the Genealogy Society Library and it would be a great book to add to my library. I suspect it belongs to the church. That is still an active congregation down there. They do have the tombstones copied and they are available at the library. I think this church is over the county line in Owen County. Mary

The following is a list of pictures in the book. I can copy to email and send if anyone wants me to send that way. I know some people do not like to open files so this way you won't have to. I have them all scanned. Just let me know the name and page number please. Each listing is a seperate picture. I hope this will help many of you. 2 - sketch of Redbrush Church 3 - Sela Shonk 4 - First Frame Church 5 - Remodeled Church - 1915 6 - Five Trustees when Parsonage was built: Henry Reynolds, John Summerlot, John Andrew, William Krieble, Jesse Liechty 6 - Beech Parsonage 7 - Present Beech Church 8 - Catharine Liechty 14 - painting by Will F. Wright that hangs at the front of the sactuary of the Ascension 15 - Rev. & Mrs. Edgar Walls 15 - Rev. & Mrs. Ivan Steed, Steven, John & David (musicians) 15 - Rev. & Mrs. D. V. Davis 15 - Rev. & Mrs. J. A. Fields & Larry McBride 16 - Rev. B. S. McNeely 16 - Rev. & Mrs. John Flockhart 16 - Rev. & Mrs. Leonard Wood & family 16 - Rev. Glen bond 16 - Walter Bond, M. D. 16 - Rev. J. A. Settle 16 - Rev. & Mrs. S. L. Todd 17 - Rev. & Mrs. Harold Underwood & family 17 - Rev. & Mrs. Robert Gehlback & family 17 - Rev. & Mrs. Charlie Smith 17 - Rev. & Mrs. C. H. Youngblood & family 18 - Adult Choir 18 - Junior Choir & Leaders 18 - The WSWS was organized in 1915 under the pastor, W. H. Todd. Charter members were: Mrs. C. A. Liechty*, Mrs. Caroline Cotter, Mrs. Peula Wright*, Grandma Havercamp, Mrs. Effie Everett*, Mrs. Ella Storm*, and Mrs. Myrtle Havercamp*. Presidents through the years*. Present members 39. 1st row, left to right: Winnie Andrew, Doris Summerlot*, Mrs. Ellis, Mrs. Walls, Rev. Walls. 2nd row: Jennie Fields, Edna Bond, Ruth Wolfe, Marie Funkhouser, Virginia Culler, Josephine Houk, Irene Kelley. 3rd row: Grace Ingram, Millola Horton, Ruth Willen, Ruth Kelley*, Anna Asbell. 4th row: Irene Catt, Mary Bullerdick*, Goldie martin, * Margie bullerdick, Rosemanry Stephens. 5th row: Rosalind Smith, Norma Griffin, Betty Fritz*, Alice Conger, Florence Schmaltz. Those not present for the picture were: Mrs. C. A. Liechty*, Elizabeth Cotter, Bessie Secrest, Jennie Greenwood*, Anna Shonk, Fay Atto, Gertie Rea, Ruth Mishler, Hattie Leohr, Phyllis Willen, Grace Havercamp, Dorothy Hochstetler, Pauline Dunigan. In addition to supporting Missions, the WSWS do sewing and also serve meals in times of death. 19 - Centennial Committee: Mary McKee, Ruth Willen, Betty Fritz, Rosemary Query, Goldie Martin, Willa Defore, Rev. Edgar Walls, Arthur Kelley, Charles bullerdick, Russel Wolfe, and Carl Smith. 19 - Mr & Mrs. John Andrew & family: Jessie, Mary, Thomas & John Jr. 19 - Mr & Mrs. Thomas Andrew 19 - J. R. Andrew 19 - Mary Ellen (Andrew) Lankford 20 - Mr & Mrs. Wm. Leohr 20 - Mr. & Mrs. Adam Leohr & children, Betty & Arthur 20 - Mr & Mrs. Jennings Fritz & family, Melvin, Rosemary & Donald 20 - Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Stephens & family Kathleen, Diana, Keith, Lori, and Karol 20 - Mr. & Mrs. Don Fritz & family Lisa Jo and Jeffery 21 - Mr. & Mrs. Henry Wilkinson 21 - Susan Ann McKee - Daughter of Mr & Mrs. Fred McKee (baby picture) 21 - Mr & Mrs. Fred McKee - Mr. & Mrs. Arnold McKee 21 - Mary McKee 21 - Ruth Weese 21 - Violet Travis 21 - Pearl Giles 22 - Mr. & Mrs. William Liechty & duaghter, Ruth 22 - Mr & MRs. Harold Willen & son, Dennis 22 - Mr. & Mrs. Paul Willen & son, Rodney 22 - Jacob Furry, Mr. & Mrs. John Furry, Mrs. Lucinda Martin 22 - Mr. and Mrs. Millard Martin and family on their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Ruby Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Martin and family, and Mr. and Mrs. Donald Martin and family. 23 - Mr. & Mrs. Orville Smith 23 - Mr & Mrs. Carl Smith, Elizabeth Ann, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Smith 23 - Mr & Mrs. Wm. Miller & son, William Lee 23 - Mr. & Mrs. Don Wall & family, Donna and Fred 24 - Mr. & Mrs. Walter Krieble 24 - Mr. & Mrs. Chas. Reynolds 24 - Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Schmaltz & grandchildren, Shannon Jo Williams & Thomas Arthur Haxton 24 - Mr. & Mrs. Ben Wolfe 24 - Mr. & Mrs. Renos Shonk 24 - Mr. & Mrs. Russel Wolfe & family, Sylvia and Rebecca 25 - Mr. & MJrs. Charlie Defore & sons, Ralph and Max 25 - Mr. & Mrs. Max Defore & sons, Stephen, Richard, Mark, Terry & Ronald 25 - Mr. & Mrs. Adam Nauglebaugh 25 - Mr. & Mrs. Roy Clingerman 25 - Mr. & Mrs. Harry Leohr 25 - Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Snellenberger 26 - Mr. & Mrs. David Dyer & sons, Bryan and Barry 26 - Mr. & Mrs. Paris Haviland 26 - Mr. & Mrs. Otto Havercamp 26 - Rev. & Mrs. Bernard Stephens 27 - Mrs. Tena Reynolds 27 - Mrs. Anna Asbell 27 - Mrs. Tishia Smith 27 - Mrs. Myrtle Havercamp 27 - Mr. & Mrs. Joe Conger 27 - Mr. & Mrs. John Horton & family, John and Janice 28 - Mr. & Mrs. James Kelley 28 - Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Kelley 28 - Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Kelley 28 - Mr. & Mrs. Don Huber 28 - Mr. & Mrs. Gilmer Tucker & family, Douglas, Dirk & Darin 29 - Mr. & Mrs. Bryan Secrest, Virginia Culler, Wilbur Secrest 29 - Mary Violet Secrest 29 - Loy Secrest 29 - Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Stoelting 29 - Mr. & Mrs. Cliff Bullerdick 29 - Mr. & Mrs. Charles Bullerdick & family, Marie and Marlene 30 - Mr. & Mrs. Eli Dickey 30 - Mr. & Mrs. Orvil Stinogle & family, Naomi & Harold 30 - Mr. & Mrs. Dave Gonser, Mr. & Mrs. Emery East 30 - Mr. & Mrs. William Harbaugh 30 - Mr. & Mrs. Joe Lankford 30 - Mr. & Mrs. Argel Houk 31 - Mr. & Mrs. David Johnson & daughters, Mrs. Rex Sinders, Mrs. Paul Reagon, Mrs. Ernest Neiswinger & Mrs. Leonard Neiswinger 31 - Mr. & Mrs. John Cotter 31 - Miss Elizabeth Cotter 31 - Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Fields & family 31 - Mr. & Mrs. Junior Fields & family, Gary, Donald & Brenda 32 - Mrs. Huldah Morris 32 - Mr. & Mrs. Lowell Hasler 32 - Mr. & Mrs. Albert Greenwood 32 - Mr. & Mrs. Edward Bond 32 - Mr. & Mrs. John Bond 33 - Mr. & Mrs. Paul Fulk and Leah, Mr. & Mrs. Fred Delp & children, Steven & Jennifer 33 - Mr. & Mrs. Herschel Riggle, Sonny, Mrs. Marilyn Clements and Gregory Clements 33 - Mr. & Mrs. Harley Fulk 33 - Mr. & Mrs. Rufus Addy 33 - Mr. & Mrs. Charley Leohr 34 - Mathew Propst 34 - Mrs. Catherine Liechty 34 - Mr. & Mrs. Loy Willen 34 - Mr. & Mrs. Clyde Query, Junior & sons, Tim, Marlon and Daniel 34 - Mr. & Mrs. Loy Willen, Junior & family, Beverly, Robert, Barbara, and Gary 35 - Mr. & Mrs. Irvin Summerlot 35 - Mrs. Clara Dalton and son, Bill 35 - Mr. & Mrs. Virgil Willen & children, Chris, Julianna, Donald, Michael & Bradley Lee 35 - Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Funkhouser & daughters, Barbara and Debra 35 - Mr. & Mrs. Forrest Newport & children, Julia, Kay, Karen, & James 36 - Mr. & Mrs. Arvin Pennington & children, Glenda, Daniel, Robert, Jeffrey & Paul 36 - Easter Egg Hunt 1968 at Beech

Was the Beech Church at one time called Beech Grove Church ? My mother and her family attended there for a short time in the early 1900's . Several of the names she knows from being distant relatives and friends. Thank you Cheri

I have been told that someone had asked where Redbrush Church was. I am sorry I either missed that one or I hadn't read the book on the Centennial of Beech Church. If you read the Three Beech Church History emails I have sent it does talk about Redbrush Church which was only about 1/2 mile south of Beech Church. There is a sketch of Redbrush in the front of the book. It also has the following in the back of the book: REDBRUSH Come, bearded Time, and carry us back To old-time wagon and high-perched hack, Whose rattling broke the woodland's hush, Carrying folks to church at old Redbrush. Old-time religion, old-time song, Old-time friendship which harbored no wrong. Young and old got there withough much rush, Attending meeting at old Redbrush. Beech The long, long years bring marvelous change; Hands of progress are holding the reins. Where steel-shod rigs disturbed solemn hush, How trusty Fords work for new Redbrush >From far-off points where hacks couldn't reach, In motor cars they come to the Beech. Years, "bring what you will," in prayer we say; The God that blessed then, blesses today. -Earl Coan Poem was published in the Directory of the Beech Church of United Brethren in Christ; Rev. S. L. Todd, Pastor, 1922. Bibliography Beech Church Memberhip Rolls: 4 books from 1868 to present. "History of Beech Church" a reading by Mrs. Catherine Liechty. "Directory of the Beech Church," by Rev. S. L. Todd, 1922. "History of the Indiana Conference" by Condo, 1926, p. 313 et al (inaccurate re Beech). "History of the White River Conference" by A. C. Wilmore, 1925. (Gives data on John McNamar and Stationing Committee reports of Lower Wabash Conference). History "Counties of Clay and Owen" by Blanchard, 1884. History of Clay county by Travis, 1909. Owen County Court House: Deed records, et al. Beech Local Conference Minutes checked by Betty Fritz. Conference Minutes: Lower Wabash 1889-1900; Indiana 1901-1951; Indiana South 1951-65 (esp obituary of G. Charles Bond, 1950 p. 12). clay City News: Aug. 20, 1915 "Beech Dedicated" et al. Religious Telescope: Item on rededication of Beech Aug. 15, 1915. Records from Violet Travis which had been saved by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wilkinson: Handbill announcement of Beech Rededication 1915; Clipping from Indiana Conference "News Bulletin" on Beech Rededication 1949; Records of moving and remodeling Beech Church in 1949. Inromation from memory of the following persons: Catherine Liechty, David Johnson, Adam Leohr, Orville Smith, Malcolm Reed, Walter Krieble, Jessie Andrew, and many others. I hope many of you enjoy this information.

The next section has a listing of all Ministers of Beech Church and then the following poem. OLD BEECH In eighteen hundred and ’68 A church called Redbrush did originate ‘Twas not too far from where Beech stands A little south on Furry’s land. In days back there of logs they built And lined the cracks with mud and stilt They had no fancy pews nor carpets red But on the Word the flock was fed. ‘Twas there they sang "O Happy Day When Jesus Washed My Sins Away" And as the congregation grew Redbrush Cabin held so few So farther north among the beech They moved and built and sang and preached. Among the crowd that sang and prayed Were saints of God who long have laid In the cemetery nearby To wait the great resurrection cry ! Some day we’ll all meet over there In the land so sweet and fair, Old Hen Reynolds, Teenie too, Dear John and Addy Andrew Jessie Liechty and Catherine too. Why I’m here I do not know Maybe to heop the Centennial go ! Though when I get my call on high To the Beech crowd I will fly ! There was Grandma Reynolds, Daddy Todd Daddy Fouts-a saint of God ! Uncle Billy Krieble too How he preached and prayed folks through ! There were others who loved God Cotters, Wolfe’s and Billy todd. Fouts, McNeely heard the Call Nauglebaughs, Foxworthys, Haver- camps, the Props and all Johnnie Summerlot and Furry true With their wives and children too ! Many others I can’t name But they loved the Lord the same. ‘Twas way back there we knelt and prayed Long after twelve we sang and stayed. No one left the place of prayer, Till some poor wandering soul was spared. We drove our teams through mud and slime And never hurried home to dine. In this "New Age" we can’t stay long- For we can’t miss some TV song! No wonder Satan does abound, We ain’t got time for God around! We used to tarry hour by hour Until we felt His Holy Power! We fasted, cried, prayed and wept Until the Lord our needs He met. But now we hurry through the Day, Hoping God can hear us when we pray. No time for Bible, God and prayer Just hoping we will make it there! The Bible says "Take time to pray" and "seek His face from day to day." Be on the alert my dear loved ones, For someday soon the trump will sound- Please join the Saints of dear old Beech A Celebration! What a treat! This Centennial it will beat For there we’ll walk the golden street. A great millinnium we can share I’m wondering dear - will you be there!! Catharine Liechty March 1968 (There is a picture of Catharine at the top right corner of the page) There are several pages with family names and stories or information about each family such as where they came from and when they emigrated here. Those families are : ANDREW, ASBELL, ATTO, BOND, BULLERDICK, CATT, CONGER, COTTER, CULLER, DEFORE, DYER, FIELDS, FRITZ, FULK, FUNKHOUSER, FURRY, GREENWOOD, HAVERCAMP, HOCHSTETLER, HORTON, HOUK, INGRAM, JOHNSON, KELLEY, KENT, KRIEBLE, LEOHR, LIECHTY, MARTIN, McKEE, MISHLER, QUERY, REA, REYNOLDS, RIGGLE, SCHAUWECKER, SCHMALTZ, SHORER, SECREST, SHONK, SMITH, STEPHENS, STINOGEL, STORM, SUMMERLOT, TRAVIS, WALL, WILLEN, WILLIAMS WOLFE (There are other names mentioned in almost all of these areas.) There is a picture of the paining by Will F. Wright in 1932 that hangs at the front of the sanctuary, based on Peter Biermann’s interpretation of the Anscension. Then there are several pages of pictures and then a listing of names and dates of Beech Church members. I would type up everything and send it but I don't want to send more than people want. I will be taking the book to the Clay County Genealogy Society at Centerpoint for them to copy and have on file. I hope this has been a help to many people.

My appologies for the way the first part came out. The procedure during the services were somewhat different than now. During the protracted meetings, a different person would be chosen to lead each night. He would announce a song and after the song call on someone to pray; then another song and another prayer and so on. After several songs and prayers the preacher would preach. There was an Amen corner in which men sat and supported the preacher during the sermon. Susan Harris was a personal worker; she would talk to those who had no testimony and won many souls. The minister stayed at the John W. Andrew home while holding the protracted meeting. The Andrew family had a room set apart for the use of the ministers when holding revivals and quarterly conferences. Often there was shouting. The "shouters" included Fred Liechty, Mrs. Addie Andrews, Mrs. Susan Harris, Mrs. Ann Reynolds, Mrs. John Havercamp, William Leohr, William Schafer, William Krieble and many others. William Krieble would be down on his knees; he would bring his hands together, cry out "Hallelujah," and come up shouting. One time Susan Harris and Susan Funk were shouting and running around the central pews in the church when the church started rocking and the stovepipe fell down. Despite the fact that soot was scattered all over the church, there was not the least distraction to the meeting. However, some of the members met the next day and cleaned the church. A favorite song of Susan Harris was "Roll the Old Chariot Along," Several members of the Beech Church were licensed to preach. These included William Krieble, Sam Neal, Thomas Foxworthy, Adam Markley, George Miller, and much later, Walter Bond, Glen Charles Bond, and Bernard Stephens. William Krieble, an Annual Conference minister, served as minister of the Mill Creek Circuit in 1884-1885, for which he received $30 in salary and a chunk of sowbelly for his year’s work. He was always ready to put the needs of others before his own, and, no matter how busy, he would always go when called upon, sometimes being gone two days. He was often at the bedside of the dying, endeavoring to point them to the Risen Lord. Adam D. Markley (1849-1914) was a Class Leader at Beech for many years before he became a traveling minister in 1890. From this time on he and his wife Sarah, the daughter of John and Susan Funk, were in full time service until his death in 1914. He was ordained in 1894 and became a minister of the White River Conference when the Lower Wabash Conference was disbanded. He added nearly 800 members to the church during his pastorates. The Liechty Evangelical Church once stood two miles northwest of Beech, just south of the Liechty Cemetery. When it disbanded in 1904, Jesse and Catherine Liechty transferred their memberships to Beech, where their victorious testimonies have been a great blessing to many. The Evangelical denomination united with the United Brethren in 1946 to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church. One year when P. F. Fouts was pastor he was sick and could not hold the meeting, so his nephew, Rev. Elmer B. Catt, held it. Some consider it as the greatest revival ever held at Beech. It is remembered not so much for the number of seekers, as for the soul-searching and the spiritual victories of those who attended. Picture of REMODELED CHURCH-1915 In 1915 an addition was built on the church. A room was built on the south (now east) side of the church, also a bell tower with vestibule and a concrete foundation, and three large stained glass windows were installed. "There are," reported the Clay City News, "three art glass windows, a beautiful metallic ceiling, the walls are decorated with a select design of oatmeal paper, the choir box, pulpit and front have been treated to a beautiful brussels carpet, also the aisles with suitable aisle matting." The weekend of the dedication was crowded with events. Dr. W. E. Snyder, Conference Superintendent, of New Albany, held the Quarterly Conference of the Coal City Circuit at Beech on Saturday night at 7:30, followed by preaching at 8:30, as the custom then was. On the next day, the day of dedication, August 15, 1915, Sunday School was held at 9:30 and 210 present. By 10:45 the entire seating capacity of the building was taken and Rev. Snyder preached on the subject, "A Model Church." At noon the people spread their dinners in the grove and enjoyed a pleasant social hour. The afternoon audience far overtaxed the seating capacity of the house, and was estimated from 900 to 1,000 people. A service of song, prayer and praise was held, following which Dr. Snyder spoke and impressively dedicated the house anew to the worship of God. A baptismal service was then held in a nearby creek. There was Christian Endeavor at 6:30 that night, followed by prayer meeting, while the pastor and Conference Superintendent held services at Coal City. The total cost was $1405.93 of which $930 had been provided and the balance with a small margin was raised on the day of dedication, making it debt free. W. H. Todd was pastor, William Leohr, Sunday School Superintendent and William Krieble, Class Leader. The trustees were William Krieble, president; J. W. Andrew, secretary and treasurer; Henry Reynolds, Jesse Liechty and J. J. Summerlot. These five men served together for many years and were highly respected both for their love for the church and the Lord and for their ability in handling the affairs of the church. Picture of FIVE TRUSTEES WHEN PARSONAGE WAS BUILT Henry Reynolds, John Summerlot, John Andrew, William Krieble, Jesse Liechty In 1918, while B. S. McNeely was pastor, Beech became a station. Up until this time it had always been on a cirbuit with other churches. At first it was on the Lancaster Circuit, then from 1872 till 1889 it was on the Middlebury Circuit. This was made up of five churches: Middlebury, Beech, Mt. Zion, Daggett (now Coal City), and Johnstown. In 1890 Beech was placed on the Mt. Zion Circuit with four other churches: Mt. Zion, Otterbein, Daggett and Johnstown. The circuits were not necessarily the same year after year, but were often changed about by the Annual Conference. Mt. Zion, where the parsonage was located, was then a strong church located four miles northwest of Beech. In 1900 Beech was taken from the Lower Wabash Conference and placed in the Indiana Conference. Thereafter its associations were with Coal City (where the parsonage was located), Middlebury and Mt. Calvary. When Beech became a station, a parsonage was needed, so additional land was bought west of the church from John Andrew. This makes up the present property. A log house had once stood where the present parsonage stands, but it had burned, and a small frame house which stood where the church building is now located had been moved to the present parsonage site. It was remodeled and added to and became the present parsonage at this time. Rebecca Margaret Lloyd gave so much (said to have been $500) that Reverend McNeely had a memorial stone picture of BEECH PARSONAGE placed in the southwest corner of the parsonage. In 1922 Rev. S. L. Todd described the parsonage as being "a six-room bungalow with large front Veranda and back porch, with cellar, cistern, well, concrete walks, water and sink in kitchen; double garage, coal house, large chicken house and barn and all necessary fences." During McNeely’s ministry the attendance at the evening services on Sunday were especially large, filling the building and requiring ushers to help the people find seats. This was probably the largest evening services in the history of the church. In 1920 the average attendance at Sunday School was 100; in 1921, 44 conversions were reported for the year and an average attendance in Sunday School of 144. In 1918 Walter and Glen Charles Bond received Annual Conference licenses to preach. Walter soon turned to medicine, but Glen spent the rest of his life in the ministry. He and his wife, Ruth Liechty Bond, served eleven charges in Indiana Conference. In 1949 he entered the evangelistic field in which he was gifted. As he concluded his sermon on the first night of a revival on March 6, 1950, he turned to the pastor and said, "I am ready to go; I’d rather die in the harness than rust out." Their brother, John, is a most inspiring lay preacher. Rev. Bernard Stephens and his wife, Flora Rea Stephens, served in the ministry of Indiana Conference from 1924 to 1930. From about 1905 till about 1932 the church had a picnic every year on the Fourth of July. This was first held in Andrew’s woods south of the cemetery, but later was held in Andrew’s grove on-fourth mile east of the church. The children of the community looked forward to this occasion from year to year and saved their money to spend it there. Lemonade was sold but no bottled drinks of any kind, were tolerated. Oddly enough, cigars and chewing tobacco were always on sale, and, after the church voted to stop the sale of tobacco, there was so much dissension that the picnics were discontinued. It might be added that while no one who uses tobacco is allowed to be a minister in the Evangelical United Brethren Church today, many of the old ministers used it and some of them won many souls. One of the treasures of the Beech Church is the picture at the front of the sanctuary painted in 1932 by Will Wright, the son of Hamilton and Peula Wright, who loved two houses north of the church. It is based upon Peter Biermann’s interpretation of the Ascension. When J. W. Settle was pastor at Beech, he happened to remark to Mrs. Catherine Liechty that if he had the records he would write a history of the Beech Church. The Church is much indebted to Mrs. Liechty for finding and securing the old Beech membership records; one she found at the Coal City parsonage and another at Hammond, Indiana. Reverend Settle was not able to write the history; he died in 1937 while serving as pastor at Beech. Rev. J. A. Fields liked the community so much that he elected to live here after retiring from the ministry. He also induced his son, Herbert, to move here. Notable property improvements were made while Harold Underwood was pastor. In 1947 new pews were bought and the floors were refinished at a cost of $2,900.00 Two years later, in 1949, the church was moved back away from its site on the corner and turned on-fourth around so that the former east side faced north. George Rea, superintendent of the Maumee Coal Company, sent a dragline which dug the basement. The Indiana Conference News Bulletin reported: "July 10 was a day of victory for the Beech Church and community as the church was formally reopened on the new site and foundation. The church has been moved back on the present lot and turned to face the road at the cross roads. It was put back on the present lot and turned to face the road at the cross roads. It was put on a new foundation with a full basement, and completely decorated decorated within. The cost of the total project in cash was $5829, all of which has been raised and paid at the time of redidication . . . They had a fellowship dinner in the basement at the noon hour. The afternoon services were well attended with about 250 people present from the neighboring churches and community. It is a day which will long be remembered by the people of the church. The Beech Church is making great progress and is now one of our most outstanding rural churches." The trustees were Henry Wilkinson, president; Irvin Summerlot, Arthur Kelley, Raymond Kelley, William Miller, Wallace Wolfe and Thomas Andrew. When Robert Gehlbach was pastor in October of 1951, stained glass windows were installed at a cost of $1300, and window sashes for $1600, several improvements were made on the parsonage, in August ’52, a contract was let for a basement for $1150; in December ’52, a furnace was bought and in August ’53, a bathroom and water heater. In 1955, under the pastorate of Leonard Wood, $1200 was spent for curtains and other improvements in the church basement, $75 for a fence at the parsonage and a new piano was bought on October 9. The parsonage garage was built while John Flockhart was pastor, and in January 1957 rest rooms for the church were installed. In June 1959 the church furnished paint and Rev. Flockhart put it on. The ground was leveled and sowed in grass between the parsonage and the church. Picture of PRESENT BEECH CHURCH On October 30, 1960, under the pastorate of Ivan Steed it was voted to buy an organ and speaker. The total cost being $1533.43. In April of 1963 additional folding doors were put in the basement costing $238. Indirect lighting was installed and the sanctuary redecorated, the Youth Fellowship painting the basement and benches, also a stoker was added to the furnace. Under the pastorate of Edgar Walls, in June ’67 a new roof was put on the parsonage, drinking water was put in the church from the parsonage deep well. There has been a continuing program of improvement of the church properties.

Hi.... While reading a list of the church members I noticed that the name STORM is included....I would very much appreciate anything on members of the Storm family and also any photos of them. Is the Genealogical society going to offer for sale copies of this book? I would like to purchase a copy. My great grandparents were George and Barbara Storm....Their son Ananias was my greatgrandfather. I do want to thank you for all the work you've already done. Ann

Since there are several people interested in the History of Beech Church I will send in parts. If you are still interested in the pictures please contact me . As it was taking so long to send the scanned pages I will transcribe it in parts. Each email will have the subject as Beech Church History. Centennial Beech Church 1868-1968 REDBRUSH The First BEECH CHURCH CONTENTS History of BEECH CHURCH Coal City, Indiana BEECH Families Photograph section Members of BEECH CHURCH 1868-1968 List of BEECH Ministers Sources Centennial date, August 7-11, 1968 History of Beech Church Settlement in Marion township, in which the Beech Church is located, did not begin until shortly after 1830. Among the early settlers were two United Brethren ministers William Reynolds and John McNamar, the latter being one of the heroes of the early United Brethren Church. John McNamar, formerly a school teacher, was converted in 1811 at a meeting held in Andrew Zeller’s barn near Germantown, Ohio. He soon began to preach and became an itinerant minister in 1814. He is supposed to have been the first United Brethren minister who did not preach in German. Much of his ministry was spent as a frontier missionary in southern Indiana where he organized many churches, some of which are still active. He was once elected bishop but declined the office. In 1836 he came to Owen County and settled near the Clay County line, about 5 miles northeast of where the Beech Church now stands. In the year 1843 the Wabash Conference had a net gain of 2144 members, a large number of which were converted in the celebrated camp meetings held by John McNamar in Owen and Clay Counties. He died in 1846 and was buried between Patricksburg and Jordan, where only his grave and that of his son are to be found in a lonely wooded site. The Reynolds families settled in the eastern part of Marion township about 1833. The Owen County history states, "William was a minister of the United Brethren Church, and one of the pioneer preachers of the township." Little else is known about him beyond the fact that he moved to Morgan township, where he died in 1856. Another United Brethren preacher in the early days was Isaac Johnson, who lived beside Lick Creek an short distance northeast of Denmark. There may have been others whose names have been forgotten by man and remembered only by the Lord. Despite this long record of religious activity by the United Brethren, only two churches are known to have been organized in Marion township: Otterbein in 1866 and Beech in 1868. It is likely, however, that societies were formed in the homes of the settlers, and have since been forgotten because they never erected houses of worship. The Beech Class membership rolls begin in 1868, and, since there is no evidence of the church having existed earlier, this is presumed to have been the date of organization. Following are the names of the 32 pioneer members in 1868: Michael Walters Terry Crall Matilda Walters Isaac Harbaugh John Niehart Martha Harbough Teresa Niehart Elizabeth Furry Henry Furry Sophia Winklepleck Susannah Furry Daniel Winklepleck John Furry (picture of Elizabeth Bickel Nancy Furry Sela Shonk) Serena Todd Samuel Todd Mary Seasole Margaret Todd Susan Harris Isaac Furry David Adams Elizabeth Furry Barbara Adams George Everett Lewis Cashner Elizabeth Everett Mary Cashner Eliza Jane Everett Jeremiah Furry William Crall In 1868 William Cooperider was minister of Lancaster (the old name of Patricksburg) Circuit, on which Beech was a preaching point. There was no church house, but the meetings were held in the homes of the members. One of the old traditions states that the worshippers met under a certain beech tree when the weather was favorable, and so the church was called "The Beech." This story seems to be authentic and reflects the common practice of the pioneers of worshipping under trees. The location of this tree, if it existed, is no longer remembered, but at any rate the official name of the organization is always "Beech" in the old records. The infant organization did not thrive and by 1870 was down to 16 members. It appeared that the church had no future and the conference leaders decided to omit it from the list of appointments. One of the members, Samuel Todd, walked 30 miles to conference and asked for a preacher for one more year, promising that if they did not prosper, that they would be satisfied to be disbanded. The preacher was sent and there were 23 accessions during the protracted meeting held that year. One of these was William Krieble, who had earlier been converted in a field behind a brush pile. Because of the renewed interest it was decided to build a church house and this was done, probably in the spring of 1871. It was located about ½ mile south of the present location of the Beech Church between the cemetery and the road. The building was of logs and rather crude. The interior was furnished with a pulpit and two chairs, a U-shaped altar rail, two rows of log benches, and a long wood stove in the center of the room. There were large cracks in the floor and walls. Mrs. Catherine Liechty told of one time when a snake came through a crevice and was crawling around on the wall back of the preacher as he was speaking. One of the older members, Sammy Todd, went forward and killed it with his cane and carried it out. The log church was known as the Redbrush Church because of the numerous redbud trees in the vicinity. Traditions disagree as to why the church had two names. One story relates that it was first called "Redbrush," but that the first church was built with beech logs and so they began calling it "The Beech." As stated earlier, the official records seemed to indicate that "Beech" was the earlier name. At the present time "Beech" refers to the present location of the church and "Redbrush" refers to the location of the old log church, one-half mile south. One of the prominent members at this time was Samuel Todd who had been converted at a camp meeting in Ohio when a young man. He often testified: "They had one of those old-fashioned Holy Ghost meetings and sinners all around were trembling and falling under the convicting power of God. Then I wanted to know what there was in religion. If there was any such thing as being converted, I wanted to know it. I attended the meeting. Others were being converted and testified of God’s saving power. I went to the mourner’s bench. I prayed to the Lord to give me light and remove this load of sin. I had often heard it said that you could not get religion by hanging your head over the mourner’s bench; that you must look up to God. I prayed more earnestly than ever. I began to look up and I got happy and began praising the Lord. Then the brethren began to say, Her’s one has got religion. Yes, thank God, I got religion when a young man in the state of Ohio." From this time on the church gradually grew. Two good revivals were held by J. L. Brandenburg with 16 accessions in 1882 and 20 more in 1883. They decided they needed a bigger and better building, so land was bought at the present site in 1882 and a frame church was built which was dedicated by Bishop Kephart May 27, 1883. It had a pulpit, altar rail, kerosene lights, two aisles with hemp runners on the floor. This building is now the main part of the present structure. There were no stained glass windows then, but the door was located where the large north window is now. and the pulpit was at the other end in front of what is now the large south window. The building was then located in the northeast corner of the church lot and the door faced east. At that time it was considered on of the finest church houses in this part of the country. Picture of "FIRST FRAME CHURCH" In those days the church members were regularly examined as to deportment. Card playing, frequenting saloons, getting drunk, going to dances are examples of what was called immoral conduct. For such offenses a committee of usually two persons were appointed to visit the culprit and urge him to amend his ways. In case he would not change, his name was removed from the church roll. This was a time of great change in the community. The people had previously depended upon farming for their living, but with the opening of the Andrew mine in 1880 and the Harrison mine soon after, there was a great influx of people which reached its peak about 1890. One mile north of Beech was Happy Hollow with half-a-dozen houses. Just west of this corner was Red Row with a store and a dozen houses. Just west of Red Row was a school and just west of the school was the village of Woodside (Slabtown) with a store and postoffice and a dozen houses. Here were the Andrew mines and a railroad spur came in from the E.&I. (now New York Central). Across the road from Woodside were three saloons. On west a half mile was Harrison Block with about 18 houses and a store. Then just south of Liechty Cemetery was White Block with half-a-dozen houses. When the coal mines closed, most of these people moved away and the population of this area has declined ever since. The gospel was presented to these people and tremendous revivals were held, especially under the leadership of J. C. Fowler. There were 95 conversions and accessions to the Beech Church in 1890; 62 more in 1891; and 96 more in 1892. These meetings had a profound influence upon the community. Dancing which had been very popular among the mining people was abandoned. The membership of the Church reached 262, an all-time high.