By Tim Ottinger, Chairman for Salem Administrative Board
In 1834 in southwest Eagle Township, a group of people regularly met in their homes for spiritual devotions to form one of the oldest religious congregations in the state. Salem United Methodist Church will celebrate its 180-year history this year on Sept. 21.
Services, or “classes” were held until 1849 when the first building for Salem United Methodist Church was built on what used to be Salem Road, then Kissel Road and now S 775 East. An old wagon track, now a depression which is all that is left of the early Salem Road, can still be seen in Salem Cemetery.
Classes of these times played active roles in the beginning of early churches. The classes were visited every month or two by Circuit Riders. The Circuit Riders were ordained Methodist Episcopal clergymen. Being ordained he alone could perform such sacraments as communion, marriage and baptism. He was usually young, literally living out of his saddlebags, traveling by horseback from meeting to meeting and never without his Bible or “Book of Discipline.” Circuit Riders generally made their circuit every four weeks.
The land on which the first Salem Church was to be built was acquired in 1834 from the government by George Wood, one of the pioneer members of this congregation. Andrew Jackson was president at the time. George Wood and his wife Elizabeth Wood, deeded the land for the church in 1849 to William Lemon, William Johnson and Jonathan T. Hall who were named as the first trustees.
The first church of which there is definite record was built in 1849, fifteen years after the organization of the “classes.” This church was placed on the shoulder of a knoll that dipped down to the banks of Fishback Creek. There is an interesting record of the donations of time and labor made toward the building. From it we find that one day’s work rated from $0.25 to $0.50, depending on whether the worker was a man or a boy. Samuel Cooper was the builder, and Hiram Harmon put on the rafters. Hiram was paid $1. There is no record that Mr. Cooper was paid, or if so, how much. The original building was 30 feet wide, 36 feet long, and 12 feet high.
Since George Wood had migrated to Indiana from Salem, N.C., and then to Salem, Ind., in Washington County, before residing in Boone County, he requested that this church be named Salem. His request was granted with the original church name recorded as Salem Methodist Episcopal Church.
The first Salem Church building lasted almost half a century. This original 1849 structure was sold to Larkin Beck for $30.
It was moved and used as a barn on a place owned by J. E. Haller. When the old church of was moved away, “a beautiful edifice was to take its place which would be convenient and modern in its furnishings according to the demands of the times.” This was in 1885. William Lemon, Tom Shaw and Pryor Brock constituted the Building Committee.
The new church building cost about $1,800. The church was dedicated on Sunday, Nov. 21, 1885 with Rev. John Cissel as guest of honor and to preach the sermon.
The Salem Church building of 1885 served the congregation until 1914 when at that time, congregants were interested for improvements to the church property as a whole. The congregation was larger, the community was growing, and the Sunday School was prospering. The Salem Cemetery was already located and the character of the grounds made it most desirable for the new church to stay in this area.
Many Eagle Township pioneers are laid to rest in Salem Cemetery. It was decided to move the existing 1885 building to the top of the knoll, just east of the present location with a basement needing to be dug on that spot. The photo below shows workmen lifting the 1885 Salem Church building in 1914 and moving it just east of its former location.
The remodeled Salem Church building of 1914 was completed and the day of dedication was planned with great care. A round “Dove” window, representing the Holy Spirit, was installed in the south wall and is still there today. New pews were purchased and again, the pews in Salem’s sanctuary today are the pews from 1914. The large stained glass window on the north wall of the sanctuary depicting Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane was donated by Willam B. and Lillie A. Crose. This window also still exists today.
Major activities Salem developed over the years included ice cream socials and serving dinners at farm sales. Salem still enjoys a reputation for traditional socials with their Annual Chicken Noodle Dinner & Bazaar in October, Chili Supper in February, and the Ice Cream Social in July.
Just prior to Salem’s 150th year celebration in 1984, the congregation learned their minister, a Pastor David Campbell was transferring to Avon that June! Since no ministers were available for Salem, the United Methodist Conference considered selling the church building and moving the members to Zionsville United Methodist Church. Zionsville UMC had a much newer, larger sanctuary and was located only four miles away in Zionsville.
Miraculously, a Pastor James W. Hertel, Sr., who was then leading a group of ministers to the Holy Land, answered Salem’s call. Rev. Hertel, a newly retired minister disliked retirement and was drawn to this little country church in such a beautiful rural environment.
Rev. Hertel felt that keeping Salem’s church building in good repair and expanding the congregation was mandatory to saving its existence. During his era in 1984-1997, a great many new benefits and services were created for the congregation and community. The Salem Church family mourned the passing of their good friend, Pastor James W. Hertel, Sr. just this past July 20, at the age of 99.
Salem has been blessed with many wonderful pastors over its long history. Rev. Wayne Patton kept the momentum going from 1997 to 2000. Rev. Bonnie Plybon filled in briefly from 2000-2001. 2001 brought Rev. Phil Lewis who came to ‘fill in’ temporarily for two or three Sundays and stayed for four wonderful years.
In 2005 Rev. Wayne Patton returned to Salem to “co-pastor” with the assistance of a long time friend, Rev. Jim Miller. Rev. Patton had his final Salem Church farewell in June 2008. Pastor Jim Miller has been with Salem sine July 1, 2008 and continues its growth, vitality and traditional charm.
The 180th year in 2014 is not without an acceleration of moving forward for this long time historic country church.
“We have really grown in areas involving our youth,” stated Paula Overman, Youth Ministries Chair. The housing growth in our community has led to a number of new families looking for children’s ministries.
Salem is very proud of its heritage and in fact, may be the oldest continually active Methodist church in Indiana. Many in Salem’s congregation on Sunday are ancestors to those who started this church in the early 1800s. Some families are in their eighth generation of membership.
Salem United Methodist Church invites all to celebrate its 180 year history on Sunday, September 21. Fellowship with Refreshments begins at 8:45 a.m. with a Special Worship Service at 9:15 a.m. This special celebration service will include the UMC Central District Superintendent Rev. Bert Kite as “John Wesley,” credited with the foundation of Methodism and special musicians from the area.
Salem United Methodist Church is located at 6701 S 775 East (Kissel Road) Zionsville, IN 46077. For information call 873-4015, e-mail at [email protected] or visit the web at: friendlycountrychurch.org
The above 2014 history was compiled from the Sesquicentennial History of 1984, Board Meeting minutes, Church receipts, Bulletins, “Salem Scribbles” Newsletter, the History of Boone County of 1914, Sullivan Museum Documents, with information assimilated by Mary Jean Ottinger from 1834-1984 and Virginia Crose from 1984 to present with the assistance of Diana Ward, Irene Sprong, Judy and Jim Washburn and too many others to mention.
