Revision as of 10:31, 26 November 2024

See Branches of Plymouth Brethren to explain abbreviation types (although in short: OB (& TW-P) are Halls & Chapels within the "open brethren" (although GH's (generally) maintain a separate network from the Chapels). EB/TW/TW-N are "Careful" Brethren (similar to OB Halls), and BC are (generally) independent community churches with early or indirect PB influence, and will (usually) not consider themselves "Brethren"). AA/CA refers to assemblies of African or Caribbean origin, or predominant demographic, although all ethnicities are overly welcome in any assemblies.

The above primer link expands on the abbreviations, and also contains introduction to this (and other) sheets within the overall History. There have been scores of branches with their own distinctive networks and strengths within the history of the PB, and many branches continue to flourish today, and while no assembly or gathering is identical to the others, each is thought to maintain a fervent desire for simplicity in gathering around the Lord Jesus, though practices and secondary doctrines may vary culturally and/or preferentially as autonomous (yet inter-dependent) local churches.

Assemblies are sorted geographically, and will, D.V., eventually have further history within. Red links on Brethrenpedia are presently undeveloped, and blue links contain data. Appreciate patience with our progress, and if you'd like to help, please contact any of the editing team, preferably via social media.

Central IN

Indianapolis metro

Hamilton County

Carmel

• Bethany Christian Fellowship, Indianapolis, IN (OB) 1915-present
  • aka: Bethany Chapel; Bethany Bible Chapel;

Marion County

Indianapolis

• Thirty-Fourth Street Room, IN (Raven-Taylor EB) +1959+
  • @ 3611 E. 34th St.

• Gibson Assembly, IN (OB) 1917-1922+
  • c/o Dan Robertson, 324 N. Temple Ave. +1922+

• Illinois Street Room, IN (Raven-Taylor EB) +1959+
  • @ 3211 N. Illinois St.

• Bethany Chapel, Indianapolis, IN (OB) +1890-1960+
  • @ 328 N. Euclid Ave. +1926-1927+; Compton Hall, 2001 Winter Ave. (take Brightwood car) +1936+; 2417 Fernway +1941-1947; home of Emile Corboz, 1833 Roosevelt Ave. 1948+; home of David Scheele, 706 N. Riley Ave. +1950+; 37th & Grand Ave. +1951-1960+
  • c/o Dan Robertson +1922-1936+; Emile Corboz +1941-1948+, +1958-1960+; David Scheele +1950-1955; Richard L. Hammer 1956+;
  • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 9 in fellowship (5 men, 4 women) including 1 S.S. teacher presiding over 10 children (for a total of 19). The Hall was a rented facility (with $187 in annual expenses), and $80 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work in 1926.
  • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated one open brethren (OB) assembly in Marion Co., with 14 meeting in a home.

• Bible Truth Hall, Indianapolis, IN (Grant EB) +1890-1946 (G-A EB) 1946-1949+
  • c/o W.H. Jeffries @ 167 Blackford St. +1894+; John B. Lewis +1949+
  • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated one PB-I assembly in Marion Co., with 14 meeting in a rented hall with a capacity of 100.

• Indianapolis Meeting Room, IN (EB) +1878-1880+ (TW-Lowe) +1892-1893+; (TW) +1985+; (TW-N) +2005-2016+
  • @ 10 West St., Ohio St. +1880+
  • c/o R.S. Sinclair @ 172 N. Illinois St. +1880+; Edward Acomb +1892-1893+ (see Authors
  • 1892-6-23 Indianapolis Journal: "The good work was carried forward still further by granting permission to R.S. Sinclair and Edward Acomb to preach the gospel in Military Park on Sunday afternoons."

• North Street Assembly, IN (Raven EB) +1889-1923+
  • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated one PB-IV assembly in Marion Co., with 12 meeting in a home.
  • @ 21 1/2 E. North +1906-1917

East Central IN

Wayne County (Dayton, OH metro)

Richmond

• Richmond Meeting Room, IN (EB) +1878-1880+; (TW) +1944+
  • c/o Mrs. Arthur Belsham +1880+ (no meeting)

North Central IN

Carroll County (Lafayette metro)

Burrows

• Burrows Assembly, IN (OB) +1904+

Rockfield

• Rockfield Gospel Hall, IN (OB) +1922+
  • c/o Mr. Robertson, 16 N. Chester St.

Cass County

Logansport

• Bethany Gospel Chapel, Logansport, IN (OB) 1934-present
  • Logansport Gospel Center +1941-1943+; Bethany Gospel Chapel +1947-1951+; Logansport Gospel Chapel +1954-1960+
  • @ Hwy. 24, cor. E. Market St. & 12th +1941-1943+; 502 North St. +1947-1951+; Cliff Dr. & S. Cicott St. +1954-1960+
  • c/o C.E. Bulander @ 514 Linden +1936+; F.E. Milstead @ 325 1/2 W. Linden Ave. +1941+; Byron Flory +1943-1960+

Clinton County

Frankfort

• Grace Chapel, Frankfort, IN (OB) +1954-1960+
  • Grace Chapel 1959+
  • @ home of Orval Hunley +1954; 602 W. Armstrong 1955-1958; 54 McKinsey St. 1959-1960+
  • c/o Orval Hunley +1954; John Freeland @ Kirklin 1955-1960+

Delaware County (Muncie metro)

Muncie

• Muncie Bible Fellowship, IN (OB) 1985+

Elkhart County (Elkhart metro)

Elkhart

• Elkhart Gospel Hall, IN (OB) 1883?/+1890-1960+
  • @ More (sic?) Lodge Hall +1922+; Hovey & Wallace Sts. +1927+; 1801 Decamp Ave. (Hovey & Decamp Sts.) +1933-1956+; home, 1311 Maple Row +1958-1960+
  • c/o E. Keifer +1904+
    • probably Ernst Friedrich Kiefer (b. 1855 Baden-Württemberg, Germany; emig. on the Belgenland 1883; d. 1925 Elkhart, IN), son of Johann Georg Kiefer & Elisabeth Schmidt Kiefer. Wife (1881 @ Lipburg, Baden, Ger.): Barbara Christina Bühler Kiefer (b. 1856 Ger. - d. 1932 Elkhart, IN). In 1900, Ernst resided at 510 Aspenwald Ave., and was self-employed as a shoemaker. By 1910, he resided at 210 Indiana Ave, then in 1920 at 154 Milkyway St.
  • c/o Grover Cleveland Mishler +1922-1951+ (b. 1884 Elkhart, IN - d. 1959 Broward Co., FL). Wife: Elsie Vanella Essex Mishler (b. 1883 Hope, Bartholomew, IN - d. 1981 Sebring, Highlands, FL), daughter of Samuel Henry Essex (b. 1844 Haw Creek, Bartholomew, IN - d. 1925 Hope, IN) & Martha A. Evangeline Rominger Essex (1853-1946 Hope, IN). Samuel Essex' ancestors were among the early settlers of Bartholomew Co., IN. Grover was raised Methodist, a son of Levi Daniel Mishler (b. 1856 Holmes Co., OH - d. 1923 Elkhart Co., IN) & Harriett Yoder Mishler (b. 1857 LaGrange Co., IN; m. 1877; d. 1939 Three Oaks, Berrien, MI). Grover was employed as a printer for a medical company. Levi was raised in Three Oaks, MI and relocated to Elkhart in 1903, and was employed 1905-1923 with the Dr. Miles Medical Co., a laboratory which flew its flag at half-staff in tribute to his faithfulness to that company. Miles invented Alka-Seltzer, One-A-Day & Flintstone vitamins, etc., acquired by Bayer AG in 1979.
  • c/o Raymond Stauffer @ 3401 S. Main St. +1954-1960+
  • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated one open brethren assembly in Elkhart Co., with 12 meeting in a rented hall with a capacity of 100.
  • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 41 in fellowship (13 men, 28 women) including 6 S.S. teachers presiding over 60 children (for a total of 101). The Hall was valued at $6,000 with $1,350 in debt (and with $700 in annual expenses), and $500 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work in 1926.

Howard County (Kokomo metro)

Kokomo

• Kokomo preaching point (OB) +1927+
  • c/o Walter Percival (1895-1971 Kokomo, IN), son of Henry "Harry" Percival (b. 1870 Cathedral, Manchester, England; emig. 1890; d. 1935 Kokomo, IN) & Mary Jane Connor Percival (b. 1869 St. Helens, Lancashire, Eng. - d. 1950 Kokomo, IN). Wife (1934 @ Louisville, KY): Violet Talbert Percival (b. 1895 Bonnieville, Hart, KY - d. 1953 Kokomo, IN). Walter was employed in 1917 as a machinist for Superior Tool Works which allegedly developed the first American Howitzer shell. He also served WWI in 1918. In 1930, he worked for a plate glass works as a glass layer along with his brother Edgar and father, Harry. Edgard later worked 1930-1970 for Penn-Dixie Steel.

Kosciusko County

Warsaw

• Bethany Fellowship, Warsaw, IN (OB) 1977-present
  • Bethany Bible Chapel 1977-?

• Warsaw Christian Fellowship, IN (KLC-EB) +1946+
  • @ home of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Engelberth, RR#1
  • broke bread @ Barry Street Christian Assembly, Chicago, IL

Marshall County

Plymouth

• Plymouth Assembly, IN (OB) +1951-1960+
  • @ home of Dr. Earl Keiser
    • 300 N. Center St. +1951+; Rt. 5 +1958; Rt. 4, S. Michigan Rd. 1959-1960+

St. Joseph County (South Bend metro)

Mishawaka

• Grace Bible Chapel, Mishawaka, IN (OB) +1941-1960+
  • Mishawaka Gospel Testimony +1941+; Mishawaka Gospel Chapel +1943-1959; Grace Bible Chapel 1960+
  • @ 1636 Homewood Ave., Lakeville? +1941+; 701 W. Marion +1943-1959; 55775 Grape Rd. 1960+
  • c/o David Selby +1941-1956+
    • Rt. 1, Lakeville +1941+; 1256 Longfellow, South Bend +1943-1956+
  • c/o Kenneth R. Weidner @ South Bend +1958-1960+

Tippecanoe County (Lafayette metro)

Dayton

• Dayton Gospel Hall, IN (OB) +1922+
  • c/o I.L. Hedges

West Lafayette

• Lafayette Assembly, IN (OB) 1934-1960+
  • Brookston Assembly +1941-1948+; Lafayette Assembly +1950+; Round Grove Assembly +1951+; West Lafayette Assembly +1955-1960+
  • @ home of Francis E. Harmon +1941-1951+; home of Bert Hostetler, 1136 Glenway, West Lafayette +1954-1960+
  • c/o Francis E. Harman +1941-1958
    • @ 12 1/4 mi. W. and 1 mi. N. of Brookston, White Co., IN +1941-1943+; R.F.D. 5, Monticello +1947-1951+; 1419 Potomac St. +1954-1958
  • c/o Bert R. Hostetler 1959-1960+

• Westside Bible Fellowship, IN (OB)

Northeast IN

Fort Wayne metro

Allen County

Fort Wayne

• Fort Wayne Gospel Chapel, IN (OB) +1922-1960+
  • home meetings +1922-1941+, +1947-1950+;
    • @ home of L.D. Morse, 904 Bome St. +1922+; home of Theodore Bastian, 3802 S. Barr St. +1927+; home of Karl R. Hausmann, Route 10, U.S. Hwy. 27, Decatur & Paulding Rds. +1936-1941+; 1530 W. Main St. +1943+; home of Dr. Theodore Bastian, 826 Fairfax Dr. +1947-1950+;
  • @ 1530 W. Main St. +1943+; homes +1947-1950+; 902 Fairfax Dr. +1951-1955; 827 Fairfax Dr. 1956+; 902 Fairfax Dr. +1958; 827 Fairfax Dr. 1959-1960+
  • c/o L.D. Morse +1922+; German preaching point c/o Theodore Bastian +1927+; Karl R. Hausmann +1936-1943+; Dr. Theodore Bastian +1947-1960+

Noble County

Kendallville

• Kendallville Gospel Chapel, IN (OB) 1896-1947+
  • North Oak Street Meeting House +1927-1941+; Kendallville Gospel Chapel +1943-1947+
  • @ 317 N. Oak St. +1927-1947+
  • c/o Alonzo R. Cole, 610 Richmond St. +1927+; +1941+; Raymond L. Hippenhammer +1943-1947+
  • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 19 in fellowship (7 men, 12 women) with no S.S. The Hall was a rented facility (with $137 in annual expenses), and $146 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work in 1926.

Northwest IN

Chicago, IL metro

Lake County

Crown Point

• Crown Point Gospel Chapel, IN (OB) 1878-1960+
  • Brethren Chapel +1951+;
  • no meetings +1927-1943+; American Legion Bldg., Court & Clark Sts. +1947-1949; 701 E. Clark St. 1949-1960+
  • c/o A.R. Ward, 302 N. Main St. +1922+; Arthur Tell Kinne, 427 W. North St. +1927-1960+

Gary

• Gary preaching point (OB) +1927+
  • "no meeting" but listed
  • c/o Robert Gordon, 456 Pierce St.

Lowell

• Lowell Gospel Hall, IN (OB) +1883-1950+
  • @ Main & Mill Sts. +1927+
  • c/o James Grant +1927+; T. Walter Smith +1936-1950+
  • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated one open brethren assembly in Lake Co. (probably Lowell, possibly Crown Point) with 18 meeting in an owned hall with a capacity of 150.
  • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 35 in fellowship (12 men, 23 women) including 3 S.S. teachers presiding over 20 children (for a total of 50). The Hall was a rented facility (with $150 in annual expenses).

La Porte County

La Porte

• La Porte Gospel Hall, IN (OB) +1922+
  • c/o W.E. Norris, 327 Virginia Ave.

Michigan City

• Michigan City Meeting Room, IN (TW) +1927-1944+

Porter County

• In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated two open brethren assemblies in Porter Co., with 35 (total) meeting in two rented halls with a combined capacity of 200.

Flint Lake

• Flint Lake Gospel Hall, IN (OB) 1883

Portage

• Portage Meeting Room, IN (EB) +1985+

Valparaiso

• Valparaiso Gospel Hall, IN (OB) 1878-1985
  • @ Lincoln Way (2 doors west of courthouse, second floor) +1927-1933+; 56 W. Lincolnway +1936-1960+
  • c/o Sylvester Marshall Kinne +1927-1934 (b. 1852 Birmingham, Van Buren, IA - d. 1934 Flint Lake, Porter, IN), son of Luke Kinne (b. 1810 Manlius, Onondaga, NY - d. 1880 Center Twp., Porter, IN) & Seraphina Emeline Stone Kinne (b. 1813 - d. 1889). Andrew J. Cotton of Chicago officiated Sylvester's memorial. He relocated to Valparaiso in 1865. Wife (1877): Freelove Harger Kinne (d. 1933).
  • c/o A. Glen Kinne 1934-1977 (1889-1977 Valparaiso, IN). Wife (1925): Bonnie Webb Kinne (d. 1966). Glen was employed as a teacher 1908-1948, also worked for Chicago Wheel Co. He was a veteran of WWI, and a member of the GH.
  • In 1890, the U.S. Religious Census indicated two open brethren assemblies in Porter Co., with 35 (total) meeting in two rented halls with a combined capacity of 200.

Starke County

Aldine

• Aldine Meeting House, IN (OB) 1917-Late 1970's
  • @ North Judson +1959-1960+
  • c/o Charles Brooke +1936-1956+;
    • @ North Judson +1936-1954; Hamlet 1955-1956+
  • c/o Forrest White @ Knox +1958-1960+

Bass Lake

• Bass Lake Meeting House, IN (OB) 1917-1960+
  • @ South End of Lake +1927+; Gospel Testimony only (Y.P. Tues. & P Wed.)
  • c/o Raymond Walton +1922+; Kenneth Weidner, North Judson +1927+;
  • c/o Abraham Lazar @ Knox +1936-1960+ (b. 1887 Iran - d. 1970 Barrington, Lake, IL). Wife (1915 @ Chicago, IL): Abigail Yonan Lazar (b. 1891 Turkey - d. 1938). Met at Knox assembly after the Bass Lake assembly folded about 1949. Children:
    • Isaac Newton Lazar (1916-1992) served as a staff sergeant in the Army during WWII;
    • Lillian Lazar David (b. 1919 Chicago, IL - d. 1996 Plymouth, Marshall, IN). Husband: Samuel Isaac David (b. 1909 Iran - d. 1990 Valparaiso, IN), son of Isaac David (b. 1874 Iran - d. 1970 Gary, IN).

Knox

• Knox Gospel Meeting House, IN (OB) 1917-1990+
  • @ home of Raymond Walton, 416 S. Heaton St. +1927-1960+
  • c/o Raymond Walton +1922-1927+; J.M. Wittkamper @ 104 Bender St. +1936+; Dr. D. Robertson, D.C. @ 304 Lake Shore Dr., Culver +1941-1943+; Theodore Hardel +1947-1950+; Everett Keiser @ Plymouth +1951+; Verl Bailey +1954; C.E. Bulander 1955-1956+; W.W. Chizum +1958-1960+

Ora

• Ora Gospel Meeting House, IN (OB) 1918/1930-1960+
  • Ora Meeting House 1918/1930-1950+; Ora Assembly House +1951+; Ora Gospel Meeting House +1951-1960+
  • c/o Orville Swartz +1936+; C.T. Malott @ DeLong +1941-1943+; Charles F. Malott +1947-1948+; Charles T. Malott +1950-1951+; Henry Thompson +1951-1958; Charles T. Malott 1959-1960+
  • In 1951, there were two assemblies in Ora: Ora Assembly House with Charles T. Malott, and Ora Gospel Meeting House with Henry Thompson. By 1954, only the latter continued.

Southeastern IN

Bartholomew County (Columbus metro / Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie CSA)

Columbus

• Columbus Gospel Meeting House, IN (OB) +1936-1950
  • @ 418 1/2 Sixth St. +1936-1948+; no meeting +1950
  • c/o Vanelia Rosalind Brooks-Payne @ 809 Hutchins Ave. +1936-1950 (b. 1914 Hope, Bartholomew, IN - d. 2000 Columbus, IN), daughter of Harry Louis Brooks (b. 1875 Shelby Co., IN - d. 1938 Hope, IN) & Julia B. Cox Brooks (1885-1970 Columbus, IN).

Ripley County

Ripley

• Ripley Gospel Chapel, IN (OB) +1950-1960+
  • Ripley Gospel Hall +1950
  • c/o Russell Fagner @ Winnemac

Southwestern IN

Evansville metro

Gibson County

Oakland City

• Oakland City Meeting Room, IN (TW) +1944+

Vanderburgh County

Evansville

• Evansville Assembly, IN (OB) 1866 & +1946+
• Evansville Meeting Room, IN (EB) +1878-1880+
  • c/o Andrew Maurer +1880+ (no meeting)

Dubois County

Huntingburg

• Huntingburg Meeting Room, IN (TW) +1933-1973+

Knox County

Bicknell

• Bicknell Gospel Hall, IN (OB) +1890's-1955+
  • @ Main St. +1922-1936+; home of James Creeley +1947-1955+
  • c/o John Robertson, 307 W. 2nd St. +1922-1936+; James Creeley +1947-1955+
  • 1926 USCoRB indicated that there were 11 in fellowship (5 men, 6 women) including 2 S.S. teachers presiding over 20 children (for a total of 31). The Hall was a rented facility (with $157 in annual expenses), and $177 was additionally spent towards the Lord's work in 1926.

• Bicknell Meeting Room, IN (TW) +1908-1911+

Western IN

Vigo County (Terre Haute metro)

Terre Haute

• Terre Haute Gospel Hall, IN (OB) +1936-1941+
  • c/o James Hyslop @ 1001 Maple St.