Hello again fellow listers!
Here's an article that appeared in "The South Bend Tribune" on July 21,
1950. Not only does this article mention my great grandparents, the Stichlers, its also
the history of my church. Hillside Missionary Church formerly Faith Chapel Missionary
Church formerly Auten Chapel. The old building still stands on Locust Rd. not far from
the present building on Ireland. If you know anything else on the old Auten Chapel and
its founders please contact me. Otherwise please enjoy the article.
Merry Christmas!
Rick
South Bend, IN
CHAPEL SYMBOL OF COMMUNITY
Congregation Welds Together Many Faiths.
A community spirit reminiscent of the barn erecting scenes of husking bees of the
early pioneer days, today is welding together a St. Joseph county community of all faiths
in one house of worship. A group of Center and Greene residents form the nucleus of the
Auten Chapel congregation whose church is located on Locust road south of Ireland road in
Center township.
The project was the outgrowth of a Bible study group, the Rupel Union Sunday school
which met in the old Rupel school on Jackson road, Center township about 1897. This
school was started by Noah Schupert, a pioneer South Bend clothier.
It was primarily through the work of Mrs. Henrietta Auten, affectionately known as
"Mother Auten," that the Sunday school grew into the Auten chapel congregation.
She presented the plan to organize the church, raised the money, gave the church bell and
secured the first regular minister. This plan became an actuality in 1911.
From the beginning the church served all denominations in the community. However,
since the first regular minister, Rev. Henry Reinoehl, was of the Evangelical
denomination. This continued until 1946.
Under the inspiration and guidance of "Mother Auten," the entire rural
community cooperated in the erection of the building in 1911. The site for the building
was donated by the late Charles and Ottilie Stichler, on the condition that the lot should
be rent free so long as the site was used for religious meetings at least once every two
years.
Peoples of all denominations contributed the $500 needed at that time to purchase the
lumber for the building. The men of the community volunteered their labor. Only one man,
a professional carpenter, received pay. Another $200 was raised in 1912 to buy pews for
the chapel. A similar building would cost several thousand dollars to erect today.
The chapel was dedicated June 16, 1912. The first board of trustees was John Auten
(Mother Auten's husband), James Dunn and Frank Bowen.
Congregation Reorganized.
For nearly two years from 1946 until 1948 no regular services were conducted. In
1948 the chapel was reorganized with Charles Byers, Milburn Lake and Henry Williams as
trustees. For nearly 18 months a regular pastor was supplied by the Church of God. Rev.
Ralph E. Smeltzer, pastor of the church since July 1, is a Church of the Brethren
minister.
Today Auten chapel is even more denominationally representative than it was in
"Mother Auten's day. Its membership represents the following religious
backgrounds, Church of the Brethren, Church of God, Methodist, Presbyterian, Quaker,
Evangelical Mennonite and the Disciples.
"A community church exists to serve the religious, social and welfare needs of
its entire community," Rev. Smeltzer, explains. "The moral and spiritual level
of any community depends upo nthe vitality and service of its church. We want Auten
chapel to become a powerful force for the good, the right, and the betterment of this
community. The chapel door is always left unlocked to any who desire to enter for
meditation and prayer."