Some interesting history on the UB church. Ellen and Ruth, let me know
if you'd like this in a different format for the County site.
--Phil Jones
From the History of The Indiana Conference of the Church of The United
Brethren In Christ, by Rev. Adam Byron Condo. Published by Order of the
Indiana Conference, 1926.
Switzerland County [pages 233-235]
Union Chapel
There is a great deal of history connected with this church, for the
reason that Union Chapel is a granddaughter of the first United Brethren
Church that was organized in Switzerland County. In 1833 John G. Eckels
organized the first United Brethren Church in this county which was
located near the town of Bennington. It was known as the Bennington
church for a number of years, then later they moved over near the little
village of Aaron, and then in the course of years they moved to the
present location, which is not far from Aaron. It was in the old
Bennington Church community where the Chittenden family lived. It was
here where Rev. Lyman S. Chittenden was born, and where he was converted
and joined the church.
There were three families that were prominent in the United Brethren
Church, and in the Indiana Conference; viz., the Chittenden, Richardson,
and Cole families, and these were early settlers in the vicinity of
Bennington. There were two out of the Chittenden family that became
ministers in the United Brethren Church, four out of the Richardson
family, and two out of the Cole family. Union Chapel has an honorable
ancestry. In later years when Union Chapel was established, we find that
Rev. J.J. Goodner was a product of this church. Union Chapel built their
church house in about 1868. This church is still active, and it should
live on through the years to come.
Mt. Zion
This church is southwest of Vevay several miles. It was first organized
by Rev. Benjamin Abbott in 1843. They erected a stone church in 1849.
The preacher in charge of the work at the time of building, was Rev.
Jesse Scott. The church is rendering a greatly needed service to the
community.
Markland
The United Brethren began operations near Markland in 1858, when Rev.
Samuel Coblentz organized a society in the vicinity of Markland. In 1872
the Rev. J. D. Current began operating in the town of Markland, and
about this time they secured a church property in the town. This church
is in active service, and has a good following in the community. At the
present time it is the most hopeful field for our church that we have
within this county.
For a number of years we had a church society between Bee Camp and Union
Chapel. It was named Hopewell, and it was organized by Rev. J. J.
Goodner. If they had erected a church house, they no doubt would be in
active service now, but they failed to furnish a church home for the
people, and as a natural result the church could not live.
One thing should be mentioned concerning the church work in this county
which gives us a good idea of the size, or extent, of a circuit back in
1848 to 1850. Bennington in this county was then a part of the old
Newbern Circuit. Think of the "Circuit-rider" having to travel from
Newbern in Bartholomew County, to Bennington in Switzerland County.