UNION CITY, INDIANA, CHURCH OF CHRIST.

UNION CITY, IND.

The Church of Christ at Union City, Ind., worships in the house as represented by the above cut. The congregation now consists of about 450 members, and the church house is one of the most beautiful in the State. This congregation stands as a monument to missionary effort on the part of some of the pioneer disciples of this section of our country. About the year 1848, Thomas Wiley was the missionary evangelist for the Northwestern Christian Missionary District of Ohio, which included several counties in Eastern Indiana. It was largely through the efforts of Bro. Wiley that Union City was made a mission, to which he gave much personal attention. Among other able and consecrated men of God who planted the seed of the gospel here prior to its being made a mission point, and preached and helped to establish the church here, were Valentine Harlan, Elihu Harlan and Hosea Tillson, of Bethel, Wayne county, Ind. The church was organized in the year 1858 by Thomas Wiley, who became its first minister. Among others who have served as minister of this congregation were Thos. Burnaw, Barnhill Polly, Dr. G. W. Thompson, Hardin Harrison, W. D. Moore, W. P. Aylesworth, A. A. Moore, W. J. Howe, J. C. Tully, J. F. Sloane, C. G. Bartholomew, L. A. Pier, W. L. Meele, W. D. Stone, W. G. Smith, M. W. Harkins, S. W. Brown, A. M. Hootman, Matthew Small, and J. L. Hill, the present minister. In the year 1875 the old frame structure was replaced by a handsome brick church at a cost of $18,000. This house was used until 1901, when it was remodeled and reconstructed at a cost of about $7,000, and in 1902 a handsome pipe organ was put in, costing $1,800. The church property, including the parsonage on lot adjoining the church, is worth not less than $25,000. Not least among the good works done by this church is the sending out of a number of able and consecrated ministers of the gospel. Among her sons who have served the Master in this capacity are Jacob Vinson, Jas. G. Harrison, H. A. Harrison, A. L. Orcut, Harry G. Hill, Owen Livengood and Geo. W. Stewart. The present condition of the church is better than ever before in its history. The church Is free from debt, the missionary spirit is strong, peace and harmony prevail, and the outlook for the future is bright.

[COC 575]