Cedar Creek Church of the Brethren began its ministry in 1873 and joins with 50 other churches to make up the Northern Indiana District which meets in September of each year. Our denominational offices are located in Elgin, Illinois. Our denominational seminary is located in Richmond, Indiana.

    We invite you to join us in our spiritual journey as we discover new ways to share the gospel and deepen our discipleship to Jesus Christ.

    In 1853 some families (including Jeremiah and Jacob Gump) moved from Miami County, Ohio, to Allen, DeKalb and Noble Counties, Indiana. Elder George W. Studebaker of Delaware County soon came preaching into this territory. Many persons, including the Gump brothers, were united with the church. That same fall, Jeremiah and Jacob Gump were chosen for the ministry in an election at the house of Samuel Shadows who lived just south of Avilla. That meeting was held in the cabin loft which could be reached by climbing a ladder and going through a small window. Elders James Tracy, Jacob Berkey and John Miller were present. Samuel Snider and Jonathon Wolfe were elected to the deacon's office the same day.

    The Cedar Creek church prospered under the preaching of the Gump brothers. Elder George W. Studebaker took great delight in visiting and preaching for these members. Jeremiah Gump became a great evangelist and spent much time preaching in this large territory. Many of those brought into the church also became pillars of the church.

    In 1873, the Cedar Creek church had grown to 125 members but they were widely scattered. It was decided to divide the territory - the western part was known as Pleasant Hill, the northern part was known as Cedar Lake, the eastern part was known as Little St. Joe and the center and southern part became Cedar Creek. Elder Jacob Gump was given charge of the last three while Jeremiah Gump retained charge of the Pleasant Hill area near his home. James Barton was a minister at Cedar Creek and Harrison Elson at St. Joe. The St. Joe church never prospered and was disorganized in 1914 with most of the members going either Hicksville, Ohio or Cedar Creek.

    The church record of June 20, 1896 shows that a poor fund was maintained and subsequently replenished at every congregational business meeting. That fund was maintained for many years.

    Some of the presiding elders down through the years include Jacob Gump, John Stafford, C.G. Fair, Jesse Gump, David Hoover, C.W. Warstler, Manly Deeter, J.H. Urey, Christian Metzler, A.F. Morris, Charles Gump, J.S. Flory and Arlo Gump.

    The Sunday School at Cedar Creek was organized at the regular council meeting of the church on March 18, 1899. The first session was held on the first Sunday in April with the following officers in charge - Superintendent Sadie Ober, Assistant Superintendent M.A. Hanson, Secretary Sarah Waggent and Chorister M.A. Hanson. Some of the Sunday School superintendents of later years include Wilbur Stonestreet, Gerry Gump, A.C. Lung, Lawrence Smith, Walter Lung and Jesse Ober.

    Two important outgrowths of the Cedar Creek Sunday School have been the organizing of the Daily Vacation Bible School in 1928 under the guidance of Rev. A.F. Morris. A short time later the Children's Department was organized to meet the need for more specialized Bible instruction of the children. From the very beginning, the Vacation Bible School was given a special emphasis in the church school program.

    The first meeting house of the Cedar Creek congregation was built in 1885. There were two doors on the front and two doors on the back so men and women could enter separate doors and sit separately in worship. The 50th anniversary of the building of the church was celebrated on September 29, 1935. President Otho Winger of Manchester College gave the message on "The Church, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow." When the church house was remodeled in 1925, one front central entrance was built. A balcony was added with classrooms located on the main floor, the balcony and the basement.

    On April 29, 1956, there was a ground-breaking ceremony for the new educational addition. The front and rear of the sanctuary were reversed, a large stained glass window was added and the entrance was changed. The Cedar Creek church is greatly indebted to Francis Hogue, both a member and a skilled carpenter, for both the 1925 and 1956 remodeling projects. Many others helped in both projects. An October 27, 1957 dedication service was held for the new educational area, remodeled sanctuary, fellowship hall and heating system.

    In 1967, two lots were bought in the Cedar Creek area behind the old parsonage. Two old houses were demolished and money was willed to the church through the Gerry and Effie Gump estate. Plans were started to build a new parsonage. In April of 1969, plans were approved for a new pastor's study. A dedication was held for the new parsonage on June 14, 1970.

    In the fall of 1971, the Women's Fellowship was given permission to decorate two Sunday School rooms for a lounge. Carpet was installed and lounge-type furniture was purchased. The church organ was purchased and installed in 1972, carpeting was placed in the sanctuary and new siding was put on the outside of the church.

    The 1980s were difficult times for the Cedar Creek church. There were cutbacks in the budget and some activities due to lack of funds. There was no Vacation Bible School for several years. It was a struggle for the church to survive and there were discussions about closing the church. With help from the District and the determination of church members, Cedar Creek remained open and rebounded from their difficulties.

    In 1989-1990, the parsonage was redecorated with 300-400 hours of donated labor. During the 1990s many improvements were made to the church and grounds. A storage shed was purchased in 1993. New blue hymnals were purchased in 1994 by church families and dedicated to special individuals. New carpeting and curtains were put in the upstairs classrooms (1995) and the nursery (1990). In 1996, a chair lift was built to make the church handicapped-accessible and new landscaping was added to the lawn. A new church roof was added in 1997.

    For many years the church was served by the free ministry. Since 1916, the following have served as pastors:

          C.W. Warstler           1916-1918
          Benjamin Kerlin         1919-1921
          T.G. Weaver             1921-1924
          R.A. Sherman            1924-1925
          Emmert Stover           1925-1926
          A.F. Morris             1926-1939
          J.S. Flory              1939-1944
          Harold Meyers           1944-1945
          Arlo Gump               1945-1949
          Glenn Mulligan          1949-1966
          Ora DeLauter            1966-1967 (Interim)
          Michael Hodson          1968-1970
          Robert Knechel          1970-1972
          Glenn Mulligan          1972-1973 (Interim)
          Kenneth Holsinger       1973-1976
          James Simmons           1976-1978
          Gordon Klopfenstein     1978-1979
          Eldon Krider            1980-1983
          Glenn Mulligan          1983-1984 (Interim)
          Wanda Callahan          1984-1986
          Paul Thomas             1986-1987
          Michael Smith           1987-1989
          Ernest Jehnsen          1989 (Interm)
          W. David Albright       1989-1991
          Ernest Jehnsen          1991 (Interim)
          John McFarland          1991-2000
          Woody Johnson           2000-present

Church of the Brethren General History

    The Church of the Brethren began in the early eighteenth century. The central emphasis of the Brethren is not creedal, but a commitment to follow Christ in simple obedience, to be faithful disciples in our modern world. We agree with other Christians in their belief in God as Creator and loving Father. We confess Jesus Christ as divine Savior and Lord. We seek to be guided by the Holy Spirit in all of our life, thought, and mission.

    We faithfully follow Jesus Christ and are obedient to the will of God as revealed in the Scriptures. We believe true discipleship includes a deep commitment to peace and reconciliation living the simple life maintaining integrity of speech opposing the use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, drugs, and anything else detrimental to clean and wholesome living maintaining a strong, stable, Christian family life believing the Christian life must be one of fruit-bearing and service to our neighbors realizing the church is the body of Christ present in the world today with a mission of witness, service and reconciliation.

    We participate in the Love Feast which includes a simple meal, feetwashing, and the Bread and Cup Communion.