See History page [http://www.bethelchurchfw.com/history-of-bethel.html] of the church website. In 1834 a handful of pioneers from the East Coast traveled to the dense wilderness that would become Allen County, Indiana to build new lives in an area inhabited mostly by Native Americans who helped the white newcomers through tough times. Indians took them in and they had supper with them if you will, says congregationist Jim McCrea, and the Indians prepared food for them and they ate in the tee-pee and slept in the tee-pee. Jim McCrea’s great-great grandfather was among those early pioneers, he led the effort to build a small log cabin in the new community that would be Bethel United Methodists first sanctuary. Copied from Humble Beginnings with video by
Eric Olson, 21Country Featured Reporter November 9, 2018 no longer online on
21AliveNews.com. Organized in 1837 on the corner of Till and Bethel Roads. The first building was a one-room log church. In 1872 a frame church was built in the village of Wallen. In 1919 a brick church was erected in Wallen and the name was changed to Wallen Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1969 the present church was built. Contact the church for records. September 15, 2013, they celebrated 170 years of continuous Worship. Bethel UMC Celebrates 170 Years Of Worship by Jake Perrone and Rachel Martin September 15, 2013 no longer online on
21AliveNews.com.
Forest Park United Methodist Church
2100 Kentucky Avenue.
Originally the Lakeside Methodist Episcopal Church organized in 1923. See newspaper articles of 25th and 50th anniversary with photos in November 26, 2016 discussion on
You are positively from Fort Wayne, if you remember... Archived group only visible to existing members on Facebook.
Lighthouse Free Methodist Church
Corner of Wallen and Huguenard Roads
Organized in 1873 as the Fort Wayne Free Methodist Church on the corner of Lewis and Harmer Streets. In 1878 relocated to Creighton Avenue. In 1911 a new building erected on Holton Street and renamed Bowser Free Methodist Church. In 1963 building constructed at 4410 Wayne Trace and name changed to Village Green Free Methodist Church. Name was changed again to Lighthouse Free Methodist Church. Now on northwest side, corner of Wallen and Huguenard Roads, construction of a new facility to be completed in 2009.
St. Vincent's Church 1956 on page 261 of The Diocese of Fort Wayne by Alerding, Herman Joseph, 1845-1924; Noll, John Francis, Abp., 1875-1956, Publication date 1907, on Archive.org
Organized in 1846 by French immigrants. The first log church was built in 1846. A second log church was erected sometime between 1846 and 1852. In 1904 a brick church was built on the corner of Auburn and Wallen Roads. In 1968 the present church was erected across the street. Records begin in 1856 for baptism, 1889 for confirmation, 1861 for marriage and 1892 for death and have been microfilmed and are available at the Allen County Public Library. Records since 1887 are also available on microfilm for St. Vincent Orphan Asylum, which was located at 2000 N. Wells Street, Fort Wayne, IN. See Saint Vincent de Paul Our History page and their Historical Society photo on Great Memories and History of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
When visitors enter the Oratory of St. Mary Magdalene in Fort Wayne, among the many beautiful and striking sights before them, they will see engraved beneath the Cross of Christ, “Behold, I make all things new.” These words from the Book of Revelation encapsulate the entire story of salvation while also describing the spiritual work which takes place in the Oratory, as the Lord continually “makes new” those who offer their time and their hearts to Him in His Eucharistic presence.
In a unique way, the outside of the Oratory has now been made new as well.
The former site of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church at Wallen and Old Auburn roads had been the home of the Haunted Castle for about 30 years. The Fort Wayne-South Bend Roman Catholic Diocese razed the decommissioned church in 2008 and donated land to build a new version. The St. Vincent's Boy Scouts Troop 2 opened the new Haunted Castle, with around 2,000 more square feet than the original, in 2010. June 12, 2008: Demolition work on site of Haunted Castle Corey McMaken Oct 24, 2019 Updated Jun 6, 2022 History Journal archives of the Journal Gazette newspaper.
Organized in 1882 as the Columbia Road Church and School Association. The present church was built in 1903. Birth, baptism, confirmation, marriage and death records since 1898 have been photocopied and are available at the Allen County Public Library. Early records are in German.
