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| Indiana church has seen town through nearly 160 years |
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DABNEY, Ind. — The Dabney Baptist Church is located in the small hamlet of Dabney, in Ripley County, Ind. Dabney is 75 miles southeast of Indianapolis. The original name of the town was Poston – and thus, the name of the church was the Poston Baptist Church.
The church was organized in 1852 two miles north of its present location, at Otter Village. This was a little town organized by Stephen Andrews, a veteran of the War of 1812. Otter Village had sprung up as a stopover point on the Michigan Road for travelers moving produce and animals between Indianapolis and Madison.
When the railroad came through at Poston in 1854, the post office was moved from Otter Village, as was much of the trade and interest. This led to the church moving, as well.
The church was founded with eight charter members and the pastor, Enoch Tilton. Early deeds show the “Baptist Meeting House” on lot number 40 in the town of Poston. With the town of Holton down the rail line, the names Holton and Poston made for confusion in the railroad mail drop, so the town name was changed to Dabney in 1897.
The church remained the Poston Baptist Church until 1921 before changing its name. The church outgrew its facilities and secured another meeting place on lot number 63 in a building that had been previously used by the Methodists. In July 1881 Rev. R.J. Gorbert was called to be the pastor and the church experienced significant growth under his leadership.
A revival service that began in October of that year lasted for three-and-one-half weeks, with several additions. The church again found itself in need of bigger facilities and a new sanctuary was dedicated on May 21, 1885, and remains today.
In 1938 consideration was given to electricity being installed in the church. The church voted down having electric and stayed with the gas lights that were then in use. Many felt that electricity was a “worldly” luxury, an idea accepted by the Amish today; however, by the spring of 1940 this idea had been put to rest and the church installed electric, but still heated with wood stoves.
A new fellowship hall was built in 1957, with much of the material and labor donated by the congregation. A new parsonage was built in 1964 and the church facilities have had numerous renovations and additions.
The church has stood firm through major events, from the Civil War to Sept. 11. In 157 years, more than 1,200 people have learned of a savior’s love within her walls.
-Mike Stratton |
| 1/20/2010 |
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