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Dubois County: Christian Communities in Southern Indiana

1998-1999

10 interviews



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This project consists of Southern Indiana inhabitants discussing their life histories and their affiliation with area churches. Many of the interviewees discuss growing up on a farm and community cooperation during butchering and threshing seasons. Throughout these interviews they discuss church history, church picnics, and the church community. They also talk about the merger of the Congregational, Reformed and Evangelical churches into the United Church of Christ. The interviewees discuss the changes this had on the church ceremonies and activities. Two of the interviewees attend the Catholic Churches in the area and they discuss traditions and changes that they have seen in the Catholic Church since Vatican II and throughout their lifetimes.

Interviewees

Beumer, Harry; Beumer, Catherine

Hoppenjans, Diane

Kahle, Edward

Ley, Raymond

Lindauer, Francis

Peters, Doris; Peters. Clayton

Schmidt, Gilbert

Schroeder, Melvin

Tollas, William

Werne, Benno; Werne, Bernitha


Interviewee: Beumer, Harry; Beumer, Catherine
Call number: 98-037
Date(s) of Interview: April 19, 1999
Physical Description: 45 pp.; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 110 minutes; index
Physical Location: Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office.
Access Status: Open
Interviewer: Muehr, Heiko

Harry and Catherine Beumer discuss being members of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Holland, Indiana. Henry Beumer was raised in this church and reminisces about the changes he has seen throughout his lifetime. He also discusses his education and his father's construction business.

Keywords

Corporation Names

Augustina United Church of Christ

St. Paul's Church Board

St. Paul's League

St. Paul's United Church of Christ

Zoar United Methodist Church

Personal Names

Keller, Lori

Overbeck, John

Place Names

Holland, Indiana

Pike County, Indiana

Zoar, Indiana

Occupation Names

contractor

farmer

Subjects

Confirmation

German language

Holland Centennial

Sunday school

church changes

church construction

church government

church picnics

church remodeling

church youth activities

ecumenical services

education

funeral dinners

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Interviewee: Hoppenjans, Diane
Call number: 98-035
Date(s) of Interview: September 28, 1998
Physical Description: 54 pp.; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 120 minutes; index
Physical Location: Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office.
Access Status: Open
Interviewer: Muehr, Heiko

Diane Hoppenjans discusses her childhood in Mariah Hill, Indiana. The topics she covers are her education, entertainment and the Catholic Church, and family life. She discusses her teaching career and her involvement with the Ferdinand, Indiana community. She is actively involved in the Ferdinand Tourism Commission

Keywords

Corporation Names

Dubois County Commission

Dubois County Tourism Commission

Ferdinand Tourism Commission

Indiana State University

Jaycee's Club

Monte Cassino Shrine

Tin Lizzies

Personal Names

Kemper, Jim

Kreinlein, Phillip

Körber, Christian

Michelle, Jane

Phillip, Mary

Reichman, Ruth

Place Names

Evansville, Indiana

Ferdinand, Indiana

Jasper, Indiana

Mariah Hill, Indiana

Pfaffenweiler, Germany

St. Meinrad, Indiana

Occupation Names

educator

Subjects

Christkindlmarkt

Corpus Christi

German heritage

Germany trip

Lustigfest

Monte Cassino pilgrimage

Windows to the World Program

church picnics

church processions

college life

community organizations

dating

education

family life

foreign exchange program

historic preservation

sister city program

tourism

town children

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Interviewee: Kahle, Edward
Call number: 98-038
Date(s) of Interview: April 16, 1999
Physical Description: 28 pp.; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 60 minutes; index
Physical Location: Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office.
Access Status: Open
Interviewer: Muehr, Heiko

Edward Kahle, born in 1921, describes his childhood and education. He explains what farm work consisted of throughout his lifetime. He also discusses the changes in Holland, Indiana from the 1920s to the present time. He also discusses changes in the church.

Keywords

Corporation Names

St. Paul's United Church of Christ

United Methodist Church

Personal Names

Schnuck, Louis

Place Names

Holland, Indiana

Maple Grove, Indiana

Zoar, Indiana

Occupation Names

farmer

Subjects

Confirmation

Easter sunrise service

German language

Great Depression

butchering

campground

church events

church mergers

community changes

ecumenical relationships

education

farming

logging

shopping

threshing

transportation

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Interviewee: Ley, Raymond
Call number: 98-034
Date(s) of Interview: September 28, 1998
Physical Description: 35 pp.; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 85 minutes; index
Physical Location: Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office.
Access Status: Open
Interviewer: Muehr, Heiko

Raymond Ley discusses his career as a pastor for the United Church of Christ. He also discusses the church ecumenical beliefs and its past mergers with the Reformed Church and the Evangelical Church. Ley shares his involvement with the church since he was a child as well as his education.

Keywords

Corporation Names

Congregational Christian Church

Evangelical Synod of North America

German Reformed Church

Journey House

McCormick Theological Seminary

Mission House Academy

Salem United Church of Christ

Place Names

Boonville, Indiana

Huntingburg, Indiana

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sheboygan, Wisconsin

St. Bernard, Ohio

Occupation Names

pastor

Subjects

Communion

Confirmation

German language

Protestant-Catholic relationship

Religion in American Life ceremony

church Christmas celebrations

church changes

church choir

church membership

church organizations

church programs

ecumenical work

neighborhood ministry

urban churches

volunteer work

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Interviewee: Lindauer, Francis
Call number: 98-032
Date(s) of Interview: September 8, 1998
Physical Description: 18 pp.; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 45 minutes; index
Physical Location: Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office.
Access Status: Open
Interviewer: Muehr, Heiko

Frances Lindauer discusses farming, childhood, and religion. He describes the changes that have occurred in farming since he was a child. He also discusses the use of the German language in the community. Lindauer discusses the religious holidays he celebrated as a child and as an adult. He also shares his concern for the displacement of farms and farmers by the development of Ferdinand.

Keywords

Corporation Names

Johannaman School

Monte Cassino Shrine

St. Ferdinand Catholic Church

St. Henry Catholic Church

Place Names

Ferdinand, Indiana

Jasper, Indiana

Occupation Names

farmer

Subjects

Catholicism

Ferdinand city development

German language

German personality

German traditions

Great Depression

People's Pilgrimage

Rogation Days

alcohol

butchering

childhood activities

church picnics

farm machinery

farming

wheat threshing

winemaking

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Interviewee: Peters, Doris; Peters. Clayton
Call number: 98-036
Date(s) of Interview: March 18, 1999
Physical Description: 55 pp.; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 120 minutes; index
Physical Location: Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office.
Access Status: Open
Interviewer: Muehr, Heiko

Clayton and Doris Peters talk about their childhood and educational experiences in Dubois County. Doris Discusses St. Paul's United Church of Christ and its changes. Clayton Peters describes farming with his father. He also discusses neighborhood butchering and threshing and his childhood jobs on the farm. Clayton also shares a brief timeline of his career.

Keywords

Corporation Names

Augustina United Church of Christ

Holland Dairies

Salem United Church of Christ

St. Paul's United Church of Christ

Personal Names

Schnuck, Louis

Place Names

Evansville, Indiana

Ferdinand, Indiana

Holland, Indiana

Huntingburg, Indiana

Occupation Names

bookkeeper

dairy farmer

farmer

fire fighter

Subjects

threshing

threshing

Catholic community

Confirmation

German language

Germany trip

Great Depression

World War II

butchering

childhood activities

church choir

church events

church mergers

church picnics

ecumenical relationships

education

farming

women's guild

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Interviewee: Schmidt, Gilbert
Call number: 98-040
Date(s) of Interview: May 12, 1999
Physical Description: 42 pp.; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 120 minutes; index
Physical Location: Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office.
Access Status: Open
Interviewer: Muehr, Heiko

Gilbert Schmidt, born in 1926, describes his life as a farmer and the modernization of farming through tractors and computerization. He discusses the family farm transition from a general farm to a primarily dairy farm. Schmidt discusses his childhood in Warrick County and his life long affiliation with St. Matthew's United Church of Christ. He reminisces about his Confirmation and the church's activities.

Keywords

Corporation Names

4-H Club

Holland Dairies

St. Matthew's United Church of Christ

Tecumseh High School

Personal Names

Combs, Marjorie

Held, Konrad

Place Names

Lynnville, Indiana

Warrick County, Indiana

Occupation Names

Sunday school superintendant

farmer

Subjects

Confirmation

German language

Great Depression

blackberry wine

butchering

childhood activities

church changes

church council

church organizations

dairy farming

education

farming

gardening

minister search

moonshine

school basketball

special services

technological changes

turkey farming

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Interviewee: Schroeder, Melvin
Call number: 98-031
Date(s) of Interview: September 8, 1998
Physical Description: 22 pp.; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 60 minutes; index
Physical Location: Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office.
Access Status: Open
Interviewer: Muehr, Heiko

Melvin Shroeder, born November 7, 1925, discusses his memories of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Dubois County, Indiana. He describes past church picnics, Confirmation rituals and German church services that were separated by gender. He continues by describing present church activities including picnics, Confirmation, and services. Shroeder also shares his personal family experiences and community involvement in Dubois County.

Keywords

Corporation Names

Boy Scouts of America

Holland Dairies

St. Paul's United Church of Christ

Personal Names

Schnuck, Louis

Place Names

Holland, Indiana

Ladbergen, Germany

Occupation Names

carpenter

Subjects

Confirmation

Evangelical and Reformed church

German language

child discipline

church activities

church architecture

church changes

church construction

church picnics

community involvement

education

education

farming

gender segregation

local churches

murals

planing mill

social activities

wooden shoes

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Interviewee: Tollas, William
Call number: 98-039
Date(s) of Interview: April 16, 28, 1999
Physical Description: 39 pp.; 4 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 120 minutes; index
Physical Location: Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office.
Access Status: Open
Interviewer: Muehr, Heiko

William Tollas, former pastor of St. Matthew's United Church of Christ, discusses his career as a minister for the United Church of Christ. He shares his educational experiences at Michigan State and at Eden Seminary after his tour in World War II. He also discusses the merger of the Congregational, Evangelical, and Reformed churches. Tollas talks about church government as well as church activities.

Keywords

Corporation Names

Buckskin Evangelical Church

Eden Seminary

Good Samaritan Cooperation

Indiana-Kentucky United Church of Christ Conference

Lincoln Land Association

Michigan State College

St. Matthew's United Church of Christ

Family Names

Niebuhr

Personal Names

Bender, August

Schneider, Karl

Place Names

Baroda, Michigan

Batesville, Indiana

Evansville, Indiana

Lynnville, Indiana

Moscow Mills, Missouri

Troy, Missouri

Occupation Names

pastor

Subjects

Confirmation

Congregational Church merger

German traditions

World War II

bible study groups

charismatic Christian movement

church mergers

church youth activities

college life

community involvement

cooperatives

evangelical seminary

lay leadership

ministry

racial segregation

synod government

women's guild

worship services

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Interviewee: Werne, Benno; Werne, Bernitha
Call number: 98-033
Date(s) of Interview: September 22, 1998
Physical Description: 38 pp.; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 74 minutes; index
Physical Location: Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room 122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office.
Access Status: Open
Interviewer: Muehr, Heiko

Benno (Bing) and Bernitha Werne talk about their involvement with and responsibilities to St. Henry Catholic Church. They discuss their childhoods, education and St. Henry, Indiana. Benno also discusses serving in World War II and the disability he acquired as a result. He talks about his hometown St. Meinrad, Indiana. The Wernes also describe the changes in the Catholic church since Vatican II.

Keywords

Corporation Names

Dale High School

Monte Cassino Shrine

St. Ferdinand Catholic School

St. Henry Catholic Church

St. Meinrad Catholic Church

Place Names

Holland, Indiana

Mariah Hill, Indiana

St. Henry, Indiana

St. Meinrad, Indiana

Subjects

Dubois County public schools

German language

Great Depression

Rogation Days

Vatican II

World War II

church maintenance

church picnics

education

huckster wagon

religious ceremonies

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