APOSTOLIC MENNONITE CHURCH

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the division, others were elected later to assist, as Naffziger spent much of his time visiting various settlements. 
     Later Jacob Mueller, an ordained minister and elder, came from Germany, and for ten years was the leader of the congregation.  He was followed by Peter Kennel, who had the oversight of the congregation for several years.  The congregation having grown in numbers, it became apparent that the assembling in the homes of the members was inconvenient and unsatisfactory.
     About this time Joseph Augspurger was elected a minister, and he being a man of more than ordinary abilities was soon recognized as a leader.  Two years later he was elected and ordained the Elder of the congregation, and at once he urged the building of a meetinghouse and the incorporation of the organization.
     Accordingly on August 29, 1863, the congregation was incorporated as the Apostolic Mennonite Society in Butler county, and the following were named as trustees: John Augspurger, Samuel Augspurger, John Kennel, Sr., John Kennel, Jr., and John Iutzi. 
     On November 19, of the same year, one and one-half acres of land were purchased in St. Clair township from John Good for a church site and cemetery purposes, for the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars.  The following spring, 1864, the meetinghouse was completed and used for worship.
     The church grew in usefulness and increased in membership under the able leadership of Joseph Augspurger.  Several years later his brother, John, and John Unzicker were elected to assist him.  John Augspurger, while not classed as a pulpit orator, was a faithful minister of Jesus Christ, and a wise counsellor, his advice

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was always sought when important matters were to be considered, and to him belongs a large share of credit for the successful career of the church.
     A new era in the history of the church began when in July, 1892, at a meeting called by Rev. Joseph Augspurger, he with the two remaining ministers, Peter Kennel and John Augspurger, asked to be relieved of their duties as leaders of the church, and suggested that a trained man be called and supported by the congregation.  The request was granted, and a call extended to Rev. Henry J. Krehbiel, who entered upon his duties September 25, 1892.  The congregation numbered at this time one hundred and fifty members.  In 1897 the Augspurger congregation merged with this congregation, and the church now numbered two hundred and fifty members.
     During these years the congregation was without any conference connection, though interested in the work of the General Conference of Mennonites of North America and in close touch with it through the visits of Rev. John B. Baer, the travelling Home Missionary of this body.  At the triennial session in 1892 the congregation was admitted into this body, and the following year united with the Middle District Conference.