Church History

Osceola Church of the Brethren, IN, is located midway between Mishawaka and Elkhart in St. Joseph County. In 1895 the Baugo congregation, a daughter of the West Goshen congregation, divided with the northern part organized into Osceola. The elders were Joel Shively, Hiram Krieghbaum, and Bro. Puterbaugh. Prior to becoming separate organizations, the congregation met in a schoolhouse and then in a Baptist church in Baugo Township. In 1893 members purchased a Methodist church in Elkhart County on Mishawaka Road. The 1918 records list sixty members served by a succession of pastors providing a free ministry. Ervin Weaver became the first full-time pastor in 1932. In 1935 the church house was raised and a full basement put in, greatly increasing the capacity for Sunday school. In 1954 an addition provided more classroom space and a balcony was added to the sanctuary. In 1969 the congregation purchased thirty acres of land, sold its meetinghouse, and built a new facility, along with a parsonage, several miles away. Ten of the twenty acres were sold in 1998. The ten remaining acres include a wooded area with a pavilion and adequate space for camp outs, hog roasts, and a softball diamond. Funds from the sale of this acreage were used to build an addition onto the Christian Education portion of the building.