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9/25/2011 11:59:00 PM Hinkle Creek Friends celebrates 175th Homecoming Oct. 16

The Times Robert Stubbs, the Pastor of Hinkle Creek grew up in this church and knows much of its history, as well as the history of the cemetery, which is one of the oldest in Hamilton County. It is the resting place of over 20 Civil War soldiers and one soldier from the War of 1812. Jay Haitt is a lifelong member of Hinkle Creek Friends, now in his 90s, he remembers as a boy coming to church on Sundays in a horse-drawn wagon. Sharon Griffith is a sixth generation member of the church. Her grandmother Ethyl Horney wrote a book about Hinkle which is now kept in the Indiana Room at the Noblesville Library. Hinkle was involved in the Underground Railroad, had its safe broken into by Indians, was destroyed by fire and rebuilt and there are many more stories like these. This is back when there were black panthers and wolves running wild in the woods. It was the Quakers who founded Hamilton County and this little church on the hill. It has stood its ground since 1836 and continues to be a beacon in the community. The fact that it is still a thriving place of worship after all these years is quite remarkable. It has been through the dedication and perseverance of its members that this little church has survived at all. Each generation has its own story to tell. The pioneers of this place were remarkably hard working, driven people. The church was the center of their lives and everything branched out from there. Hinkle still has its work cut out for it in these modern times. It has electricity and heat now, but there are many more and larger churches and so many other distractions competing for people's attention. With its own unique challenges to face this generation of believers are equipped with the same time tested tools that they've always had. The word of God and a love for one another. Just this past year the church went through a major renovation because of some structural problems with the building. With a renewed sense of accomplishment and purpose the little white church that could is poised for another 175 years serving God, serving his people and serving its purpose. To give hope to the lost and shelter from the storms of life. We call Hinkle "A place where love grows." When you step through the doors you can sense the history and there is a timeless quality. You feel a part of something bigger than yourself. It is a special place and all who are part of her past, present or future are surely blessed.