Source: Presbyterianism in Paris and Bourbon County, Kentucky, 1786-1961 by Rev. Robert Stuart Sanders, D. D. Louisville, Kentucky: The Dunne Press, 1961.

(p. 3) Paris and Bourbon County have had an interesting tradition. The Scotch Irish brought Presbyterianism to Bourbon County at an early day. In 1786 the Stonermouth Presbyterian Church was founded at Ruddles Mills. The Paris Church followed a year later, in 1787. Other churches were organized in nearly every section of the county.

In 1794, when the Kentucky Academy was projected, Paris and Harrodsburg were in contention to have the school in their midst, but the site was allocated to Pisgah. Bourbon Academy was founded in 1799 and the first teacher was Isaac Tull, a Presbyterian minister.

John Lyle moved to Paris in 1806 and founded a girls school, the earliest in the West, and one of the first exclusively for girls in the United States.

Paris became the home of a "School of the Prophets" in 1806 when West Lexington Presbytery appointed John Lyle to instruct candidates for the ministry in theology. Many young men were trained under his tuition. The reason so many young men, at an early day, entered the Presbyterian ministry from the church in Paris was due to the fact that they had come from elsewhere to study under Lyle and had united with the Paris Church.

On May 4, 1813, John Lyle and John Todd Edgar advertised in the Western Citizen a "Literary and Theological School."

In 1831 Rev. John Todd, Jr., son of Rev. John Todd of Virginia, who gave a library to Transylvania Seminary, advertised a school. He taught in Paris for several years.

In January 1841, Luther Smith, a brother of Rev. Eli Smith, pastor in Paris, 1829-1839, advertised Houston Academy for sale. Luther Smith married Lucretia Caldwell, daughter of William Caldwell, the emigrant to Bourbon County in 1782. Luther Smith later became a Presbyterian minister.

From the foregoing it will be noted that Paris and Bourbon County afforded fine educational advantages. These privileges were not confined to the Presbyterian Church alone, but other denominations made worthwhile contributions to the general culture and spiritual welfare of the county.

In writing the history of the Paris Presbyterian Church one realizes that it has a fine background and today is contributing its share for the cultural, educational and spiritual uplift of the community.

The early comers to Bourbon County were lovers of the soil. They found for themselves some of the richest land in Kentucky. Today we find that many descendants of the pioneers are living on the land which was preempted by their forefathers. It has been stated that there is less waste land in Bourbon County than in any other county in Kentucky.

(p. 7)

PARIS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH U.S.A. 1787-1910

On the edge of Paris there is a large sinking spring by which the pioneers camped. It was natural for the Presbyterians when their church was organized near this spring in 1787, by Rev. Andrew McClure to name it "Sinking Spring." The church bore the name of Sinking Spring until 1794, when the name was changed to Paris.

When Transylvania Presbytery met in the Fork Meeting House, October 2, 1787, Andrew McClure was called to Sinking Spring and Stonermouth Churches, and served until his death in 1793.

Mr. McClure had some difficulty in the Sinking Spring Church. Presbytery met in Zion Church, in Lexington, April 27, 1790, and the minutes of that meeting state: "Twelve members of Sinking Spring Church reflect on Mr. McClure's character." No specific charges were given and Presbytery took no action. Despite these unproven charges, Mr. McClure was greatly beloved and respected not only by the members of his congregation but by his brethren in the ministry. After Mr. McClure's death there were several stated supplies, Robert Finley in 1794; Stephen Bovell and Robert Marshall in 1795; William Calhoun and John Poague Campbell in 1796.

In 1796, Rev. Samuel Rannels became pastor and served the church acceptably for twenty-two years until his death in 1817. At a meeting of Lexington Presbytery in Stonermouth Church, the pastoral relation between Mr. Rannels and the Paris and Stonermouth Churches was dissolved, but he continued in the capacity of Stated Supply.

According to Presbyterian law a church is obligated to pay an installed pastor the same amount of salary as was promised him when he was installed. A congregation cannot terminate a pastorate without the consent of Presbytery. A Stated Supply is called for a short period and at the end of that time the contract can be terminated by the mutual consent of pastor and people without the intervention of Presbytery.

After the death of Mr. Rannels, Rev. James McChord supplied the pulpit in addition to this he was Principal of Bourbon Academy.

West Lexington Presbytery met in the Paris Church and on December 24, 1817, ordained and installed Rev. William Wallace pastor of the Paris Church. Mr. Wallace was a young man giving great promise of usefulness in the church, but his course was soon run because he died September 10, 1818, less that nine months after his ordination. He was much beloved and his early death was lamented.

Mr. Samuel Crothers, a licentiate, supplied the pulpit for a short time after the death of Mr. Wallace.

Rev. John Lyle supplied the pulpit in 1819-1820.

(p. 8) Rev. John McFarland came to the pastorate in 1820 and continued his service until his death July 28, 1828. Mr. McFarland was a scholarly man. He believed that the baptized children of the church were subject to discipline as well as the older members of the church. He and some of his session were in disagreement over this matter. He wrote an interesting book on the relation of the baptized children to the church.

Ebenezer Presbytery met in the Paris Church and on April 15, 1829, Rev. Eli Smith was received from West Lexington Presbytery and installed pastor of this church. Rev. Andrew Todd presided and charged the pastor; Rev. Samuel Taylor preached the sermon, and Rev. Dewey Whitney charged the people. The pastoral relation was dissolved on April 4, 1839, and Mr. Smith was dismissed to West Lexington Presbytery.

Rev. Nathan L. Rice, D.D., was received into Ebenezer Presbytery June 22, 1841, and dismissed in September, 1844 to Cincinnati Presbytery. During his stay in Ebenezer Presbytery he supplied the Paris Church and while at Paris he held his celebrated sixteen day debate on baptism with Alexander Campbell in the Main Street Christian Church, in Lexington. The debate began on November 15, 1843, and ended December 2, 1843, a total of eighteen days, but two of these days were Sundays and no debate was held on those days. Mr. Campbell and Mr. Rice each made sixty-four speeches.

Dr. Rice was one of the ablest Presbyterian ministers of his day. He later became pastor of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York, one of the outstanding Presbyterian Churches in the world.

In November 1845 Rev. Joshua Fry Green was installed pastor by a commission from Ebenezer Presbytery consisting of Rev. J. C. Bayless who presided and preached; Rev. James S. H. Henderson, who charged the people; and Rev. John Howel Condit who charged the pastor. The pastoral relation between Mr. Green and the Paris Church was dissolved September 16, 1847.

A commission of Ebenezer Presbytery consisting of Rev. R. C. Grundy, who preached, Rev. J. H. Condit, who charged the pastor, and Rev. R. F. Caldwell, who charged the people, installed Rev. James Spring Kemper over the Paris Church on June 16, 1848. This relation was dissolved May 12, 1852, and Mr. Kemper was dismissed to Dayton, Ohio, in Miami Presbytery.

On April 6, 1854, Rev. Thomas De Lacy Wardlaw was installed pastor by a commission from Ebenezer Presbytery; Rev. R. C. Grundy presided and preached; Rev. J. H. Condit charged the people; and Rev. James Mathews charged the pastor. This relationship was dissolved March 29, 1859.

When Presbytery dissolved the pastoral relation between Mr. Wardlaw and the Paris Church, it requested Rev. William B. Browne to supply the pulpit.

On Sunday, December 11, 1859, the following commission consisting of Rev. J. E. Spilman, who delivered the sermon, and Rev. J. M. Worrall, who (p. 9) delivered the two charges, installed Rev. Everett Wade Bedinger, pastor. Mr. Bedinger resigned this pastorate October 9, 1860.

Rev. J. A. Liggett, Rev. Alpheus Hardman Holloway and Rev. William B. Browne supplied the pulpit for short periods.

In May 1863, Rev. David Owen Davies was installed.

When in 1838, the Presbyterian Church in America was divided into Old School and New School, the Synod of Kentucky decided to go with the Old School. In 1840, however, some of the ministers and ruling elders left the Old School and organized a New School Church in Kentucky. Many local congregations were divided into the two branches of the church.

The Old School and the New School Controversy

In 1801 the Presbyterian Church and the Congregational Church entered into an agreement known as "The Plan of Union." By this plan Presbyterian ministers could supply Congregational Churches, and ruling elders of the Presbyterian Church could serve as officers in the Congregational Churches and Committeemen of the Congregational Church could represent the Presbyterian church in the General Assembly. In this way it was argued that the general interests of the Kingdom of God would be advanced.

This worked very well for a number of years. Many Presbyterians felt, however, that churches which went by the name of Presbyterian were simply Congregational churches, and that the doctrines and government of the Presbyterian Church were not sufficiently emphasized.

Many of the ministers who supplied the churches under the "Plan of Union," had been trained under men holding the "New Haven Theology," which many conservative Presbyterians felt to be not in accord with the Westminister Standards, the accepted doctrine of the Presbyterian Church.

Need had arisen for training young men to preach and also about this time there was an interest in Foreign Missions. Interdenominational Boards were organized to carry out these projects. The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and the American Board of Education and the American Home Mission Societies were organized. Many in the Presbyterian Church felt that the church should have her own Foreign Mission work and educate her own ministers. This caused much dissatisfaction to many other members of the church. More and more the two schools of thought drifted farther and farther apart.

Two papers written by the Reverend Robert J. Breckinridge, pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, Maryland, had much to do with the division. The first paper called "The Act and Testimony," written in 1834, and "A Memorial" written in 1835, charged that there were sixteen errors held by the opposing party. In answer to these two papers Dr. Baxter Dickinson, then a professor in Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, prepared a paper known as the "Auburn (p. 10) Declaration." This "Auburn Declaration" is not to be confused with the "Auburn Affirmation" adopted at a much later date. The paper gets its name because it was adopted in Auburn, New York.

In 1837, when the General Assembly met in Philadelphia, the Old School party was in control and erected the Moderator. This Assembly took drastic measures. It decided that some of the Presbyteries in New York and Ohio, should be abolished and not counted as Presbyterians. It also revoked the "Plan of Union."

When the Assembly met in Philadelphia, in 1838, the Old School party was again in control. The New School party withdrew and elected their own Moderator, the Rev. Samuel Fisher, D.D. Much hard feeling and many heartaches were caused by this division. The two churches remained apart for 32 years until their reunion in 1870.

In Kentucky Rev. Nathan L. Rice, D.D., and Rev. William L. Breckinridge, D.D., were the leaders in the Old School, and the New School side had Rev. Thomas Cleland, D.D., and Rev. Joseph C. Stiles, D.D., as leaders.

In Ebenezer Presbytery, Rev. Andrew Todd, D.D., championed the Old School and Rev. Samuel Young Garrison, the New School.

A New School Church was organized in Paris. The first pastor of this church was Rev. George Washington Kennedy who served until 1842.

In 1842, Rev. Eliphaz Perkins Pratt was called, who served for ten years. In 1852, he accepted the call of the First Presbyterian Church of Portsmouth, Ohio, where he spent nearly forty years.

Rev. Eli Brown Smith, son of Rev. Eli Smith, who served the Paris Church from 1829 to 1839, served the New School Church, 1852-1856.

In 1856-1857, Rev. Augustus Hart Carrier was pastor.

Rev. William Thomas McElroy, in 1857, succeeded Mr. Carrier and served until 1859.

On March 29, 1859, the New School Church returned to the Old School Church, thereby healing a schism which had lasted for twenty years. At the time of the reunion the ruling elders in the New School Church were:

Thomas Porter Smith
William Wright
John R. Thornton
Victor M. Kenney

The Deacons were: James M. Robnett, William Alexander, James H. McConn, and some thirty-eight other members.

So with the reunion of these two branches of Presbyterianism it seemed as if the church could move ahead with a new zeal. These hopes were soon dashed to pieces by the rumblings of war.

(p. 11)

A New Division

The church in Kentucky had remained united during all the horrible days of war. The records of Ebenezer Presbytery are almost silent about the war, 1861-1865. Only a few times did the Presbytery enter its dissent against some of the political resolutions of the General Assembly.

The General Assembly passed resolutions in 1865 and 1866 which could not be accepted by a large number of its members. In Kentucky, in 1866, the church divided into the Northern Presbyterian Church and Southern Presbyterian Church. Those who served the Northern Church from 1870 to 1910, when the Paris U. S. A. Church united with the Paris Church U. S., were as follows: Rev. William Stewart Cross Webster, whose father, Rev. Richard Webster wrote one of the most interesting histories of American Presbyterianism, served in 1870-1871.

For a part of the year 1871, Rev. George Washington Coons was stated supply. Rev. Charles Fisk Beach served during the period of 1871-1874. Rev. Robert Wickliffe Cleland came in 1874, and remained until 1878.

After Mr. Cleland's pastorate the church was vacant for a while. In 1881, Rev. Ernest Merrifield McMillen was called and continued until 1885.

Rev. Peter Robertson, a Scotsman, succeeded Mr. McMillen in 1885, and served two for years, until 1887.

In 1887, Rev. Francis Jacob Cheek was called and he had one of the long pastorates, in Paris, serving the church and community most acceptably for sixteen years, when he resigned in 1903.

Rev. John Stonestreet Van Meter, D.D., succeeded Dr. Cheek but served only a few months because he died March 8, 1904.

The last pastor to serve in the U. S. A. Church was Rev. Joseph Stevenson Malone who served for a period of five years, 1904-1909.

On October 10, 1910, the U. S. A. Church voted to unite with the U. S. Church and so after forty years of separation the household was united. This has been a joyous union because the church is serving the cause of Christ in a splendid way, and the prayer of the Psalmist has been answered, "Peace be within thy walls and prosperity within thy palaces."

THE FIRST MEETING OF A PRESBYTERY EVER HELD IN PARIS

INTERMEDIATE SESSION

Sinking Spring Church, Nov. 12th, 1793. Pby. met according to appointment & was opened with a sermon on Luke 13,5, by Mr. James Moore.

ROLL U.p.p.s. Messers. David Rice, Robert Finley & Robert Marshall, ministers. John Lucky, William Trotter, Thomas Maxwell, William Henry & Henry McDonald, elders. Absent the Rev. Thomas Craighead, James McConnel, James Crawford, Samuel Shannon, Terah Tamplin, James Kemper, James Blythe.

(p. 12) Mr. Rice is chosen Moderator, pro tempore, & Mr. Marshall, Clk. Ordered that calls & supplications be presented.

CALL. A call from the united congregations of Cane Ridge &- Concord for the Rev. Robert Finley is presented.

Pby. adjourned to meet at William Henry's this evening at 7 o'clock.

William Henry's Pby. met according to adjournment, u. p.p.s.q.s. except Messrs. Thomas Maxwell & Henry McDonald.

J. MOORE EXAM. Mr. James Moore's discourse was read at large from his notes & maturely considered & the Pby. are unanimously of opinion that it be not sustained as part of trial. Mr. Moore is appointed to prepare a sermon against the next meeting on 2nd Corinth, 7,10, as a further part of trial.

The call from the united congregations of Cane Ridge & Concord was presented to the Rev. Robert Finley which lie accepts, & Mr. Marshall is appointed to install him in said congregations as soon as convenient.

Adjourned to meet at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning. Concluded with Prayer. Nov. 13th.

Pby. met according to adjournment, et. p p s q s. Thomas Maxwell present.

DISSOLUTION-D. RICE. Mr. David Rice according to a former application now resigns the pastoral charge of the congregation of Cane Run, Danville & the Forks, for which the following reasons are assigned, 1. Because the charge is too extensive for his now declining state. 2. Because he did not think he had a right to dissolve the connexion of these congregations, he therefore resigned the whole.

Mr. Rice is appointed to supply in the above congregation, or elsewhere at discretion till the next session. Concluded with prayer.

James Crawford, Clk.
From Minutes of Transylvania Presbytery
1786-1837 Pages 69-70.

Paris Citizen Desired To Have The Kentucky Academy Located in Paris

At a Meeting at Pisgah of the Board of Trustees of the Kentucky Academy March 9th and 10th 1796 we extracted the following facts. Members of the Board present were:

David Rice
Caleb Wallace
James Thompson
James Crawford
Andrew McCalla
Robert Marshall
James Moore
William Calhoon
James Welch
Archibald Cameron
Stephen Bovelle
Robert Patterson

(p. 13) The Board requested Mr. Moore, Mr. Welch, Mr. Patterson and Mr. McCalla to prepare a financial statement of the Academy.

March 10. In addition to the above who were present yesterday trustee Samuel Shannon was present at this meeting. The board adopted the following resolution:

"Resolved that a permanent seat for the Kentucky Academy Ought to be fixed on as soon as possible;

"And, whereas this Board is not yet possessed of the funds adequate to purchase a seat, Resolved That Mr. Blythe, Mr.Crawford, Mr. Patterson, Mr. McCalla and Mr. Moore or any three of them be appointed a committee to receive proposals from those who may think proper to contribute Land for that purpose and to give assistance in erecting buildings thereon, for the use of the Seminary, or otherwise to increase the funds; and to make a report to the next meeting of the Board, of all the proposals which they may receive, that the Board may be enabled to proceed to fix on a seat without further delay. Resolved that untill it shall be otherwise ordered by this Board, it will hold its sessions at McGowan's Tavern in Lexington."

The Board met on June 3, 1796 at McGowan's Tavern in Lexington. At this time four sites for the Academy were considered. Harrodsburg offered lots in town, about 30 acres and cash subscriptions of about $1,150. Danville offered a brick house, manufactory, two lots and $1,000 in cash. Lexington was willing to sell a lot of four and three-fourths acres for $525. Bourbon had cash subscriptions of $1,576, lots in good location and 97 acres in sight of Paris at $4 per acre.

In June 1797 the Board having considered all propositions decided to locate the Academy at Pisgah.

Paris did not get the Kentucky Academy but a few years later founded Bourbon Academy in which many young people received good classical training.

Revival Days In Paris

The Paris Church shared with other churches in Kentucky a great revival from 1826 to 1830. We quote from the Western Luminary dated December 19, 1827, page 196, as follows:

"Revivals in Kentucky, Paris, Bourbon County

"It will be seen by the following extract from a communication, in the Western Citizen, printed in Paris, that the good work of the Lord has commenced at that place. The meeting commenced on Friday, the 7th inst.

"The state of the weather was apparently, very unpropitious, but God in His providence, brought several of the public servants, unexpectedly to the place; and the meeting was peculiarly solemn, from the commencement. The high waters and increasing rains prevented many from attending. The number and the deep interest increased every day. On Sabbath morning 22 persons were admitted to communion on a profession of the faith in Christ. On Monday the serious impression appeared to extend and become more deep and awful-about forty came forward at night, as inquirers for the salvation of their souls. The public exercises were continued on Tuesday afternoon and night, and (p. 14) about sixty came forward. On Wednesday the services being continued the number of INQUIRIES amounted to about ninety; and it appeared that there was not an unconverted person in the house. Nine more were received into the Church on a public profession, and many others gave reason to hope that they found refuge in the Saviour. In all, thirty-two have been visibly added to the followers of the Lamb, and there are more than 100, in this town and vicinity, seriously exercised, for the eternal welfare of their souls. What is a little remarkable, there appears to be but little opposition from the world. Some of the most respectable and influential men in the place, are saying, we cannot oppose the work we cannot, and will not, hinder our relatives and friends from going forward and securing their salvation if we feel not yet disposed to go with them. May He who has begun this good and glorious work continue it, until all shall have its blessed effects."

(p. 14) In the Western Luminary, January 23, 1828, page 236, we have as follows:

"Paris, a letter to the Editor from the Rev. S. Y. Garrison, dated Paris, January 18th, 1828, says:

"We, have just closed our four day meeting here. The Lord is still working powerfully and gloriously among the people. Last night was an awfully solemn night here; the Church was crowded. Forty-five have been added on this occasion. The whole number received into the Presbyterian Church in Paris since the revival commenced is about ninety."

Western Luminary, February 20, 1828, page 268.

"Paris

"Extract of a letter dated Paris, February 15, Mr. Skillman-I have time merely to state that our four days meeting here was one of much interest, and the effects of which I hope will not be forgotten through eternity. Since the last sacramental occasion, which was but a month preceding, about 30 professed their faith in Christ. The whole number of professors in two months is 105, and three have been added by certificate. About 20 whites and 40 blacks appeared on the anxious seats at the close of the meeting. A general religious impression appears to pervade the town and vicinity. The Lord is truly doing wonders in our day."

The Revival, 1801-1803, In Paris

Notes from Rev. John Lyle's Diary

One gets a good idea of the great Revival, 1801-1803, in Kentucky from John Lyle's Diary. He tells of three meetings in Paris. One was on the Saturday preceeding the fourth Sabbath in August 1801. The second was the first Sabbath in June 1802, and the third was on the second Sabbath in June 1803.

"The Saturday preceeding the fourth Sabbath in August 1801, I went to Mr. Rannels' Sacrament at Paris. Mr. Crawford was nearly done preaching when I got there. Mr. McNamara preach'd in the afternoon a contradictory jumble of a discourse with a number of good expressions here and there in it. Some people were attentive & seemed pleas'd but others inattentive & some displeas'd. We had society in the woods at night several spoke but no work or liveliness appear'd except in two or three. One poor ignorant man of the (p. 15) name of Rosin was much convulsed but got comfort, Monday evening. Mr. McNamara spoke last on Saturday evening. He stamp'd slapt & roar'd Hell & Damnation loudly but still no crying out or falling that I knew of. I talked to Mr. McNamara about these violences I do not know what effect it will have. He acknowledg'd that stamping slapping &- c. were no gospel institution & as we had no promise of a blessing to attend them & as they were a cause of offense & stumbling to many we had better let them alone. Sunday I preached the action sermon but as there were I suppose 7 or 8 thousand people I extended my voice so loud that I was soon exhausted & thought I would have died or fainted yet not withstanding spoke an hour. While I preach'd about four thousand people seem'd attentive & behaved well but multitudes wandered from place to place as most did all day some singing some one thing some another. I never saw a more confus'd careless audience since the work began. Monday, six ministers deliver'd at three places six discourses but more attended Mr. Howe at the stated place where two or three were struck. After sermon came on rain & in the evening a shower of divine influence. Many young persons wept &- some cried for mercy. Becy Crawford was taken down & when she came to exhorted sinners to come to Christ. Betsy Todd the Doctor's oldest daughter found comfort we would hope in Jesus & invited many to Jesus. Dr. Cogswell's son we hope found peace & little boy about 7 years old whom I saw in distress & then heard him with joyful countenance invite his comrades to Christ. Mr. Mitchell's two sons were much effect'd. Mr. Wright's son found peace & he and his father had a joyful meeting the old man burst out glory to God in the highest & invited all to Christ. The old lady & two daughters wept much & one daughter lay speechless under exercises. It was an affecting time indeed. I understood that several men enter'd arm'd with clubs to drive the people off the grounds but no actual attempt was made. I saw about 5 such men & the people gathered & M. Cameron exhorted & then went to Dr. Todd's about one o'clock. Next morning went to camp found a number there. Old Mr. Patton of Stonermouth was down in a long agony. When he recover'd he told the people his views were too bright for him to bear up under etc. etc. He settle'd into a calm and describ'd his case etc. I deliver'd a discourse as a caution against formality & delusion & exhort'd to get the wisdom that comes from above & that divine ebarity spoken of by Paul I Cor. 13 etc. & came home. The Governor was more moved under this discourse than I had observ'd him before.

"Paris 1st. Sabbath of June 1802. The Sacrament was administered. Ministers present, David Rice, John Campbell, Robert Wilson, Barton Stone, Wm. Robinson, I. Tull, Joseph Howe, Jas. Welch, Rannals & myself. No Methodist Ministers on Sunday & but one Baptist old Mr. Todd. About 3000 people on Sunday. Brother Wilson & Campbell preached on Friday. Brother Robinson Saturday morn. On Isaiah 53d, 3d, 1st clause. He is despised etc. a practical feeling sermon. Br. W. Sat. Even. on Psal. The Lord reigns etc. He aim'd at (p. 16) philosophy & reasoning was dry & cold. Had a cold society in the Meeting house at night. Sunday B. Campbell preached on Jesus Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us. Tolerably lively. People all this time were attentive. Some very solemn. Individuals felt tenderly. Some very disorderly people on Sunday. James Welch introduced the tables with a low cold discourse & very long. While the tables were serving Mr. Stone preach'd at another stand. After I had communed & served a table I went & spoke to the people, felt a tender lively frame both at the table & exhorting from the waggon or other stand. I had felt very bad all the time before. When my deliverance began I began to weep &- before all was over I felt my faith & joy increased. Some people seemed affected at the tables. I believe it was a solemn time to Christians. But few fell. Old Elder McConnel fell when waiting on the tables. Sally Martin fell & it was thought might have refrained more than she did etc. Mrs. Young fell. Sunday evening old Mr. Rice spoke on religion false & true. People were very attentive. It rain'd on Sun. Even. part staid at the tent, the others went home & to the Meeting house. I spoke on faith in the meeting house. Felt a kind of . . . a flat dead frame. People seem'd dead. Old Mr. Rice spoke after me. Monday Br. Welch gave us another long sleepy discourse. The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness etc. Several people went to sleep, others heard that there was lively times at the stand where Howe & Stone preached. They left the meeting house & went there. I preached to a small assembly a short sermon on 1st Jon. 1:16. Had some liberty people were attentive & some solemn but nothing remarkable. I heard of no one being newly convicted throughout the Sacramental occasion.

"Paris the Lords Supper was administered the 2d Sab. of June, 1803. Ministers Messrs. Tull, Stone, Rannalls, Stuart, Lyle, McPheeters. Mr. Tull preach'd Sat. Morn. on Phil-preached Christ & there was great joy in that city. He pointed out in imitation of Edwards 2 marks of joy that were not distinguishing & 2 that were. It was so much in the strain of Edwards I thought it was the best sermon I ever heard Tull preach; but in the end of it he said he was formerly against so many praying out at once & spoke against it; but now he was for it. The people were more than generally attentive to Mr. Tull than usual. Mr. Stone preach'd in the afternoon on - would God my Master were with the prophet in Samaria he would cure him of his leprosy. (History of Naaman) On this text he preach'd his doctrine of faith. He told them not to wait to see their leprosy worse intimating (I thought) that all by nature say their spiritually leprous state so that they might come to Christ without seeing it worse. He told them to believe & that he could tell them no more, but never mentioned the work of conviction or a discovery of our need of the Lord Jesus. The people were tolerably attentive but the feelings of some much hurt.

"Sat. Even. We had society at the Stand. The ministers & people collected on the ground before the stand. At first we seem'd cold & dead but after a few (p. 17) prayers & an exhortation, the people began to pray many of them at once. Some fell, about 20. I went to Doctor Todd's. In the morning I returned about 1/2 after nine. The people were engaged in prayer and singing & appear'd fervent. I preach'd near an hour on Psalm 51:17. A broken & a contrite heart oh! God thou wilt not despise. The people were attentive especially to what was said about the conviction of sin by the law & the necessity of sinners feeling their need of Christ, etc. just as I was done a powerful rain came on & numbers of the people fled. But numbers staid & after a second shower we administer'd the Sacrament to a number standing in four columns for the place & seats were so muddy that they could not sit down. Afterwards we retired to town & Mr. Stuart preach'd in the evening at the Meeting house. After he was done there was a prayer made & an hymn sung. Mr. Stone exhorted his people to pray as one man etc. He pray'd but there was but few join'd him. Again, if I rightly recollect, he exhorted to prayer. Mr. McPheeters took a vacant opportunity to speak. Mr. Stone got down on his knees & began to pray. His people observing him caught the flame & began to pray. The noise in the course of 10 minutes was so great as to confound Mr. McPheeters altogether. He desisted & the people I think pray'd on till about nine o'clock. Many of them together. I silently pray'd for them & or myself, but my feelings were hurt with their conduct. Almost all the people that came to hear etc. cleard out & the praying people had the house to themselves & among the people I found one little boy & one little girl under distress. I talk'd with & prayed for them. I exhorted a few minutes once but it was after the people were fatigued out. Next morning at Doctor Todd's when a company sat singing in the passage, Mrs. Stone fell down & had a great manifestation of the divine glory insomuch as she intimated she could scarcely bear the view. Oh Lord, said she, no mortal can behold thy glory & live. After some time Mr. Turner got deeply affected, was much agitated in body & drew his breath short & hard with considerable noise. This affected Mrs. Doctor Todd insomuch that she wept aloud & her three little daughters wept till they were greatly affected in body. Betsy the eldest lost her strength in a great measure. Also a negro woman of Doctor Todd's was greatly affect'd. We remain'd here talking, singing & praying till it was time to go to meeting. We all went to the stand after first attempting to collect in the Doctor's lot etc. When I arriv'd there I found Mr. Rannals exhorting at one place & a multitude beyond engaging in many exercises but I suppose chiefly prayer. Many together, Mr. Steele, William - - - was among them & some arguing with him about religion; but just as I approached them; two large men came running I suppose seceders & took him away to the stand.

"I then with admiration beheld Ireland, David Purviance, Malcolm Wardly leaping up in an unartificial a kind of Dance - clapping their hands & crying glory to God. How many were employ'd in the same exercise I can't say. I looked at them only. I went up & shook hands with them & (p. 18) exhorted them to go to the stand where Bro. Rannals was exhorting. They complyed. I went to the stand & they insisted on me to preach which I attempt'd from 1 Peter 4:8. Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves etc. I observed that charity was not a plant that grows in the natural soil of the human heart. That it was produc'd by the spirit of God, etc. Gave some marks of true brotherly affection. Then after many cautions introduced the subject of order & the impropriety of many praying at once, etc. I spoke above 2 hours to a very attentive audience. There appear'd a solemnity on the minds of many. Mr. Purvience, Col. Smith, Mr. Tull & Mr. Stone seem'd the most hurt because they had been the right leaders & public advocates of those irregularities. Col. Smith soon after I was done speaking begun to pray & in his prayer to use his arguments in favor of all praying at once. He said there was one spirit but a diversity of operations as though the spirit by an unusual operation would excite to an act directly contrary to the word of God. I rose & address'd the people. Told them I hoped they would not suppose___

"Behind the stand two women were agonized & pray'd out. One who appear'd to be a young man of the Methodist society ran in among them & with apparent rage call'd on them to pray out. One of the Irelands, an old man pray'd out with clinched fists, etc., but few comparatively joined.

"A sister-in-law of Doctor Saldon came & shook hands & in a kind of agony told me to set my slaves free. I told her the setting my slaves free depended on the will of another. And if they were free they could not support themselves. Col. Fleming & brother insisted that I would preach upon the subject of emancipation. I told them I would talk to them about that at the proper time. Mr. Welch who had just arrived on his return from Philadelphia, gave us an exhortation & told us of the revival in Delaware & the Jerseys & considerable additions to the churches there & that there is a growing attention to religion in Philadelphia. I then made a short address on the joyful tidings. Told them what satisfaction it gave me to find so many who set out 2 years ago now fervently engag'd etc., urged them to diligence at home & in every walk of life. Afterwards concisely address'd sinners. After I came off the stand Mr. McCune of Stonermouth told me that he always loved me, but that he loved me more today than ever. If ever he had liked to pray out in his life it was today, but, (said he) I never have pray'd out in society because I thought it not agreeable to the word of God. Mr. Patton of Stonermonth told me that he had been trying for a year past to regulate matters but found his labours in vain & when he heard me on the subject he was exercised & fell with joy because God had he hoped excited me to do what he as a private character had failed in.

"Old Col. Smith shook hands said he did not agree in sentiment but be would let love continue. He rais'd some objection such as how did the custom (p. 19) originate in Cumberland. I told him I could at another time talk about that-meaning that the example of such praying was afforded Cumberlanders by the Methodists. Mr. Rankin I think told me that the falling took place first under Mr. Magee whose brother is a very popular Methodist preacher. That the Methodists & Presbyterians had free communion & Mr. Page & Mr. Magee were their constant preachers at their meetings etc. I heard Mr. Stone was much hurt & mortified with my sermon. He went off without bidding me farewell."

Notes From the Western Citizen, Published in Paris

Saturday, May 4, 1813: John Lyle and John T. Edgar advertise a Literary and Theological School.

June 5, 1813: Died in Cincinnati on May 9-6, Rev. Isaac Tull of this county after a severe illness of a few days.

March 26, 1817: A long obituary of Rev. Samuel Rannels.

Wednesday, April 28, 1817: The Reverend John R. Moreland will preach at John Hamilton's on Saturday next at 3 O'clock and at Cane Ridge at 12 O'clock on Sabbath day next.

May 28, 1817: Died on Wednesday last Mrs. Elenor Peers, consort of Major Valentine Peers of this place.

Tuesday, October 14, 1817: Rev. John Todd Edgar will preach in Paris Church on Thursday evening next at 4 O'clock.

Tuesday, January 13, 1818: Convention at Smyrna Church on 4th Sabbath this month to obtain funds to educate young men for the ministry: John Lyle, John R. Moreland, John Todd Edgar.

September 15, 1818: Died on Thursday last Rev. William Wallace of the Paris Congregation.

Tuesday, September 22, 1818: We regret to state that the Rev. Mr. Henry has declined the Professorship of Languages in Transylvania University.

December 1, 1818: Rev. William H. Rainey will preach in the Presbyterian meeting-house in this place on the 2nd Sabbath in this month at 12 O'clock.

September 5, 1820: Died near Paris on the 20th ultimo Mr. Joseph Ward aged 80 years. He was a Presbyterian from his youth and last 20 years an elder in the Mount Pleasant Church.

January 2, 1821: Died on Saturday evening last Mr. George Mitchell of this vicinity. He has left his disconsolate wife and several small children to lament their irreparable loss.

November 6, 1821: Died on Tuesday Evening Margaret Rannels relict of the Rev. Samuel Rannels.

(p. 20)

Tuesday, February 6, 1822: NEW CHURCH

The Committee appointed to superintend the building of the new Presbyterian Church in Paris, will meet at the old church on Friday the first of March at 11 O'clock, A.M. Carpenters and bricklayers who wish to undertake the labor will attend.

April 30, 1822: Married by Rev. Robert Stuart, Mr. Theodoric Jenkins, merchant, to Miss Eliza Duncan, daughter of Daniel Duncan of this place.

September 24, 1822: NEW CHURCH

The subscribers to the new church now progressing in Paris are requested to discharge their respective subscriptions as the work is in such forwardness as to render payment necessary. The liberality of the citizens is appealed to for further donations as it has become necessary to increase the funds for the purpose of completing the building.

Saturday, April 19, 1823: Married, on Thursday evening last by Rev. John Lyle, Mr. John Alexander to Miss Jane Gass all of this vicinity.

May 17, 1823: Obituary of John G. Rannels who died April 16, at Princeton.

September 11, 1824. Married on 26th August at Washington, Pennsylvania, by Rev. Andrew Graham, the Rev. Andrew Todd of this neighborhood to Miss Catherine Wilson of the former place.

October 16, 1824. Died on Monday last Mr. John Hamilton of this neighborhood, aged 83 years. He was a native of Ireland but came to America in early life. He was a fine patriot during the Revolutionary War and lived long to enjoy the liberty so successfully contended for.

Note: Several years later his widow Margaret Hamilton bequeathed a horse to the Presbyterian Church for missionary purposes.

Saturday, March 12, 1831: John Todd advertises a Female Academy.

Saturday, October 29, 1831: Married on Tuesday evening last by Rev. Eli Smith Mr. William C. Lyle to Miss Margaret Ann Caldwell.

Saturday, November 12, 1831: Married in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on October 25, by the Rev. Mr. DeWitt, Rev. William Patterson Alexander, formerly of this vicinity, to Miss Mary Ann McKinney.

November 19, 1831: Benjamin Moore and Luther Smith advertise Houston Seminary located 11/2 miles from Paris on Lexington-Maysville Pike.

Saturday, December 10, 1831: In Frankfort on Tuesday morning of an apoplectic stroke, Benjamin Mills, Esq., Judge of the Court of Appeals.

January 22, 1841: Houston Academy advertised for sale by Luther Smith. It has 73 acres of Land on Lexington road 1 1/2 miles from Paris.

February 12, 1841: Rev. G. W. Kennedy will preach in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday next and preceding Saturday at usual time.

(p. 21) Tuesday, March 12, 1841: Rev. Mr. Black will preach in the Presbyterian Church at 11 o'clock.

April 16, 1841: Rev. Nathan L. Rice will preach at Presbyterian Church on Sabbath next.

Saturday, December 15, 1827. An item from Paris Weekly Advertiser, REVIVAL OF RELIGION: There has been a very considerable revival of religion in the Presbyterian Church in this place. We have been unable to obtain the precise number that have joined this week, but presume they would amount to 40 or 50 persons.

Jottings From the Records of the Session of the Paris Church

July 13, 1823, William Holmes McGuffey received from the Flemingburg Church.

September 15, 1823. George W. Ashbridge is dismissed.

December 23, 1823. The church decided to contribute to the support of Samuel Taylor, a member of this church who is a student at Princeton Seminary.

January 2, 1824. Scipio, a Negro slave of Dr. Andrew Todd, disciplined because he did not attend family worship in his master's home.

May 18, 1824. The Session decided that it was proper to take collections at the Church on Sunday. Mr. Joseph Mitchell protested this action.

July 24, 1824. Mrs. Margaret January, widow of Peter January, died Tuesday, July 20, 1824, aged seventy-seven years.

Monday, July 5, 1830. William Henry and wife dismissed.

Harriett Larkin, a woman of color, and a member of the Paris Presbyterian Church, departed this life about the first of December 1830, having been for a number of years in full communion in said Church.

February 2, 1831. Resolved that the price of the horse devised by Mrs. Margaret Hamilton, deceased, for missionary purposes and which horse was sold to Benjamin Mills, be fixed at thirty dollars and that the said Mills be allowed a deduction for the amount of the Farrior's Bill for attending to the care of said horse.

Monday, September 12, 1831. The debts of Rev. William Alexander amounting to $30.00 at Princeton Seminary, to be paid by the Paris Church from the sale of the horse given by Mrs. Margaret Hamilton.

Monday, September 25, 1837. Mrs. Mary Alexander, widow of James Alexander, with David Cass and Ann (Alexander), his wife dismissed to Vincennes, Indiana.

(p. 22) September 1839. Nicholas Warfield and Susan, his wife, dismissed to the First Church in Lexington.

December 26, 1840. Mrs. Sarah Thornton and Mrs. Mary Rootes McAboy dismissed to the Murphysville Church.

January 10, 1842. Rev. Abel Aaron Case be allowed $75.00 for his services to this Church from second Sabbath in November till the first of January 1842.

Jottings of the Session Book of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., 1869-1903.

July 15, 1863. A collection was to be taken and appropriated to the Catlettsburg Church to aid in repairing their House of Worship and in continuing the ordained means of grace.

December 17, 1841. Mrs. Ellen I. Lyle was dismissed to the Walnut Hill Church in Fayette County.

March 24, 1873. Memorial to John Lyle Walker an elder in this church who died March 18, 1873, in the 66th year of his age.

December 8, 1873. Memorial to John Rootes Thornton, an elder, who died December 4, 1873, in the eighty-seventh year of his age.

May 31, 1876. Mr. Irwin Taylor ordained and installed an elder in this church by Rev. Robert Wickliffe Cleland and the other members of the Session.

August 12, 1888. Rev. Francis Jacobs Cheek called to the pastorate of the Paris Church, U.S.A.

March 30, 1892. Soo Hoo Isun, received from the Chinese Presbyterian Church of San Francisco.

October 6, 1897. Death of Mr. James McClintock announced. He had been a member of the Paris Church since 1828. He was ordained a deacon December 15, 1867 and ordained an elder February 17, 1882.

February 19, 1899. Three Chinamen received into the Church.

May 5, 1900. Woo Yon a Chinaman received into the Church.

The Session Book-1903-1908.

April 19, 1903. Dr. Donald McDonald moderated a congregational meeting when Dr. Frank Fithian and - J. D. McClintock were elected elders; John Brennan, Owen L. Davis and T. W. Titus were elected deacons. All of the above were ordained at the night service except Owen Davis who declined to serve.

August 9, 1903. Rev. John Stonestreet Van Meter, D.D., of Los Angeles called to the Pastorate at a salary of $800 per year. He served only a few months. He died March 8, 1904.

September 5, 1904. Rev. Joseph S. Malone of Baltimore Presbytery called to be pastor at a salary of $800 per year. He resigned October 27, 1908.

(p. 23)

Session Book of the Southern Church. 1868-1881.

February 27, 1869. Rev. George O. Barnes, the celebrated evangelist held a meeting in the Paris Church.

June 6, 1869. Mrs. A. E. Randolph received into the Church from the Church in Salem, Virginia. She went as a missionary to China.

December 7, 1870. A Church manual to be issued.

October 29, 1874. Rev. Joseph M. Evans, the Presbyterial evangelist held a meeting in the Palmer School House. Many were received into the Church during this meeting.

February 6, 1876. Rev. L. H. Blanton held a meeting in Hopewell Church for two weeks when 29 persons were received into the church.

May 7, 1876. Many persons who joined the Paris Church during the revival in the Hopewell Church were dismissed to the Hopewell Church.

November 29, 1876. Members dismissed from Paris to the Clintonville Church.

October 2, 1877. Memorial to Victor M. Kenney who died September 30, 1877. He was a member of the Paris Church for forty-four years, serving as a deacon for fourteen years and a ruling elder twenty-four years during this period until the time of his death.

August 14, 1878. Mr. Blanton given permission to supply the Hopewell and Clintonville Churches in connection with the Paris Church.

July 11, 1880. Rev. L. H. Blanton announced his resignation to the congregation.

July 18, 1880. Colonel and Mrs. George M. Edgar dismissed to the Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Session Book of the Southern Church, 1907-1918.

September 25, 1910. The congregation voted to unite with the First Church, U.S.A.

April 27, 1913. The Congregation met to consider the improvement of the church building.

November 4, 1910. Dr. Frank Fithian, an elder in the First Church, asked to be relieved of duties in the united Church.

February 7, 1914. The money from the Massie Estate to be used in building an addition to the Sunday School.

March 26, 1916. The church building was so damaged by a wind storm that it could not be used as a place of worship.

April 22, 1917. Rev. John Jay Rice called to be the pastor.

(p. 24)

May 20, 1917. The cornerstone of the new church laid. Honorable Emmett M. Dixon delivered an eloquent historical address.

June 13, 1918. The pastor, Rev. John Jay Rice, was requested to get a minister to preach the dedicatory sermon for the new building.

Session Book-1918-1933

April 6, 1919. Old church building at Fifth and Pleasant streets sold to Mrs. Sallie Alexander Davis. It is now the Davis Funeral Home.

October 31, 1920. Mr. A. B. Hancock reported on the need of mission work at Hitchens, Kentucky.

February 6, 1921. Memorial of George William Davis, who died December 18, 1920. He was born February 6, 1827 and joined the Presbyterian Church when he was twenty-one years old. He soon became a deacon and was elected an elder in 1866. He was Superintendent of the Sunday School for almost forty years.

March 28, 1923. Mr. George R. Bell died May 28, 1922, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. He was a deacon for more than fifty years. He would never accept the office of ruling elder, feeling himself unworthy to serve in that capacity. He acted as Superintendent of the Sunday School for many years. He was greatly beloved for his many fine qualities.

May 28, 1923. Mr. R. P. Dow, the senior elder of this church, died in Clearwater, Florida, February 5, 1923. He was born in Scotland and came to America when young. He served in the Union Army where he lost an arm. He came to Paris and became very successful in business. He was greatly esteemed for his true worth.

July 4, 1923. Rev. T. S. Smylie tendered his resignation as pastor to be effective August 15, 1923.

July 22, 1923. The congregation reluctantly concurred with Mr. Smylie in the request to Presbytery that the pastoral relation be dissolved. In complimentary resolutions it was stated that the membership of the church had increased 100% during his ministry of four years.

September 23, 1923. Rev. J. W. Clotfelter called to be pastor.

January 2, 1924. The old pulpit and pulpit chairs were given to the Mary Spears Memorial Church at Hitchens, Kentucky.

July 2, 1924. Dr. Clotfelter to preach the dedicatory sermon at Hitchens.

July 20, 1924. Boy Scout Troop organized October 29, 1924.

July 17, 1927. Hon. Richmond Pearson Hobson was offered the use of the church for a temperance lecture, September 25.

October 2, 1927. A beautiful tribute to elder C. B. Mitchell was paid. There were no personal facts recorded about Mr. Mitchell.

(p. 25)

Nov. 23, 1930. Mr. F. A. Wallis received from 5th Ave. Presbyterian Church of New York. He was elected an elder in the Paris Church, December 21, 1930.

Nov. 3, 1931. Two old Session records to be turned over for safe keeping to the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort.

Session Book 1933-1957

February 12, 1936. Dr. J. T. VanSant died February 12, 1936 in the 83rd year of his age; 43rd year of membership; and 32nd year of eldership in this church respectively. A fine tribute was paid to him by the Session.

November 12, 1941. Samuel W. Willis was born in Clark County, Kentucky. In 1896 he married Miss Nell Turney. He moved to Bourbon County in 1918. From 1922 till his death, August 24, 1941, he was Clerk of the Session. He was seventy-two years old. He served the church faithfully.

July 4, 1943, Dr. M. H. Dailey was thanked for his generous contribution of the iron railing on the front steps of the church.

December 5, 1943. A reception was held in the church honoring the twenty years service of Dr. Clotfelter, pastor; Mrs. J. T. Tadlock, church secretary and Mrs. M. H. Dailey, organist.

October 1, 1944. Mr. Robert Meteer died August 5, 1944. He was a ruling elder for more than thirty years, a Commissioner to the Presbyterian General Assembly three times. He endeared himself to the Paris congregation by his generous gift of self, time and money.

October 8, 1945. The Synod of Kentucky met in the Paris Church. Mr. F. A. Wallis was the retiring Moderator. He was one of seven ruling elders who have moderated the Synod since its organization in 1802.

January 19, 1947. F. A. Scott an elder died September 11, 1946. He joined the Paris Church December 4, 1921; elected an elder October 9, 1927; Clerk of the Session September 3, 1941; active in young peoples work, teaching a Sunday School class; Superintendent of the Sunday School, May 1, 1926 to July 1, 1928, and again January 1, 1932 until shortly before his death. His death was a great loss to the church.

May 18, 1947. Congregation approved a Sunday School in Ruckerville.

August 3, 1947. Mrs. Robert Meteer gave $2,000 for the Ruckerville school.

December 19, 1948. The Session gave Dr. Clotfelter a pulpit gown.

April 17, 1949. Mrs. Robert Meteer given permission to decorate and carpet the church.

August 6, 1950. Rev. Frank Gault Robertson called as pastor.

January 22, 1952. Mr. A. B. Hancock, Jr., was elected a Trustee.

February 10, 1952. Mr. Frederick Albert Wallis died December 21, 1951. He bad been an elder in the Paris Church for 21 years. In 1944 he was elected (p. 26) Moderator of the Synod of Kentucky. Mr. Wallis was prominent in Church and State. He loved the Presbyterian Church and was a regular attendant upon its services.

February 6, 1955. The Session accepted "A BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE" which was offered the church.

May 6, 1956. The Meteer House the gift of Mrs. Robert Meteer was dedicated.

From the Paris Church Bulletin, March 17, 1957.

The brass flower bowl on the communion table is a gift to the Church from Dr. and Mrs. Lyman T. Thayer. We express to the donors our gratitude for this beautiful and useful gift.

Old-Fashioned Parking Meters

At a meeting of the Board of Deacons, November 18, 1874, they took this action:

"It was ordered that hitching posts be put up convenient to the Church and Mr. Joseph Neely was appointed to have the work done."

Church Used By The United States Government During The War

We learned from the Meeting of the Board of Trustees that the First Presbyterian Church of Paris, Kentucky was used by the Union Army during the war. This was in payment on the contract signed by the church Trustees with Coldren and Fenning, November 3, 1906.

Trustees Meeting Feb. 11th, 1916

The meeting was called to order by John M. Brennon, secretary. The Moderator of the board, Dr. Frank Fithian having died; the following members were present J. D. McClintock, O. L. Davis and John M. Brennon. On motion J. D. McClintock was elected Moderator of the board of trustees. It was ordered that the board of trustees pay to Coldren & Fenning $162.00 the differences between the 33 1/3 percent agreed fee for collecting the claim of the First Presbyterian Church Northern General Assembly against the United States Government and the 20% already held back by said Coldren & Fenning; it having been shown that the provision of the Omnibus Clause Bill limiting fees for Collection to 20% was unconstitutional. In Re. J. M. Movers and Chas. F. Consaid Plaintiffs vs. Thomas Fobey in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia and the Treasury of the First Presbyterian Church of Paris, Ky. Northern Gen. Assembly is directed to draw a check for this amount out of the funds to his credit in bank.

There being no other business the board adjourned.

John M. Brermon, Sect'y.
J. D. McClintock, Moderator*

*Minutes of the Session of the First Presbyterian Church, Paris, Ky. 1904-1910.

(p. 27)

The Paris Church During The Civil War

In reading the minutes of the Presbyterian Church in Kentucky during the Civil War one is surprised that the war was mentioned so seldom. From 1861 to 1865 the war is alluded to only three times in the Minutes of the Session of the Paris Church.

The first reference to the war was on November 18, 1863, the day before Mr. Lincoln made his Gettysburg address November 19, 1863.

"Resolved, that Thursday the 25th inst., be observed by the Church and Congregation under our care, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God for his goodness and mercy toward us during the year past which have been shared in a greater or lesser degree, by all alike. And in view of the Divine judgments abroad in the land and the severe calamities under which we are suffering, our people be exhorted to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God; penitently to confess their own sins and the sins of the whole people against the Lord; to deprecate his wrath, and to invoke his almighty favor to the end that Truth and Righteousness may be established and that we by his grace may lead lives of righteousness and holiness all our days in quietness and
peace. And that our pastor be directed to hold such public religious services as he may deem expedient and for edification.

On motion Session adjourned and closed with prayer.

D. Owen Davies, Moderator."

Paris Church, April 18, 1865.

"On motion it was resolved that religious services be held in our church tomorrow, the 19th, on account of the funeral of the late President of the United States, Mr. Abraham Lincoln."

May 24, 1865.

"On motion it was resolved in view of the judgment of God still afflicting the land, and (if the sins of the people so extensively prevailing, and in view of the evils, both judgment and sins, which seem to be imminent; the church under our care be requested to observe Thursday, the first day of June, as a day of humiliation and prayer; to the end that God may avert his judgment, and turn all our people from all wrong and sin, and restore to its, the full tokens of his divine favor.

D. Owen Davies, Moderator.-

RULING ELDERS IN THE U.S.A. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1789-1910

1789-1828 James Alexander, Samuel Brice, John Curry, William Henry, William
McConnell, Joseph Mitchell, Isaac Orchard
1822 Thomas Porter Smith
1828 Ben Mills and John M. Tilford
1839 William Wright and John R. Thornton
1841 John Todd and George Yeiser
1844 James R. Wright
1849 John L. Walker and Dr. J. A. Lyle
1853 V. M. Kenney

(p. 28)

1867 C. S. Brent, B. F. Harris, W. P. St. Clair, J. H. Bassett
1876 Irwin Taylor
1882 James McClintock, Dr. Joseph Fithian, Thomas Brent
1903 Dr. Frank Fithian, James D. McClintock
1889 Professor D. P. Pratt
1898 James T. Davis

Deacons in the U.S.A. Church, 1821-1910

1821 Joel R. Lyle, Thomas P. Smith, John Kirkpatrick
1822 Ben. Mills, William Alexander and William Hamilton
1829 James R. Wright, James McCann, John Todd
1839 J. B. Harned
1841 Victor M. Kenney, Isaac Wright
1842 L. Walker, C. S. Brent
1844 David Gass
1867 James T. Davis, James Hall, James McClintock, George Doehrer
1882 George Smith, W. H. Parks
1903 John M. Brennan, T. W. Titus

Early Elders and Trustees

JAMES ALEXANDER

James Alexander, son of Patrick and Martha Alexander was born in Guilford Township, Cumberland County (now Franklin) September 23, 1770. In 1793 he married Mrs. Mary Rose Depew, a young widow. His father died when James was only eight years old, and James moved to Hagerstown, Maryland. From Maryland he went to Virginia and from Virginia to Bourbon County in 1800 and settled on a farm near Paris. He was an elder in the Paris Church. He died October 3, 1821, in Cincinnati, while on a business trip and was buried there.

James Alexander was the father of three well known ministers: William Patterson Alexander, Samuel Rannels Alexander and Thomas Alexander. His two step-daughters married Presbyterian ministers. Patty Depew married Rev. James Dickey and Sue Depew married Rev. W. W. Martin.

SAMUEL BRICE

From an old paper in the Shane Collection we learn that Samuel Brice was an elder in the Paris Church in 1804. He was born January 6, 1743 in Harford County, Maryland. He served in Pennsylvania in the Revolutionary War. In 1812 lie bought land adjoining the Jacoby family. One of his daughters, Rachel, who was born in 1780 married James Stark. The Stark home is now owned by Mrs. William Meteer near Hutchinson Station, not far from Hopewell Church.

(p. 29) From that farm the Stark children took the slips of favorite fruit trees when they moved to Missouri, thus making the foundation for the huge Stark Nursery, famous throughout America.

Samuel Brice's name is on the tablet, in the Bourbon County Court House, dedicated to the soldiers who served in the Revolutionary War. Samuel Brice's estate was settled in Montgomery County, Kentucky.

Samuel L. Brice and wife, Rebecca, were members of Hopewell Church in 1810.

JOHN CURRY

John Curry was one of the early elders of the Paris Church. He was a wagon maker and a wheelwright. His house was long occupied by the late Miss Bell Ogden and her brother, Harry. It was built of logs and elevated above the present street level in the block on Main Street between 5th and 6th Streets. It adjoined the Wheeler Furniture Store on the corner of 6th Street.

John Curry died in 1821. One of his sons, William F. Curry became a distinguished minister in the Presbyterian Church.

WILLIAM HENRY

William Henry was one of the trustees to whom the deed was made in 1795. He was a ruling elder and represented the church when Transylvania Presbytery met in Paris in 1793. One of the Sessions of Presbytery was held in his home. From the records of the Session dated July 5, 1830, we have this note: "William Henry and wife dismissed". We do not know where they went.

JOHN HUSTON

John Huston was one of the trustees to whom the deed for the lot on High Street was made in 1795. There is very little known about him. It is believed that he returned to Pennsylvania from whence he had come to Kentucky.

WILLIAM McCONNELL

The following sketch of William McConnell and his home was written by Mrs. William Breckenridge Ardery and published in the Kentuckian Citizen Wednesday, May 23, 1934.

In the year 1788 William McConnell, Revolutionary soldier, purchased from one James Buchannon 1,000 acres of land on the Paris-Lexington Road. This tract was bounded by lands of James Kelley, Aaron Ashbrook, Hugh Sidwell, James Buchannon and by Captain James Wright's Military survey. Here, William McConnell built his home of native rock four miles from Paris on the west side of the road immediately across from "Roccliegan," the present home of his great-great-grandson, William Breckenridge Ardery, on land now owned by his great-grandson, Lafayette Ardery. The old home was destroyed by fire many years ago, but the spring-house still stands (p. 30) at the foot of the hill and supplies abundant water for all who come for refreshment. This home is indicated on the first map of Bourbon county under the name of LaFayette Ardery, and an interesting sketch showing the style of architecture is in the possession of descendants. It was here that early stage-coaches stopped to change horses enroute from Maysville (Limestone) to Lexington at an early date.

William McConnell, who had rendered service both in assisting in establishing Royal Spring (Georgetown, Ky.), the first fortified station north of the Kentucky River, in company with his cousin, William McConnell, of Fayette county, and had returned to Pennsylvania to fight with the Lancaster county militia during the Revolution, was an outstanding citizen of Bourbon county. For many years he was commissioned by the Bourbon County Court to have jurisdiction over the Bourbon County section of the Paris-Lexington road. He was Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Paris, Kentucky, which statement is recorded in the first Minute Book of the Church.

William McConnell, son of Alexander McConnell, who came to America from Scotland, was born in 1753 and married Rosannah Kennedy in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1768. He died in Bourbon County in 1823, his will being a matter of record. In his will he left his "Mansion House"' to his beloved daughter, Elizabeth Ardery and her husband, John Ardery, and it was from this ancestress that some of the land has descended unto the fifth generation. William McConnell and six of his sons fought in the War of 1812.

The children of William McConnell and Rosannah Kennedy, his wife:

Mary married Joseph Mitchell
Ann married John Corry
Martha married Wm. Dinwiddie
Samuel married Elizabeth Nesbit
John married Elizabeth Clarkson
William Jr. married Catherine Turley
Edward married Rebecca Todd
Joseph married Jane Jackson
Ephraim married Catherine Ardery
James died unmarried
Elizabeth married John Ardery

Elizabeth McConnell, above mentioned, was born 1785 and died 1833, married January first 1818 to John Ardery who was born 1790 and died 1853. John Ardery was the son of John Ardery and Mary (Watt) Ardery, the former a Revolutionary soldier who came to Bourbon county in 1787 with his brothers, James and William, from Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. James Ardery was one of the original trustees of Carlisle, Kentucky, and William Ardery was the first sheriff of Harrison county. John and James Ardery were both officers in the war of 1812. John Ardery died in Bourbon county in the year 1830.

Among the children of John Ardery and his wife, Elizabeth (McConnell) Ardery was Lafayette Ardery who married Ann Breckenridge,, daughter of John and Ann Weir (Brooks) Breckenridge, both of whom descended from Revolutionary and Colonial ancestry. Ann Breckenridge was a cousin of General John Cabell Breckenridge, Vice President of the United States.

The McConnells and Arderys lie buried in the old family graveyard on the original tract of land, four miles front Paris on the Paris-Lexington Road.

William McConnell was a Trustee of the Presbyterian Church in 1795 and was one of the Trustees to receive the deed front Lawrence Protzman in 1795 to the lot on High Street where the first building of the Presbyterian Church was erected. (p. 31) Mr. McConnell was a Ruling Elder in the Paris Church for many years serving in that office until his death.

JOSEPH MITCHELL

Joseph Mitchell was one of the very godly elders in the Paris Church. He was a very conscientious servant of God. On May 18, 1824, at a meeting of the session he opposed taking an offering in the church on Sunday. He believed that no church business should be transacted on Sunday. One of his sons, David, died at Washington College in Virginia just as lie was entering upon the ministry.

Joseph Mitchell died in 1842. Dr. L. H. Blanton paid him this tribute:

"In the case of Mr. Mitchell, I can not discover that he was absent a dozen times, until near the close of his life, when the infirmities of age came upon him. He departed this life in 1842. For half a century he was an active elder and during the whole time discharged the duties of Stated Clerk with uncommon skill and accuracy. I doubt whether there are many Sessional Records that go up to our Presbyteries which will compare with those of the Paris Church while Mr. Mitchell was Stated Clerk."

ISAAC ORCHARD

Isaac Orchard lived on the corner of High and Church Streets. On the opposite corner stood the Presbyterian Church. He was a gunsmith and in 1812 was actively engaged in making guns. He operated a linseed oil mill for a time.

He married Marjorie Mitchell September 21, 1791. Mr. Orchard moved from Paris in 1818.

From the Western Luminary of February 21, 1827, page 268, the Editor speaks of Mr. Orchard in complimentary terms:

Western Luminary February 21, 1827, page 268

A NOBLE EXAMPLE

Mr. Isaac Orchard of Washington County, Indiana, has in the course of a few weeks, obtained thirty-three subscriptions to the Western Luminary. He states that they were "gleaned from about six miles each way, from his place of residence", and that there still are a few within the field he has occupied, who he thinks will subscribe, when he has an opportunity of seeing them, that while collecting them, the weather had been so extremely wet or cold, and the roads so bad, that he could scarcely ride to Salem, their county seat-and that he thinks, an active agent there could obtain more subscribers in a much less, field than the one he has occupied.

WESTERN PRESBYTERIAN
Louisville, Ky. and St. Louis, Mo.
November 19, 1868.

THOMAS PORTER SMITH, ESQ.

Was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, January 1st, 1793, and died at the residence of his son, Dr. Robert Smith, in Scott county, Kentucky, November (p. 32) 11, 1867, and so was aged 75 years, 10 months and 10 days. He joined the Presbyterian church in Paris, Kentucky, on examination October the 3d, 1818, so he was a member of the church 50 years, 1 month and eight days. He was, together with Ebenezer Sharpe and Joel R. Lyle, elected a ruling elder of that church, December 2d, 1821; examined for ordination "at some length, (the record says) and unanimously sustained," January 2d, 1822; and ordained with Joel R. Lyle, (Sharpe not mentioned) January 5th, 1822. So he was a member of the church 50 years and more, and a ruling elder over 46 years.

He was prominent in the transactions which made epochs in the history of the church. He was a member of the great Domestic Mission Convention which met in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 23d, 1831. He was a member of the Committee of the Synod of Kentucky, who produced their ever memorable report, on the then vexed question of slavery, and in opposition to that institution, in 1835.

He was a member of the Convention which met in Versailles, Kentucky, March 17th, 1841, and was prominent in the division of the Paris church in that year, and afterwards in the return to it, and reunion of it, which he always loved; and in the late schism, with equal meekness and fidelity, he adhered to the Assembly church, the mother of us all; and died in the faith in which he had lived thirty long years; full of labors, and of years, and anxious to depart and be with Christ-which is far better.

He held the office of County Clerk of Bourbon County, Kentucky, from 1816 until the first election after the adoption of the New Constitution, in 1851, during which time, he and D. B. Price of Jessamine, were considered the model clerks of the State. He refused to canvass the county and was beaten by a very small vote. At the next session of the Circuit Court after this, he was appointed Master Commissioner, which office he held until the last Court, in October 1868, when he resigned. About the time of his leaving the office of Clerk, he became a practitioner of law.

In Paris, he spent his long, laborious and useful life; and acquired a spotless reputation. It will be said of him in time to come, as I say it now.-It may be some may say it with pride; but I say it in love, and to his honor, he adorned the offices he held; he was a friend of God, true to his trusts and true to his country.

His funeral was preached in the Baptist church, which with the Methodist and maybe others, was kindly tendered for the purpose, by Rev. J. K. Lyle, of Lexington, in the presence of the Paris Bar; and numerous relatives and friends; and then his remains were deposited in the Paris Cemetery, and reverently and hopefully committed to the holy keeping of Him, who is the resurrection and the life.

His most excellent wife died many years ago, and also some of his children. Four of them survive him, two married daughters, Mrs. Van Deering, and Mrs. Hope, and two sons, Robert, at whose house he died, and McFarland, (p. 33) who bears the name of his much loved pastor. Of his brothers and sisters he has left only two known to the writer, Dr. J. Newton Smith, of Berry's Station, Ky., Cen. R. R., and Mrs. Daniel McCarty Payne, of Lexington.

GEORGE WILLIAM DAVIS 1827-1920

The following sketch written by Mrs. Eleanor Davis Swearingen Rice and Mrs. Francis Jacobs Check-, Jr. was published in The Kentuckian-Citizen June 1, 1943.

George William Davis was born February 26, 1827 in Paris. A representative sent to interview Mr. Davis, as a pioneer in the undertaking profession in Kentucky and one of the oldest active undertakers in America, published an interesting article in "Crane and Breed Quality Talks," in June 1914. From this article much information has been obtained.

In 1843, at the age of sixteen, George Davis went to work in a cabinet shop owned by "Boss" Jesse T. Kern, where coffins were made. In a period of five years, he assisted in making several hundred coffins. One of which was made for a woman weighing three hundred and fifty pounds, and one for a man who was six feet eleven and one-half inches tall in his stocking feet and whose brother was six feet, eight inches.

The largest funeral in which Mr. Davis ever assisted was the burial of three Bourbon County soldiers of the Mexican War of 1847. At the close of the War a company from the county went to Mexico and brought home their dead.

During the cholera epidemic the disease was at its worst stage in Paris and vicinity in the months of July and August 1849, and as many as twenty-one deaths occurred in twenty-four hours. It was necessary to call in carpenters to assist in making caskets.

In January 1848 Mr. Davis and his cousin, William T. Davis, purchased the undertaking and furniture establishment from Mr. Kern, including in the transaction tools, supplies, stock, "good will," and a hearse valued at two hundred and fifty dollars. This may be the one he speaks of "a little hearse, with shafts, for one horse which I as driver used in delivering coffins in town and country." The firm later possessed the first two-horse hearse in Bourbon County.

In July 1848 George W. Davis bought his partner's interest and reorganized it with six workmen in his employ. He served in many instances as minister, singer and undertaker, as well as grave-filler. On many occasions due to the panic of the populace, he was the only person present at the burial. His father died of the cholera, as did Mr. Kern. He himself was stricken at one time but soon recovered enough to carry on his business. This he did with an ever present spirit of public zeal, which quality in his make-up was uppermost during his life.

On the death of his eldest son, Thomas, another son, George Ruddell Davis, carried on his father's work. Shortly thereafter a third son, Rudolph, was added to the force, and still later the grandson, Ireland Davis.

In 1913 Mr. Davis, advancing in years, disposed of the furniture business and moved to the old Presbyterian Church building. Thus the firm returned to its original business as begun in 1843.

He was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church for seventy-two years. "Mr. George W. Davis is the oldest living member, being in the eighty-fourth year of his age. He united with the church in 1848 and in 1855 was made a deacon. Ten years later, Mr. Davis was called as an Elder and has ever since been a devout and constant (p. 34) member." -Lexington Herald Nov. 13, 1910. He sang in the choir with a mellow tenor voice until quite advanced in years. He was also superintendent of the Sunday school. A religious poem that he wrote was published in "The Christian Observer" April 30, 1913.

George W. Davis married Helen Miller, daughter of Jacob and Julia (Young) Miller of Harrison County, on June 26, 1851.

They were the parents of eight children. Their grandson, Ireland Davis, is ruling elder in the Paris church and is following in the footsteps of his noble grandfather.

The Paris Presbyterian Church U.S. (Southern) 1866-1961

After the war when the Paris Church divided into the Northern (U.S.A.) and Southern (U.S.) Churches, Mr. Davies who had been pastor of the United Church since 1863 went with the Southern group and served as pastor until his resignation in 1865.

In September 1868 Rev. Lindsay H. Blanton accepted the call of the congregation and served for twelve years until 1880 when he was called to become Chancellor of Central University in Richmond. During his pastorate a beautiful new church building was erected which served the congregation until 1916 when it was destroyed by a severe windstorm.

In 1881 Rev. L. H. Blanton was succeeded by Rev. E. H. Rutherford who served until his death in 1908. Dr. Rutherford's pastorate of twenty-seven years was one of the long pastorates of the church.

Soon after the death of Dr. Rutherford, Dr. B. M. Shive came in the fall of 1908 and served until his resignation in 1915 to accept a position with Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.

Rev. John Jay Rice, grandson of Rev. Nathan L. Rice, D.D., pastor in Paris 1841-1844, accepted the call in 1917 and remained until 1919. During his pastorate the beautiful building now in use was erected and dedicated January 5, 1919.

From 1919 to 1923 Rev. Theodore Shaw Smylie was pastor. The congregation was greatly increased in members and strengthened in many ways under the energetic ministry of Mr. Smylie.

On November 25, 1923, Rev. James Wayman Clotfelter, D.D., came to Paris to assume the pastorate and served most acceptably until his retirement July 18, 1950 when he became Pastor Emeritus which relationship he sustained until his death September 27, 1955.

Rev. Frank Gault Robertson was installed pastor October 15, 1950 and continned in that capacity until January 1, 1958 when he resigned to accept the pastorate of the J. J. White Memorial Church of McComb, Mississippi.

On July 20, 1958 Rev. John Hubert Johnston was installed pastor over the Paris Church. During his brief ministry Mr. Johnston has greatly endeared himself to the members of his congregation. Today after an existence of ninety (p. 35) five years in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, the Paris Church is in a very healthful condition and bids fair to render a large service to the kingdom of God.

Elders In The Paris U.S. (Southern) Church, 1866-1961

1866 George W. Davis, James M. Robinett
1870 John Gass, Joseph A. Howerton
1876 George H. Edgar, Victor M. Kennedy, William Wright, A. W. Wright
1881 Joseph M. Jones, David M. Dodge, Robert P. Dow
1885 David Kennedy
1893 Judge - J. Quincy Ward
1903 E. F. Spears, Charles B. Mitchell, James L. Dodge, F. L. McChesney, Dr. J. T. Vansant
1910 James D. McClintock
1919 Owen L. Davis, Robert Meteer, Sam Willis
1921 Elda Collier, C. B. Harrison, Clarence Kenney, Lawrence Van Hook
and S. L. Weathers
1926 F. A. Scott
1928 John Brennan, J. T. Harlan
1930 Frederick A. Wallis
1940 Ireland Davis, C. H. Hudson, Garrett Jefferson, F. R. Kennedy
1943 E. C. Colcord
1945 John E. McShane
1948 W. F. Russell, Thomas Hart Taylor, E. C. Williamson
1949 W. B. Kenney, Jack Wilson
1951 William Forsythe, C. M. Hoffman, Keith Surnmerhayes, J. T. Tadlock
1956 Forrest Bobbitt, Sr., J. 0. Brennan, Brooks Buckner, J. C. Haley,
Strauter Harney, Clay Sutherland, Dr. Lyman Thayer

Deacons In The U.S. Church (Southern) 1866-1961

1866 J. A. Howerton, H. F. Logan, A. W. Wright
1868 John Gass, Joseph Neely
1870 Dr. W. D. Armstrong, David M. Dodge, Joseph M. Jones, David
Kennedy, Robert P. Dow
1876 W. A. Johnson, F. L. McChesney
1881 George R. Bell, Emmett H. Dickson, Victor K. Shipp, Ed. F.
Spears, Charles E. Young
1885 William L. Davis
1886 Charles E. Butler, John Wells, Jr.
1903 Dr. M. H. Dailey, Dr. Frank L. Lapsley, Lawrence Van Hook,
William H. Webb

(p. 36)

---- Ireland Davis, Garrett Jefferson, Omer Lyte
1918 Strauter Harney
1919 Duncan Bell, John Brennan, Peale Collier, A. B. Hancock, Clarence
Kenney, John Woodford
1921 Ora Collier
1922 Ben Ardrey, Ireland Davis, Joe Hall, C. M. Thomas, Sam Weathers
1928 Eugene Lair, Albert Mitchell, J. C. Nickerson, J. T. Tadlock
1940 Carl Johnson, J. S. Shepherd, Emmett D. Whipple, William Wilson,
John L. Woodford
1941 W. Keith Summerbayes
1943 Edward Reynolds, F. Marshall Van Meter
1946 Harry Keiser, W. B. Kenney, Wm. Forsythe, Hord Perkins, Russell
Clayton
1949 Brooks Buckner, Dr. W. S. Morgan, Douglas Wilson
1952 Harry Blanton, Wm. Dray, Jack Goode, David Grimwood, Eddie
Merringer, William Smits
1955 James S. Wilson, Jr.
1957 Parker Bradley
1959 Vance Kitchen

The Funeral of Richard Hawes Governor of the Confederate Provisional Government of Kentucky

Richard Hawes who was Governor of the Confederate Provisional Government of Kentucky from 1862 to 1865 was the most distinguished citizen of Bourbon County at his death May 25, 1877. He became the Governor when George W. Johnson who bad been chosen to that office was killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862.

The Paris True Kentuckian in the leading editorial on pages one and two Wednesday, May 30, 1877 had this note about the funeral of Richard Hawes:

"His funeral, which took place at the Presbyterian Church, on Monday last, was the largest and most impressive occasion of its kind ever witnessed in this county. The ministers of most of the churches in the city were present upon the occasion and participated in the funeral service. The sermon, a most appropriate one, was preached by Rev. L. H. Blanton. In his sermon Mr. Blanton said:

"True, he was not a communicant in this or in any other branch of the church. He had never by any public act avowed his allegiance to Christ. But his position with reference to the Christian religion was outspoken and free; and his relations to the church were closer and more intimate than those of any man I have known who was not a communicant. He was a constant attendant in the church."

His wife and daughters were active members of the Paris Church.

Members of the Paris Church Who Became Ministers

Dr. Blanton in his Memorial Discourse spoke of the twenty-seven young men from this church who entered the ministry:

(p. 37) "Still another and more precious token of God's blessing upon the labors of His servants, in connection with this Church, is discovered in the number of the young men who have gone forth from it into the ranks of the ministry. Of the original Session, four of its five members were honored of God, in giving to the Church six of their sons for this sacred calling: Mr. Alexander three, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Curry, and Mr. Mitchell each one. David Mitchell died just as he completed his studies at Washington College.

It was the custom of the Session to select from time to time voting men of promise, and educate them, with the view of the ministry. In the case of one young man, who was bound out as an apprentice, they bought his time, then educated him, and sent him forth as a minister of the Word. Sorely such zeal for the glory of God could not fail of its reward. There are but few churches in Kentucky, I suppose, which sent out during their early history so many young ministers. It has been difficult for me to discover the names of all. Some have been omitted, I doubt not, for the following are known to have been in connection with the Church-most of them were reared in its bosom-twenty-seven in all. Their names are:

William Rannels
John Rannels
R. A. Lapsley
S. S. McRoberts
Nathaniel Urmston
George W. Ashbridge
Harvey Lilly
George Porter
William Curry
Josiah Porter
William McConnell
Greenbury Ridgely
David Mitchell
W. H. McGuffey
Thomas Alexander
Samuel Alexander
Samuel Taylor
W. W. Hall
William Alexander
A. C. Dickenson
James It. Barnes
Andrew Todd
James Hamilton
Thornton A. Mills
Andrew Ross
Joel Kenny Lyle
Benjamin P. Peers

What a record is this, my brethren, of God's favor to this church? What a record of the zeal and fidelity of your fathers to the great cause of the Master? Who can estimate the results of the labors of these twenty-seven men given to the Gospel Ministry.

And how sad to contrast with this the record of the Church during the last quarter of a century of its history? The piety of God's people has fearfully declined in this respect. Christian parents now seem to feel but little or no concern that their sons shall enter the ministry. The thought of taking poor young men by the hard and educating them, with a view to this great work, scarcely enters into the serious calculation of office-bearers and laymen. I trust the God of your fathers will speedily revisit this congregation with the most precious token of His grace."

"A Memorial Discourse" Paris Presbyterian Church Paris, Kentucky, by Rev. L. H. Blanton, D.D.

SAMUEL RANNELLS ALEXANDER

Samuel Rannells, Thomas and William Patterson Alexander were the sons of a ruling elder in the Paris Church, James Alexander and his wife Mrs. Mary Rose (Depew) Alexander.

Samuel Rannells Alexander was born in Paris, Kentucky, December 29, 1802.

He became a member of the Paris Church July 14, 1824. He graduated from (p. 38) Princeton Theological Seminary in 1827, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Wabash (Vincennes) November 21, 1828. His ministerial life was spent as follows: Russellville, Kentucky, 1827-1828; Indiana Church, Indiana, 1828-1842; Lower Indiana Church, 1842-1854; Upper Indiana, 1842-1857; Smyrna and West Salem. He died at Vincennes, Indiana, February 17, 1884.

THOMAS ALEXANDER

Thomas Alexander was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, April 8, 1799. He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1821, and was ordained by South Alabama Presbytery in 1824. His pastorates were: Mt. Pleasant and Selma, Alabama, 1824-1837; Vincennes, Indiana, 1838-1847; Marion and Fairview, 1847-1850; Bloomington, 1852-1854; missionary in Texas, 1854-1858; pastor Oak Island, Texas, 1858-1864. He died at Cotton Gin, Texas, March 26, 1864.

WILLIAM PATTERSON ALEXANDER

William Patterson Alexander who was destined to play a very important part in the religious and educational life of the Hawaiian Islands, was born at Paris, Kentucky, July 25, 1805. He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1831, and was ordained an evangelist by the Presbytery of Cincinnati, October 13, 1831. He served in the following places in Hawaiian Islands: Marquesas Island, 1833; Haioli Kanai 1834-41; professor and pastor, Lahainoluna Seminary, Maui, 1841-1856; Wailuku, 1856-1884; professor of theology, Waukulu Seminary 1861-1884. He died at Oakland, California, August 11, 1884.

On October 25, 1831, in the Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, he was married to Mary Ann McKinney. They were the parents of five sons and four daughters.

From the minutes of the Session of the Paris Church we have this item:

"The debts of $30.00 of William Patterson Alexander at Princeton Seminary to be Paid by the Paris Church from the sale of the horse given by Mrs. Margaret Haimilton." (Minutes of the Paris Church, September 12, 1831).

In his Memorial Address delivered in the Paris Presbyterian Church January 1, 1871, Dr. L. H. Blanton in speaking of Rev. William Patterson Alexander made this statement:

"It is a fact worthy of note that the Church in the Sandwich Islands, of which this son of the Paris congregation is a devoted missionary, contributed to the cause of Foreign Missions, during the year 1869, more money than the whole Synod of Kentucky."

GEORGE W. ASHBRIDGE

From the Minutes of the Paris Session we have this note; dated September 15, 1823; "George W. Ashbridge is dismissed."

George W. Ashbridge was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1800. He graduated from Transylvania University in 1820, and from Princeton Seminary in (p. 39) 1826. He was ordained by North Alabama Presbytery May 31, 1828 as pastor of the church in Tuscumbia, Alabama, where he served until 1830. From 1830 to 1834 be was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, in Louisville, Kentucky. He died May 4, 1834, and was buried in the Western Cemetery on West Jefferson Street, Louisville. This is the inscription on his monument in the cemetery:

"Rev. George W. Ashbridge, late pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Born in Philadelphia, in 1800, Died in Louisville, Kentucky, May 4th, 1834.

This monument of a mourning people's love, is erected to his worth by the members of the Church and Congregation over which he presided, in the ministry of reconciliation, three and a half years, with great diligence, in his high calling, boldness of life and much usefulness.

JAMES CHARLES BARNES

James Charles Barnes was born in Carlshalton, England, April 10, 1789. He graduated from Princeton Seminary in 1818, and was ordained by Transylvania Presbytery in March 1819, when he became pastor of Lancaster and Paint Lick Churches. He was Stated Supply of Silver Creek Church in 1829. His other work was: Rock Spring Church, 1834-1836; and pastor of the same church, 1838-1844; Supplied Dayton, Ohio, Richmond and Silver Creek Churches, Kentucky, 1846; Lancaster and Harmony, 1847-1848; Perryville, 1852. He died at Stanford, Kentucky, March 13, 1863.

WILLIAM F. CURRY

William F. Curry was born in Paris, Kentucky, July 23, 1800. He graduated from Transylvania University in 1819; studied at Princeton Seminary, 1821-1822; missionary in Georgia, 1822-1825; ordained by Rochester Presbytery, July 14, 1825; pastor, Pittsford, New York, 1825-8; Lockport, New York, 1828-1831; Agent in Montreal, Canada; Cleveland, Ohio; Congregational Church, Dansville, New York, pastor at Lockport, 1842-1844; North Presbyterian Church, Geneva, New York, 1851. He died in Geneva May 19, 1861.

ARCHER CHARLES DICKERSON

"Archer Charles Dickerson applied for membership and was baptized.- (From the Minutes of the Paris Session, April 23, 1824).

Archer Charles Dickerson, was born in Campbell County, Kentucky, in 1806. His father who was a merchant in Lexington lost his life in the War of 1812. Archer was a deputy clerk of Bourbon County where he spent four years; (p. 40) studied at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; teacher at Natchez, Mississippi, where he was licensed to preach in 1832; married, first, Miss Mary Platner by whom he had one son, Dr. William Dickerson; moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where in 1838 he married for his second wife Jane Rogers, daughter of Captain Thomas Rogers and his wife Chalia Rice, a daughter of Rev. Davis Rice; pastor of the New School Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green for seventeen years; he retired when the Old and New School Churches united; busy preaching and writing until his death which occurred December 22, 1891.

He was one of the most active members of the New School Church in Kentucky, and was elected Moderator of the New School Synod of Kentucky at its meeting in Paris, October 14, 1852. Centre College conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity upon him in 1872.

WILLIAM WHITTY HALL

William Whitty Hall a son of Stephen Hall, a native of Pennsylvania, and Mary (Wooley) Hall a native of England, was born in Paris, Kentucky, October 15, 1810. He graduated from Centre College in 1830, and from the Medical College of Transylvania University in 1836. Ordained by the Presbytery of Saint Charles, Missouri; preached and practiced medicine in New Orleans, Cincinnati and New York; voluminous writer, published "Hall's journal of Health" and many books pertaining to health; followed General Sam Houston to Texas; Chaplain of the Congress of Texas; in 1837 he was the only Presbyterian preacher in Texas; at the Synod of Kentucky in 1837, urged the Presbyterian Church to occupy Texas.

He married in Cincinnati Miss Hannah Matlock by whom he had four children. He died suddenly on the street in New York, May 10, 1876.

ROBERT ARMSTRONG LAPSLEY

Rev. Robert Armstrong Lapsley was born in Danville, Kentucky, January 11, 1798. He graduated from Transylvania University in 1818, and from Princeton Seminary in 1821, and was ordained by Muhlenburg Presbytery August 24, 1822; missionary in Kentucky 1822-24; pastor of Hopkinsville, Princeton and Livingston, Kentucky; 1829-1833. president of a female academy, Nashville, Tennessee, 1834-1842; Hermitage Church, Nashville, 1842-1844; Second Church, Nashville, 1844-1856; Carthage, Tennessee, 1856-1865; died in New Albany, Indiana, February 12, 1872.

ROBERT HERVEY LILLY

Robert Hervey Lilly was born in Bourbon County, May 11, 1804. He graduated from Princeton Seminary in 1831 and was ordained an evangelist by the Presbytery of West Tennessee, in April 1833; his ministry was exercised as follows: Franklin, Tennessee, 1832-33; Salem and Bethany Churches in (p. 41) Ken tucky 1833-35; Princeton, Kentucky, 1836-9; Mt. Carmel, Illinois, 1839-45; Palestine, 1845-49; Clark and Champaign Counties in Illinois, 1849-51; Urbana and Monticello 1851-52; Richland and Union, 1855-6; Champaign, 1857-1874. Died in Champaign, Illinois, January 14, 1874.

JOEL KENNEY LYLE

Joel Kenney Lyle, son of Joel Reid Lyle and his wife Agnes, was born in Paris, July 17, 1824. He graduated from Centre College in 1845 and from Princeton Seminary in 1849; assistant to the pastor Rev. Robert J. Breckinridge, D.D., in the First Presbyterian Church, Lexington, 1852-53; ordained by West Lexington Presbytery, April 14, 1853; pastor in Nicholasville, 1853-1855; agent, Danville Seminary, 1855-56; pastor Mt. Horeb Church 1857-1863; pastor Hopewell Church, 1857-1868; principal of Lexington City School, 1865-66; died in Lexington, April 19, 1872.

WILLIAM HOLMES McGUFFEY

This note is in the Minutes of the Session of the Paris Church dated July 18, 1823:

"Mr. Wm. McGuffee admitted by certificate from Flemingsburg session"

William Holmes McGuffey, son of Alexander McGuffey and his wife Anna Holmes, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, September 28, 1800. He graduated from Washington College, Pennsylvania, in 1826; prior to his college course he taught a grammar school in Paris for several years; studied theology privately and was ordained in 1829; professor in Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 1826-1839; president of Cincinnati College, 1836-1839; first President of Ohio University, 1839-1841; Woodward College, 1843-1845; professor of philosophy at University of Virginia, 1845-1871; died at Charlottesville, Virginia, May 4, 1873.

SIDNEY SMITH McROBERTS

Sidney Smith McRoberts was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, May 24, 1807. Graduated from Centre College in 1827 and from Princeton Seminary in 1831; ordained by the Presbytery of Clinton, 1832; supplied in Vicksburg, Mississippi, 1832-1836; Bardstown, Kentucky, 1832-1842; editor of the Presbyterian Herald; supplied in Stanford, Kentucky, 1850-1877; died in Stanford, July 20, 1890.

REV. WILLIAM W. MARTIN

Rev. William W. Martin was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, August 12, 1781. The Martin family moved to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania and in the spring of 1794 moved to Bourbon County, Kentucky. When sixteen years of age he joined the Paris Church under the pastorate of Rev. Samuel (p. 42) Rannells. At the age of twenty-three years he entered Bourbon Academy under Rev. John Lyle and remained here for five years. Studied theology for two years under Rev. John Lyle; ordained in 1813; served the Winchester Church, 1813-1817; moved to Indiana to be free from slavery; became one of the best known ministers in Indiana and served faithfully until his death, September 10, 1850; in Livonia, Indiana. On October 24, 1810 he married Susan Depew, stepdaughter of James Alexander a ruling elder in the Paris Church. Several of his sons were Presbyterian ministers. One of the sons, W. A. P. Martin became one of the most distinguished ministers ever to represent America in the mission field in China.

BENJAMIN MILLS

Benjamin Mills, son of Judge Ben Mills and his wife Mary Read, daughter of General Anthony Thornton, was born in Paris, June 23, 1820. He was baptized in the Paris Church August 25, 1820. He graduated from Miami University in 1841 and from Lane Theological Seminary in 1845. He allied himself with the New School Presbyterian Church and supplied several churches in Kentucky. He was an acting Brigadier General in the Union Army. After the war he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., serving churches in Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas. His last pastorate was in Spearville, Kansas, where he died March 14, 1895. He married Cornelia Smith, daughter of Rev. Eli Smith who was pastor of the Paris Church, 1829-1839.

THORNTON ANTHONY MILLS

Thornton Anthony Mills, son of Judge Ben Mills and his wife Mary Read Thornton Mills, was born in Paris, in September 1810. He graduated from Miami University in 1830 and later attended Lane Theological Seminary. He was pastor of the New School Third Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati and owner and editor of the "Central Watchman", a religious journal. He was Secretary of the Committee of Education for the Ministry, 1853-56. He was pastor of the Second New School Church in Indianapolis. In 1860 he was Moderator of the New School Presbyterian General Assembly. He died in June 1867.

DAVID MITCHELL

David Mitchell, son of Ruling Elder Joseph Mitchell, died just after completing his studies in Washington College, Virginia.

BENJAMIN ORR PEERS

This sentence is found in the Minutes of the Session of the Paris Church for September 3, 1820:

"Benjamin Peers dismissed by certificate, Aug. 27, 1820."

(p. 43) "Rev. Benjamin Orr Peers, one of the most distinguished ministers in Kentucky, was born at Green Hill, Loudon Co., Va., April 20, 1800; and died in Louisville, Aug. 20, 1842-aged 42 years. His father, Major Valentine Peers, of an influential Scotch-Irish family, emigrated from the north of Ireland to Scotland, and thence to Loudon County, Virginia; and Sept. 11, 1777, when only 21 years old, was a brigade-major on the staff of Brig. Gen. Geo. Weedon, at the battle of Brandywine (or Chad's Ford, Delaware), where his officers and soldiers were so handsomely complimented in the published orders of Gen. George Washington and Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Greene. His name appears also, as an officer of the day, in the order issued by Gen. Washington, Sept. 28, 1777, congratulating the army on the victory of Gen. Gates over Burgoyne at Stillwater, N.Y., Sept. 19, 1777. He emigrated to the Lower Blue Lick springs, Nicholas Co., Ky., March 1803, and engaged extensively in manufacturing salt; and, some years later at Paris and Maysville established cotton factories; was a judge of the court of quarter sessions at Paris; a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church for many years; and died at Maysville, June 1830, aged 74." (Collins History of Kentucky Vol. 1, page 442. 1924 edition).

Benjamin Peers graduated at Transylvania University and later studied at Princeton Seminary 1822-23, for the Presbyterian ministry but changing his views on church government he was ordained in the Protestant Episcopal Church, where he became one of the ablest ministers in that denomination. He was President of Transylvania University, 1832-1834.

GEORGE GILL PORTER

George Gill Porter. Born August 6, 1797, in Chester District, South Carolina. Died Clinton, Indiana, August 5, 1841. Educated at Bourbon Academy, Paris, Kentucky, and Centre College, Kentucky. Degrees A. B. and A.M., from Indiana University. Studied theology and was licensed to preach at Murphreesboro, Tennessee, October 3, 1835, and was ordained at Waveland, Indiana, April 3, 1838, by the Crawfordsville Presbytery. Preached the Gospel and taught school. Married Mary Knox Rutherford in Tennessee.

JOSIAH PORTER

Josiah Porter. Born April 10, 1802, in Chester District, South Carolina. Died at his residence, Chatham, Illinois, January 11, 1887. Educated at Bourbon Academy, Paris, Kentucky, and Centre College. Degrees A.B. and A.M. Studied theology at Lane Seminary, Ohio; was a member of its first class. Occupation, a minister of the Gospel. In active service twenty years; afterwards honorably retired. Since, and at present (1886), a farmer. For some time agent of the American Bible Society, and during the War distributed hundreds of Testaments to the soldiers. Mr. Porter was licensed to preach at Murphreesboro, Tennessee, October, 1835; was ordained (1838) an evangelist, at Waveland, Indiana, by the (p. 44) Crawfordsville Presbytery. He was an early and earnest advocate of the temperance cause, having joined the society in 1829. He never used tobacco in any form. Since entering his eighty-fifth year he had not plowed any, an exercise in which he engaged every year from early boyhood. Mr. Porter married Martha W. Thornton, July 18, 1860.

Wylie, Theophilus A. Indiana University. its history from 1820, when founded, to 1890... Indianapolis, Wm. B. Burdord, 1890.

JOHN G. RANNELLS

John G. Rannells, son of Rev. Samuel Rannells, pastor of the Paris Church, was born in Paris and died at Princeton, New Jersey, April 16, 1823. He graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton) in 1821 and was completing his studies in Princeton Seminary at the time of his death.

Note: A beautiful obituary of him was published in the Western Citizen, Paris, May 17, 1823.

GREENBURY WILLIAM RIDGELY

Greenbury William Ridgely was born in Lexington, Kentucky, May 9, 1793, and died in Denton, Maryland, August 16, 1883. He graduated from Transylvania University in 1815, and thereafter practiced law in Lexington for several years. He studied at Princeton Seminary, 1823-1824. He was ordained to the ministry in the Episcopal Church in 1825. He was Chaplain in the U.S. Navy; rector of St. James Church, Bristol, Pennsylvania, 1831-2; Hulmeville, Newtown, Yardleville & Centreville, 1834-1835; editor of the Episcopal Recorder; rector of St. Paul's Church, Chester, 1842-1845; resided at Chester, 1842-1.883.

THOMAS BARBEE TALBOT

Thomas Barbee Talbot was received into the Paris Church by a certificate from the Carlisle Presbyterian Church, May 15, 1887.

Thomas Barbee Talbot, son of Presley Mason Talbot and his wife Fannie Barbee Talbot, was born in Georgetown, Missouri, August 14, 1861. Mr. Talbot entered business at an early age, and was very active in Christian work in Louisville, Kentucky, being a ruling elder. His talents were recognized by the church in Kentucky. He became Superintendent of home missions in West Lexington, Ebenezer and Transylvania Presbyteries. Mr. Talbot had a keen sense of humor and no persons ever slept while he spoke. He did a very effective work in the Kentucky mountains. He was one of the most beloved men who have represented the Presbyterian Church. He was licensed and ordained by West Lexington Presbytery, September 27, 1927. He died at Dayton, Ohio, October 3, 1940. His brethren honored him by electing him Moderator of the Synod of Kentucky, while still a layman, in 1930.

HUSTON TAYLOR

Huston Taylor, son of Irwin Taylor a ruling elder in the U.S.A. Paris Presbyterian Church and his wife Elizabeth Huston Hall Taylor, was born at (p. 45) Paris, May 31, 1873. He was baptized in the Presbyterian Church in Paris, April 7, 1875, by Rev. Robert Wickliffe Cleland. On April 5, 1879 he was received by letter into the membership of the U.S.A. Church in Paris.

He graduated from Centre College in 1897 and from Princeton Seminary in 1900. He served the following churches; after his ordination by the Presbytery of St. Paul, July 11, 1900; Assistant Pastor House of Hope, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1900-1903; Waterville, New York, 1903-1905; First Church, Carthage, Missouri, 1905-1910; Mt. Horeb, Rochester, New York, 1911-1912; Pittsford, 1912-1913; Chicago, 1914-1915; secretary, Detroit, 1916. He later demitted the ministry without censure. He died at Santa Monica, California, January 8, 1956.

SAMUEL TAYLOR

"Samuel Taylor, young man, admitted by certificate front the church in Columbus, Ohio.- From Paris Session Book, January 2, 1822.

The Paris Church contributes to the expenses of Samuel Taylor at Princeton Seminary. Session Book, December 23, 1823.

Samuel Taylor was born in Nova Scotia, September 14, 1795. Studied at Princeton Seminary, 1823-24; ordained by Ebenezer Presbytery October 9, 1824; missionary in Indiana, 1824-5; pastor, Millersburg and Stonermouth, Kentucky, 1825-1831; pastor at Nicholasville and Clear Creek, 1831-1836; Frankfort, Indiana, 1836-1843; Waveland, Indiana, 1845-1852; Washington, Indiana, 1851-1854; Waco, Texas, 1854-1855. Died in Waco, June 9, 1855.

When he died beautiful memorials were written in appreciation of his excellent qualities as a man and minister.

ANDREW TODD

Andrew Todd, son of Dr. Andrew Todd and his wife Mary Todd Todd, daughter of Rev. John Todd of Virginia who gave his library to Transylvania Seminary, was born in Paris, Kentucky, January 13, 1800. He graduated from Washington College, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and from Princeton Seminary in 1821. He was ordained by Ebenezer Presbytery. His pastorates were: Cherry Spring and Hopewell Churches, Kentucky, 1824-1826; Flemingsburg, Kentucky, 1826-1838; Jacksonville, Illinois, 1838-1850. He died at Monticello, Florida, September 2, 1850, at the home of Mrs. White, a daughter of Governor John Adair of Kentucky.

"Married on 26th August at Washington, Pa., by Rev. Andrew Graham, the Rev. Andrew Todd of this neighborhood to Miss Catherine Wilson of the former place." From Western Citizen, Paris, September 11, 1824.

NATHANIEL MASSIE URMSTON

Nathaniel Massie Urmston was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, April 12, 1799 and died in Russell's Station, Ohio, August 28, 1884. He graduated from Princeton Seminary in 1826, and was ordained by Richland Presbytery, September 9, 1828. (p. 46) He served the following Churches: Millersburg, Kentucky, 1828-1832; Congregational Church, Newtown, Connecticut, 1832-1837; South Cornwall, 1838-1840; Sherman, 1841-43; Presbyterian Church, Bainbridge, Ohio, 1844-1851; Cynthiana and Sinking Spring, 1851-1854; West Union and Manchester, 1854-1854; Keokuk, Iowa, 1857-1858; Waterloo and Athens, Missouri, 1858-1860; Kahoka, 1859-63; New Market, Belfast and Winchester, Ohio, 1863-1869.

WILLIAM HOLMES McGUFFEY

Mr. William Holmes McGuffey was received into the Paris Presbyterian Church, July 13, 1823 by letter from the Flemingsburg Church. He became a very distinguished educator and compiler of the McGuffey Readers. The following article, published November 19, 1873 in The True Kentuckian, was republished in the Kentuckian Citizen January 22, 1930.

Recollections of Dr. Wm. H. McGuffey

(By Wm. J. Barbee, of Glasgow, Kentucky)

I have a very distinct recollection of Dr. McGuffey when he made his appearance in the year 1823, for the purpose of teaching school. I remember him, also, as one of the distinguished Professors of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, afterwards as President of Cincinnati College, then as a member of the Faculty at Athens, Ohio, and finally as Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Virginia.

Fifty years ago he came from Trumbull County, Ohio, where he was born, to the county seat of Old Bourbon, and opened a school in the dining room adjacent to the kitchen of the old stone house, the residence of Rev. John McFarland, pastor of the Presbyterian Church.

I was one of the original seven who constituted that school-four boys and three girls, all told. Sacred number, memorable by holy writ, consecrated by Divinity, and preserved in all time by rational selection (if not natural) as the type of perfection.

Whether our number had anything to do with the seven days of the week, the seven clean beasts that were taken into the ark, the seven years of plenty and famine in Egypt, the seven priests and the seven trumpets moving around Jericho, the seven thunders or the seven vials, we were not informed. But of one thing we were well assured. About the seventh day of school, without any increase of diminution of our number, our teacher came to the conclusion that we were "seven plagues," and he supplied himself with seven switches. We all sat on one long bench, our feet banging in the air, our backs forming a figure somewhat semi-elliptical. Not a desk or a table adorned the room, but the Professor had a split bottomed chair which he borrowed from the good pastor.

As the bench could not be conveniently lowered, nor our lower extremities conveniently lengthened, we were allowed the privilege of occasionally stiffening (p. 47) our backs, making them straight, resting the body on the edge of the bench, and placing our feet on the floor. This was a delectable recreation until we became wearied. Then by permission, we fell back as we were in the first position.

We had three classes in that embryonic school-three departments, low, middle and high--rudimentary, indeed, but representative, typifying the primary, academic and collegiate departments of our more modern institutions of learning.

In the first or lower department there were two scholars, viz: Myself and my little sweetheart, a curly headed little girl, whom I loved more than my book and the professor put together-Textbook, New England Primer.

In the second, or middle department there were three scholars, two boys and one girl-Textbooks, Juvenile Reader and Dictionary.

These classes were the constant care of our worthy teacher, for about three weeks and greatly to our surprise, the school was enlarged by the addition of five scholars, and another bench without a back was brought into requisition.

Bye and Bye the old dining room became too small, the school increased to thirty or forty, and it was resolved that we must move our quarters. Accordingly, on a certain Saturday, the big boys assembled and after transporting the old benches to the new schoolhouse they were escorted by the principal to a carpenter's shop, and soon they were seen carrying off the principal's desk, several desks for the scholars, and a number of benches with backs.

We were delighted with the change. It was a decided improvement on the old room and its furniture and we began to realize that we were attending one of the finest schools in the State of Kentucky.

By the close of the first year scholars were coming in from every direction, and from adjoining counties and the character of McGuffey as a first-class teacher, was fully established.

For four years he conducted that school in Paris, and it was there he laid the foundation of his character as an educator.

From Paris he went to Washington, Pa., finished a collegiate course in one year under Dr. Wylie, accepted the professorship of Ancient Languages in Miami University in 1828, continued in that till '37, accepted the Presidency of the Cincinnati College in the latter year, and remained in that position for about two years, when it was found impracticable to sustain that institution any longer. The Doctor was then invited to take a professorship in the Ohio University at Athens. He accepted the call, and remained there some two or three years, when about 1853 he was elected Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Virginia. He immediately moved to Charlottsville (sic), took charge of the chair and filled it with distinguished honor till the day of his death, a period of thirty years. (p. 48) When he commenced his career as a teacher in 1823 he was barely 21 years old. He taught for 50 years. At his death he was 71 years old.

I propose presenting some prominent features in the character of my distinguished old teacher, and in so doing, I know that "I shall set down naught in malice."

Superior Intellect

Dr. McGuffey was remarkable for intellect of the highest order. During his whole career-from the little school room in Paris to the great halls of the University of Virginia--he manifested intellectual power and influence. He was an original thinker and a severe critic. Servility of mind he never displayed. He subjected everything he heard and read to the crucible of his own judgment to consume the dross and to refine the gold. He belonged to no particular school of modern philosophy, and might have been styled an eclectic. He gathered by careful election from all the great thinkers of the present and the past, adopted the Scriptural maximum, "Prove all things, adopt that which is good."

Strong Passion

He was a man of active emotion and strong passion. I have seen him whip a boy at 10 o'clock terribly and play ball with him rompingly at noon. He employed the persuasive power of the rod with very little regard to "age, sex or previous condition." He rarely ever would take an excuse, but was fond of making a boy take a whipping. He whipped on the head, back, hand and foot. In a word, he whipped all over, and I know very well by multiplied experience, that a boy felt a most impressive all-overishness when Dr. M. got through with him.

His Method of Teaching

During the early part of his career his method of teaching was not a very good one. He never illustrated anything by addressing the eye. The class in arithmetic never used balls or apples; the class in Geography never saw a globe during recitation, not even an orange or a pumpkin. Everything was conducted on the abstract plan. The difference between three times four and four times three was never shown, and the reason of the succession of day and night was never exhibited.

Dr. M. was not in the right place in the common school room, and he never did justice to his mind until he became a teacher of young men.

At Miami University he discharged the duties of Professor of Ancient Languages with marked ability. He filled the Presidency of Cincinnati College with great distinction, and for about thirty years he lectured on Moral Philosophy in the University of Virginia so as to add greatly to the ancient reputation of our time honored school. A thinking man himself, he was the teacher of thinking men.

(p. 49)

An Extemporaneous Lecturer

Dr. McGuffey was the best extemporaneous lecturer I ever heard in my life. He made no oratorical display, no mouthing, no faces, no violent gestures, no routing, all such movements he despised. But pure language, deep thought, fluent words, earnest effort and easy delivery, were his strong features.

To say that he excelled in all these, does not fully convey to the reader a complete idea of our great teacher. He never took a single note, and he never could completely reproduce a lecture.

He talked it right straight along, without ever making a blunder, or going back to tell any of it over again. He was frequently called upon to deliver annual orations for literary societies, and whenever he complied would prepare himself the evening before by walking his room for two hours or more picking his teeth, and arranging his thoughts. When called to furnish a copy of "the able and interesting address," he invariably responded, "Gentlemen, I have no copy; never had-could hardly make one; please excuse me." The reader is now prepared to hear that.

He Was Not a Voluminous Writer

Pen, ink and paper were not his favorites. I have never seen an elaborate article from his pen; only a few very short essays. His educational books (readers) have given him a great reputation, but they are all selections, without any writing. His dislike of writing was his weakness. Had he given his attention to the pen he would have been one of America's great authors. As the matter now stands, our children will know very little more of him than the little they gather from the Eclectic series of readers.

He Was An Excellent Preacher

For 45 years he was a preacher, holding a high position in the Presbyterian church. The same earnestness and fluency which he displayed on the platform of the lecture room, he exhibited in the pulpit. His sermons were short, pointed, logical and convincing. He indulged but little in religious controversy, was always very calm in his discourses and rarely ever delivered an exhortation. He reasoned with men as Paul did with Felix, "of righteousness, temperance and judgment," and left them to their own reflections.

Change of Views Touching School Discipline

In conclusion, it is due to our venerable teacher that we should say that for more than a quarter of a century previous to his death he frequently expressed deep regret that he used the rod so severely in the school room when he was a young man, and that he advised young men to exercise gentleness and forbearance and not allow passion to gain the ascendancy, acknowledging his own errors (p. 50) in this respect, and recommending the modern use of the switch. The same advice, doubtless will be given by all good teachers.

Today the Memorial Building occupies the site on which stood the stone home of Rev. John McFarland and in which house William Holmes McGuffey began his teaching career in Paris in 1823.

MODERATORS OF THE SYNOD OF KENTUCKY

The highest honor which the Synod of Kentucky can pay to a minister or a ruling elder is to elect the minister or elder Moderator of the Synod. The Synod of Kentucky was organized in 1802, and since that date the following pastors or supplies of the Paris Church have served as Moderators of the Synod.

Samuel Rannell, 1809
John P. Campbell, 1811
Robert Marshall, 1818
John McFarland, 1822
Eli Smith, 1828
Nathan Lewis Rice, 1835
David Owen Davies, 1877
Lindsay Hughes Blanton, 1879
Everett Wade Bedinger, 1888
Edwin Hubbard Rutherford, 1892
Benjamin Milam Shive, 1913
James Wayman Clotfelter, 1930

Since the organization of the Synod in 1802, only seven ruling elders have been Moderators of the Synod. Three of these have been members of the Paris Church, Viz:

Judge J. Quincy Ward, 1893
Frederick Alfred Wallis, 1944
Thomas Barbee Talbot, 1920

The Paris Church entertained the Synod in the following years: 1829, 1838, 1862, 1870, 1921, 1932 and 1945

(p. 52)

JUDGE JOHN QUINCY WARD

On December 20, 1891, Judge John Quincy Ward and his wife were received into the Paris Presbyterian Church by letter from the Presbyterian Church in Cynthiana and in April 1892 he was listed as a member of the Paris Session.

John Quincy Ward, son of Cary Aldred Ward and his wife, Elizabeth Jane Risk Ward, was born in Oxford, Scott County, Kentucky, on August 29, 1838.

He graduated from Georgetown College in 1858, and after his graduation studied law under Marcellus Polk in Georgetown. In August 1860 he was admitted to the bar and in September of the same year began the practice of his profession in Cynthiana.

His ability was soon recognized and in 1862 he was elected County Attorney, in which office be served for four years.

In 1873 he was elected to the Kentucky Legislature in which body he served with distinction. His ability as a student of the law won for him the appointment in 1884 to the Superior Court as a successor to judge Reid, deceased. In 1886 he was elected to succeed himself, but in 1890 he declined re-election. Upon his retirement from the judgeship, he moved to Paris and continued his practice in the law, until his death June 26, 1899.

On November 30, 1865, Judge Ward married Miss Mary Eliza Miller, of Harrison County. They were the parents of three children, J. Miller Ward; Anna Cary Ward who married E. F. Clay, Jr.; and J. Quincy Ward. Mr. J. Miller Ward and James Clay Ward, of Paris, are grandsons of Judge and Mrs. Ward.

Judge and Mrs. Ward were active members of the Presbyterian Church. He was a Ruling Elder for many years and was a curator of Central University in Richmond, Kentucky.

In 1893 Judge Ward was elected Moderator of the Presbyterian Synod of Kentucky. He was the first layman to be so honored since 1802, when the Synod was organized. Only seven laymen have served as Moderators.

The following tribute was paid to Judge Ward:

"Upright in his dealings with his fellow men and in all relations of life, his record will bear the searchlight of fullest investigation. His mind was of giant strength. He was broadminded and liberal in thought and action, was charitable towards others, opinions and was ever mindful of their rights and sensibilities. In public life he was true, kind and tender and at all times, under all circumstances, he was just, loyal and markedly courteous."

From the Congregational Meeting Minute Book, February 7, 1892.

At a congregational meeting held in the church Sunday morning, February 7, 1892, Rev. E. H. Rutherford, D.D., presiding as Moderator and Joseph M. Jones acting as Secretary, an election for an elder was held. Judge J. Q. Ward was nominated and unanimously elected an elder in the Church.

Joseph M. Jones, E. H. Rutherford,

Secretary Moderator

(p. 53)

REV. THOMAS BARBEE TALBOT

On May 15, 1887, Mr. Talbot joined the Paris Church by a letter from the Presbyterian Church in Carlisle, Kentucky. He later moved his letter to Louisville. In 1920 while an elder he became Moderator of the Synod of Kentucky, being one of seven elders who have moderated the synod and one of three who held membership in the Paris Church. He was also among the number of young men who had been members of the Paris church to enter the ministry.

FREDERICK ALFRED WALLIS, LL.D.

Moderator of the Synod of Kentucky in 1944

Frederick Alfred Wallis, son of Allen M. and Albertine Ross Wallis, was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky March 13, 1869, and died in Paris, Kentucky, December 21, 1951.

He was interested in Christian Endeavor in his youth and active in the Presbyterian Church in his home town, and was made an elder at an early age there. He was interested in the prisoners at Eddyville and Frankfort, organizing Christian Endeavor societies for them. He was President of the New York State Christian Endeavor.

He was an elder in the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York, during his residence in New York, and was Chairman of the Pulpit Supply Committee for that church for many years. He was received into the Paris Church November 23, 1930 by certificate from the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York and elected an elder December 21, 1930.

In 1944 he was elected Moderator of the Synod of Kentucky, being one of the seven ruling elders who have served in that capacity since the organization of the Synod in 1802, and one of three who had been members of the Paris Church.

In 1948 he was given the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by Centre College.

Mr. Wallis was active in public and political affairs. He was Deputy Police Commissioner for New York City and United States Commissioner of Immigration to mention only a few of the honors which came to him.

He was survived at his death by his wife, Mrs. Nannie Clay Wallis, daughter of Thomas Henry and Frances Conn Clay, whom he married April 10, 1901.

The above data were furnished by Mrs. F. A. Wallis.

The Paris Church and Missions

Before William Patterson Alexander, a son of this church, went as a missionary to the Hawaiian Islands in 1831, this church was interested in missions and continued to support the missionary cause. When Mrs. Randolph went to China in 1872, the women of the Paris church prepared a cook book "Housekeeping (p. 54) in the Bluegrass," the proceeds from the sale of which was given for Mrs. Randolph's support. For many years the church helped in the support of Rev. and Mrs. H. M. Washburn in Africa.

In 1953 Miss Eleanor Lier Caslick went to Korea and served until 1958. In 1954 she married Rev. Jack Brown Scott and their field of service was in Soochun, Korea until their retirement in 1958.

The Paris Church has supported Mr. and Mrs. William F. Stockwell, missionaries to the Belgian Congo, since 1949. At present they serve in Mutoto station. In February of 1960 they visited the Paris Church for the first time for a two-day School of Missions, and were found to be a most consecrated and capable couple. Mr. Stockwell is an industrial missionary. Mrs. Stockwell serves as matron of a girl's home in Mutoto. They have a daughter, Sarah Gay, now 14, and two grown sons. Our support: $450.

In 1959 Mr. and Mrs. John M. McBryde went as new missionaries to Korea, partially supported by the Paris Church. Mr. McBryde is now the business manager of the Graham TB Hospital in Kwangju, Korea. Formerly lie was assistant administrator of the Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. While in Lexington, the McBrydes were members of the Maxwell St. Church. They are a most attractive and dedicated young couple. They have three children, Malcolm, Hugh and Ryan, whose ages in 1959 were 6, 5, and 3. Our annual support, $900.

(p. 55)

From the book "William Patterson Alexander" by Mary C. Alexander

"It is a fact worthy of note that the church in the Sandwich Islands, of which this son of the Paris congregation is a devoted missionary, contributed to the cause of Foreign Missions, during the year 1869, more money than the whole Synod of Kentucky."

MRS. ANNIE EDGAR RANDOLPH

Mrs. Randolph was born September 14, 1829 at Union, Virginia, later West Virginia, but she became a resident of Paris, Kentucky. She married Dr. Thomas G. Randolph of Hopkinsville, Kentucky in 1850. Moving with him to Mobile in 1851. Following his death there from yellow fever in 1853, she returned to Virginia and Kentucky, and in 1854 to Alabama where she taught for some years.

In 1868 Mrs. Randolph went back to Kentucky, settling in Paris, where in 1871 the call to her life work came. That fall she responded to an invitation to China and received her appointment in 1872. She arrived in Shanghai in 1872, then went to Hangehow.

Mrs. Randolph at once assumed her new duties as principal of the girl's boarding school, a position she was to fill with pre-eminent success and faithfulness for the next sixteen years.

After sixteen years of devoted toil Mrs. Randolph's health was so impaired that in 1888 it became needful to seek relief in Japan, and in the fall of that year she was regularly transferred to the Japan Mission where she established the Golden Castle Girl's School.

It was 1889 when Mrs. Annie Randolph, a missionary of the Southern Presbyterian Church, began a class with three Japanese girls. She taught Bible and knitting in the home of Dr. and Mrs. R. E. McAlpine. From that little group has grown Kinjo College, the largest women's school in Japan.

She retired in 1892.

In 1895 she became a teacher in the Assembly's Home and School at Fredericksburg, Virginia.

She died March 23, 1902 and was interred in Mobile.

On June 6, 1869 Mrs. Randolph was received into the Paris Church on a certificate from the Presbyterian Church in Salem, Virginia.

On June 24, 1894 Mrs. Randolph was dismissed to the Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

(p. 57) MRS. ELEANOR LIER CASLICK SCOTT

Eleanor Lier Caslick, daughter of Doctor and Mrs. E. A. Caslick, was born in Paris. On June 8, 1941, she was baptized and received into the full communion of the Paris church.

She graduated from the Paris High School, attended the University of Kentucky, and received the B.S. degree in Nursing from the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing in 1951. She was a Student in the Assembly's Training School, Richmond, Virginia, 1952-1953. She was a nurse at the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. On April 20, 1953, she was appointed a missionary to Korea.

On June 10, 1954, she was married to Reverend Jack Brown Scott also a missionary in Korea. Three children have been born of this union.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott served in Soochun, on the southern coast of Korea. There Mrs. Scott helped with Women of the Church organizations in the local churches and served in evangelistic effort with her husband, while looking after her family.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott resigned from missionary service in 1958. Mr. Scott is now pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Clinton, Mississippi.

(p. 58)

GROUNDS AND BUILDINGS--THE CHURCH ON HIGH STREET

From 1787 to 1869, a period of eighty-two years, the Paris Congregation worshiped where the home of Mr. and Mrs. Morris E. McCurdy, stands at 403 High Street. The first building which was of stone was probably erected soon after the church was organized in 1787. The church was near Duncan Tavern which was built in 1788. It is interesting to conjecture that the same masons who erected Duncan Tavern may also have built the church. It was not unusual for a congregation to build a house of worship before receiving a deed to the land on which the edifice was erected. The deed to the High Street lot was made January 10, 1795, some years after the church was organized. The deed states that the lot is known as "the Meeting-house lot". Transylvania Presbytery met in the church building on November 12, 1793, two years before the deed was made. The deed to the trustees, William McConnell, Isaac Orchard, John Huston and William Henry, follows:

In Deeds c, p 372, there is the following-Indenture made the 10th of January 1795 between Lawrence Protzman of Rockingham county, Va., and William McConnell, Isaac Orchard, John Huston and William Henry, Trustees for the time being of the Presbyterian Congregation of the town of Paris and its vicinity in Bourbon county, State of Kentucky of the other part; witnesseth that in consideration of the right of John Craig and Robert Johnston Assee. of John May who was assignee of John Reed and also a certain bargain and sale from the said John Craig and Robert Johnston to the said John Reed to the said Lawrence Protzman that in consideration of the sum of Four Pounds current money of Ky. paid by the said William McConnell, Isaac Orchard, John Huston and William Henry, Trustees for the time being of the said Congregation to the said Lawrence Protzman-hereby acknowledged by Protzman-said Protzman hath granted, bargained, sold and by these presents doth grant etc. to said Trustees of said Congregation a certain In lott in the town of Paris, Bourbon county Known in the Platt of said Town by the number (left blank)-and also known by the name of the Meeting House lot measuring in width where it fronts on HIGH STREET sixty-six feet and measuring back two hundred and fourteen and 1/2 feet.

To have and to hold-above lot with all wood trees, waters and water courses and all rights etc. and against the claim of all persons etc.

In witness thereof said Lawrence Protzman hereunto sets his hand and seal the day and year above written.
No witnesses
shown Lawrence Protzman

by Thomas Jones Attorney in Fact.

Recorded July court 1795.

An unsigned and undated paper in the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia shows that some repairs were made on the stone building about 1804. The paper follows:

(p. 59) Know all whom it may concern that whereas we Wm. M'Connell Sml. Brice & Joseph Mitchel of the County of Bourbon Elders of the Paris Congregation did in the year 1804 sign an instrument of writing to the following Amount (viz) we ruling Elders of Paris Congregation are willing that the meeting house in Paris may be occasionally used by the Preachers of other regular religious societies, who may be of good standing in their respective churches, when it is not wanted for use by the Presbyterian society, which certificate was signed at the request of, and returned by our consent if not our instructions to Andrew Todd one of the agents of the congregation in soliciting subscriptions, And in Superintending the repairs of or finishing the meetinghouse in Paris-& whereas our said Agent did in consequence of said certificate expend on the meeting house in Pairs, certain moneys & property subscribed on the express condition that the preachers of other societies &c as stated above, should have liberty of preaching in said house. Now as the above Certificate has been mislaid or lost and the moral character of our agent in consequence thereof called in question, & as we have repeatedly refused signing a similar certificate, for the justification of our said agents Conduct so far as authorized by said certificate-We do injustice to him the subscribers and ourselves, obligate ourselves to refund to our said Agent or to the respective subscribers all such conditional subscriptions as may be demanded whenever liberty of using said house shall be refused to the preachers of other societies as stated in the before mentioned certificate-to the refunding of all such subscriptions, when demanded as aforesaid-we do bind ourselves jointly and severally our joint & several he'rs, Executors administrators & assigns by these presents signed with our Names scaled with our seals and dated this day of

(There are no signatures and no date entered)

(p. 60)

THE BRICK BUILDING REPLACES THE STONE BUILDING

By 1822 the congregation was desirous to have a new building. In The Western Citizen published in Paris dated Tuesday, February 6, 1822, this advertisement was inserted:

"NEW CHURCH

The Committee appointed to superintend the building of the new Presbyterian Church in Paris, will meet at the old church on Friday the first of March at 11 o'clock, A.M. Carpenters and bricklayers who wish to undertake the labor will attend."

From the same paper of September 24, 1822 was this notice:

"New Church

"The subscribers to the new church now progressing in Paris are requested to discharge their respective subscriptions as the work is in such forwardness as to render payment necessary. The liberality of the citizens is appealed to for further donations as it has become necessary to increase the foods for the purpose of completing the building."

One can picture the members of the congregation as they rode up to the new building to worship. There being few vehicles in use, many came on horseback with their wives behind them on pillions. The horses were hitched to the many hitching posts surrounding the church. The men and women entered by separate doors and sat on opposite sides of the building. The pulpit stood between the two doors with the pulpit facing the front. In the gallery which extended around the two sides and back of the church sat the Negroes.

Additional Land Acquired in 1855

On June 15, 1855, John L. Walker conveyed 120 feet on High Street to James R. Wright, John Todd and Dr. John A. Lyle, Trustees of the church. This lot added to the 66 feet acquired in 1795 gave a frontage of 186 feet on High Street. A manse and school were erected on this lot. We do not know when the manse was built. We know that John McFarland, the pastor, was living in a stone house now the site of the Memorial Building and in this stone house William Holmes McGuffey began his teaching career in Paris in 1823.

From Deed Book 49, page 147, of date May 8, 1856, we learn that James R. Wright agreed to pay $500 to John A. Lyle, and John Todd, trustees, for Rev. J. D. Wardlaw, then pastor, to erect a school house on the church lot. For this $500, Wright was to have the privilege of sending three pupils to the school free of charge during his life, and after his death the church could have three pupils taught in the school free of charge.

Sale of the High Street Property

After the Civil War the Paris congregation divided into North and South and the property on High Street was sold.

(p. 61)

Aaron Newhoff Buys 50 Feet On High Street

In Deed Book 56, page 291, dated August 11, 1868, is recorded a deed to Aaron Newhoff from B. F. Harris, C. S. Brent, and James Hall, Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Paris of which J. L. Walker, C. S. Brent, B. F. Harris, T. P. Smith, J. R. Thornton, J. H. Bassett and W. P. McClain are Ruling Elders. The Trustees conveyed to Newhoff fifty feet on High Street adjoining the Presbyterian Church lot. The price was $2500.

James T. Davis Buys the Church Building

On April 11, 1869, C. S. Brent, James Hall and B. F. Harris, Trustees, sold to James T. Davis the Presbyterian Church's brick building and an adjoining lot on the west side of Church Street, fronting about 49 feet on said street and extending back the same width with Church Street 194 feet. The price was three thousand and fifty dollars. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Morris E. McCurdy, 403 High Street occupies this site.

Deeds from The Trustees of The Two General Assemblies of The Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. and U.S.

On September 27, 1875, identical deeds were made by the Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. by James Hemphill, President of the Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, U.S. and the Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America by Geo. Sharwood, President, to V. M. Kenney, Geo. W. Davis and J. L. Mitchell, Trustees of the Paris Presbyterian Church now in connection with the General Assembly in the United States for 881/2 feet being a part of the land conveyed by John L. Walker to James R. Wright, John Todd, Trustees of the Old School Presbyterian Church in Paris, on June 15, 1855. This deed states that this 881/2 feet had hitherto been sold to Isaac Cunningham. Probably the reason that the deeds were made by the two General Assemblies was to give a clear title to the land sold to Mr. Cunningham.

It is interesting to note that the James Hemphill who signed the deed as President of the Trustees of the General Assembly in the U.S. was the father of Dr. Charles R. Hemphill, President of Louisville Seminary and for many years one of the most distinguished members of the Synod of Kentucky and who frequently preached in the Paris Church.

The scene of God's earthly habitation became the homes of his earthly children.

(p. 62)

THE BUILDING AT SIXTH AND PLEASANT STREETS

ERECTED IN 1869-1870

Soon after the division of the Paris congregation into the North and the South the southern wing decided to erect a new building at Sixth and Pleasant Streets. Under the leadership of the pastor Rev. Lindsay Hughes Blanton a beautiful house of worship was erected.

On September 25, 1870 this edifice was dedicated to the glory of God. Rev. Joseph Clay Stiles, D.D., preached the dedicatory sermon. It is interesting to note that Dr. Stiles was one of the great pulpit orators of his day. He took an active part in organizing the New School Church in Kentucky. Because of his activity in the New School Church he was deposed in 1840 by the West Lexington Presbytery of the Old School. There was no moral blemish on his character but he was deposed because of his disagreement with the brethren of the Old School. He was a Chaplain under Stonewall Jackson. After he had preached a very able sermon in the presence of Jackson, the great General said: "Dr. Stiles, I would rather be a preacher than ten thousand generals."

The Christian Observer and Commonwealth of October 5, 1870 carried an account of the dedication services. This quotation follows.

"DEDICATION AT PARIS, KENTUCKY

"The New Presbyterian Church at Paris, Ky., was dedicated to tile service of God on Sabbath morning, September 25th, with services which were conducted by the Rev. Jos. C. Stiles, D.D., and the Pastor, Rev. L. H. Blanton, and that will long be remembered with interest by the large congregation assembled on the occasion. The Paris Citizen furnishes the following very interesting account of the erection of the new house on worship:

"The present pastor, Rev. L. H. Blanton entered upon the pastorate of the church here in the fall of 1868. The congregation was then weak, enfeebled by the division in the church, and had not yet recovered from the effects of the Late deplorable civil war. Seemingly a most inauspicious time for undertaking an enterprise of such magnitude. Among the first acts of Mr. Blanton's ministry was the initiation of a movement looking to the creation of a new church edifice. The proposition was favorably received by the congregation, and in the spring of 1869 it was resolved to enter upon the work. A liberal subscription was secured from members of the church, from persons belonging to other denominations, and from others unconnected with any church, and in a short time the foundation stone was laid, upon which has arisen a new and beautiful temple to the Living God.

"The building is eighty-one feet in length by forty-four in breadth. The audience room seats comfortably 500 persons; the gallery 100. The basement is capable of seating 300 persons, and is designed for a lecture room, pastor's study, Sunday School, and prayer meetings, with communication from lecture room to vestibule of audience room above. There are two towers, one of which is beautifully proportioned, and rises to the height of one hundred and forty feet.

"(p. 63) The entire cost of the building, completed and furnished, reaches $31,000. Of this amount, up to last Saturday, $28,000 had been paid, and on that day arrangements were made for the liquidation of the entire debt, the outstanding indebtedness being assumed by members of the congregation.

"This work has not been accomplished without sacrifices, but may we not hope, as we believe, that these sacrifices have been hallowed by the cheerfulness with which they have been made; and may this great work which this people have been permitted to do, be told as a memorial of them by coming generations."

From The Christian Observer and Commonwealth
October 5, 1870, page 4.

(p. 64)

The Present Building Was Dedicated January 5, 1919

During the pastorate of Dr. B. M. Shive need arose for more efficient Sunday School room. On April 27, 1913 a congregational meeting was held to discuss ways and means of carrying out this project. Much discussion took place but little progress was made. On February 7, 1914 the congregation voted to use the money from the Massie bequest to build an addition to the Sunday School. A committee was appointed to have the new quarters built, but even then the object was not achieved. Some felt that a new church building should be erected others felt that the building was all that was necessary to meet the requirements of the congregation.

Finally whether to build a new church or to enlarge the old passed the discussion stage. On March 26, 1916 a severe wind storm so damaged the building that it could not be repaired. So the congregation set about in earnest to have a new church home. The cornerstone for the new church was laid on May 20, 1917, when Mr. Emmett Dixon gave a beautiful historical address. This cornerstone was laid a few weeks after America entered the First World War. Progress on the building was slow due to the scarcity of building materials. During this period the congregation worshiped in the court house. In October 1918, the house was ready for occupancy but due to the epidemic of influenza the building could not be used because all the public exercises were prohibited.

On January 5, 1919, the glad day arrived when the building was dedicated to God. The Kentuckian-Citizen carried in its pages a full account of this service which we give.

The building was dedicated free from debt having a surplus in the treasury of $64.38. The largest contribution was for $4,300 given by one family. There were several gifts of one dollar each. One of the most interesting gifts was from a small boy who gave $2.60, the treasurer made this notation. "He saved his pennies". That little boy is today one of the very active officers in the church.

The Kentuckian-Citizen Wednesday, January 1, 1919 DEDICATION JANUARY 5 BY REV. DR. MAUZE

The New Presbyterian Church
Will Be Formally Dedicated
Sunday
SERMONS, 10:30 A.M. 7:15 P.M.

"The handsome new Presbyterian Church, which has been completed for several months, will be dedicated Sunday morning, January 5, with appropriate ceremonies, the exercises to begin at 10:30.

"The dedicatory sermon will be preached by Rev. J. Layton Mauze, D. D., of Huntington, West Va., and the evening sermon will be delivered by Rev. B. J. Bush, of Lexington, at 7:15."

(p. 65) The Kentuckian-Citizen Saturday, January 4, 1919

"DEDICATION JAN. 5 OF THE NEW CHURCH.

"Sermon By The Rev. Dr. J. L. Mauze at 10:30 Sunday Morning.

"Rev. Bush's Sermon 7:15 P.M.

"Miss Mary Dan Harbeson, of Fleming County, will sing at these services. Miss Harbeson is a vocalist of wide reputation, and has been heard with great pleasure in Paris upon several occasions.

"All arrangements had been completed for dedicating this church in October, but owing to the ban which was placed upon all public gatherings by the State and City Boards of Health, the services were postponed indefinitely; but now that danger of the influenza seems to have abated, religious services have been resumed in all the churches, and the dedication will be held according to the previous plans."

(p. 66)

The Kentuckian-Citizen Wednesday, January 1, 1919

"Dedicatory Recital Presbyterian Church, Paris, Ky. by Sidney C. Durst, Fellow of the American Guild of Organists

"A rare treat is in store for the lovers of music on next Monday evening, January 6, when a recital will be given on the big new organ in the First Presbyterian Church. This instrument was built in memory of the late Dr. Frank Fithian by the members of the "little church" and the popular subscriptions of his friends at a cost of five thousand dollars and is pronounced by experts to be an exceptionally fine piece of work. It contains seventeen hundred pipes all concealed in two separate rooms adjoining the main auditorium and is operated from the choir loft in the rear of the pulpit. Electric power is used exclusively, a wire connecting each pipe with the console.

"The wonderful tonal effects, combinations and scope of this unique organ will be demonstrated by Mr. Sidney C. Durst on the above date.

(p. 67) "The handsome new edifice, which is located at the corner of Pleasant and Sixth Streets on the site of the church which was torn down to make room for the new one, is the fifth Presbyterian Church erected in Paris. The first, a stone structure was built in 1789 on High Street on the site now occupied by the residence of Mrs. James T. Davis. This building was torn down in 1822, to be replaced in 1822 by a brick house which was also torn down. The building at the corner of Pleasant and Fifth Streets, now occupied by Mr. George W. Davis as an undertaking establishment, was the next, followed by the building at the corner of Pleasant and Sixth Streets, which was known as the Southern Presbyterian Church until the union of the two branches, the General Assembly and the Southern. The corner stone of this building was laid in 1869 during the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. L. H. Blanton.

"Mr. George W. Davis, who will celebrate his ninety-second birthday in February, is the only one of the men serving on the official board of the church at that time, who is still living.

"The capacity of this building having become inadequate to accommodate the increasing membership of the church and the Sunday School, the erection of a more commodious building had been under contemplation for some time when a violent storm on March 26, 1916 so badly damaged the front of the building that its demolition became a necessity. Therefore it was torn down and the substantial imposing structure erected in its place is the result of months of careful planning and thoughtful consideration on the part of the building committee backed by the co-operation and financial ability of the congregation.

"The cost of the completed building is approximately $40,000, exclusive of the lot and the organ.

"It is similar in construction and outline to the old church, being built in the Gothic style of architecture, two stories in height, with a tower at each of the two front corners, and the imposing entrance is reached by a short flight of stone steps. The materials used in the construction of the building are dark red, rough finished brick with stone trimmings from Rowan County, Ky., the contrasting colors making a pleasing combination.

"The same bell which bung in the tall steeple of the old church, now hangs in the corner tower of the new, and its sweet, clear tones still call the worshipers to prayer, though many who once answered its every call will respond no more.

"Passing through the broad doorway one enters the vestibule which is laid in marble tiling, and upon either end of which is a large cloak room conveniently furnished.

"The main auditorium is one of the largest, most comfortable and attractive places of public worship in the city. It is fifty-eight by fifty-two feet in dimension with a large gallery over the front end, the two together having a seating capacity of four hundred and fifty.

(p. 68)

"The auditorium has thirteen beautiful art glass windows in soft, harmonizing tints. All of the art glass windows in the building were the gifts of the family of Mrs. Sallie Woodford Spears and her children in memory of her husband and their father, Capt. E. F. Spears, who was a faithful member of the official board of the congregation during his long and useful church membership.

"The pews and other furniture of the auditorium are of walnut, richly carved. Four handsome pieces of grill work concealing the shutters and pipes of the great organ are particularly noticeable and are of walnut, hand-carved.

"The carpet is of blue velvet, and the walls when retinted, will have a Tiffany finish in a mottled smokey effect, both the carpet and walls harmonizing with the windows.

"The handsome reading desk and three large chairs which occupy the pulpit were the gifts of Mrs. Catesby Woodford, Sr., in memory of her mother, Mrs. Martha Clay Davenport, the desk bearing the inscription, "Blessed are the pure in heart."

"The communion table and two chairs were given by Mr. James M. Dodge in memory of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. David M. Dodge, who were among the Pioneer members of the church.

"The baptismal font is the gift of Miss Belle Mitchell in loving memory of her sister, Mrs. Georgia M. Keller, one of the most faithful workers in the church and Sunday School until the time of her death.

"A beautiful flower stand in carved walnut matching the other furniture, was presented by Mrs. Wyatt Thompson in memory of her beautiful daughter, Miss Ethel Adair Thompson, who died just as she was budding in sweet young womanhood.

"The communion service in silver and glass is the gift of the members of the Young Peoples' Society of Christian Endeavor.

"The artificial lighting of the auditorium is made by eleven semi-indirect lights manufactured in Philadelphia, and which glow with a soft radiance.

"The choir loft occupies the space in the rear of the pulpit, and opening from it on either side is a room, one being the pastor's study, and the other a choir room. Both are also used as class rooms for the Women's and Men's Bible classes.

"One of the most important features of the entire church equipment is the large organ which was built at a cost of $5,000, Hillgreen, Lane & Co., of Alliance, Ohio.

"This instrument is a memorial to Dr. Frank Fithian, who was the Choir Director for several years. The organ fund was raised by voluntary popular subscription by members of all the local congregations, for Dr. Fithian's musical services were always at the disposal of those who needed or desired them. This fund was augmented and completed by a fund from members of the "Little (p. 69) Church" as it was called before the union of the two Presbyterian congregations, and of which Dr. Fithian was an elder and musical director. He was one of the best loved men who ever lived in this community; his musical ability was universally recognized, and he was unequaled as a choir director. Therefore, the erection of this organ is a fitting memorial to his musical genius and to his popularity as a Christian gentleman.

"The instrument was designed by Sidney C. Durst, of Cincinnati, Fellow American Guild of Organists, and the firm that built it also built what is probably the finest organ in the State-the one in the home of Mr. George F. Berry, Juniper Hill, Frankfort.

"A few years ago the same firm rebuilt the large organ in Carnegie Hall, New York, and has since had complete charge of it.

"The Memorial Organ in the new church has seventeen hundred pipes all concealed in two separate rooms adjoining the main auditorium, and is operated from the choir loft in the rear of the pulpit. It contains twenty-seven stops and three manuals, and consists of four separate organs, each complete in itself, containing all four kinds of organ tones, Diapasons, Strings, Flutes, and Reeds. It is built in antiphonal form, part being on the right, and part on the left side of the pulpit. Electric power is used exclusively, a wire connecting each pipe with the console. It has been pronounced by Mr. Durst one of the finest and most beautiful tones organs in the Central States.

"The ground floor of the church is devoted to the main Sunday School room, the room for the Primary Department class rooms, kitchen and pantry.

"The large Sunday School room is commodious and attractive. It is lighted by plain Florentine glass windows, has an ornamental steel ceiling, and a substantial floor covering. The pulpit is the one which was used in the old church, and a grand piano is the musical instrument used. Built-in book-cases occupy one side of the room, and six class rooms open out of the main room, being separated from it by folding partitions. Each class room is carpeted and furnished with chairs, a table and blackboard. Besides these six rooms there are four other class rooms on the main floor, and the primary room is entirely separate with separate entrance. This room is one of the most attractive in the building, being carpeted, and furnished with the comfort of the little tots in mind. An upright piano, the gift of Mrs. Sallie Neely, occupies a conspicuous place. These rooms on the ground floor are also used for prayer-meeting and for the meetings of the various church organizations, the Women's Missionary Society, the Pastor's Aid, the Mission Band and the Endeavor Society.

"The kitchen, pantry and sewing-room are complete and up-to-date in their equipment, modern conveniences and labor-saving devices.

"The pastor of the church, which is one of the most progressive of this denomination in the State and which includes many of the leading and wealthy citizens of Bourbon County, is the Rev. John J. Rice, who was installed as (p. 70) pastor on Sunday, July 7, 1917, and who succeeded the Rev. Dr. B. M. Shive, who resigned his charge to take up educational work in the South.

"Rev. I. C. Hunt, Pastor of the Madison Avenue Church, Covington, preached the installation service and delivered the charge to the new pastor. Following the sermon, Rev. Dr. F. J. Cheek, of Danville, formerly pastor of the First Presbyterian Church here, delivered the charge to the congregation.

"Rev. Rice is a grandson of Rev. Nathan L. Rice, who served as pastor of the Paris, Presbyterian Church from 1841 to 1844, and who was one of the ablest and most eminent ministers of that denominations.

"The official board of the congregation is as follows:

"Elder, George W. Davis, James L. Dodge, Dr. John T. VanSant, Robert P. Dow, James D. McClintock and Charles B. Mitchell.

"Deacons: George R. Bell, Wallace W. Mitchell, Emmett M. Dickson, Judge Charles A. McMillan, William H. Webb, Dr. Marion H. Dailey and Lawrence Vanhook.

"The Sunday School is graded and meets all requirements of an up-to-date, well-managed school. It has class organization and departments.

"The officers are as follows:

"Superintendent-O. L. Davis.

"Secretary-John Dundon.

"Pianist-Miss Virginia Dundon.

"Cornetist-Earl Swearengen.

"Teachers: Adult Department

"Wornen's Bible Class, Miss Kate Edgar.

"Men's Bible Class-Rev. John J. Rice, Assistants, C. B. Mitchell, Mr. John Brennan, Z. L. Wilcox.

"Senior and Intermediate: Mrs. Rebecca Mullins, Mrs. Samuel Willis, Miss Jane Marsh, Mrs. Sallie Neely, Miss Nell Crutcher, Mrs. William K. Griffith, Miss Elizabeth Crutcher, Mr. Samuel Willis, and Miss Mary Spears.

"Primary and Beginners' Department:

"Superintendent-Mrs. Harry B. Clay.

"Assistant Superintendent-Mrs. J. T. VanSant.

"Secretary-Miss Lucy Colville.

"Accompanist-Mrs. William A. Johnson, Mrs. Duncan Bell, Mrs. John J. Rice.

"Chairman Cradle Roll, Mrs. Kate Reading.

"The women's organizations of this church are very active and much good is accomplished through their work.

"The officers of the Pastor's Aid Society are as follows: President, Mrs. Robert Meteer; Vice President, Mrs. Owen L. Davis; Secretary, Mrs. Samuel Willis; Treasurer, Mrs. Charles Duncan.

"The officers of the Women's Missionary Society are: President, Miss Nellie Fithian; Vice President, Mrs. Harry B. Clay; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. C. A. (p. 71) McMillan; Secretary of Literature, Mrs. John Lair; Secretary of Young People's Work, Miss Mary Spears; Managers of the Children's Missionary Work, Mrs. Rebecca Mullins and Miss Jane Marsh.

"The Christian Endeavor Society is at present in charge of Mrs. Harry B. Clay, and Miss Eleanor Lytle is the President.

"The Building Committee who had charge of the erection of this handsome structure was composed of the following members: R. P. Dow, W. R. Blackmore, Duncan Bell, B. M. Renick, Peale Collier, Mrs. Owen Davis, Mrs. M. H. Dailey, Miss Mary Spears, Mrs. Frank Clay and Mrs. Wm. G. McClintock.

"The architect was Mr. Hugh Nevin, of Louisville, and the completed work stands as a monument to his skill and to the united efforts and excellent taste of the committee.

"The corner-stone of the building was laid Sunday afternoon, May 20, 1917, in the presence of a large crowd representing every denomination in the city.

"A large choir, under the direction of Mr. A. L. Boatright, rendered the music for the occasion, with Mr. Earl Swearengen as cornetist. Rev. J. G. McAllister, of Louisville, who preached for the congregation while the church was without a pastor, presided upon this occasion, and the address was delivered by Hon. E. M. Dickson, one of the most active members and officers of the church, and a son-in-law of the late Rev. Dr. L. H. Blanton, who was its pastor for a number of years.

"The address of Mr. Dickson was interesting and eloquent, comprising a comprehensive history of the Paris, Presbyterian Church from the time of its organization in the year 1787, before Kentucky had become a State, and before Bourbon County had ever been organized or named. The man whose name will go down in history as the organizer of this little band was Rev. Andrew McClure. He continued to serve as the minister until 1795 when he was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Rannells. Other ministers served in this capacity until 1837 and 1838 when discord entered and divided the church.

"The differences were overcome, however, and the two branches known as the Old School and the New School, were united, and remained harmonious until 1866, when another division arose growing out of issues connected with the Civil War.

"In September, 1868, Rev. L. H. Blanton was called to the pastorate of that wing of the Church which was connected with what is known as the Southern General Assembly. During his pastorate the church which was torn down about two years ago, was built and dedicated Sept. 25, 1870. Dr. Blanton continued as pastor of this church until 1880, and was succeeded by Rev. Dr. E. H. Rutherford, who served the congregation for nearly thirty years. After his death, Rev. Dr. B. M. Shive was the pastor until he resigned and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. J. J. Rice, under whose leadership the congregation will maintain the high position in the religious life of the community and achieve even greater success than has heretofore marked their progress."

The Manse At 121 Duncan Avenue Was Built In 1884.
Paris, Kentucky
Friday, February 8th, 1884

Deed For Manse Lot Of Paris Presbyterian Church, 121 Duncan Avenue

Duncan Ave. Manse Book 65, page 192

March 28, 1881 Samuel M. Richardson to Presbyterian Church in U.S.

The above deed was made between Samuel M. Richardson and Anna M. Richardson his wife, parties of the first part, and Joseph Mitchell, George W. David, and Joseph A. Howerton, trustees of the First Presbyterian Church Paris, Ky. in connection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, parties of the second part. Property was conveyed in the consideration of the sum $800., evidenced by the second party in promissary note due and payable on the first day of March, 1882, and bearing interest at 6% per annum for the first day of May, 1881. The land is described as being situated on Duncan Ave., adjoining property belonging to Jimmy D. Bell and Charlton Alexander, and bordering 80 feet along Duncan Ave.

An entry signed "S. M. Richardson" on December 17, 1881, acknowledges payment in full of the purchase money specified in the deed.

(p. 73) A meeting of the Officers of the Church was held this day. Present, G. W. Davis, J. A. Howerton, John Gass, Joseph Neely, R. P. Dow, George R. Bell and Joseph M. Jones. G. W. Davis was elected Chairman. Opened with prayer by the Chairman.

The matter of the erection of a parsonage was discussed at length and the following paper was adopted:

"We tbe officers of the Paris Presbyterian Church (Southern General Assembly), in behalf of ourselves and for the membership of the Church hereby resolve to erect upon the lot owned by the Church, a brick parsonage with all necessary appertenances, i.e., grading, fencing, paving, cistern, a pump and vault, at a cost not to exceed $4,500. The work to begin at the earliest day possible. It is also agreed that we are not to bind ourselves or the church to exceed the stipulated suin; and if for any reason an individual or individuals see proper to expend more then he, she or they must do so at his, her or their expenses."

A building committee consisting of R. P. Dow, Joseph Neely and D. M. Dodge was appointed and they were instructed to lay the proceedings of this meeting before the Ladies of the Church on next Wednesday afternoon and to report their action at a meeting of the officers on Friday next at 3 o'clock P.M.

The meeting then adjourned.

G. W. Davis, Chairman Joseph M. Jones, Secretary.

At a meeting held on Friday, February 15th, 1884, of the officers of the Church, the Ladies of the Ladies Aid Society, represented by Mrs. R. J. Neely, Mrs. Mary E. Webb, Mrs. Bettie Mitchell and Mrs. W. A. Johnson, the foregoing resolution i.e. $4,500 for a parsonage was approved by the Ladies for their society and by them in behalf of the Ladies of the Church.

Joseph M. Jones, Secretary

At a meeting of the congregation of the Paris Presbyterian Church, September 28, 1884, it was decided to request Ebenezer Presbytery to amend the call given on January 30, 1881, to Dr. Rutherford from a salary of $2,000 to a salary of $1,600 with the free use of the manse.

The above item shows that the manse was completed by September 1884.

(p. 74)

The Robert Meteer Memorial Chapel

On June 1, 1947, the Paris church began a Sunday School in the old recreational building on the back edge of the city school lot in Ruckerville, with nine children in attendance. A vacation school followed when fifty children attended. On Rally Day the children of the mission school were taken in buses to the First Church to unite with the Sunday School of the First Church.

Great enthusiasm was created by this joint meeting. It was decided that a good building was needed. Mrs. Robert Meteer gave the money for the building in memory of her husband who had always been an active worker in the church. On May 8, 1948, the Robert Meteer Memorial Chapel was dedicated to the glory of God.

This output has accomplished much good not only to the people of the neighborhood but the lives of the members of the First Church have been enriched by the efforts which have) gone into this work.

(p. 75)

THE METEER HOUSE

At a meeting of the Session on November 6, 1955, the following resolution was adopted.

"A motion by J. T. Tadlock seconded by William Kenney that a committee, Ireland Davis, Chairman, to write to Mrs. Robert Meteer a letter expressing appreciation of the Session of the most generous gift of the Holliday House, 6th and Pleasant Streets, to be used for Church purposes.

Following the morning worship on May 6, 1956, this building was dedicated. This building is used for Sunday school and Educational purposes.

(p. 76)

Union Of The Northern And Southern Presbyterian Churches In Paris Adjourned Meeting

Lexington, Kentucky October 24, 1910 Presbytery of Ebenezer met in the First Church at 4 p.m.

Rev. R. S. Sanders, last Moderator present, presided, and Presbytery was constituted with prayer by Rev. B. M. Shive.

The following were enrolled: Reverends R. S. Sanders, G. W. Bell and B. M. Shive, D.D. Elders G. W. Davis and J. A. Butler.

A Committee composed of Rev. J. N. Ervin, D.D., the Stated Clerk, and Rev. F. J. Check, D.D., a corresponding member from the Presbytery of Ebenezer, U.S.A., then sitting in the Second Presbyterian Church, Lexington, Kentucky, appeared before Presbytery and communicated the fact, that in response to a petition of the First and Second Presbyterian Churches of Paris, Kentucky, their Presbytery had dismissed the First Presbyterian Church of Paris, Kentuckv to the Presbytcrv of Ebenezer, U.S., that it become organically united with the Second Presbyterian Church of that city.

The petition is as follows:

"Article of Agreement whereby the First and Second Presbyterian Churches of Paris, Kentucky, became organically united."

"Preamble: We believe that Almighty God in His all-wise providence, has removed all obstacles that may have hitherto caused our separate existence, and we believe that now, by uniting we shall be able better to serve the cause of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and bear more effective witness to His grace and power in our community, and shall be able to advance the cause of Presbyterianism and the truth of God's word as set forth in the Westminister Confession of Faith, and conserve the interests of Christ's Kingdom in regard to both men and means that he has given us for its advancement."
Therefore:

"'All the officers and members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Paris, Kentucky, in connection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and we, the officers and members of the First Presbyterian Church of Paris, Kentucky, in connection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, do hereby covenant and agree to unite and become one church and congregation, subject to the approval of our respective Presbyteries and do hereby adopt the following articles of agreement.

First. The name of the United Church shall be the First Presbyterian Church of Paris, Kentucky, in connection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States.

Second. The Elders, Deacons and Trustees and members of the two above mentioned congregations, shall be Elders, Deacons, Trustees and members of the united congregation.

(p. 77)

Third. All properties belonging to the First Presbyterian Church of Paris, Kentucky in connection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, shall be disposed of by the members of said church, as they deem wise and best.

Fourth. The union shall be in effect and operation immediately upon the consummate thereof as herein provided.

Fifth. We do hereby respectfully petition the Presbytery of Ebenezer, U.S.A., to set its seal and approval upon this agreement and union by dismissing Ile congregation, officers and members of the First Presbyterian Church of Paris, Kentucky, in connection with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and the Presbytery of Ebenezer, U.S., to set its seal of approval upon this agreement and union, by receiving said congregation."

"We hereby certify that the said action was taken, and the above paper adopted by the congregation of the Second Presbyterian Church of Paris, Kentucky, U.S., at a congregational meeting duly called by the Session of said church, and held in the church building immediately following the morning service, September 25, 1910."

Signed
B. M. Shive, Moderator
F. L. Lapsley, Clerk

"We hereby certify that the above action was taken, and the above paper was adopted by the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Paris, Kentucky, U.S.A., duly called and held according to the laws of our church."

October 10, 1910

Signed Charles Lee Reynolds, Moderator J. D. McClintock, Clerk

Whereupon, in response to the above petition, on motion, this Presbytery received the First Presbyterian Church of Paris, Kentucky and enrolled it.

Presbytery then took recess, and went as a body, to the Second Presbyterian Church of Lexington, Kentucky, where the two Presbyteries of Ebenezer (U.S. and U.S.A.) sat for a time as one body, the moderators occupying the chairs together. Appropriate remarks, touching the union of the two churches of Paris, were made by Drs. Check (a former beloved pastor of the First Church), and Shive (the present pastor of the re-united church), John 1. Blackburn and Baxter P. Fullerton of St. Louis. The long metre doxology was then sung.

On motion, the two churches of Paris, now under the jurisdiction of this Presbytery were consolidated and made one church, bearing the name of the "First Presbyterian Church, of Paris, Kentucky"', with the officers of both churches as the officers of the re-united church according to their agreement.

Presbytery then repaired to an adjoining room where the minutes were read and approved.

(p. 78)

Presbytery then adjourned to meet in Catlettsburg, Thursday, April 20, 1911, at 7:30 P.M.

The meeting was closed with prayer by Rev. G. W. Bell.
Robert Stuart Sanders, Moderator
B. M. Shive, Temporary Clerk
H. M. Scudder, Stated Clerk

Meeting of Trustees First Presbyterian Church (Little Church) U.S.A., Paris, Kentucky, held June 27, 1917. The Frank Fithian Memorial Organ.
Whereas in the Articles of Agreement on Organic Union of the First Presbyterian Church associated with the General Assembly in the United States of America, and the Second Presbyterian Church, Paris, Kentucky, associated with the General Assembly in the United States, of date October 10, 1910, and recorded in Session Book page 7, it is stipulated that the members of the First Presbyterian Church associated with the property and funds owned by the said church "as deemed best by them" Now therefore, it is resolved that the note signed by Fithian and Daugherty for $1167.00 it being the second deferred payment on the parsonage on 5th Street, be turned over to Miss Mary Spears, Treasurer, of the Ladies Committee for furnishing the new church; that all moneys on deposit in Bourbon-Agricultural Bank and Trust Company, together with interest on same, amounting approximately to $1200.00 and the further sum of twenty-five hundred dollars to be raised by a first mortgage on the old church building, corner of Fifth and Pleasant streets, be given to Mrs. Mary Lou Dailey, Treasurer, of the Frank Fithian Memorial Organ Fund, all of which is to be used in paying for the organ to be erected to the memory of Frank Fithian.

The Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church associated with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States are herewith directed and empowered to carry out each and every provision herein set forth.

Signed
John Brennan, Trustee
Matilda Woodford
J. D. McClintock, Trustee
Georgia F. Webb
O. L. Davis, Trustee
Nellie Fithian
Belle Brent Alexander
Elizabeth Crutcher, per N.F
Mary Louise Williams
Nell Crutcher
Patty Alexander Davis
Ranah Owens
Dan Isgrig,
Mrs. T. W. Titus
Rebecca Doeher

(p. 79)

Disposition of the Property of the First Church, October 10, 1910

The following paper was read and unanimously adopted. The paper was voted upon sereatim and there adopted as a whole.

We the session, after careful and prayerful consideration of the question, recommend to the congregation that the following disposition be made of the properties owned by this church.

First. After the sale of the properties of this church that we give one thousand dollars ($1000.00) to the trustees of the Pikeville Collegiate Institute located at Pikeville, Ky.

Second. That we give one thousand dollars ($1000.00) to the trustees of the Presbyterian Church in connection with the General Assembly U.S.A. located at Harlan Court House, Ky. for the purpose of aiding them to build a new church house.

Third. That all the remainder of the property including any money that may come from the United States Government for the use of building during the Civil War be carried with the congregation into the consolidated church. The church furnishings are excepted.

Fourth. That all the church's furnishings like the bell, organs, pews, chairs, carpets, pulpit, tables, communion service &c. be given into the hands of the following committee, Miss Sallie Jaynes, Mrs. Belle B. Alexander and Mrs. C. D. Webb to dispose of as they deem best.

Fifth. That the session be hereby elected a commission by this congregation with power to order the trustees of this church to make sale and all necessary transfers in order that the foregoing provision may be carried out, and to attend to any other business that may be necessary, concerning the disposition of the properties of this church.

We hereby certify, that the above action was taken at a congregational meeting held in the church building on Oct. 10, 1910 called by order of the session according to the laws of our church.

The minutes were read and approved after which the meeting adjourned being closed with prayer by Rev. F. J. Cheek.

Charles Lee Reynolds, Moderator
J. D. McClintock, Clerk

*Minutes of the Session of the First Presbyterian Church, Paris, Kentucky 1904-1910.

(p. 80)

Meeting of Trustees First Presbyterian Church (Little Church) U.S.A.

Held June 27, 1917.

Whereas in the Articles of Agreement on Organic Union of the First Presbyterian Church associated with the General Assembly in the United States of America, and the Second Presbyterian Church, Paris, Ky., associated with the General Assembly in the United States, of date Oct. 10, 1907 and recorded in Session book page 7, it is stipulated that the members of the First Presbyterian church associated with the General Assembly of Presbyterian church in the United States of America shall dispose of all property and funds owned by said church "as deemed best by them",

Now, therefore, it is resolved that the note signed by Fithian and Daugherty for $1167.00 it being the second deferred payment of the parsonage on 5th St. be turned over to Miss Mary Spears, Treasurer of the Ladies Committee for furnishing the new church; that all moneys on deposit in Bourbon-Agricultural Bank & Trust Co. together with interest on same, amounting approximately to $1200.00, and the further sum of twenty five hundred dollars to be raised by a first Mortgage on the old church building corner Fifth and Pleasant Streets, be given to Mrs. Mary Lou Dailey, Treasurer of the Frank Fithian Memorial organ fund, all of which is to be used in paying for the organ to be erected to the memory of Frank Fithian.

The Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church associated with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States are herewith directed and empowered to carry out each and every provision herein set out.

Signed.
John M. Brennan Trustee
J. D. McClintock Trustee
O. L. Davis Trustee

Members
Belle Brent Alexander
Mary Louise Williams
Patty Alexander Davis
Matilda Woodford
Dan Isgrig
Georgia F. Webb
Rebecca Doeber
Nellie Fithian
Nell Crutcher
Elizabeth Crutcher
Ranah Owens
Mrs. T. W. Titus

Erected by the New School Presbyterian Church
in 1846
Used by the U.S.A. Presbyterian Church
1869-1910
Now the Davis Funeral Home

The New School Church Building Now the Davis Funeral Home

After the division of the Paris Church into the Old School and New School Churches it is probable that both congregations used the building on High Street on alternate Sundays for several years.

(p. 82)

The New School desired to have its own place of worship. From Deed Book 41, page 268, December 31, 1845, we learn that this desire was gratified when Andrew H. Wright deeded a lot on Pleasant Street to the New School Church for the purpose of having a church building erected thereon. The deed follows:

"This deed made this thirty-first day of December A.D., one thousand eight hundred and forty-five between Andrew H. Wright of the County of Bourbon and State of Kentucky, a party of the first part and Thomas P. Smith, John N. Thornton, and William Oden Smith, Trustees of the Constitutional or New School Presbyterian Church in Paris of the County aforesaid a party of the second part. That the party of the first part for and in consideration that the Trustees build or cause to be built upon the lots hereby conveyed a House of worship for the use of the members of said church to be built within five years from the date hath granted, bargained and sold and by these present doth grant, bargain, sell, and convey and confirm unto the said party of the second part all that portion of ground in Town of Paris bounded as follows:

Beginning at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Mulberry Street and with Pleasant Street, ninety-nine feet to the corner of Ingels Lot then with the line of same one hundred and seven feet three inches to the center between Pleasant and Main Street then with said center and parallel with the first line ninety nine feet to Mulberry Street then to the beginning. Together with all the promised improvements rights and privileges thereunto belonging.

In the event that the said house is not built upon said lot within five years and the said lot is not used for the purpose aforesaid the said Trustees agree and bind themselves to reconvey to said Wright or his heirs the said lots."

A Right-of-Way Deeded to A. H. Wright From Main Street to Pleasant St.

When Andrew H. Wright gave the lot to the New School Church he failed to reserve for himself a right-of-way from Main Street to Pleasant Street. On February 19th, 1847, the Trustees of the church conveyed to Wright this right-of-way. From the following words in the deed we ascertain that the church was built in 1846.

"Witnesseth that whereas the said A. H. Wright at the time be made conveyance to the party of the first part of the lot in Paris on which the new Presbyterian Church has been built, intended to keep the right-of-way of his lot which fronts on Main Street to Pleasant Street, but forgot it at the time."

The New School Church In Paris

When the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. met in the Seventh Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia May 17, 1838, dissatisfaction arose over the seating of certain commissioners. Whereupon Dr. N. S. S. Beman, a previous Moderator stood in the aisle and someone nominated Dr. Samuel Fisher, of Newark Presbytery, for Moderator and be was elected. A motion was made that the portion of the Assembly which had elected Dr. Fisher retire to the First Presbyterian Church. One hundred and thirty-six Commissioners retired to the First Church and became known as the New School Presbyterian General Assembly. This group usually referred to themselves as the Constitutional Assembly.

(p. 83)

The portion of the Assembly which had not voted in the above proceedings elected Dr. William S. Plumer Moderator. One hundred and forty Commissioners constituted the group that became known as the Old School Assembly.

The Synod of Kentucky met in Paris October 10, 1838, at which time this resolution was adopted:

"Resolved, that this Synod recognize and acknowledge the General Assembly which organized and continued to hold its sessions in the Seventh Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, in May last, of which the Rev. William S. Plumer, was Moderator, as the only true General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America."

After a year or two there were some in the Synod who were dissatisfied with their connection with the Old School Assembly, and measures were taken to organize a New School Synod. Some of the members of the Paris Church, about 47 in all, organized a New School Church in Paris, January 26, 1841. Three ruling elders namely, Thomas Porter Smith, John Rootes Thornton and William Wright seceded from the Old School Church and became elders in the Paris New School Church. The announcement of the organization of the New School Church appeared in the Christian Observer March 19, 1841.

Presbyterian Church, Paris, Ky.

"This church, we are gratified to learn, adheres to the Constitution and standards of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. At a recent meeting of the Session and members of the church adopted the following resolution, which, as will be seen, was highly proper and appropriate in the circumstances in which they were placed by the late "Reform" proceedings in the State. This act has been forwarded for our columns by one of their number, who states that it was signed by three Ruling Elders, two Deacons, and, in all, forty-six members of the church. The writer remarks that they had no paper in that State in which they could spread their act before the public, it was therefore forwarded to the Christian Observer, as they wish their neighbors to know the principles on which they are separated from their New Basic brethren. Their resolution is as follows:

RESOLVED, That we, the subscribers, members of the Presbyterian Church of Paris, being convinced that the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America did, by their proceedings in their sessions of 1837 and 1838, and in carrying out those proceedings, depart essentially from the Form of Government and Discipline of the Church, so as to introduce NEW principles and measures before unknown to the church, so far as to violate its constitution materially; we do view the said Assembly which then held, and now holds its annual Sessions in the Seventh Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, as having departed from the principles of our church. We therefore declare ourselves to be members of the Paris Presbyterian Church, on the basis of the Confession of Faith, Form of Government and Discipline of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, as we have heretofore been, and that we will apply to the Harmony Presbytery for admission, and invite all who agree in our opinions to unite with us."

(p. 84)

From the Christian Observer. March 19, 1841

The Old School and New School congregations must have used the building jointly on High Street for several years. In the Western Citizen, dated February 12, 1841, it is stated that Rev. George Washington Kennedy will preach in the Presbyterian Church on next Sunday, and in the issue of Tuesday, March 12, it was announced that Rev. John Black would preach in the Presbyterian Church. The two above mentioned ministers adherred to the New School.

After several years of separation, the New School Church was to have its own building. A deed dated December 31, 1845, shows that Andrew H. Wright gave a lot at the corner of Pleasant and Mulberry Streets (now Fifth) for the purpose of having a house of worship built thereon. From a deed, dated February 19, 1847, from the Trustees of the church to Andrew H. Wright, we learn that the edifice was built in 1846. This building is now the Davis Funeral Home. The Paris Church became one of the strongest in the New School Synod of Kentucky. The Synod met in Paris on several occasions. The Synod met in Paris September 10, 1846. Rev. A. C. Dickerson who united with the Paris Church April 23, 1824, and who later became pastor in Bowling Green, preached the opening sermon.

At the meeting of the New School Synod in October 1851, it was announced that Andrew H, Wright, late of Paris, had willed to the Synod $1,000.00 for missionary purposes. This money was used in building the church at Newport and the church at Hickman. When the two Synods Old and New School united in 1859, this $1,000 was given to the Pleasant Street Church in Paris.

Synod met in Paris October 1852. At this meeting the opening sermon was preached by Rev. Ben Mills, who bad been baptized in infancy, August 25, 1820, in the Paris church. The Moderator was Rev. A. C. Dickerson, a former member of the Paris church.

During its existence of eighteen years the church was ministered to by several very able ministers and its ruling elders were men of ability and integrity.

The New School Church in Paris

Andrew H. Wright was a son of James Wright who came to Kentucky in 1794, and settled on the Lexington-Paris pike where Judge and Mrs. W. B. Ardery now reside. The son, Andrew later lived on a separate farm on the Lexington-Paris pike.

Andrew's brother, in looking through Andrew's papers, found that he gave between $1,300 and $1,400 to the Paris New School Church. He must have given much more than his brother found, because he was intensely interested in his church. He was born in Virginia in 1783 and died in Bourbon County in 1851. He married Ruth Hamilton in Greenbrier County, Virginia. She died in less than a year after her marriage. Mr. Wright remained a widower till his death.

(p. 85)

About the year 1826 Mr. Wright was appointed Treasurer of the church the duties of which office he discharged with great fidelity, until disabled by disease in 1846, when be resigned.

From Dr. L. H. Blanton's Memorial Discourse January 1, 1871, we quote:

"At this point the Old and New School troubles, growing out of a division of the General Assembly in 1837-38, began to culminate and in the following spring the congregation divided-three Ruling Elders, Thomas P. Smith, J. R. Thornton, and Wm. Wright, and forty-seven members adhering to the New School, and two Elders, Joseph Mitchell and Joel R. Lyle, and a considerably larger number of members adhering to the Old School General Assembly.

"It is proper to state, what is generally known to be a fact, that the division in the Church in Kentucky, and in the South, did not originate in doctrinal differences, but upon questions of jurisdiction touching the powers of the General Assembly.

"There has never been any sympathy on the part of any considerable number of the Presbyterians, in either branch of the Southern Church, with the Semi-Pelagian and Erastian views which have prevailed in the North.

"After the division in 1841, the Old School party secured the pastoral services of Rev. N. L. Rice, then of Bardstown, Kentucky-a young minister just rising into eminence.

"Mr. Rice's ministry extended to about the close of 1844-three years-and was remarkably blessed; twenty-two persons were received into the Church by the Session at one time, June 5, 1842.

"To return to the other branch of the Church: Rev. G. M. Kennedy occupied the pulpit during the year 1842. In 1843, January 1st, Rev. E. P. Pratt was engaged as the pastor. During the following year, the pastor, assisted by Rev. John Black, conducted a meeting, during which thirty-four persons were added to the Church, twenty-two of whom were colored. Again, in 1847, there was a considerable ingathering. Mr. Pratt's ministry closed during the spring or summer of 1852.

"He was succeeded in the fall of the same year by Rev, E. B. Smith as pastor. Mr. S's ministry closed in the spring of 1856, and was followed by the Rev. Mr. Carrier, who seems to have labored as stated supply during one year.

"In November, 1857, Rev. W. T. McElroy was invited to act as stated supply.

"In January, 1858, a joint communion was held by the two Churches, preaching alternately by the pastors. Twelve persons were received into the communion of the New School Church, and a less number into the Old School. This meeting indicated that the time for a union of the two branches had arrived.

"The Synod of Kentucky, at Lebanon, in 1858, and Ebenezer Presbytery, it] session at Covington in March of that year, on the part of the Old School, and the Synod of Kentucky on the part of the New School, having taken action looking to organic union of the two bodies, this union was consummated in the Paris Church in April, 1859, the joint sessions meeting then for the first time.

"Rev. Mr. Liggett, a licentiate from the Danville Seminary, ministered to the Congregation for a short time."

(p. 86)

THE HEIRS OF ANDREW H. WRIGHT RELINQUISH THEIR RIGHTS IN THIS CHURCH

In 1859 the New School and Old School Churches united and formed one congregation. Having two buildings on hand they chose to use the larger building on High Street. Questions must have arisen what to do with the New School Building. Andrew H. Wright having died, his heirs had to make the disposition of the building.

The heirs were: Benedict B. Marsh and Martha, his wife, James M. Robnett and Sarah Ruth, his wife, James H. Ward, James W. Wright, Robert Clark and Sarah R., his wife, William A. Posey and Mary W., his wife, William Wright, Albert A. Allen. These heirs made a conveyance of this property to Jack R. Thornton, William Wright, Jr., John A. Lyle and Victor M. Kenney, Trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Paris. It is interesting to notice the restriction which the heirs placed upon the use of the property.

"The said church may occupy the property for religious worship, or they may convert it into an academy for the object of education or they may sell and convey it upon the condition that the proceeds be applied to the improvements of the House now used by them or to a new building more commodious but the proceeds if not so used shall be reserved sacredly to the uses and objects of Christ's Kingdom by the said second party or their successors forever. But shall never be converted to private objects."

BUILDING USED BY THE U.S.A. GOVERNMENT DURING THE CIVIL WAR

The building was used by the Government during the war but it was not until the year 1915 that the church recovered damages from the Government as shown by a minute from the Board of Trustees of the Cb1arch.

"On motion the Trustees and Secretary were authorized to fill out and sign the Power of Attorney for the claim of the Church against the Government and the affidavit on the back side thereof, May 28, 1915."

THE WILL OF THE HEIRS WAS PARTIALLY OBSERVED

In the 1861 deed the heirs directed that the building could be sold and the proceeds used for a "more commodious" building. Many years later January 5, 1919, when the present building was dedicated it was stated that $6,884.87. had been given to the new church from the proceeds of "THE LITTLE CHURCH", the name by which the New School building had come to be known.

THE PROPERTY TRANSFERRED TO THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN PARIS

We are informed by Deed Book 56, page 681, April 15, 1869, that Joseph Mitchell, Victor M. Kenney and George W. Davis, Trustees of the Pleasant Street Presbyterian Church sold to C. S. Brent, James Hall and B. F. Harris, Trustees of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., for $6,000 the church which was used by the New School and the ground for which was given by Andrew H. Wright.

(p. 145)

Reverend Andrew McClure

Rev. Andrew McClure was born in Augusta County, Virginia in May, 1755. He was educated under William Graham at Liberty Hall Academy, Rockbridge County, Virginia, and was licensed to preach in 1783. He visited Kentucky in 1784 but returned to Virginia and was ordained in 1784 and settled with his family on the waters of Round Oak, about 100 miles from his father's home. He returned to Kentucky in 1786 and probably organized Salem Church in Clark County and Hopewell and Sinking Spring (Paris) in Bourbon County.

At the meeting of Transylvania Presbytery in the Fork Meeting House, October 2, 1787 he was called to Stonermouth and Sinking Spring Churches in Bourbon County.

Mr. McClure served the Sinking Spring and the Stonermouth Churches until his death in 1793; he also served Ashridge Church, Fayette County, 1789-1793; Cane Ridge in Bourbon County, 1791-1792, and Salem 1788-1789.

Mr. McClure married about 1783 or 1784 Rebecca Allen, daughter of James Allen, Sr., of Augusta County, Virginia. Rebecca Allen is mentioned in her father's will, dated April 28, 1788, by the name of Rebecca McClure.

Mr. McClure died in August 1793 at the early age of thirty-eight years. His will dated August 15, 1793 was probated at the December 1793 term of the Bourbon County Court and is on record in the Clerk's office of that court.

By his will be gave to his wife the plantation on which he lived, and at her death he devised the plantation "to my two little daughters, Ellinor Wright McClure and Polly McClure to be equally divided between them." To his two sons James Allen and Andrew he bequeathed his farm on Howard's Creek in Clark County.

His will directed that his two Negroes Isam and Dell be liberated when Isam was 35 and Dell 33.

To Transylvania Presbytery be bequeathed ten pounds of uncollected rent on the Howard Creek farm to be used for charitable purposes.

To his son, James Allen, be bequeathed his silver watch and to his son, Andrew, he left money for the purchase of a watch.

He was anxious that his sons make wise use of his books for he says:

"Also all my books that are principally suited for the learned I give and bequeath to my two sons, to be equally divided between them, and the remainder to be at my wife's disposal."

He appointed his beloved brothers, Samuel and John McClure the sole executors of his estate.

The will was witnessed by William Maxwell, William Craig and Alexander Martin.

The will indicates that Mr. McClure had considerable property.

(p. 161)

Samuel Rannells

Born in Hampshire County, Virginia, December 10, 1765. Died in Paris, Kentucky, March 28, 1817. Pastor in Paris and Stonermouth, 1795-1817.

Rev. Samuel Rannells was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, December 10, 1765. He graduated from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania in 1792. He was licensed by Lexington Presbytery in 1794 and in 1795 came to Kentucky as one of the missionaries of the Synod of Virginia. He took charge of Paris and Stonermouth Churches and was ordained pastor over them in 1796. He was with these churches for twenty-two years, until his death March 26, 1817.

Robert Davidson wrote of him in this language:

"His talents were respectable, his pulpit performances unequal, but he was a man of eminent piety and exemplary conduct. He was a zealous and indefatigable ministry, and remarkably gifted in prayer. On the appearance of the irregularities of 1802, he was one of the first to see the speck upon the horizon and to sound the alarm."

In the front of the Paris Session book 1868-1881 in this tribute to Rev. Samuel Rannells, we wonder if it was copied from his tombstone.

"Rev. Samuel Rannells.

Late Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Stoner Month and Paris. Obit March 24th, 1822 aet 52.

He was a faithful minister of Jesus Christ.

Dear to his family and all the Godly that knew him. His life was grave and holy and useful.

He died with the sweet hope of the resurrection of the just thru the Blessed Savior.

"Mr. Rannells died March 24, 1817, lamented by all who knew him. He left his wife and nine children, six sons and three daughters, on a farm of about 100 acres, four miles from Paris.

His wife survived him about four years and a half, and since his second son, in a course of theological studies, has been called away, in the mysterious providence of God, to join the ransomed above."

(p. 187)

Rev. John Stonestreet Van Meter, D.D.

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, September 13, 1845.

Died in New York City, March 8, 1904.

Pastor in Cynthiana, Kentucky, 1881-1885.

Pastor in Paris, August 1903, to March 1904.

Rev. John Stonestreet Van Meter, son of Solomon Van Meter, and his wife, Elizabeth Mason Stonestreet, was born near Lexington, Kentucky, September 13, 1845.

He served in the Confederate Army tinder General John Hunt Morgan and was taken prisoner. He graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1869, and from the law school of the same university in 1871. He was a lawyer in Lexington, Kentucky, 1871-1878. Feeling a call to the ministry he entered Danville Theological Seminary and spent two years in study there 1878-1880, and then entered Princeton Theological Seminary and graduated in 1881. He was licensed by West Lexington Presbytery April 23, 1880, and ordained by the same presbytery October 30, 1881.

During his ministry be served in the following churches: Cynthiana, Kentucky, 1881-1885; First Church, Hot Springs Arkansas, 1885-1893; Richmond, Missouri, 1893-1898; evangelist for Arkansas Presbytery, 1898-1899; Clinton, (p. 188) Missouri, 1899-1901; pastor elect Monrovia, California, 1901-1902; retired on account of ill health in New York City, New York 1902-1903. He died in New York City, March 8, 1904.

The Presbyterian College of Upper Missouri conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity upon him in 1896.

Dr. Van Meter was a scholarly preacher, a man of pleasing personality, and a pastor who endeared himself to the congregation to whom he ministered.

Dr. Van Meter married Miss Elizabeth Yerkes of Danville, Kentucky, July 27, 1872.

Dr. Van Meter was called to the First Church, U.S.A., in Paris on August 9, 1903, at a congregational meeting moderated by Dr. Francis J. Check. On October 4, Dr. Van Meter was present as Moderator of the Session of the First Church. He died March 8, 1904, in New York City. His ministry in Paris was very short.

(p. 189)

Rev. William Wallace

Rev. William Wallace was born in Pennsylvania in 1786. When sixteen years old he entered the Lexington Academy, where he made great progress in his studies and in a few years became the principal teacher in the same school. In 1804 he united with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church. In April 1805 he married a daughter of Rev. Adam Rankin. He commenced the study of Divinity and in 1809 entered the Theological Seminary in New York to enjoy the instruction of Rev. John M. Mason, D.D. He remained in New York one year, and then returned to Kentucky when in April 1812, he was licensed to preach by the Associate Reformed Presbytery of Kentucky.

His wife having died, he spent another year in the Seminary in New York. At this time he was a popular preacher and had an invitation to settle in New Jersey but he returned to Kentucky and preached in Lexington and some vacant churches. Along with some other ministers, Robert Bishop, John McFarland, Samuel Crothers and James McCord, he left the Associate Reformed Church and was received into West Lexington Presbytery, September 27, 1816 as a licentiate and ordained by the same presbytery December 24, 1817 over the Paris Church.

His ministry in Paris was greatly blessed in the few months of his pastorate, about ninety persons were added to the church.

He became a victim of the prevalent fever and died September 10, 1818, in the 33rd year of his age with the hope of a glorious immortality. Few deaths have caused greater sorrow in Paris than that of Mr. Wallace. "He was a bright and a shining light."

"Mr. Wallace was of the middle size, had naturally a good constitution and great muscular activity and strength. His intellectual talents were of the first order. His imagination was strong and brilliant, often too ardent for his taste and judgment. His manner in the pulpit was bold and impassioned. His countenance, set with keen black eyes, beamed with intelligence, zeal, and magnanimity, blended alternately with the 'fitful play' of Christian benevolence, and the flush of holy indignation. His attacks upon Satan's ranks filled them with dismay, and, being a child of affliction, he knew how to pour the balm of consolation into the wounded heart."

An Outline of the History of the Church in the State of Kentucky During a Period of Forty Years. By Robert H. Bishop. Page 170-171.

(p. 201)

The Cane Ridge Meeting-House Erected in 1789

Thomas Bennington in an interview with Rev. John D. Shane stated that this house was erected in 1789 and that he was in it in 1791.

The Great Revival in August 1801 was held here when thousands of people were in attendance. Barton W. Stone was pastor of the Presbyterian Congregation from 1798 to 1803, when he withdrew from the Presbyterian Church and organized the Disciples of Christ Church.

CANE RIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Pastors and supplies 1791-1816.

1791-1792 Rev. Andrew McClure
1793-1795 Robert Finley
1796- Robert Marshall, William Robinson, Samuel Rannels, James Blythe, James Welch
1797- Robert Marshall, Samuel Rannels, James Blythe, Isaac Tull
1798-1803 Barton Warren Stone
1803- John Lyle, James Blythe, James Welch, Robert Stuart
1804- Samuel Rannels, Robert Stuart, John Lyle, Samuel Scott
1805- Robert Stuart, Isaac Tull, Samuel Scott
1806- John Lyle, Isaac Tull, Robert Stuart, Samuel Scott, Joseph Howe
1807-1808 John Lyle
1808- James H. Dickey, Isaac Tull
1809- John Lyle
1810- Joseph Howe
1811- Robert Marshall
1815- John Lyle
1816- William Wallace

Ordered dissolved April 10, 1811, by West Lexington Presbytery.

CANE RIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The Cane Ridge Presbyterian Church was first mentioned in the Minutes of Transylvania Presbytery, October 4, 1791.

When one thinks of Cane Ridge he recalls the Great Revival held there in 1801, and Barton Stone's connection with the church. For twenty years, 1791 to 1811 it was a Presbyterian Church. As late as 1816 William Wallace preached there as directed by West Lexington Presbytery.

Andrew McClure, who was pastor at Stonermouth, supplied the church for a year or two. He was succeeded by Robert Finley who taught school and supplied the church. Several distinguished men studied tinder Finley at Cane Ridge. Rev. John D. Shane interviewed Thomas Bennington who came to Kentucky in 1789. It is interesting to note what Bennington says about the building at Cane Ridge:

"There was a house at Cane Ridge, the year before Harmar's campaign-the first year I came out. I was at it in 1791, the third year after I came out. It was an open log-house-no chinking or daubing. The same house was occupied by the great revival meeting in 1801. But they had no preaching there, but had a house only for such occasional preaching as they could catch."

In the Filson Club History Quarterly, Vol. 10, page 774, is a copy of an interview which Rev. John D. Shane had with Patrick Scott. I quote from this interview:

"John Lucky and Colonel James Smith:

"John Lucky, old Joseph Luckey's father, and Colonel James Smith were going around to see if they could make up a church; and for that examining the people. They came to my father who was of the old secedar-Adam Rankin-order. After talking with him some, Colonel Smith observed to Luckey, "Well, Brother John, what do you think of him"? Luckey replied, "Well I reckon if we canna get hewn stone, we must tak donics." (Colonel James Smith is the author of "An Account of the Remarkable Occurrences in the Life and Travels of Colonel James Smith during his Captivity." It is a book of 88 pages, first published by John Bradford, Lexington, in 1799.)

"My father helped to build Cane Ridge Church. The Cane Ridge people were great emancipators, in those times."

(p. 203)

There were some Presbyterians who did not go with Barton W. Stone when he left the Presbyterian Church. The Presbytery of West Lexington sent ministers from time to time to preach to the remnant, but finally in October 1811, the church was dissolved by Presbytery.

So much has been written about the revival at Cane Ridge and about Barton W. Stone, it is not necessary to repeat what has been said so often. I shall give a copy of the Minutes of the meeting of Transylvania Presbytery at Cane Ridge in October 1798, when Barton W. Stone was ordained.

In April 1794 the Transylvania Presbytery met in the Woodford Church in Woodford County. At this meeting the Kentucky Academy was projected and collectors were appointed in the congregations of the presbytery to solicit funds for this school.

Colonel John Purviance was appointed Collector in the Cane Ridge congregation. The following persons of the Cane Ridge Church were subscribers:

Joseph Wallace
James Malcom
John Jamison
James Houston
James Ireland
Robert Luckie
William Maxwell
John Adams
James Lusk
James Mitchell
Andrew Irvine
Andrew Rodgers
Alexander Wright
James Rodgers
Samuel Dills
Matthew Neely

From Rev. Jobn Lyle's Papers in the Kentucky Historical Society
Copied by Mrs. William Breckenridge Ardery

A list of members and baptized persons in Cane Ridge Church, December 9, 1811.

Elizabeth Wallace, communicant-Joseph, William, Elizabeth Margaret, baptized.

Andrew Wallace and his wife Esther, baptized.

James Malcolm and his wife, Rachel, communicants. Nullos Liberos. One black child not baptized and one white child not baptized.

James Campbell, a baptized member and his wife Nancy, baptized first in our church, then immersed by Barton Stone.

Jane Campbell, widow, communicant; Greenberry, Lewis, Charles, her sons, baptized. Her sons that are married are, William, Hugh, John.

William Henry and Elizabeth, his wife, and Polly, Jane, communicants, Samuel, baptized.

David Henry and Betsy, communicants-baptized: Cyrus, William, John and Rebecca.

James Donnell and Polly, his wife, communicants; John Newton, James Quiet, Thomas Arnold, Samuel Milton, baptized.

(p. 204) Grizzelda Elliot, a communicant of Concord.

Benjamin Mills and his wife and Kate, their daughter, left our Church and joined Mr. Steel and also Dina, their yellow woman is a member in our church. And Polly Mills, the wife of Andrew Mills a baptized member of our church. Andrew professed to be a Deist.

Widow Sarah Trotter a communicant; and Rebecca and Ann, baptized.

Benjamin Jones not baptized; Hitta Jones a communicant; Keziah Jones a communicant-Keziah Polly, Hugh Bay, John Morgan, Lucinda, James Smith Jones instructed.

Widow Nancy Trotter, communicant. Joseph and William baptized, Black girl and two children not baptized.

Ephraim Herriott communicant; Ann his wife, baptized, children baptized, Louisa, Sophronia, Lucinda, Nancy, Harriett, Julia Anne, Jane Matilda, Peggy Maria, six.

Ezeck Hopkins and Mary communicants; Elizabeth N. Sally R. Zelick and Eleanor baptized. Maria not baptized.

Most of these baptisms were of children whose parents were members of the Cane Ridge Church.

Deed for Cane Ridge Church, Book Y, page 346.

November 15, 1830. Charles B. Colcord and wife to trustees Cane Ridge Meeting House.

"This Indenture made this 15th day of November 18,30 between Charles B. Colcord and Louisa Colcord wife of said Charles of the County of Bourbon and state of Kentucky of the one part, and William Rogers, James Houston, Ephraim Harriott, Henry Lander and James M. Cogswell, trustee's of Cane Ridge Meeting House of the other part; witness; for and in consideration of the sum of $90. lawful money the said Charles and Louisa have bargained, sold and confirmed and by these presents do bargain, sell confirm, and convey to the said trustees and their successors in office forever the lot of ground on which said meeting house is situated, it being in the county afore said and it part of a claim of 5000 acres in the name of Martin Pickett. The said lot is bounded as follows: (Description of the property follows.) To have and to hold the said 4 acres of land with the appertenances to the said trustees and their successors in office forever free from the claim or claims or them. The said Charles B. and Louisa A. Colcord and all and every person or persons whatsoever claiming the same in any way or manner whatsoever. And it is further to be understood and is hereby expressly agreed on that this conveyance is intended to vest said lot of ground with its appertenances in the afore said trustees and their successors in office for ever for the equal and mutual use of the Christian and Presbyterian Church now established for which hereafter established. It is also to be further understood and it is hereby agreed that the said premises shall be free for any and all other denominations of Christians to assemble at or upon for the purpose of Christian worship when the same may not be in the use or occupance of the society or societies herein expressly designated, to wit the Christian and Presbyterian. In witness whereof they the said Charles B. and Louisa A. Colcord, wife of the said Charles, have hereto set their hands and affixed their seals the day and year aforesaid."

(p. 205)

STATED FALL SESSION

Cane Ridge, October 2nd, 1798.

Presbytery met according to appointment & was opened by a sermon delivered by Mr. Barton Stone from Rom. 8, 15. Constituted by prayer.

Roll Members present, the Rev. Messrs. Mahon, Tull, Blythe, Jos. Howe, Finley, Robertson, Rennels & McNemar, ministers; Messrs Hutton, Scott, Trimble, Hugh Logan, Wm. Logan, Morrow, Arderry, Henderson, Henry, Barley, elders. Members absent, Messrs Rice, Shannon, Crawford, Craighead, Tamplin, Kemper, Wilson, McGrady, Marshall, Welch, Cemeron, Campbell, Speer, Houston, Dunlavy, McGee & Jno. Howe.

Mr. Robertson was chosen Moderator & Messrs Blythe & Tull clerks.

Petitions A verbal supplication for supplies from the congregation of Big Spring was presented to Pby. A verbal supplication for supplies from Ash Ridge & Cherry Spring. A supplication for supplies from New Providence congregation was presented, the consideration of the propriety of which was deferred. A written supplication for supplies from Round Bottom. A Verbal supplication for supplies from Millersburg.

B. Stone Exam. The Pby. took into consideration the sermon delivered by Mr. Barton Stone with reference to his ordination & agreed to sustain it as part of trial. The Revd Messrs Mahon, Rannels & McNemar were appointed a committee to examine Mr. Stone upon the languages, the sciences, church history & church government.

Pby. adjourned to meet tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock. Concluded with prayer.

Wednesday morning, October 3d, Pby. met according to adjournment. Constituted by prayer. Members present as above.

Ordered that the minutes of yesterday be read.

B. Stone The committee appointed for the purpose of examining Mr. Stone reported that they have attended to that business & were fully satisfied with his examination. The Pby. agreed to accept the report. Resolved that it is the mind of Pby. that they will on tomorrow proceed to the ordination of Mr. Stone. Mr. Welch being appointed at the last stated session of Pby. to preach the sermon previous to Mr. Stone's ordination, but he being absent Mr. Blythe was appointed to that business.

Mr. John Thompson read a sermon to Pby. on Rom. 5,1, being the subject appointed him by Pby. & his sermon was sustained as part of trial.

The Revd Messrs Marshall & Cameron now present & their reasons for being absent yesterday were sustained. Mr. King, an elder, also now takes his seat.

Mr. Thompson was ordered to prepare a lecture on the five first verses of John's gospel, to be read at next stated session of Pby.

Mr. Crawford is now present & is excused for his not attending yesterday.

A written supplication for supplies from Springfield.

(p. 206) Call to A. Steele A call for Mr. Arch. Steele from the congregation of Clear Creek, north west of the Ohio for the one fourth of his labors, also a call from Orange Dale congregation for the same gentleman for the one half of his labors were banded in to Pby. & by it was handed to Mr. Steele. Mr. Steele being asked whether he now accepted said calls answered in the negative but desired to take them under consideration.

Bovell Dis. Mr. Bovell, a licentiate of this Pby. made application for a dismission with a view to put himself under the care of Abingdon Pby. Mr. Bovell's request was granted & he is hereby dismissed.

Ordered that the minutes of last stated Pby. be read.

Excuses Mr. Crawford's reasons for non-attendance sustained. Mr. Marshall's reasons for non-attendance sustained. Mr. Finley's reasons for non-attendance sustained. Mr. Rannel's reasons for non-attendance sustained.

Com. Report. The committee appointed to go to Cincinnati for the purpose of settling the difference between Mr. Peter Wilson & the session at Cincinnati did not meet, & their reasons for non-attendance were sustained.

Cinti. Difficulty. Resolved that Mr. Wilson & Messrs. Moses Miller & Jacob Reader & whoever else may feel themselves aggrieved be & they are hereby cited to appear at the next stated session of pby. in order, if possible, to settle the difference between the session at Cincinnati & Mr. Wilson.

On motion pby. adjourned to meet tomorrow morning at nine o'clock. Concluded with prayer.

October 4th, 1798. Pby. met according to adjournment. Constituted by prayer. Members present as yesterday except Jos. Howe.

Ordered that the remaining minutes of last stated Pby. be read. The minutes of the intermediate pby. at Roger's Cabin on the Little Barren have not yet come to hand.

On motion resolved that the discussion of the question standing upon the minutes of the last fall session, viz: "Who are not guilty of moral evil in holding slaves?" be taken up on tomorrow morning. Mr. Howe is now present.

B. Stone Ordained Pby. proceeded to the ordination of Mr. Barton Stone. Mr. Blythe preached a sermon suitable to the occasion from Acts 20,24. Afterwards Mr. Marshall, who had been previously appointed to preside in the business recited from the pulpit the several steps that had been previously taken agreeably to the directory of this church. He then proposed to Mr. Stone those questions appointed to be put to candidates previous to their ordination & Mr. Stone having answered those questions in the affirmative; & the congregations having answered those questions appointed to be proposed to them in the affirmative by holding up their right bands, the presiding bishop did then by prayer & with the laying on of the hands of the Pby. according to the apostolic example, solemnly ordain & set apart the said Mr. Barton Stone to the sacred office of the (p. 207) gospel ministry. After which the presiding minister & the several members of Pby. gave to the newly ordained bishop the right hand of fellowship. The presiding minister did then give a solemn charge, in the name of God, to the newly ordained bishop, & to the people suitable to the occasion, & did by prayer recommend them both to the grace of God & his holy keeping. The moderator did then invite Mr. Stone to take a seat in Pby. which he accordingly did.

On motion Pby. adjourned to meet tomorrow morning at nine o'clock. Concluded with prayer.

Friday morning, October 5, 98. Pby. met according to adjournment. Constituted by prayer. Members present as above.

Supplies Report. Mr. Rice fulfilled his appointments. Mr. Crawford fulfilled his appointments. Mr. Shannon did not. Mr. Tull fulfilled part of his appointments & his reasons for failure in the rest were sustained. Mr. Rannels fulfilled his appointments. Mr. Finley fulfilled his appointments in part & his reasons for failure in the rest were sustained. Mr. Cameron fulfilled his appointments. Mr. Marshall's reasons for failure on fulfilling his appointments were sustained. Mr. Dunlevy fulfilled his appointments. Mr. McNemar fulfilled his appointment. Mr. Arch. Steele's reasons for failure in fulfilling his appointments were sustained. Mr. Stone fulfilled his appointments in part & his reasons for failure in the rest were sustained.

Mahon Released. In consequence of some difference which took place between the Rev. Wm. Mahon & some of his people some time ago, they did by mutual consent proceed to destroy the call they bad given to Mr. Mahon by erasing the names of the persons from it who had signed it. The business appeared before Pby. in this situation. The Pby. considered this proceeding as illegal, but notwithstanding, Pby. did, for prudential reasons, declare the union between Mr. Mahon & the congregations of New Providence & Benson dissolved & said congregations are hereby declared vacant.

Tull Released Mr. Tull applied to Pby. for leave to resign his pastoral charge of the united congregations of Green Creek & Pleasant Point & informing Pby. that lie bad previously published to both congregations this his intention, which was also confirmed by their ruling elder representing said congregations in Pby., & no objections being made by said elder to his resignation Mr. Tull's resignation was accepted & the said congregations of Green Creek & Pleasant Point were hereby declared vacant.

Com. Report. The committee appointed to examine Mr. Thompson upon the languages reported that they had proceeded to examine him & were well satisfied. Pby. agreed to receive the report.

Slavery Discussed. On motion, Pby. took up the subject of slavery. The question as it stands in our former minutes is as follows, viz: "Who are not guilty of moral evil in holding slaves?" which question Pby. took up. After (p. 208) discussion of considerable length Pby. still considered the question attended with such difficulties that on motion, resolved that the discussion of the subject be postponed until the next stated session of Pby.

Pby. adjourned to meet tomorrow morning at nine o'clock. Concluded with prayer.

Saturday morning, 6th, Oct. 98. Pby. met according to adjournment. Constituted by prayer. Members present as above except Messrs Mahon, Blythe, Crawford, Rennels, Hutton, Scott, Trimble, Wm. Logan, Morrow, Ardery, Henderson, King. Mr. Trimble is now present.

The congregations of Green Creek & Pleasant Point supplicated for supplies.

Wm. Wylie Cand. Mr. William Wylie offered himself as a candidate for the gospel ministry & having produced sufficient credentials of his having gone through a regular course of literature & of his moral & religious character & of his being in full communion in the church, Pby. agreed to examine him as to his experimental religion & views respecting his call to the sacred ministry & being satisfied with his experimental acquaintance with practical religion & his view to the holy ministry, Pby, agreed to receive Mr. Wm. Wylie as a candidate for the ministry. Mr. Wylie was ordered to prepare a discourse on Eph. 2, 10. to be read at the next stated session.

Supplies Mr. Jos. Howe was appointed to supply one sabbath at Big Spring & one at Pleasant Point. Mr. Stone one at Pleasant Point & one at Millersburg. Mr. Marshall one at Ash Ridge & one at Clear Creek (Shelby Cty.). Mr. Cameron one at Clear Creek (Shelby Cty). Mr. Houston one at the Forks of Dick's river. Mr. Finley one at Danville. Mr. Wilson one at Springfield, (N. W. Ohio). Mr. Kenper one at Round Bottom. Mr. Robertson one at Cherry Spring. Mr. Tull one at Cherry Spring. Mr. Blythe one at Cane Run. Mr. Crawford one at Green Creek. The other members of pby. appointed to supply at discretion.

Pby. adjourned to meet at Lexington on the second Tuesday in April 1799.

Concluded with prayer. Signed, Wm. Robinson, Mod.

From Minutes of Transylvania Presbytery-1786-1837.

Typed Copy. Pages 202-211

(p. 209)

The Revival At Cane Ridge in August 1801

An interdenominational camp meeting attended by 20,000 to 25,000 people who had come from many places in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and elsewhere. They came on foot, horseback, wagon and carriage bringing their food with them. Preachers from the Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist churches preached -from stumps, small stands and in the meeting house. The Disciples of Christ Church was organized at Cane Ridge in 1804.

THE GREAT REVIVAL AT CANE RIDGE IN AUGUST 1801

The Reverend John Lyle who participated in the Great Revival in Kentucky kept a diary in which he recorded his observations at various places where the revival reached:

"Cain Ridge 2nd Sab 8th August 1801 Arrived yesterday evening at this place. Heard that Mr. Houston had preached on Friday & Mr. Howe was preaching when we came. I held society at Andrew Irvines that Evening. Saturday preached on Mal 4. 2. But on you who fear &c. Had not much liberty the (p. 210) people were pretty attentive but no falling or carrying out that I perceived. In the afternoon, Mr. McNamar Preached on Rom. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ &c. He preached us a discourse unintelligible to myself & others with whom I conversed about it but it contain'd the substance of what Mr. Stone & he call the true new gospel which (say they) none preach but ourselves. He spoke of the gospel bringing a pardon with it & talks the design of it is to bring persons to self despair at once. The scheme is antinomian as in Marshal on sanctification & Armenian in some degrees about faith &c. &c. &c. I know not

"But I humbly hope I understand the gospel of Jesus. Mr. Stone is fickle in a high degree & no how deeply penetrating. Mr. McNama is a weak man but lively in desultory exhortation & speaks & sings with all his powers & in address much like a Methodist. He sometimes rises to ecstatic joy. It smiles through his face. His people, numbers of them, have fallen out with him because of his new gospel & its effects. I expect the conduct of these hot headed men & the effect of their doctrine will separate the Church of Christ & quench the revival. Saturday evening the people crowded the meeting house. Some fell down. There was the greatest sense of confusion I ever saw in such a place & the air very warm indeed. I went twice to talk to the distress'd but it was so hot I could do nothing. I saw McNama here praying when the woman's voice for whom he pray'd appear'd to be the highest & many others singing praying and groaning all around some rejoicing and some crying for mercy. He might better have pray'd silently for the person. Mr. Robinson came in to five or six that were on one seat together they cry'd in anguish for mercy. He smil'd told them that he was glad they saw themselves lost sinners &c pray'd for them &c. &c. He shed no sympathizing tear nor look'd distress'd. I left the meeting house & thought if Mr. Stone would not command order & silence & desire the distress'd to be carried out I would go there no more. I spent much of the Evening in wandering through the extensive camp & in private conversation with Mr. Houston & others. At last we met Mr. McNamara. He said he was tired of the way matters were going on &-c & readily agreed to have meeting at the tent (it was then sometime after dark) Mr. Houston, myself & McNamara each deliver'd a discourse. Houston on the easy yoke &c. I on man's depravity & recovery by the spirit applying the benefits of Christs redemption. McNamara exhorted but had near forgot his new gospel & I traversed the camp & then went to Capt. Venables tent & took a nap. I rose before day & went to where lawyer Fowler had fallen & rose again & was talking to the people. He said he fell because of his coldness & deadness &c. but rose revived & happy. I traversed the camp in the morning. Went into the meeting house found Houston (p. 211) exhorting. After lie had done I spoke on love to God & Man or the Christian character as exemplified by our Savior in life. It rain'd very hard for some hours. At the tent Mr. Marshal preached the action sermon-Arise my fair one & come away &c. I heard a little of it & then went to the meeting house & found it full & then to where Mr. Burke was preaching to a large audience. Many of them appeared to be Methodists the(y) shouted before be was done but afterwards they shook hands & got in a fine singing ecstacy. There was a great shaking of hands & praying & exhorting. McNamara exhorted the people not to oppose but to come & taste the love of God &c. &c. He seem'd much affected. I went in among the cluster of rejoicers & shook hands with some of them One stood staring like he saw Christ in the air. I ask'd him what views he had of Christ. He said he saw a fulness in him for all that come, their looks were joyful but their appearance rather light but I cannot describe it.

I went from that to the communion & sat down at the first table which Mr. Blythe served. I had some reviving clearer views of divine things than I had before. In time the tables were serving Mr. Sam'l Finley preached on How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation. I heard a part of that & then went to serve tables. When I spoke I felt uncommonly tender &c. There were eleven hundred, others say better than eight hundred, communicants, according to the calculation of one of the elders. After the communion Mr. Blythe took me aside we were talking about disorder the danger of enthusiasm &c. & Mr. Marshal came & told us Preston Brown had fallen. We went to him he complain'd that he was a great sinner had a hard heart &c. But appear'd confounded said it was an unfortunate sight a great mortification. He pray'd & ask'd others to pray for him. After an hour or so he rose & went to the woods but seem'd more light on Monday than might be expected. Tuesday he seem'd to have a deeper sense of the hardness of his heart. But to return. I felt much melted when I saw the rebel down. Tears flow'd in abundance. Blythe & Welsh wept But Blythe immoderately that evening when we return'd there was a shout in the camp of Israel. Many were falling & rising & rejoicing &c. &c. Several of Mr. Houston's people were down & one or two rejoicing. I turn'd into praying & exhorting among them as did the other ministers & continued I suppose near to one or two o'clock. I pray'd for and talk'd to several that were standing & for Mrs. John McKee who was fallen & got reliev'd at that place. She had been under conviction for two or three months. After some time I went up into the stand & found five or six (who I suppose had gone there to see the work) fallen. Three were Alex Smiths daughters near Lexington one Henderson & one Barry If I recollect right one of them seem'd to get comfort that night. How it far'd with the rest I don't (p. 212) know. Also I talk'd with two Miss Homes & Nancy Henderson Col. Clarks granddaughter from Elkhorn the last got comfort through at first in despair. Several wept alloud. I went around & through the meeting house found many asleep in their seats & some down but not much stirin the house. Some out of doors were praying &c. & some down. I went where a negro was preaching. & after he was done exhorted & went to Mr. Venables tent & lay down. in the course of this imperfect & very concise narative I only mention those I know & whose names I heard & do remember. The numbers of those whose names I know not I cannot tell. Next morning I arose about or before break of day & retired to the woods. As I return'd I saw two young men down. I think they said relations of James Crockets family. They were incapable of conversing & seem'd in great distress.

I then went to Grays tent & prayed for Mrs. Ward sister to the Grays. Ward I understood had been down twice. After breakfast I went to the meeting house and employ'd Mr. Rite to help me out with the fallen that the House might be not so crowded & sultry (but before this I went to the meetinghouse & Mr. Hill was praying. I exhorted after him he pray'd & then he exhorted & I pray'd & he exhorted again &- set the people to sing come ye sinners &c.

Sam'l McKee fell down & sent for me. He seem'd much affected & agitated seem'd to doubt his religion he got among the baptists. His wife came fell on him & cry'd but they tell me is Yet oppos'd to the work. She would not even shake hands with her sister in law when she was rejoicing &c. One & another fell down & the work went on briskly.

Then after breakfast I went to talk with an old Mrs. Ramsys son who was rejoicing & heard Robt. Campbell come & tell one Dooly that Robert Finley was speaking. Says he He is a worthy speaker. I went down & heard him speak but he soon concluded. I exhorted the people awhile & went to the meetinghouse & began to carry out the people & continued to carry out & pray & exhort till the middle of the day or about one o'clock.

During this time I heard a number of those that were deliver'd arise & speak to their friends & the people & members got convicted & fell down. Their Orations consist of the plain & essential truths of the Gospel that they themselves have been powerfully convinc'd of but they speak them with all the feeling & pathos that human nature affected with the most important objects is capable of. They speak much of the feelings of Christ his willingness to save &c. Among the rest we carried out a man that had been convuls'd very much indeed so that you might have heard his feet strike the floor for many yards. He when carried out appear'd joyful but weak. He would say bless the Lord but nothing else. (p. 213)

Sometimes after I was sent for & went to the Governor who said he was sore distracted, that his head was weak before &c. I went to hear Mr. Rankin from Logan preach. He preach'd a plain sermon about conviction & conversion &c. After he was done Northcutt the Methodist exhorted. After he was done I gave a description of the heavenly City from Revelations. After dinner went down to the house again took Fowler & McNutt & Baker & came tip with Campbell of Mr. Marshalls house we began to talk & pray for those that were fallen down & Shannon in dust(?) fell a son to the widow Shannon (He's now turn'd back. Nov. 16.) He had said just before he would not fall for a thousand dollars & that he did not believe in heaven hell or devil. Shortly after two of his cousins fell. He lay speechless for an hour or two then spoke & said he had been ridiculing the work before he fell & said he wanted to pray & seek Christ.

This morning I talk'd to one Stanford who keeps tavern near the blue licks who it was said got comfort & exhorted &c. about dusk I went into the meeting house & found Polly Crocket rejoicing & calling sinners to come to Christ. She said she had deceiv'd herself & had never known Christ before. She went up to the tent & talk'd to her friends. A Miss Gilpin was struck down just by her & seem'd much distress'd. Polly talk'd a great deal about the heaviness of her heart & how she was deliver'd. By the man who held her up saying give all tip into the hands of Christ &c.

Suky was reliev'd going home had like to to have fallen from her horse Broke out in upbraiding me for not praying for her at Salem-& said that I did not believe that she was in earnest there but now she could pray for herself & for me told me to come along with her she would go with me to heaven. She talk'd about her sin in going to the holy table of the Lord unprepared & that it would have been just if God had sent her to hell for so great a sin. She said when Polly got comfort she was glad because she had got one to walk with her. At other times she rejoiced but she did not know what for but she had not found Christ. She spoke of her unworthiness & of Christs feelings & his willingness to save beautifully &c. &c. She talked almost all night. In the morning when I came away she was asleep but I understood was very much hurt because I went away without speaking to her. Her nerves were much affected the veins of her neck much swell'd & she was much exhausted by speaking.

Claibourn Rices Sister-in-law fell off her horse between Pattons & Crockets & appear'd in deep distress. The meeting at Cain Ridge continued on til Thursday we have heard & do not know whether it be yet broke or not. It was allow'd a thousand had fallen before I (p. 214) came away & then I reckon there were 60 down & the - continued to fall & be exercised. The last account on Wednesday I heard they were almost all men that fell on Tuesday. Wednesday morning I revie'd the camp. Saw a number down. Went to the meeting house found a number of boys & girls singing & shaking hands & sort of wagging (?) that appear'd like dancing at a distance. When I came among them they appear'd very loving & joyful almost dizzy with joy. I told them to sing the same hymns & not sing different ones so near together &c.

Mr. Rankin came in I told the people we would have an address from the pulpit & to take their seats which they did immediately & he spoke first & I next the people were very attentive & a good deal moved. Then word was given that Mr. Burke would preach at the tent or stand. He began to preach a sermon on having no continuing place & seeking a better &c in a highly decorated stile like Hervey. I left the place about half after twelve (The above paragraph is out of place as to the natural order of history). I heard of people being there on Thursday.)

(p. 216)

Pastors of Clintonville Church

Rev. Frank Henry Gaines, 1876-1878
Rev. Samuel Davies Boggs, 1879-1885
Rev. John Baker De Vault, 1888-1892
Rev. Archibald Alexander Doak Tadlock, 1893-1906
Rev. George Whitney Bell, 1907-1912
Rev. Paul Simpson Rhodes, 1915-1919

Elders
Robert Berry
Isaac Cunningham
Martin McDonald
William Hutcheraft
G. D. Weathers
S. L. Weathers

Deacons
John Jones
Dudley Quisenberry
J. S. Weathers
R. S. Thompson
W. E. Stillwell
Howard S. Willson
Samuel L. Weathers

(p. 217)

CLINTONVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
This sketch was prepared by Mrs. J. T. Tadlock.

At a meeting of Ebenezer Presbytery held in Hopewell Church September 30, 1876, a commission consisting of Rev. L. H. Blanton, Rev. F. H. Gaines and Ruling Elder Joseph A. Howerton was appointed to organize a church at Clintonville.

In the later part of October, 1876, Rev. L. H. Blanton, Rev. F. H. Gaines, Rev. J. M. Evans and "Uncle" Joe Hopper held a protracted meeting in the school house, in Clintonville, and eleven persons united with the church.

On November 6, 1876, Rev. L. H. Blanton, Rev. F. H. Gaines and Ruling Elder Joseph A. Howerton met and received application from ten persons for membership and organized the church. Isaac Cunningham and Robert Berry were elected Ruling Elders.

In January, 1877, the congregation met and decided to build a church, and a building committee was appointed. The cost of the church, a frame structure, was $3,300.00. Rev. F. H. Gaines was called in July to supply the church for one year. The church lot was given by Mr. John Liver.

In July 1879, Rev. Samuel Davies Boggs, of Covington, Tennessee, was called as pastor and served until 1885.

On May 15, 1883, two Ruling Elders Martin McDonald and William Hutchcraft and three Deacons Dudley Quisenberry, Garrett D. Weathers and John D. Jones, Jr. were elected.

On February 21, 1888, Rev. J. B. DeVault came as a supply to this church and was installed as pastor on July 29, 1888, and served until the spring of 1892, when he resigned because his health failed. He died December 29, 1894.

Rev. A. D. Tadlock began his ministry in March, 1893, and served until April 1, 1906. Rev. George Whitney Bell came in June 1906, and served until 1911.

Rev. Hugh Fitzpatrick, Jr., then a student in Union Seminary, Richmond, Virginia, supplied the church during the summer of 1914.

Rev. Paul Simpson Rhodes became pastor February 7, 1915, and served until September 6, 1919. Mr. Rhodes was the last active pastor of the church.

The congregation on January 19, 1924, decided to sell the manse. Mr. Robert Meteer, of the Paris Church, was elected agent. The church building was sold to Mr. Bob Adams who tore it down in 1926, and with the materials from it built a dwelling house.

So after having served the community for half a century the church passed away.

In 1961, a small dilapidated garage stands on the site where the house of prayer and worship once stood.

Clintonville Church Deed book X, Page 549.

October 4, 1830, Henry Curtright to Sidney P. Clay and William A. Menzies.

(p. 218)

GREEN CREEK CHURCH

Green Creek Church was first mentioned in the minutes of Transylvania Presbytery, October 2, 1792. The first minister to supply the church was Rev. Robert Finley, who supplied in 1792-1793.

Mrs. William Blanton, on her historical map of Bourbon County, shows the church located where the Clintonville road crosses the Teacher's Mill (Hornback) Road and not far from the Clark county line. Jacob Ladd's home was directly across the road from church. You cross Green Creek just before you come to this crossroads. Sidney Payne Clay lived on the Esconida Road-this road just before you come to Thacher's Mill Road. A little further on was Cutright's Station which was almost on the Clark County line. This map may be seen in Duncan Tavern in Paris.

In his diary John Lyle gives us a glimpse into the Green Creek Church in 1802.

"At Green Creek 1st. Sabbath of Oct. 1802. The Supper was administered. Ministers Rannels & Findley. I preach'd on Friday on Jno. 6. 44. No man can come &c.

But for people they were mostly attentive. Sat. the house crowded. Mr. Findley preach'd on Acts 3:23, And it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hear this prophet &c. It was a lively solemn discourse. The people were attentive & solemn some wept. Sat. even. Society in Meeting House. One or 2 fell down & several seem'd engaged, Sun. Mr. Rannels preach'd action sermon at the stand. A large congregation seeing Mr. Howe preach'd at home & the baptists had monthly meeting. They were attentive in forenoon but not much affected. I introduced the service & Mr. Findley serv'd the 2d table. In (p. 219) time of serving the tables a good deal of affection & solemity. Mr. Findley preach'd in afternoon on Malachi 4. 2. a very good lively sermon. Professors seem'd much affected under it. Sunday evening Society in the Meeting House. Several fell.-Some exhorted & the people were lively. Monday Mr. Rannels preach'd on why stand ye here idle, a lively animated discourse. Mr. Findley exhorted. Several about four or five fell & cry'd out. Great solemnity & attention.

"Green Creek. Wm. Aikin & wife & old Mr. Grimes made a profession last Sacrament but did not give very satisfactory evidences in experimental naration. Suky Crocket, Old Jas. Crocket & Robt. Crockets wife seem to hold our well. Lvdia Aikin & George who are now mov'd to Stoner seem to hold out well. Mrs. Sand. Scott seems deeply exercised but I think has not yet professed. Capt. Wallis' daughter convicted at Green Creek Sacrament. Polly McFeeters seems serious in some measure & is married to a McCutchin."

"Rachel Hornback attends sometimes to preaching but has a lighter air than formerly. I stand in doubt of her. One of Billy Aikin's daughters has been down for days much distress'd but has not yet made a pro'fession."

The Presbytery of West Lexington met in the Green Creek Church on October 8, 1805. It is interesting to note that Presbytery held one meeting in the home of Mr. William Given.

At this meeting of Presbytery this resolution was passed:

"That it be recommended, that the administration of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper be in the meeting houses in future if it be at all Convenient."

The last time that the Green Creek Church was mentioned until 1830 was at a meeting of Presbytery, in Pisgah Church, April 11, 1809, when James H. Dickey was appointed to preach at Green Creek.

West Lexington Presbytery met in Versailles, April 7, 1830, at which time this minute was recorded:

"A petition from certain individuals to organize a church at Stipps Cross Roads, Bourbon County, to be known as Green Creek was received. Rev. Nathan H. Hall was appointed to organize the said Church."

In the office of the Clerk of the Bourbon County Court this deed from Jacob Tevebaugh to Trustees for a Republican Meetinghouse is on record.

Deed Book K-page 541 Bourbon Co., Ky.

Today on the edge of Clintonville stands an old barn. It is said the barn is on the site where a church which was also used for a school stood. This may be the site of the house mentioned in the deed of 1830.

Green Creek Church was in three different Presbyteries, it was in Transylvania 1792-1799; in West Lexington, 1799-1809; and again in 1830-1831; in 1832 it was in Tabor Presbytery; in 1833 it returned to West Lexington Presbytery and remained in this presbytery until 1870, when it was last mentioned in the records of the Presbytery.

Several of the pioneer preachers supplied the church during its existence from 1792 to 1809. From 1830 to 1870 two names stand out as supplies of the (p. 220) church. Rev. John Dabney Shane, the great Antiquary, supplied from 1847 to 1851. From 1862 to 1866, Rev. Joseph Morton Scott was the supply pastor. The church was vacant or had only occasional supplies during most of its history.

The deed below conveys title to a portion of land lying on the waters of Green Creek along the road leading from Clintonville to Lexington, and sold by Henry Curtright to the other parties involved for the sum of $2.00. No mention is made as to the use of this land for church purposes, but this particular deed is listed in the index under titles concerning Clintonville church.

Book 62, page 315.

April 23, 1877, John W. Liver to Presbyterian Church, Clintonville.

"This indenture made this 23rd. day of April 1877 between John W. Liver and Cora Liver, his wife, in the county of Bourbon in the state of Kentucky, in the first part, and W. H. Renich, Isaac Cunningham, Alex Johnston, Robert Berry and Albert Weathers, trustees of the Presbyterian Church at Clintonville, Bourbon county, Kentucky of the second part. Witness: that said first party for and in consideration of one dollar in hand paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, have bargained and sold and by these presents grant and convey onto said second party and their successors forever, a certain tract of one acre of land lying in said county Clintonville and bounded as follows: (There follows a description of the property deeded). Together with the premises belonging or appertaining thereto, and said first party do covenant that the will warrant the property hereby conveyed, said land hereby conveyed to be held by said party for the use and benefit of said church as a lot to build a church on, but if at any time said church should fail to use the same for that purpose then the land to revert to me or my heirs. Witness the hand of said first part- the day and year aforesaid John W. Liver and Cora Liver."

This indenture made this 4th. day of Oct-1830-between Jacob Tevebaugh and Edmond Pendleton, Dillard Hazelrigg, Thomas Barker, Phillip Grimes-and Reuben H. Hunt-of the second part-A certain tract of land lying, in Bourbon Co., near Clintonville, where the house for public worship is now building and bound as follows; Beginning at the edge of the road leading from Hornback's Mill, to Lexington on the south side thereof at a point on said road etc- So as to leave said meeting house in the center of the lot-It is considered that the parties of the second part are Trustees of the

REPUBLICAN MEETINGHOUSE-to hold said lot in character for the use and benefit of the four denominations-Christians, Baptists, Methodists and the Presbyterians, and for all others-when not occupied by the above denominations.

Jacob Tevebaugh

Attest-
Solomon-Tevebaugh
Isaac Cunningham
James Renick-

It is possible that the Green Creek Church which was reorganized in 1830 used this building.

In the Shane paper 11 CCC 26, in the Draper Collection is this item:

"John Boyd and John McKinney were early Elders in the Green Creek Church."

From the Western Luminary, July 9, 1834, we learn this interesting fact:

"Died on Wednesday last Mr. Sidney P. Clay, of Bourbon County. Mr. Clay was an elder in the Green Creek Church where his loss will be deeply felt."

(p. 221)

Ministers who Supplied Green Creek Church

Robert Finley, 1792-1793
Robert Marshall, 1794
Stephen Bovell, 1795
Isaac Tull, 1796-1797
John Dunlevy, 1797
James Crawford, 1798 Samuel Rannels,
John Lyle, John Thompson, 1799
Isaac Tull, 1808
James H. Dickey, 1809
Stated Supply, 1831
Vacant, 1833-1834
Stated Supply, 1836
Vacant, 1837-1844
Stated Supply, 1845-1846
John Dabnev Shane, 1847-1851
Vacant, 1852-1861
J. M. Scott, 1862-1866
No report, 1867-1870
Disappears from the record.

In 1794 Transylvania Presbytery appointed Jacob Fishback to collect subscriptions for the Kentucky Academy in the Salem congregation and Mr. James Crockett was appointed collector in the Green Creek Church.

The Subscribers from the two churches were as follows:

Joseph C. Fraser x
Joseph Perry x
James Crockett x
John Wallace x
John Price
McKinney x
Will Allen
James Bell
Luther Graham x
George Trimble x

John McKinney (Wildcat McKinney) x
Jacob Fishback
Hugh Martin
Stephan Bovell (Minister of Green Creek)

Those marked X were probably members of the Green Creek Church.

(p. 222) The John McKinney who was an Elder in the Church was the first teacher in Lexington in 1780. The killing of a wild cat by him in his school in 1783, is one of the classic stories of Kentucky. Soon after his adventure with the Wild Cat he moved to Bourbon County. He was one of the five members from Bourbon County in the convention of 1792, at Danville, which formed the first constitution of Kentucky, and on June 4, 1792, took his seat as a representative in the first legislature, at Lexington. In 1808, he moved to Missouri, and lived there three years, when he returned to Bourbon County Kentucky and died in the year 1825 in a good old age.

Perhaps if we had a complete history of the Green Creek Church we could tell of many members who helped to fashion Bourbon County into the great county which it has become.

(p. 227)

HOPEWELL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BOURBON COUNTY

Western Luminary April 23, 1828, page 340.

Hopewell Church

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered in this church on last Lord's day; at which time 37 communicants sat down at the table of their divine master for the first time, making 50 in all that lately professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

(p. 228)

Some Early Elders at Hopewell

Sydney P. Clay
John B. Karned
Thomas L. Cunningham
R. P. Kenney
W. Dinwiddie
John Liter
William Elliott
James Logan
Samuel M. Grant
Wm. A. Manzies
George Henstman
Andrew Scott
Thomas I. Scott

Mr. William Kenney Thomas, a deacon, is the only officer in the Hopewell Church in 1961.

HOPEWELL CHURCH

The first mention of Hopewell Church of which we have record was at a Conference of Presbyterian ministers and representatives from various congregations held at Cane Run Meeting House, in Mercer County, on July 12, 1785, when Hopewell was represented by George Pomeroy and John Veech. Hopewell was first mentioned in the Minutes of Transylvania Presbytery in April 1787.

There has been a tendency to confuse the Hopewell Church with the church in Paris because Paris was once called Hopewell. Sinking Spring was the name from 1787 to 1794 of the church of Paris. In 1794, the name was changed to the Paris Church.

It is difficult to say just when many of the early churches were organized. Groups of Presbyterians would meet and have preaching by any minister who could be secured. Years might elapse before these groups were welded into an organized church. Hopewell has been carried on the roll of Presbytery from 1787 to the present.

Mrs. William Posey, daughter of Rev. Samuel Rannels, pastor of Paris and Stonermouth Churches, lived in Jacksonville, Illinois. She was interviewed by Rev. John D. Shane and this is what she said about Hopewell Church:

"Pa organized the church at Hopewell. The church was composed of Dutch Markee kept public-by the side of the road, between Paris and Lexington, at the sign of the cross keys. My Father's horse didn't want to go by there. Mrs. Link now in (or about) Jacksonville, (a very old lady), was from that neighborhood. Mrs. Giltner was a member. Pa preached at Hopewell six sabbaths in the year, and every other Tuesday. He preached in an old school-house. I went there, to Hopewell, once, to a communion with Pa. When we got there on Saturday, there was a Dutch preacher in the stand, preaching to the people in Dutch. When he got through, Pa preached. We went that night to this old Mrs. Giltner's, who was a member."

"To the said Trustees and their successors in office forever, for the only proper use and benefit of the said Presbyterian congregation, at the said meeting-house or any other that may in future be built thereon, for said Presbyterian congregation, but the said Trustees or their successors are not to apply said land or meeting-house to any other use than that provided above, yet it is expressly understood that said meeting-house is to be free for any preacher to preach in, if invited by said Trustees or either of them, or their successors or either of them."

(p. 228) At the first meeting of West Lexington Presbytery April 16, 1799, in Lexington, Hopewell requested the privilege of being enrolled as a church in West Lexington Presbytery.

In the Filson Club are photostat copies of the Shane papers from the Draper collection in Madison, Wisconsin. The paper-15 CC 69, states:

"The very first church at Hopewell was about 300 yards from the present church. It was first a Dutch Church. They brought out a Dutch minister with them."

In the Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, for July 1937, pages 290-291, Judge Samuel M. Wilson gave an illuminating account of the site and building of the Hopewell Church.

"The house of worship of Hopewell Church has not always occupied its present site, at the junction of the Hutchinson Road with the Lexington & Maysville Turnpike Road, otherwise known as U. S. Route No. 68 or the "Midland Trail". But the present brick structure, which was erected in 1904, is in the same location that the "meeting-house" has occupied since about 1820. The deed for the church lot, containing an acre of ground, more or less, was executed by Henry Liter, Senior, to Isaac Webb, Jonas Markey, and George Hirshman, as "Trustees of the Hopewell Presbyterian congregation, duly elected by the said congregation", on December 18, 1822, in pursuance of a title bond made by said Henry Liter and Joseph Kleizer, as his surety, on April 14, 1818. This deed contains the following interesting provisions, by which it appears that the conveyance was made:

"Another deed of gift, bearing date June 4, 1832, designed to effectuate a devise made in the last will of Jonas Markey, is also of interest. By this deed, executed by Nancy Markey (Markee) and Samuel Steele to Samuel M. Grant and Isaac Webb, Junior, "as Trustees for the stated preacher of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, from time to time, as he may be employed by said Church, of the Counties of Fayette and Bourbon", the grantors convey eighteen (18) acres of land in Bourbon County, "on which the said Samuel Steele lately resided", "being the lot of land devised by Jonas Markey to be a donation to the stated preacher of the Hopewell church forever", and to be held in trust "for the use of the stated preacher of said church for the time then being". This generous and provident gift for the support and sustenance of the stated supply of this church is still serving its beneficient purpose. By appropriate court proceedings, instituted in the year 1855 and concluded by a commissioner's deed of conveyance in April, 1857, this tract of about eighteen acres was sold, but the proceeds arising from the sale have ever since been preserved intact and the income from this fund is applied toward the payment of the salary of the acting minister of the church."

The Hopewell membership has never been large, but the legacies which it has received have enabled the church to be supplied with ministers during most of its history.

At the division of the Presbyterian Church in Kentucky in 1866, Hopewell went with the Northern Church. In 1876, Rev. L. H. Blanton, held a meeting in a school house near the church. Afterwards, by request of the members of the church, transferred to their house of worship, the result of which was the addition of twenty-nine persons to the church in Paris, of which Dr. Blanton was the pastor. The result of this meeting was the request of the members of the church to their Presbytery to be permitted to transfer their church to the (p. 230) Southern Assembly. The Northern Church graciously granted the request and so from 1876 to date the Hopewell Church has been a constituent part of the Southern Church.

When one looks at the long list of ministers, from Adam Rankin to the present, he recalls that in this group were most of the pioneer Kentucky preachers and others who served the church well as pastors, teachers and evangelists.

Long may Hopewell Church stand by the highway inviting persons to come within her walls to learn the things of the Spirit.

Western Luminary March 19, 1828, page 300. Extract of a letter from the Rev. Samuel Steel, to the Editor, dated Winchester, Kentucky, March 12, 1828.

Dear Brother:

Permit me to return to you my thanks for turning the attention of Christians to this place, in a late number of the Luminary, and particularly for requesting them to remember the Church here at a throne of grace.

As an encouragement to those who have complied with your request, I would remark, that the Lord was pleased to visit us in mercy about the first of February last, during a four days' meeting, at which time I was assisted by brother John Hudson. Since that period 25 persons have been added to our church, on profession of their faith in Jesus Christ.

About the middle of February I made a request of Christians in Winchester to pray particularly for the Church at Hopewell, which as you know, I labor one half my time. I trust that their prayers were not in vain, for on the next Sabbath an anxious seat was opened, and eleven came forward to receive instruction and to say to the people of God, "Pray for us".

Two weeks later we held a four days' meeting there, at which time I was favored with the assistance of brother Nathan H. Hall. It was indeed a time of refreshing among Christians, and likewise a convincing and converting time among the people of the world. During the meeting, and since, 40 persons have been examined as to their experimental acquaintance with religion and received into the church. It is the Lord's doings and to Him be the praise.

In the middle of last week brother Whitney, brother Trotter and myself held a three day's meeting in Mt. Sterling. The Presbyterian Church there had been many years without a preached gospel, and we found it numbered only 18 members. Twelve more were added during our stay there, and prospects for still further additions are flattering in as much as 40 or 50 persons came forward to the anxious seats.

(p. 231)

These things are truly encouraging and call for much gratitude on the part of Christians throughout our land. And ought they not generally to pray in a special manner for ministers of the gospel, that the Lord may not permit them to give the ark a wrong touch in these reviving and critical times? Lest by so doing inexperienced Christians should be led into the maze of error, or inquiring souls be hurled into the path that leads to endless perdition

Samuel Steel
To T. T. Skillman.

The following list of early members of the Hopewell Church was compiled by Mrs. W. H. Whitley for the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society October, 1930:

(Key to abbreviations: w-wife, (w)-widow, m-married, l-letter, d-died, dis. -dismissed.)

Organized 1787. Original Congregation. 1810.

George Harsman, d. June, 1830, w. Barbary Hersman, 1830; John Liter w. Susanna Liter; Wm. Elliott, w. Martha Elliott; Mrs. Lenah Smith, (widow), dis. 1831; Jane Sidner; Jacob Fry, w. Elizabeth Fry, now Mrs. Saml. Patterson; Mrs. Patsy Branham; Elizabeth Hersman; Robt. Mickle; Mrs. McCulloch, Missouri; Mr. Graham, Missouri, d.; Mary Graham, 1824.

Wm. Clark, Missouri, d. 1823; Margaret (Clark) Missouri; Abraham Thomas, Mrs. Thomas, Ohio, d. 1811; Mary Dinwiddie, d. 1829; Saml Brice, w. Rachel Brice; Aaron Smith, w. Rebecka.

Mary Liter, 1811, d. 1832; Nancy Markey, 1840, Lexington; Henry Herstman, Elizabeth Herstman; Jonas Markey, 1812, d. 1830; Nancy Clark, dis. 1828; Mrs. Shyrock; W. Dinwiddie, Mrs. Dinwiddie; Catherine Liter, 1814, Missouri; Susan Liter; Ichabod Butler; Elizabeth Smith, Dis.; Jane Trimble, 1817; Mary Trimble; Mary (?) Liter Elliott, Indiana; Joseph Branham.

Ann Todd, 1818, (German Lutheran); John Huffman, (White Swamps Church, Catherine Huffman; Barbary Liter; Catherine Giltner; Mary Huffman; Margaret Trimble; Elizabeth Giltner (Mrs. F.), Henry County; Sally Howard, d.; Elizabeth Payne, d.; Mrs. Parker, Lexington; Isaac Webb, 1820; John Henderson, 1821, Indiana, w. Isabella Henderson, Indiana; Susan Robertson; Mrs. Carter; John Liter, Sr., Catherine (wife); Catherine Link, Illinois, 1824; Susanna Huffman; James Logan, Esther (wife); Elizabeth Menzies (w. of W. A.), Green Creek-, Joseph C. Harrison (minister); Sam'I Lecky, l., w. Polly Lecky, l.

Elizabeth Patterson, 1827; Wm. A. Menzies, l., Green Creek; Theodosia Inskeep, l.; Elizabeth F. Webb (?), l., Alabama; Sidney P. Clay, l., Green Creek; Elizabeth Kleeser, l., Indiana; Margaret Armstrong; Sam'l Wasson, w. Susanna Wasson; Lloyd P. McGruder, l., Paris; Agnes R. Logan, d.; Nancy McNight, d. 1831; E. Ardery, d. 1833; Louisa Webb, l.; Jane Sidner; John Brooks, (M. D.) l., Missouri; Priscilla Phelps.

(p. 231) Jane Scott, 1828, l., 1830; Rebecca Liter, l., 1831; Mrs. Jewell, l., 1832; David Logan, d.; Joseph Kleiser, Jr., l., 1833; James Kleiser, l., 1834, Indiana; Wm. l. Phelps, l.; Susan McChord; Margaret Clark, l., 1828; Sarah Hersman; Miss Stivers, l., 1831; Lucy Robinson, l., 1835; Mary Robinson, l.; Thos. J. Scott, d., 1866; Margaret Scott, d., 1829; Frances McCloud; Thomas Henderson; Jane Henderson; Henry Liter, Sr., d. 1842; Henry Liter, Jr., d., 1863; Joseph Kleiser, d., 1846; James F. Logan; Rebecca Grant, d., 1833; John Logan, l., 1839; James Inskeep, l., 1834; Wm. P. Grigg, moved; Mary Liter, d., 1831; Sarah Mearsback, l., 1831; Amanda Scott, d., 1833; Francis J. Clark, l., 1828; Isaac Webb, Jr., d., 1833; Lorenso Jones, l., 1831; Frances Jones; Cornelius Conally, l., 1832; Jas. McLoud, d., 1831; Margaret Connally; Wm. Inskip, l., 1831; John Webb, l., 1831; Susan Inskip, l., 1829; Wm. O. Cockran; Ruth Cochran, d.; Tabitha Inskip, l., 1831; Emily Inskip, 1832; Elizabeth Jones; Caroline F. Mensies, l., 1828; Hugh .Morrison, l., 1818; Mary McMeekan, d., 1859; Margaret C. Mensies, l., 1832, Effie Connelly; Mary Scott; Jane Beaty; Mary Scott, d., 1834; Sam'l M. Grant, l.; Mary Ann McHord; Nancy Smeltser; Andrew Scott, Sr., Mrs. Scott, (w.); Nancy McClonn (?), widow; Joseph Inskip, l., 1831; Anna Jane Steele, 1829 l., 1833.

Nancy Hersman, 1830, l., 1831; Nancy Scott, 1855; Ruth Scott, Missouri; Sally Scott, Susan McChord Logan, l., 1834; Margaret Hersman, 1831, l., 1839; Thos. Scott, 1832, l., 1839; Marian Logan, 1833, d., 1839; Polly Scott; Barnett Jewel; John Kerr, Rachael Kerr, (w.); Jane Kerr (Mrs. T. J. Scott); Mary Ann Foster; Wm. Inskip, l., 1835.

Agnes Inskip, 1834, l., 1835; Elizabeth J. Phelps, in.; Sarah Kenny (w. Robt.), Mary McMeekin, d., 1859; Robt. Kenny; Robt. McMeekin (Mary), d. 1853; Mary Pryor, 1858; Juliet Elgin, l., Paris, 1846; Rebecca McConnel, widow, 1841, Missouri; Eleanor Wise, 1839; Micha Scott; Margaret Moreland (wife); Sarah F. Campbell (c); Mary Jane Logan; Esther Logan, (m. J. Scott), Cherry Spring; George Logan; Polly Giltner; Elisa Ann Scott; Polly Ann Foster; Harvey Scott; Margaret J. Scott (d of J. Scott); Mary Bombarger; Ann Kenny, wife; Ann Foster, widow, Dutch Reform, l., 1842.

1841

Mary J. Brooks (wife Dr.); Nancy M. Perrin, wife, (Cincinnati) l., 1844, Louisville; Harriet Price (A. J.); Tabitha Firman, wife; Andrew J. Price; Thos. M. Scott (son of A.); Agness Scott (w.); Mary Brockway, widow, (New England); Agness Brockway, dau., l., 1848, Lexington; Jane Scott; Sarah Scott (m. A. Weathers), l., 1861, Green Creek; Catherine McMilkie; Mary Henderson; Sarah Henderson, dau., d., 1843; Sarah J. Henderson; Rebecca Henderson, S. Middletown; Samuel Henderson; Sarah Henderson, w., d., 1838; Sally Ann Henderson; Charles Logan; Mary Ann Scott, (dau.), d., 1843; Ruth Henderson; Sally Ann Husman; Mary Moreland, (Paris); Mary P. Kerr, (Paris); Wm. Milligan and Minerva Milligan, l., Lexington; Ephraim H. McConnell, Catherine McConnell, w.; Eliza McMicken; Elizabeth P. Kenny, from (Grier's Cr.); Martha Brown, from (p. 233) Paris; Eliza P. Foster, from Griers Cr.; Solomon Hansombe, Margaret Hanscombe, w.; Mary A. Jackson widow, from Reading, d., 1843; Ann Brown (Mt. Horeb) wife, Wm. Brown (son); Jane Patterson, (Franklin Ind.).

1845

Elizabeth Harp, from Concord, l., Horeb; Nancy Henderson, dau.; Ann Simpson, dau., l., Green Castle, Ind.; Nancy Kerr, dau.

1847

James Scott, l., Cherry Springs; Eliza Wall; Matilda Scott, 1849, Millersburg; Miss Esther Logan, 1853, l., Carrolton; Miss M. Elizabeth Stewart; John Armstrong; N. F. Tuck & w. Mrs. H. M. Tuck; Mrs. Batey, 1855; Miss Sarah Rossiter, l., Florida; Preston Parker, Margaret Parker, w.; Lighter Miller, 1857, Amanda (w.) Mt. Pleasant, l., Brown Co., Ill.; Thos. L. Cunningham, Lexington, d., 1862, & w. I. M. Cunningham, l., Green Creek, 1862.

1858

Miss Elizabeth Scott; Jas. H. Brooks, M. D., d., 1863, Mrs. Mary Jane, w.; Miss Anna Brooks; Mrs. Anna West, 1862, 1., Green (Cr.); Kate Hughes; Ann M. Johnson (Mrs. Bain), I.; Mrs. Mary E. Armstrong, Lexington.

1859

D. B. Patterson, New Prospect (back) l., to New Prospect, Ind.; Mrs. A. W. Breckinridge, l., Paris; Mrs. Mary E. Jones, (Paris); Miss Cynthia Jones, dau., l., Paris, 1867; Martha Ann Jones, dau.; Sam'l A. Piper, Carlisle, 1860; Mrs. Ellen Piper, w., l., Flemingsburg; Thos. Hughes of Mt. Horeb.

1863

Mrs. Maria C. Lvle, pastor's wife; Jane Maria Brooks, 1864; Mary Adeline Brooks; Catherine P. Kerr; Miss Jane Beatty, 1865; G. W. Lewis, from Harmony Ch.; l. B. Harned.

INFANTS BAPTIZED

Malvina Liter, dau. John & Susan Liter-1824; Mary Jane and Esther Margaret Logan, children of James & Esther Logan, 1824; Sarah A. Menzies, dau. Wm. A. & E. Menzies, 1824; James (or Joanna) and Martha Lackey, children of Sam'l & P. Lackey, 1824; John Dinwiddie, s. of Wm. & E. Dinwiddie, 1824; (5 omitted 1827-28); Sydney Reed Grundy Clay, s. of Mrs. Sydney P. Clay, May 1821; Edward Jones Webb, s. of Isaac Webb, Jr., June 1829; Robert Morris Cunningham, s. of Rev. James P. Cunningham, June 1829; Amanda Frances Scott, dau. of Thomas & Amanda Scott, Oct. 1830; Samuel Mosby, Theodosia, James and Sarah Grant, children of Sam'l M. & Rebecca Grant, May, 1831; Betsy, Rachel, and Nathan Lecky, Children of Sam'l & Polly Lecky, Aug. 1827; Charles E. Cunningham, s. of Rev. J. P., June 1832; Isaac Webb, s. of Isaac Webb, Jr., June 1832; Ann Jane Scott, d. of Thomas & Amanda, Feb. 1833; James, Anna, Maria and Samuel, children of Wm. R. Logan, Apr. 1834; John Samuel and Joseph Wasson, children of Samuel & Susan Wasson, Nov. 1834; John (p. 234) Henry and Jane Kerr, children of John & Rachel Kerr, Dec. 1834; Elizabeth Patience, Wm. Lewis and Matthew Anderson Kenney, children of Robert & Sarah Kenney, Dec. 1834; Wm. Asa, Joseph Benjamin and Eliza Jane Foster, children of Mrs. Mary Ann Foster, Nov. 1836; Esther Mary and Sophia Susan Logan, children of David & Sarah Logan, May 1839; Joseph Kinnaird Campbell, son of Rev. C. A. &- Sarah Campbell, May 27, 1839; Nancy Robinson Kerr, dau. of John & Rachel Kerr, May 27, 1839; John Pryor, son of Mrs. Mary Pryor, June 8, 1839; Matthew A. Kenney, s. of Wm. M. &- Ann Kenney, Aug. 1839; Laura & Wm. Eli Logan, children of William & Sally Logan, July, 1840; Jas. Andrew Scott, son of Harvey and Jane Scott, Aug. 30, 1840; ---- Kerr, child of John & Rachel Kerr, Sept. 12, 1841; Dudley Logan, son of Wm. & Sally, Oct. 24, 1842; John Brooks Inskeep, son of ------- Sept. 9, 1843; Thos. Lackey Scott, son of widow Margaret J. Scott, Sept. 9, 1843; Ruth Hanscomb (aged 4 years) d. of Solomon & Margaret Hanscomb, Aug. 11, 1844; James Wright, (aged 2 years,) son of Solomon & Margaret Hanscomb, Aug. 11, 1844; John & Ella Rachel Kerr, children of John & Rachel Kerr, April 25, 1845; John Brown Kerr, s. of John & Rachel Kerr, June 24, 1848; -------- Logan, child of Wm. & Sally Logan, June 24, 1848; Charles Parker Harp, and Lucy Barlow Harp, children of Henry & Elizabeth Harp, Sept. 22, 1848; ------ Hughes, child of Thomas Hughes, Jan. 21, 1853; Robert Harp and ------ Harp, children of Henry and Elizabeth Harp, June 15, 1853; Margaret Ellen & Carolin Harp, children of Henrv & Elizabeth Harp, Sept. 22, 1848; ------ Hughes, child of dau. of T. L. & -J. Cunningham, June 25, 1859; Thos. Cunningham, s. of T. L. & J. TM. Cunningham, Sept. 22, 1860; Clara Kerr, dau. of Jos. H. & Annie Kerr, Aug. 25, 1866; Charles Nourse Lyle, s. of J. K. & Maria Lyle, born Dec. 22, 1865; baptized Aug. 30, 1866.

(p. 235)

THE MILLERSBURG CHURCH

The church is first mentioned in the records of Transylvania Presbytery in 1797.

Many of the early ministers who served the Stonermouth Church also supplied the Millersburg Church. The church ceased to be mentioned in the records after 1800.

In 1818, Millersburg "requests to be known as a congregation under our care." This is from the Minutes of West Lexington Presbytery, Volume 3, page 67.

It is probable that Millersburg had preaching from time to time from 1800 to 1818 but was not strong enough to support a minister. From 1821 to 1839, the same ministers who supplied Stonermouth took oversight of the Millersburg Church.

(p. 236)

Pastors and Supplies of The Millersburg Church

1797 Rev. Richard McNemar, William Robinson, Samuel Rannels
1798 Samuel Rannels, Barton W. Stone
1799 Barton W. Stone, Isaac Tull, John Thompson
1800 John Thompson, Samuel Rannels
1818 John R. Moreland
1819 John R. Moreland, John T. Edgar, John Rankin and Joseph P. Howe
1820-1825 John R. Moreland
1825-1828 Samuel Taylor
1828-1832 N. M. Urmston
1832-1834 John Jay Rice
1835-1842 John T. Hendrick
1844-1845 John M. McConaughy
1846-1847 1. P. Green
1849 Abel A. Case
1849-1853 James Mathews
1857-1859 H. P. Thompson
1861-1866 Thomas H Urmston
1866-1868 John Rule
1870-1871 Thomas S. Lee
1871-1882 J. D. Dickson
188-9-1883 W. W. Moore
1884-1887 W. R. Laird
1888-1892 W. O. Cochrane
1893-1897 J. G. Anderson
1897-1907 H. R. Laird
1907-1912 Robert Stuart Sanders
1913-1918 A. S. Venable
1918-1924 W. W. Morton
1924-1927 E. O. G. Lilly
1928-1933 N. G. Warren
1934-1940 John W. Groves
1949-1944 George B. Thompson
1945-1945 John Martin
1946-1950 Joseph N. Suitor
1951-1952 Troy Rhudy Eslinger
1953-1958 Robert Young Russell
1959- Anthony Dabney Hildebrand

(p. 237)

In 1939, Mrs. John Grimes, a member of the Millersburg Church, wrote a history of the church. She used the records of the sessions of the Stonermouth and Millersburg Churches. She probably did not use the records of Transylvania Presbytery, and that accounts for the fact that she began her history with the vear 1818.

From now on we shall let Mrs. Grimes tell the story of the church.

The History of the Presbyterian Church

"The earliest record that we have of the Millersburg Presbyterian church is its organization Aug. 2, 1818 by Rev. W. Wallace and Rev. John R. Moreland, with about thirty or more members.

These members came mostly from Irvin Springs Church and Stonermouth at Ruddles Mills. The names of those enrolled soon following its organization were:

Wm. Johnson
Issabella Johnson
John Dinwiddie
Jane Dinwiddie
Wm. Thornton
Judy Thornton
Alexander Smith
Patsy Smith
Isaac Huddleson
Elizabeth Huddleson
Thomas McClintock
Rebecca McClintock
Sarah McClintock
Wm. McClintock
James Moore
Peggy Moore
Wm. Green
Wm. Miller
Jane Miller
Robert Miller
Polly Miller
Fred Reed
Betsy Reed
Isabella Reed
Jane Gray
Eliza Vanderen
John McKee
Valentine Stearman
Sidney Taylor
Elizabeth McCormack
Hanna Victor
Betsy McCormack
Jane McCormack
Betsy Nesbitt
Rachel Baker
Nancy Blackerby
Betsy Griffith
Polly Huddleson
Sarah Ardery
Betsy Taylor
Patsy Hudson
John jolly
Sarah McClintock
George Scott
Polly Scott
Hannah Scott
Isabella Purdy
Win. Caldwell
Richard Graves
George Taylor

On the 1st of Sept. 1818-Wm. Johnson an elder of good and regular standing in the Presbyterian Church at Irvin Springs, Ky., was elected as the 1st. elder of the Millersburg Church. That fall Mr. Johnson applied to West Lexington Presbytery that this church be received into the Presbytery-which was granted.

In 1819 John Dinwiddie was elected elder-John Dinwiddie and Wm. Johnson the only two elders serving the church until in 1824, Barnard Vanderen made alder alsoand Alexander Smith and Wm. Rannells were elected as the first deacons on record and ordained by the Rev. J. R. Moreland. The latter served the church as Pastor and moderator of the Session, to March, 1825.

(p. 238)

In June 1825 a call was extended to the Rev. Samuel Taylor to become its pastor. He served the church until Oct., 1828. During the ministry of Mr. Taylor there was quite a revival held in the church, with between 30 to 40 additions to the church.

The first baptisms recorded were those of Norman Green and his wife Euphania Green by the Rev. John R. Moreland Oct. 15-1818.

Splendid records of sessional meetings have been kept-also records of united meetings of the sessions of Stonermouth and Millersburg. Usually only one representative to Presbytery was sent from each of the two churches. Old records of these meetings have been splendidly preserved. Members of session 1818. First elder elected was Wm. Johnson. In 1820 John Dinwiddie was elected to the bench of elders. Wm. Johnson was made ruling elder in 1820 until 1829.

Members of Session Stonermoutb 1820
John Nesbitt
Adam Smetzer
John Ardery
John Rankin (Moderator)

Members of Session 1824
Rev. John Moreland (Moderator)
Wm. Rannells
John Dinwiddie
Alex Smith

Alexander Smith was clerk of the session until his death Sept. 10-1841. Much praise is due him for the splendid way in which these records have been kept. There is a great amount of material contained in these early records of the Millersburg Presbyterian Church, which could not be used for lack of space but will be preserved for future reference.

Rev. John A. Moreland was pastor of the church from 1818 to March 1825. In June 1825 a call was extended to Rev. Samuel Taylor to become pastor. He served the church until Oct. 1828. March 1829-Rev. N. M. Urmston began his labors as pastor of the church continuing until 1832. In Jan. 1833 Rev. John Jay Rice served as a supply until 1834.

We note a vacancy until Nov. 1835 when the Rev. john T. Hendrick began his work both with Millersburg church and the Stonermouth church. These two churches were united tinder the same pastorate by Ebenezer Presbytery in the fall of 1836.

A true copy of the first report on record to Presbytery of Ebenzer Oct. 1-1829 to

Oct. 1-1830, reads as follows:-
Communicants added on examination ---------------------2
Communicants added on certificate ----------------------0
Died -------------------------------------------------4
Dismissed --------------------------------------------2
Suspended --------------------------------------------1
Total communicants -----------------------------------76
Adults baptized ---------------------------------------0
Infants baptized ---------------------------------------11

Fund raised for Commissioners -------------------------- $5.80
For Missionary purposes --------------------------------.00
Theological Seminary ----------------------------------.00

Signed Samuel Taylor, Moderator of Ebenezer Presbytery

There are many records of the discipline of members-various trials and dismissals.

Some arguments even carried into Presbytery for discussion and decision.

In the year 1837 Alexander McClintock and John Piper were made elders and in 1840 John Patton and Jefferson Vimont were added to the number of elders. William Griffith and Andrew Gilmore were made deacons the same year. Jefferson Vimont was made clerk of the session in 1840.

(p. 239)

A note of interest, Oct. 9th, 1825

Paid to Rev. Andrew Todd-Treas. of Ebenezer Presbytery the sum of $7 3/4 in silver, 75cts in paper, the collection for the Missionary Fund.

Alex Smith. (Clerk of the Sessions)

A complete record of the Sessional meetings is contained in Vol. 1 from 1818 to 1831. Alex Smith (clerk)

A record of the pastors who served the Old Presbyterian from 1818 to 1869 are as follows

Rev. John R. Moreland, 1818 to 1825
Rev. Samuel Taylor, 1825-1828
Rev. N. M. Urmston, 1829-

A call to Rev. James Macklin, but no record of his acceptance but he must have served the church about 1831.

Rev. John Jay Rice a supply 1834
Rev. J. T. Hendrick, 1840

Rev. Joshua Fry Green short time service 1846 1848. A call to Rev. James Mathews. Rev. Thos. H. Urmston 1861 to 1866

Sept. 23-1861 a congregational meeting was called to consider a new church building-Messrs. Z. M. Layson, Thos. Shipp and Mr. Griffith were appointed a committee to visit the congregation to report at a call meeting of the Session Sat. Oct. 26, 1861.

We note the record of the meeting of the Presbytery in the old Millersburg Church May 6th, 1862, with the Rev. H. M. Scudder of Elizaville, Moderator-a large crowd in attendance. At this meeting of Presbytery a call was extended to Rev. Thos. H. Urmston of West Lexington Presbytery to become pastor. Mr. Urmston accepted this call-taking up his pastorate immediately. The Rev. R. L. Breck was appointed to preach the sermon in his installation Services. The Rev. R. F. Caldwell to deliver the charge to the pastor-The Rev. J. M. Worrall the charge to the people. Rev. J. H. Urmston continued its pastor until 1866.

In 1867 the Rev. John Rule served the church as pastor in connection with the Carlisle Church.

In 1867 Mr. John Reeding and Mr. Alex Butler were appointed trustees to secure the deed for the new church property.

In April 1869 a meeting was held in the home of Rev. Thos. E. Lee for the purpose of discussing plans for the erection of a new House of Worship in Millersburg. To be owned jointly and equally by the Associate Reformed and Presbyterian Churches. In this meeting it was agreed that a subscription paper be drawn tip and circulated among the members, to see what funds could be collected. Mr. Alex Butler and Mr. John Patton were appointed on this committee, and to report at a call meeting, in the Town Hall the following Saturday. This meeting was most encouraging, a good attendance-much interest. The financial report was most encouraging. It was resolved to go forward actively with the building,

The building committee was appointed, Viz: Z. M. Layson, Alex Butler, George McIntyre- John Patton. They were directed to obtain a suitable plan for the building, and arrange for the erection. It was agreed to the building must be a brick structure. By the blessing of God this undertaking was crowned with success, and the new church which had been in the minds and hearts of the people was now an accomplished fact, while the congregations, the Associate Reformed and the Presbyterian, were thus engaged, the plan of union between the two was maturing, and was formally ratified by (p. 240) these bodies in Paris Oct. 13, 1870. The completion of this union made it highly desirable that the two congregations, engaged in erecting this house of worship should be united into one congregation.

Mr. George McIntyre and Alex Butler were appointed a committee to report a plan for this union, and report at a call meeting. The report was unanimously adopted. The plan was as follows:

1st. The name of the church shall be the Presbyterian Church of Millersburg, Ky., in connection with the General Assembly of the U. S.

2nd. The Book of Psalms, in some literal version, shall be used for part time by the minister or stated supply, conducting the worship of the congregation.

3rd. Such Elders and Deacons of both congregations as go into the Union shall continue to act as such. The congregation having the fewest officers was privileged to elect officers from its own congregation to be equal to the others.

4th. These terms shall be submitted to the congregations and acted upon as soon as practical. A call meeting of both congregations for the solemn ratification and signing of this basis of the union shall be held.

5th. All those, and those only, who apply their signature to these terms shall be regarded as members of the United Church. If either congregation should wish any modification of these terms, it shall be made known and if approved the change shall be made.

Vol. III. Contains a full membership of the United Church in their own signature.

Dec. 10th, 1870 a meeting was called moderated by Rev. Thomas S. Lee, for the purpose of perfecting the union upon the agreed plan. There was a lack of deacons
and elders on the part of the Millersburg church-George McIntyre and James B. Shannon were elected elders and James Thorn and Thomas McClintock-deacons.

Plans moved forward rapidly. The building was of brick structure, and was erected at a cost of about $14,000, Mr. Hiram Bassett being the architect. The old building was sold to Mr. George Bryan-the material used to build his storeroom, and dwelling. No mention is made of the dedication of the building which was in Oct. 1870. The first session meeting of the United church was Dec. 10th, 1870. Mr. Alex Butler was clerk of the Session. Mr. Butler continued clerk of the Session until his death July 31, 1897. In the resolutions of his death-an article written by Rev. Henry R. Laird-In which be says Mr. Butler earnestly endeavored in all things to walk worthy of his high calling, he was humble, wise and faithful ever seeking the Glory of God to the edification of the church. And it is through him that we have the record today of our church since it became united with the Associate Reformed.

First record of Sunday School organized April 23, 1871. Mr. John Griffith was elected Sunday School Supt. and Mr. Alex Butler assistant Supt.

The Elders of the church, Apr. 23-1871 were

Alex Butler (Clerk)
Z. M. Layson
George McIntyre
Alex Patten
James Shannon
J. T. Vimont
John Patton

Mr. George McIntyre was the first representative to Presbytery after the union, in Catlettsburg, Kentucky, April 13, 1871.

(p. 241)

Members of the session were instrumental in organizing several outpost Sunday Schools and preaching points. The pastors of the Millersburg Church preaching at least twice a month. These Sunday schools were held at the Woods school house and the Bakers School house at Hooktown.

In these volumes are to be found records of membership discipline many obituaries of officers of the church-and many items of interest-that time and space will not permit our giving.

The names of pastors who have served this church since its organiaztion-1870.

Rev. Thomas S. Lee, Dec. 10, 1870-Nov. 15-1871
Rev. J. W. Dickson, Nov. 15, 1871-May 28-1882
Rev. W. W. Moore, Nov. 11, 1882-june 25-1883
Rev. W. R. Laird, May 25, 1884-Sept. 1887
Rev. W. O. Cochran, Apr. 4, 1889-Apr. 11-1892
Rev. J. G. Anderson, Apr. 12, 1893-Feb. 1897
Rev. H. R. Laird, May 7, 1897-June 1, 1907
Rev. Robert Stuart Sanders, Oct. 27, 1907-Nov. 1912
Rev. A. S. Venable, Jan. 1, 1913-May 1, 1918
Rev. W. W. Morton, Oct. 1, 1918-Jan. 13, 1924
Rev. E. G. Lilly, May 9, 1924-Dec.1, 1927
Rev. N. J. Warren, Dec. 19, 1928-Jan. 29, 1933
Rev. John W. Groves Mch. 9, 1934-

Present Session of the church this April 1st, 1939.

W. D. McIntyre
G. S. Allen
Chas. Layson
John W. Purdy
Thos. Marshall
John R. Fisher Clerk

Deacons
Leslie Brown
Joe Penn Redmon
Thos. Thorn
W. R. Cleaver
Horace Purdy
Rev. John W. Groves, Pastor

The Millersburg Presbyterian church has had a wonderful history. Many fine ministers have graced its pulpit. It has had a wonderful membership. Many have gone out from this church and have filled places of honor in the Master's Kingdom elsewhere. It is a good thing for any church to look back over the years of Kingdom fellowship and services that mark its history.

We are reaping where others of several generations have sown. We are sharing what God gave to them. Their toils and tears their faith and prayers, have been honoured by His leading and blessing. We owe to Him and to our Forefathers, an undying debt of gratitude for all His benefits to us through His church and this place. Moses often called his people to renewed love and loyalty to God and to His purpose, by asking them, "Have you forgotten? Don't you remember?" The recall of God's dealings with His people, rekindles the altar fires in their hearts. This research is undertaken for the information it will bring.

These facts are interesting and important. It is undertaken for the inspiration it will give. It is a record of men and movements experiences and achievements, that will stir and quicken one's enthusiasm.

(p. 242)

It is undertaken for the spirit of renewed consecration that it will call forth. Are we serving Christ and His Kingdom in our day and generation with the whole heartedness of that great company whose names we read on these pages. These pioneers and their successors served more than a century ago. The spirit, service and fellowship of our congregation give us great joy. A still greater future of ever growing spiritual life and Kingdom service, lies before us. From Him comes our strength to Him be our praise. May the increasing purpose and prayer of each of us be,

"To serve the present age My calling to fulfill, O, may it all my powers engage, To do my Master's will."

Respectfully submitted Mrs. John Grimes.

Mrs. Grimes wrote the history of the church in 1939. Since that time the following elders have been elected:

Leslie Brown
Tom Thorn
Tom Pogue
R. H. Hudson
Joe Penn Redmon
W. R. Cleaver
Zed Layson
Lindsay Pogue

The following deacons have been elected:
Zed Layson
Tom Pogue
Vimont Layson
Walton Wright
H. R. Hudson
Major Hanson
Ross Fleming
Joe Davis
Oscar Grimes