First Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Indiana

This church was formed November 15, 1839. By appointment of Presbytery, Rev. Peter H. Golliday and Rev. Edgar Hughes were present for the purpose of examining members. The persons composing the church at the time of its organization were: John Dougan, John B. Taylor, Thomas Young, Matthew B. Cochran, Ellis G. Young, Ebenezer Bishop, and Larkin Gordon, with their wives, Margaret Fryar, Mary Fryar, Cynthia Fryar, Fielding Young, Margaret E. Young, Wm. Clenedist, Jane Williams, Ann Sayre, Eliza Hamilton, Nancy Park, Parmelia Maxwell, Wm. McGookin, Sarah Sturdevant, (???) Watson, Sarah Jeffries, Wm. McGlathery, Lavina Fryar, Sarah Thompson.

The first elders chosen were: John Dougan, Wm. McGlathery, and John B. Taylor. The names of those who have since been elected to this office are: Moses C. Browning, Wm. L. Fryar, Thomas Hannah, Wm. Blanchard, Robert Fox, Almond Samson, Wm. C. Scott, John Cheney, Daniel K. Zeller.

The first minister was Charles Sturdevant, whose pastorate continued about four years. Those who have since served the church as preachers are: Thomas Whallon; A. R. Naylor; F. P. Monfort, about five years; Rev. McGuire, who, after about a year and a half, died; John F. Smith, three or four years; W. H. Van Doren, three or four years. In July, 1864, L. W. Chapman became minister of the church, and continued until May, 1870. In July following, J. M. Hughes commenced his labors, and was installed as pastor a few months afterward.

For a short time after the organization of the church, their meetings were held in the house of the United Presbyterians. The next year they built a frame meeting-house on Front street, between Walnut and Market streets. Their present brick church edifice on South Fifth street was commenced in July, 1852, and dedicated in January or February, 1854.

Source: "History Of Wayne County", Andrew W. Young, pg. 401, Cincinnati: Robert Clarke & Co., 1872.

Richmond Palladium, December 7, 1869; Page 3, Col. 4

Among the many who were attracted to our young city in the days of its infancy, were certain staunch Puritans of the Presbyterian persuasion. Their number was however too small to admit of a church organization, and they were content to hold meetings in private dwellings, until the fall of 1837, when, on the 15th of November, the First Presbyterian Church of Richmond was organized, by Rev. Peter H. Golliday and Rev. Edgar Hughes, with thirty-two members, of whom only four or five yet survive.

The first meetings for worship were held in a double brick house on the north side of Main, between Pearl and Front streets; but after the organization they were held every other Sabbath in the Associate Reform Church on South Pearl street. The society continued to worship here until there own church was completed, early in the spring of 1839. This building, located on the east side of Front street, a few doors south of Walnut, was a plain wooden structure, twenty-four feet wide, by thirty-six deep. It contained but a single room, which was finished with a small pulpit, and some fifteen or twenty wooden benches, yet it was all the society desired, - a place where they might worship God after the manner of Calvin and Knox. Here they continued to meet for more than sixteen years.

Rev. Charles Sturdevant was at first the Stated Supply; but in September 1841, Rev. Thomas Whallon was installed as the first regular pastor, which place he filled until his death in 1845; Mr. Whallon was beloved by his whole congregation, and his death cast a gloom over the church which was not soon dissipated.

For the next year there was no resident pastor, the pulpit being occasionally filled by Rev. A. R. Naylor, until the spring of 1846, when Francis P. Monfort, a licentiate at the time, was appointed to the charge, and during the same year he was ordained and installed as regular pastor. In 1851 the pulpit was again vacant, and during the following winter, subscriptions were started for the purpose of erecting a new church building. Mr. Thomas Hanna donated a house and lot valued at $1200.00; providing the church should be built within three years; and Chas. W. Starr, who yet lives in the memory of many of our readers, gave a vacant lot on south Fifth street, only stipulating that a place should be constructed for a clock, at least sixty feet from the ground. The church was completed within three years, and a place left in the spire for a clock; but alas! it remains to this day vacant, the clock is wanting.

In 1854 the new church was formally opened by Rev. C. Leavenworth. The number of communicants at this time was about eighty, new members were however received at almost every meeting of the session, and on Dec. 27th, 1857, Rev. J. F. Smith being at this time pastor, thirty-four persons were admitted one meeting.

In the fall of 1860 Mr. Smith was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Van Doran, one of the most able preachers ever stationed in our city, who continued until the winter of 1863, when he resigned his position and has since been engaged in preparing a commentary on the Bible. The pulpit being now again vacant, several candidates appeared, the most prominent of whom were Rev. J. R. Geyer, and Rev. L. W. Chapman. The choice fell upon the latter gentleman, who has continued to faithfully perform all the duties of pastor since that time. Such is a brief outline of the history of this church, commencing with a membership of thirty two, it now has upon its rolls the names of two hundred and thirty-seven active members, of whom sixty-three have been added during the present year.

The great schism which divided the church in 1837, had no effect upon the little band. There were no new schoolmen among them, and they all clung, and have ever continued to cling to the old school branch. Hence during the late reunion of the branches, there have been no old differences to adjust, no old wounds to heal, and no lacerated parts to bind together. The organization has remained alike unchanged by the separation and reunion.

The building in which the society has at various time worshipped have undergone many vicissitudes. The dwelling on Main street has given place to a business house, at present occupied as a butcher shop. The old Associate Reform Church has been moved on to the Public Square, and the pedagogue now occupies the place once filled by the preacher: while the frame church on Front street was first transformed into a carpenter shop and then into a modern dwelling house. The Fifth street church is still occupied by the society, and late improvements have rendered it one of the most commodious and comfortable in the city. The exterior however bears evidence of neglect which a coat of paint would tend much to remove.

Richmond Item, June 8, 1886; Page 1, Col. 3

On the 15th day of November, 1837, by appointment of the presbytery of Oxford, Rev. Peter H. Gallday and Rev. Edgar Hughes appeared for the purpose of examining members with reference to the organization of a Presbyterian church in this place. Thereupon the following persons presented certificates of good and regular standing in sister churches, which were examined and approved:

John Dougan and Martha Ann, his wife; John B. Taylor and Elizabeth, his wife; Mrs. Margaret Fryar, Mary Fryar, Centhia Fryar, Thomas Young and Rebecca, his wife; Fielding Young, Margaret E. Young, Wm. Clinedinst, Jane Williams, Ann Sayre, Eliza Hamilton, Nancy Park, Nathan B. Cochran and Harriet, his wife; Ellis G. Young and Rebecca, his wife; Ebenezer Bishop and Laura, his wife; Parmelia Maxwell, Larkin Gordon and Dicey, his wife; Wm. McGookin, Sarah Sturdevant, Joseph Watson, Sara Jeffries, Wm. McGlathery, Lavinia Fryar and Jane R. Thompson, who were examined on experimental religion and received into the church of Christ, and after adopting the standards of the Presbyterian church and promising to study its peace and prosperity, were solemnly organized and set apart by prayer and the invocation of the blessing of God as a Church of Christ, and styled the First Presbyterian church of Richmond, Ind. John Dougan, Wm. McGlathery and John B. Taylor having been ordained as elders in other churches, were unanimously chosen as the first ruling elders.

On the following day the session met for the first time, all the elders being present, and Rev. Chas. Sturdevant, the first pastor, acting as moderator, and two more persons were received into the church--Peter Baird and Mary Baird.

The church was organized in the Associate Reformed church, on the Public Square, where the 1st ward public school building now stands. Services were held in that church and in the school-houses alternately until 1838, when the first church building was erected on then Front street, east side, one and a half blocks south of Main street. Notwithstanding many difficulties and the many trials the little church had to pass through during the first years of its organization, the Lord blessed it, and during the four years' pastorate of Rev. Chas. Sturdevant a goodly number of persons were received into its fellowship and communion. To such an extent the membership had increased. In 1835 the congregation decided that a larger house of worship was necessary, and the united effort of the church was turned in that direction. A lot was given by Chas. W. Starr on 5th street, near Main, and by generous subscriptions of members and citizens a church building was erected superior to any other in the place at that time, costing between $5,000 and $6,000. This building was dedicated to the service of the Lord in February, 1854, and here blessing went and many were the outpourings of his spirit upon it. Improvements were made from time to time on this building, by placing a fine bell in the steeple costing $500, and by establishing the basement in 1866; and in 1873 a fine organ, costing $1,000, was placed in the building. In 1878 it became necessary to enlarge the building in order to accommodate the large congregation. This was done at a cost of about $4,000.

Early in the morning of August 22d, 1885, the church was struck by lightning, and taking fire, was so nearly destroyed that at a called meeting of the officers, held a few days after, it was decided not to rebuild. A committee was appointed for the purpose of securing a lot on which to erect a new building and to dispose of the old.

After the fire, the services were held in the Grand Opera house for three months, and then in the basement of the old building until the new church was ready for occupancy.

Five subscription books were opened, and the response from the members and friends of the congregation was so generous that at a meeting of the board held on the 1st of December a building committee consisting of Wm. G. Scott, D. K. Zeller, John L. Thompson, Frank VanUxem and M. H. Dill were appointed, whose duty it was to make arrangements for and superintend the erection of the new church building. A number of plans from as many different architects were submitted for inspection, and after a careful examination of the same that of Sidney J. Osgood, of Grand Rapids, Mich., was unanimously adopted. Bids for the construction of the building were advertised for, and on January 20th, 1886, the contract was awarded to Roberts & Keeler for $20,000, to be completed by January 1st, 1887. On the 17th of March the stakes were driven and on the 22d, at 1 p. m. ground was broken; and on April 15th the first foundation stones for the erection of the new building were placed on the northwest corner of 10th and north A streets.

The ministers who have served this charge are: Rev. Chas Sturdivant, for 1837 to 1842; Rev. Thomas Whalen, from 1842 to 1845; Rev. A. B. Naylor, from 1845 to 1846; Rev. Francis P. Munfort, from 1847 to 1851; Rev. H. L. McGuire, from 1852, to 1853, when he died; Rev. C. Leavenworth, from 1854 to 1856; Ref. John F. Smith, from 1856 to 1859; Rev. W. H. Vandoren, from 1860 to 1863; Rev. J. R. Geyer--supply; Rev. L. W. Chapman, from 1864-1870; Rev. I. M. Hughes, D. D., from 1870 to date--sixteen years.

The ruling elders in this church have been John Dougan, Wm. McGlathery and John B. Taylor, elected at the organization, 1837; Moses C. Browning and Wm. L. Fryar, 1840; Thomas Hanna, 1842; Wm. Blanchard and Robert Fox, 1846; John Saylor, 1851; Eli Collins, Almond Sampson and W. G. Scott, 1864; John Cheney and D. K. Zeller, 1870; John L. Thompson and C. B. Walker, 1876; George H. Grant and J. R. Preston, 1878; J. A. Zeller, Arthur Chase and George Edwards, 1883; C H. Chambers, C. B. Hunt and Frank VanUxem, 1885; making twenty-five in all, nine of whom are known to be deceased.

While the corner-stone was being lowered into place and sealed, the congregation all joined in singing "Coronation," after which Rev. hallam pronounced a benediction, and with "Old Hundred", the congregation dispersed.