USA > Indiana > Marion County > Indianapolis > Manual of the First Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis, together with a history of the same, from its organization in July, 1823, to November 12, 1876 > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 01292 7775
GENEALOGY 977.202 IN3GRE
1823. 1878. HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, AND
MANUAL
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, OF THE
OF
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
JOHN G. DOUGHTY, PRINTER, INDIANAPOLIS.
WITHDRAWN FROM MBNEH
MANUAL
OF THE
First resbyterian
Church
OF
INDIANAPOLIS.
TOGETHER WITH
A HISTORY OF THE SAME,
FROM ITS
ORGANIZATION IN JULY, 1823, TO NOVEMBER 12, 1876,
BY
REV. JAMES GREENE, OF THE PRESBYTERY OF INDIANAPOLIS.
INDIANAPOLIS: JOHN G. DOUGHTY, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER. 1878.
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
Behold! I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands ; thy walls are continually before me .- Isaiah xlix : 16.
T HE history of this church has its origin at a period only about two years later than the organ- ization of the town itself. The Legislature. at its ses- sion in January, 1820, appointed a Commission of ten persons to select a site for the capital of the State. Only five accepted the trust. These gentlemen. after examining various localities, finally settled upon two, one of which they agreed should be their final choice. These were the mouth of Fall Creek, and the Bluff's of White River. After thorough examination of both, and abundant discussion of the advantages afforded by each, they proceeded to determine the question by vote, when the present locality was chosen by a major- ity of one. The Legislature, at its session in January, 1>21, confirmed the choice of the commissioners, and at the suggestion of the late Judge Sullivan, of Madi- son, one of the committee appointed to draw up the Bill of Confirmation, conferred upon the infant capital its euphonious and appropriate name.
As soon as this important measure was adopted,
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population began to gather in, and amongst the earli- est settlers were a few Presbyterian families. The first sermon from a Presbyterian Minister was preached by Rev. Ludwell G. Gaines, a Missionary from Ohio, on the 21st of August, 1821. The service was in the open air, under the shade of a spreading walnut, near the south- west corner of Washington and Mississippi streets. The youthful chorister of that service, not long since passed away in the person of the venerable and esteemed Col. Samuel D. Maxwell.
Mr. Gaines appears to have spent but one Sabbath with the infant settlement, and the next ministerial visitor was Rev. David C. Proctor, who came in May, 1822, as a Missionary of the Connecticut Missionary Society. He spent one week here, preaching several times, and so far to general acceptance, that measures were taken to secure his services for one-half the time, from the first of October following. During this inter- val, Rev. Isaac Reed, a Missionary under the Presby- terian Board of Missions, visited the locality and preached on several occasions. He was a man of very moderate abilities, but of commendable zeal and in- dustry in the Master's work. He was much addicted to publishing narratives of his tours and other autobi- ographical matter, and left two or three small volumes of such literature.
On the first of October, Mr. Proctor returned in pursuance of the engagement made with him in the previous May, which, however, was modified so as to secure three-fourths of his time, in consideration of
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which, he was to receive 8400, or, it was discreetly pro- vided, "so much of it as could be collected." At the expiration of the year thus stipulated for, the congre- gation did not desire to retain Mr. Proctor's services longer, and he left. Subsequently he married in Vir- ginia, and soon after removed to Kentucky, and spent the remainder of his life in that State. He died Jan- uary 17th, 1865.
In his ministry with this infant church, Mr. Proctor gave a promise of usefulness that was hardly redeemed by his riper years. He was well furnished by educa- tion for his work, and at the beginning of his career, manifested enthusiasm in it. Becoming possessed of a considerable estate. however, by his marriage, the care and increase of it divided his time more than evenly with the work of the ministry. His preaching lost its vitality and force. It does not appear that he was ever settled as a pastor, though usually preaching to one or more small churches in his vicinity. He was distant and frigid in his manners, and formal in his speech : thus failing to add by personal influence to the effect of his ministrations, and falling below the measure of usefulness that might justly have been ex- pected of him.
During Mr. Proctor's ministry, efforts were made to secure a house of worship. A subscription was set on foot and $1,200 pledged to the object. A frame build- ing, fifty-four feet by thirty-four was erected on part of the spot now covered by the "Talbott Block," on North Pennsylvania street. The building was begun
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in May, (1823,) and so far completed as to permit of public worship being held in it on the first Sabbath of the following July. The building committee consisted of Dr. Isaac Coe, James Blake and Daniel Yandes- the last still living, a hale and active octogenarian. The committee discharged their trust vigorously, but found that the amount subscribed would be deficient several hundred dollars. But the wit of pioneers be- comes sharpened by exigencies, and the committee was equal to this emergency. Dr. Coe and Mr. Blake car- ried forward the work to completion, the carpenters agreeing to take their orders on Mr. Nicholas MeCarty, the only merchant in the village, for goods, and Mr. McCarty generously agreeing to honor such orders and wait the convenience of the committee for payment. The inconvenience growing out of the scarcity of money was thus overcome, and a neat and convenient house of worship, suited to the day and to the people, was erected and completed. The cost of the building and the ground was $1,600.
Hitherto mention has been made of the material fabric only. The policy of these sturdy builders of "the church in the wilderness," was different from that most generally adopted. It is common first to organize the body of believers into a church, and then to erect for it, with such expedition as may be, the material and local habitation. The founders of this church adopted the opposite course, and built a house for God, before there was a church to occupy it. They were not, however, any less diligent in the completion
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than in the inception of their plan. On Saturday, July 5th, 1>23, a church organization was effected, eight persons presenting letters of dismission from other churches, and seven being received on examina tion, making the total of the original membership fifteen. Rev. Mr. Proctor was assisted on this occasion by Rev. Isaac Reed, already mentioned, and by Rev. William Martin, who arrived here on that day, being on a journey. The organization was effected in the celebrated Cabinet Shop of Caleb Scudder, where, also, preaching was held during the summer. Dr. Coe and Mr. Soudder were elected elders, and on the fol- lowing day, being Sabbath, July 6th, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered in the new church. On July 7th, the church, by vote, requested to be taken under the care of the Presbytery of Louis- ville. at that time the nearest and most convenient one. During the same month a weekly prayer meet- ing was begun, and thus the infant church, (its foun. 1- ers having been for a year pa-t active workers in the Union Sabbath School.) was fully equipped and fur- nished for work in the Master's cause.
After Mr. Proctor's departure at the close of his first year of service, an invitation was addressed to Rev. William Martin, who had assisted at the organi- zation of the church, to return, but the letter failed to reach him until six months after its date, and the church, meanwhile, had sought a minister elsewhere. Attention had been drawn to Rev. George Bush, a licentiate of the Presbytery of New York, then at
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Morristown, New Jersey. He was invited to visit the church, and in compliance therewith, arrived here on the 9th of July, 1824, bearing the commission of the General Assembly as a Missionary.
Mr. Bush entered immediately upon his labors, which met with such acceptance that in September fol- lowing, he was unanimously called to the pastoral charge of the church, at a salary of $400. The church had now been transferred to the Presbytery of Salem, and Mr. Bush was ordained and installed by a com- mittee of that body, on March 5th, 1825, the service being held in the Court House, as the new church was at that time receiving some finishing touches. Mr. Bush attended the General Assembly of that year as a commissioner, and on his return in July, brought his wife with him, to whom he had been married in his absence from his charge.
In November, 1826, the Session was enlarged by the election to the eldership of Messrs. Ebenezer Sharpe. John G. Brown and John Johnston.
The years 1827 and '28 were a season of severe trial. Although Mr. Bush at his ordination, had given full assent to the Form of Government of the Presbyterian Church, it is not easy to see how he could have done so sincerely. It came to light that he had previously expressed doubts as to the scripture warrant for that system, and soon after his settlement, frequently and boldly denounced it from the pulpit as contrary to the law of Christ. This gave the Session much concern. They remonstrated with the pastor, and being unwill-
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ing to proceed to extremities in view of his general ac- ceptableness and ability. they besought him to with- hold the expression of his views in public; but to this he would not consent. In April, 1827, he was requested by the Home Missionary Society to visit the East, for the purpose of exhibiting the needs of the West, and arousing interest in its behalf. Before leaving he ad- dressed an elaborate communication to the Session, in which he set forth his views of the scripture idea of church government. Dr. Coe, in his record of the fact. says, " the plan thus embodied was not like any system on earth." During Mr. Bush's absence, which contin- ued until October, a very elaborate correspondence on the matter in controversy was maintained between the Session and himself, in which the polemic talent of Dr. Coe, and the classic pen of Ebenezer Sharpe, did val- iant service for the truth.
Finally, after Mr. Bush's return, the church ap- plied to the Presbytery of Wabash, to which it had been transferred, for a dissolution of the pastoral rela- tion. The Presbytery assembled and dissolved the re- lation. Mr. Bush carried the case by complaint to the Synod. The Synod ratified the act of the Presbytery. Mr. Bush angrily and defiantly avowed his determina- tion not to leave the field ; and for nearly a year, still claiming to be pastor of this church, he preached in the Court House, being sustained by a subscription of non-professors, and members of unevangelical bodies. His supporters finally wearied of this burden, and in March, 1829, he left for the East and returned no more.
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He never sought another pastoral charge. Several years were spent in the Hebrew professorship of the University of New York, and in the service of the American Bible Society, for both which positions his great attainments in oriental literature eminently fitted him. But finally he gave the strongest possible proof of the wisdom of the first Session of this church, in obtaining a severance from him, by adopting the faith of Swedenborgianism. He held to the vagaries of that system until his death, which occurred in 1859, at the age of 63 years.
With fine talents and large attainments, Mr. Bush lacked that balance of mind which insures steadfast- ness of purpose; and by the death of his wife, which occurred at an early period in her married life, he was deprived of an influence that was eminently conserva- tive and restraining, in the quarter where he most needed it.
In October, 1828. nearly a year before Mr Bush's withdrawal, Rev. John R. Moreland, of the Presbytery of West Lexington, Kentucky, accepted a Call to the vacant pastorate, though no record is found of the date of his installation. He had enjoyed no early oppor- tunities of education, not even learning to read until he was eighteen years of age. Several years of his early manhood were spent as a flat-boatman on west- ern rivers. Of course he did not enter the ministry until comparatively late in life. His preaching, natu- rally, was not characterized by polish of diction or the graces of oratory, but did abound in a rugged and
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pointed eloquence that was not destitute of impressive- ness and effect. He also by laborious and conscientious study, overcame in a great degree, the disadvantage of lack of early training, and beside much general information, acquired a very respectable knowledge of the original languages of the scriptures.
The church, while Mr. Bush was preaching in the. Court House, had held no services except by occasional supplies, and the membership had, to some extent, be- come scattered and disheartened. Mr. Moreland gath- ered the elements together again, and by the blessing of God upon his energetic labors in and out of the pul- pit, the church was revived and strengthened. During the first eighteen months of his ministry, sixty persons were added to the church, making the total member- ship exactly one hundred. His valuable labors were terminated by death, after a pastorate of less than three years, on the 13th of October, 1832. It was dur- ing his ministry that the venerable James Blake, now gone to his rest, and James M. Ray, co-workers in the vineyard for so many years, united with the church by a public profession of faith.
Rev. William A. Holliday served the church as Stated Supply for two years from February, 1833. During most of the remainder of his life he was a worshipper in this congregation. He died December 16th, 1866, and by his liberal benefactions to the cause of christian education, by the memory of his upright life, and Christ-like spirit, "he, being dead, yet speak. eth."
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In September, 1834, Rev. James W. McKennan, of Western Pennsylvania, visited the church by invita- tion, and his labors proving acceptable and useful. he was installed as pastor on the 16th of June, 1835. When he became a subject of renewing grace, he was pursuing the study of law, but from a conviction of duty, abandoned further preparation for that profes- sion, and devoted himself to the ministry. He is de- scribed as a man of sincere and eminent piety, of re- spectable attainments, not brilliant in his pulpit efforts, but sound, instructive and edifying. His connection with the church was terminated at his own request. for what cause is not recorded, in April, 1839, though at the earnest request of the church, he continued to serve as Stated Supply until the following October, when he accepted a call to the church of Circleville, Ohio. Sub- sequently, he was settled over several other churches, and for several years filled a chair in Washington College, Pennsylvania. His laborious and useful life was terminated at the age of 57, on the 19th of July, 1861.
During Mr. McKennan's ministry here of about five years, one hundred and forty were added to the church, among whom were some who are still bearing the burden and heat of the day in this same vineyard ; and yet, when Mr. MeKennan resigned his charge, the entire membership numbered but one hundred and thirty. Three causes help to account for this fact. Death had transferred many to the church above: a number of others had removed beyond the bounds of
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this church, and during this ministry a number had withdrawn to form the first Episcopal church organized in the town. Their preferences, and the membership of some, had previously been with that body : but as long as no church of their first choice existed here. they wisely gave their aid and influence to that organ- ization where they could be most comfortable and u-e- ful. And also during the same year, (1837.) that great division of the Presbyterian Church occurred, causing two branches, known until the happy re-union in 1 69, as the Old and the New School. This church, like many others. felt the effect of that concussion, and fifteen members. (eleven males and four females,) with- drew and formed the organization now known as the Second Presbyterian Church, the original one from that time taking the designation of the First.
It is gratifying to state that while many similar di- visions of churches at that time resulted in bickerings. strife and even litigation, nothing of the kind occurred here. The seceding party asked for a just and equitable division of the church property, and appointed two of their number, Messrs. Daniel Yandes and Samuel Mer- rill. to represent them in the negotiation. Dr. Isaac Coe and Mr. James M. Ray, were appointed a similar committee on the part of this church. A basis of action was readily agreed upon, and the transaction completed to the satisfaction of both parties, in a fra- ternal and christian manner. How good and how pleasant it is to be able to say, that from that day to this. no root of bitterness. no envy or uncharitableness
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has sprung up between the venerable mother and the loving daughter, now herself developed into healthful and active maturity. In locality, it has happened that they have always been, and are still likely long to be, near neighbors. In faith and zeal and efficient working for Christ, may they always be found, side by side, striving together against the common Enemy, for the salvation of souls, and the glory of God.
From October 1839, the time of Mr. McKennan's departure, until the beginning of the following year, the church had no regular supply. In January, 1840, Rev. Samuel Fulton, a licentiate, was engaged for the period of three months. At the expiration of that time he was unanimously called to the pastoral charge, but being apprehensive that his health would not en- dure this climate, he desired that the Call should not be prosecuted.
In seeking their next pastor, the church made ap- plication to the Professors of Princeton Theological Seminary, and asked to be recommended to a suitable man among the students about to graduate. They were put in correspondence with Rev. Phineas D. Gur- ley, a licentiate of the Presbytery of North River, New York, who was accordingly invited to supply the church for the period of six months. Mr. Gurley ac- cepted the invitation, and arrived on the ground in October, 1840. When only two months of the term had expired, he received a unanimous Call to the pas- toral care of the church. It was accepted, and the installation took place on December 15th, 1840. This
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relation continued until November, 1849, being a few days short of nine years, when it was dissolved at Mr. Gurley's request, he having accepted a Call to the First Church of Dayton, Ohio.
It is a noteworthy fact that the fourth pastorate was, by a little over six months, the longest that ha- existed in this church to this day, that of Dr. Nixon, the seventh, being next. The result of Dr. Gurley'- ministry, (that degree being subsequently conferred upon him,) were alike strengthening to the church. and creditable to himself. Seasons of revival were repeat- edly enjoyed during his ministry, some of the fruits of which still continue among us.
Dr. Gurley was ranked among the able men of his day in our church, though probably very few have had less reason to complain of being rated below their worth. In his preaching he was clear and practical ; in his utterances solemn and deliberate: and not being a specially ready speaker, he was accustomed to write his sermons in full, and deliver them from the manu- script. Ilis voice, naturally deep and mellow, was im- proved by diligent musical cultivation, and lent its charm to the general effect. In his several pastoral charges he enjoyed a more than average degree of pop- ularity. Beside the merit of his preaching, his social manners were affable, though always dignified; his piety was warm and earnest, and his heart responsive to every call of sympathy. These traits made him wel- come both to the pulpits of his brethren and the fire- sides of his people. He was called away in the
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zenith of his power, while filling his third pastoral charge, that of the F Street Church, in the city of Washington. He died at his home in that city, on the 30th of September, 1868, at the age of 51.
In the first year of Dr. Gurley's ministry, it became evident that the frame church building on Pennsyl- vania street was "too strait " for the congregation, and measures were adopted looking to the erection of a larger house, and in a more eligible locality. The building and lot were transferred to Dr. Isaac Coe, for $250 in cash, and lot 14, in block 45, which was adopted as the site of the new house, being the North- east corner of Market and Circle Streets, now occupied by the Printing House of the Indianapolis Journal Company. A plan for the proposed church was pre- pared by Mr. John Elder, and a Building Committee appointed, consisting of Messrs. Coe, Sheets, Blake, Blythe and Elder. The house was to be of brick. The corner-stone was laid with due ceremony, on the 7th day of October, 1841, and the building was sol- emnly dedicated to the worship and service of Al- mighty God, on the 6th day of May, 1843. The sermon was preached by the pastor, a portion of which, with the prayer of dedication, is preserved among the Records of the Congregation.
The edifice of which we have been speaking, and of the final disposal of which, in 1866, it will be ap- propriate to speak in another place, is hallowed in the memory of many of you as the theatre of four succes- sive and able pastorates, in each of which the ministry
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of the word was made effective, not only by the ordi- nary, but also by extraordinary manifestations of the power of God's Spirit, in the renewing of his people, and the conversion of sinners.
At Dr. Gurley's resignation, the Session consisted of the following elders: Dr. Isaac Coe, Caleb Scudder John Johnston, James Blake, James M. Ray and Samuel Bigger, the last of whom was elected while Governor of the State
Rev. Charles S. Mills, Principal of a Female Semi- nary in the town, supplied the pulpit with acceptance, from November, 1549, until September of the following year.
The Session having become weakened by the re- moval of several of its members, Messrs. Charles Ax- tell, (who subsequently entered the ministry,) Horatio C. Newcomb and Thomas H. Sharpe, were, on Febru- ary 27th, 1:50, elected elders, Mr. Axtell, however. having been previously ordained to the office in another congregation.
In September, 1851, while the church was still des- titute of a pastor, twenty-one members, including elders Scudder, Blake and Newcomb, requested letters of dismission, for the purpose of organizing another church. The request was granted, and the organiza- tion soon after effected by a Committee of the Presby- tery of Muncie. Twenty additional members with- drew soon after to aid the new organization. This was the origin of the Third Presbyterian Church of In- dianapolis, which has now just completed the 25th
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year of its existence. The many tokens of the Divine favor it has enjoyed, and the prosperity and usefulness it has attained show conclusively that it was founded in accordance with the will of God ; and in a probable new locality, an enlarged sphere of active usefulness seems to be opening before it.
In the fall of the same year, (1851,) a Call to the pastoral, charge was addressed to Rev. John A. Mc- Clung, of the Presbytery of Ebenezer, Kentucky, which was accepted, and the installation effected on the last day of the year. Dr. McClung's ministry of nearly four years, (he received the degree of Doctor of Divin- ity after leaving this charge,) resulted in a large in- crease to the membership of the church, and uniformly drew to it the strangers in the city, and very fre- quently the prominent and resident members of the bar, connected with other congregations, or with none. The Session was also enlarged during his ministry by the election of the late William Sheets, and Thomas MacIntire, in 1854; the latter having been ordained to the office in Columbus, Ohio.
Dr. Medlung exists in the memory of many of you as a character marked by strong and notable traits. The present occasion admits of nothing more than the merest outline of his remarkable and eventful life. He was converted at the age of 16, while absent from home at school, and from a deep conviction of duty, soon resolved on devoting his life to the service of God in the ministry. Accordingly, he entered the
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