USA > Kentucky > Franklin County > Frankfort > A history of the First Presbyterian Church, Frankfort, Kentucky, together with the churches in Franklin County, in connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America > Part 8
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Mr. John B. Temple took charge of the music in 1853 in our present church. The choir for a short time occupied the gallery over the front doors, but the posi- tion was found to be unsuitable and unpleasant to all concerned, and the singers then occupied a position in the middle block of pews. In pitching the tunes and in learning new ones at the rehearsals, Mr. Temple used a
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* See Appendix.
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flute, the church not as yet having an instrument to lead the music. It was largely due to Mr. Temple's influence and efforts that the first church organ was introduced, in 1857. The cost was $1,100, and it was considered a good instrument at the time. Miss Kendall, a music teacher in one of the female schools of the town, was the first organist. She was succeeded by Miss Anna Davidson, one of the most delightful singers and accom- plished musicians ever identified with our church. Mr. Temple relinquished the leadership of the choir to Mr. S. C. Bull, who has had charge continuously to the present time.
During her residence in Frankfort, Mrs. John M. Harlan, as organist and instructor, brought the choir to a high degree of proficiency, until it became one of the most noted in the State. In addition to Mrs. Har- lan's superb voice, there were three others of surpass- ing beauty and excellence, those of Miss Lucy Lindsey and Miss Anne Todd, sopranos, and Miss Hallie Todd, contralto -four voices seldom equaled, never surpassed, within our knowledge in a voluntary choir. But con- gregational singing has been the leading feature, in the service of praise, in this congregation, and truly so during the present generation since the standing posi- tion was assumed in singing. In 1870 Mr. E. A. Fell- mer, an accomplished musician and instructor, took charge as organist. This position he filled with ability and great faithfulness for eighteen years. In view of his long and devoted service, special action was taken for record by the session in accepting his resignation. About the year 1890, in order to aid this branch of the service and lead the congregation, a cornet and other
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musical instruments were introduced, and used with acceptance for several years, until the building of the superb organ now in use. To the Young Ladies' Sew- ing Society of the church is principally due the honor of the purchase of this instrument, which is from the factory of the Hook & Hastings Company, of Boston, one of the leading organ building firms of the country.
The choir as now constituted, and under the training of Miss Harriet McClure, well maintains the reputation of former years, and is doing excellent service in lead- ing the music and in special solo and choral work. The monthly " praise service," in which both choir and congregation unite, is one most heartily enjoyed by all who attend, and is a means of grace and spiritual com- fort to some who are deprived of the privilege of participating actively in this service of song.
Mr. S. C. Bull, who has been actively identified with the choir for forty years as leader and manager, is still in charge, with zeal and voice unabated.
The personnel of the choir at present, 1901, is as follows :
Sopranos: Miss Webster, Miss Crutcher, Miss Pepper, Miss Chinn.
Contraitos : Miss McClure, Mrs. Rodgers.
Tenors: J. M. Vanderveer, Ben M. Keenon.
Bassos : S. C. Bull, G. F. Berry, R. K. McClure, Jr.
S. C. Bull, manager and leader.
Miss Harriet McClure, instructor and director.
Miss Annie Brown, organist.
CHARLES E. HOGE, Chairman of Board of Deacons.
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SPIRITUALITY AND REVIVALS.
Allusion has been made in another place to the revival epochs in our country. The year 1828 was the beginning of the third great religious awakening which extended over the East and West, continuing eight or ten years. As was the case with the one which began with the century, the effects were more marked in Ken- tucky than elsewhere, but it differed somewhat from the others in the fact that the regularly ordained ministry was the principal instrument honored and used by the Head of the Church in reaching the unconverted. Pas- tors over the land left. for the time being, their pulpits and became evangelists. Among the most distinguished and successful of these were: Dr. Nettleton, in the East ; Dr. Daniel Baker, in the South, and Dr. Nathan Hall, in Kentucky. In our Synod alone over five thousand persons were added to the Presbyterian Church. The number joining the Frankfort Church was not excep- tionally large, being less than one hundred, yet it included a large number of prominent men and women, heads of families and people of influence. Many of these became most useful and honored members and officers of the church; not a few of them were spared to bring forth much fruit to the honor and glory of God, even down to old age, bearing testimony by their godly lives, to their children and to their children's chil- dren, of the faith and power of the gospel. Mr. Edgar was assisted in these special services by Rev. Dr. Nathan Hall, at that time pastor at Lexington, a preacher of great earnestness and power.
The religious interest throughout the State con- tinted during Dr. Edgar's pastorate, and also that of
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Dr. Baker, who succeeded him. The practice of Pres- bytery at that, as well as at other periods of the early church, was to direct the pastors to do evangelistic work in the destitute parts of its territory, and these two gifted men were frequently appointed for special work else- where. This was the cause of much restlessness and some discontent in our church, so much so that at last our session felt justified in forwarding a remonstrance on the subject to Presbytery, in which among other things it was said: "We are only willing that Bro. Baker may take another missionary tour under the order of Presbytery until the first, but no longer than the middle, of December, provided Rev. W. W. Hall supply the pulpit in his absence, and provided further that this session shall have the privilege of recalling Bro. Baker at any time, even before the first of December, if his presence here is necessary." During the next two pas- torates, Dr. Bullock's and Dr. Robinson's, although there was no very large ingathering at any one time, the membership steadily increased, and the ratio was well maintained during the decade 1850-1860. When there was religious interest and the services were mul- tiplied, they were conducted by the pastors without out- side help, and in looking over the list of accessions to the roll between 1840 and 1860, one is impressed by the goodly array of names and the increased spiritual strength that came to the church during that period. In 1840 Dr. Bullock received fifty-seven ; in 1842, twenty- five. In 1849 Dr. Robinson received fifty-five, and in 1857 Dr. Safford thirty-six upon profession. The spirit of revival, which had again returned, and was moving over the land in 1857-8, was checked by the disturbed state of the country and the political excitement pre-
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ceding the Civil War. After the close of hostilities it reasserted itself, and the revival opened afresh in various parts of the Church.
There was no special ingathering in this church, but it experienced a steady conservative growth during the decades 1860-70 and 1870 to 1879. In this latter year the church was greatly refreshed in a series of special services, continuing through the month of February. The pastor, Rev. J. W. Pugh, was assisted by Rev. Dr. J. L. McKee, of Danville, whose labors as an evangelist have been so greatly blessed throughout the churches of Kentucky and adjacent States. Fifty-five services were conducted during the meeting, which number rep- resents also the additions to the church upon profession of faith. In 1881 Dr. McKee again visited the church, and with the pastor conducted a series of services, dur- ing which about thirty persons were added upon pro- fession. Under the present pastorate, 1884 to 1901, the membership has increased from two hundred and forty- three to four hundred and forty-six. In the year 1894 the churches of the city united in a series of evangelistic services, conducted by Rev. B. Fay Mills, a grandson of Judge Benj. Mills, one of the early elders of this church. He was the son of Rev. Thornton A. Mills, who was reared in our church and entered the gospel ministry here, and became an eminent and useful preacher. At the date above mentioned, 1894, Rev. B. Fay Mills was a minister in good standing in the Presbyterian Church. As a result of these services ninety-nine persons were added to our church, besides numerous accessions to the other churches of the city, whose pastors and members co-operated heartily in the work. With the exception of the series of special serv-
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ices mentioned, the steady growth of our church has been due to the blessing of God upon the ordinary means of grace, which he has instituted in the church, the labors of a long line of earnest and faithful preach- ers of the Word, and the lives and prayers of his people. In this connection we must not by any means omit to mention that great "feeder " of the church, the Sab- bath-school, from which the church receives much of its strength, and which should be the object of our most hearty solicitude and support. For an extended sketch of our church school, see Chapter V.
BENEVOLENCE.
Although our General Assembly, soon after its organization in 1789, authorized the employment of missionary workers in the destitute portions of the States, yet the Board of Missions was not established until the year 1816, a Standing Committee on Missions having been appointed in 1805. As early as 1771 a plan for the education of poor and pious young men for the ministry was adopted by the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, yet the Board of Education of our Church was not organized until 1819. The Boards of Publica- tion and Foreign Missions were formed in 1838, Church Erection in 1814, Ministerial Relief in 1855, Freedman's Board in 1865, and the Board of Aid for Colleges in 1883.
The first mention of the Frankfort Church in the statistical tables of the General Assembly was in the year 1820. The Presbytery of West Lexington, to which this church was attached, reported twenty-seven
T. L. EDELEN, Secretary of Board of Deacons.
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churches and twelve ministers. The Frankfort Church was credited by thirty dollars for Home Missions, and was the only church in the Presbytery contributing to this cause. To the Theological Seminary Fund this church gave more than any of the older and stronger congregations, and in addition sent a special gift of sixty-seven dollars to Princeton Seminary, through the Board of Education, from the "Female Education Society of the Frankfort Church." This Society had been formed January, 1820, in response to an appeal to the churches made by the General Assembly the previous year. The reasons given show a loyal and prompt obedience to the appeal, and may be read with interest in this connection :
" In consequence of an address made by the General Assembly to the churches under its charge, stating the low state of the funds of the theological school at Princeton, and appealing in its behalf to the liberality of the churches, we, the subscribing members of the Presbyterian Church of Frankfort, and others who are friendly to the interests of religion, promise to con- tribute annually (if able) the sums annexed to our names, payable hereafter in the first week of January, to be used solely for the education of young men designed for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, and to be sent to Princeton Seminary for that purpose.
" This subscription is not intended to supersede or in any manner interfere with the Cent Society, but has originated in the extreme pressure of the times, and the necessity of immediate exertion being made by the pro- fessors and friends of religion for the relief of our insti-
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tution, as being indispensably necessary to the welfare of our Church.
" From such as do not wish to become members, either ladies or gentlemen, donations will be thankfully received. All who subscribe, members or donors, will have the goodness to pay at the same time, as the amount raised must be forwarded immediately."
The paper is in the handwriting of Mrs. Margaretta Brown, and was evidently prepared by her. Her name leads on the list of subscribers, followed by that of Mrs. Love, Mrs. Mary Hanna, and thirty others, with several gentleman " donors." This was the beginning of that line of female societies of this congregation which have done such noble and faithful work, during the succeeding years, in raising funds and devising ways and means for the benefit of the church here and elsewhere.
The next year, 1822, the total contribution by the Presbytery to missions was $268, of which amount the Frankfort Church gave $182. Total to the Theological Seminary Fund, $170, of which this church gave $50.
In 1823 there was no report from the Synod of Ken- tucky in the General Assembly's Minutes, except the mention of a contribution to the Theological Seminary Fund by the Female Education Society of Frankfort. These facts and figures are given merely to show the benevolent spirit of our early church, and how " it stood for education."
In the next decade nothing worthy of special men- tion in the benevolent work of this church occurred until . 1833. Although the church was at that time without a pastor, the gift to Home Missions was $211; to Educa-
TUDGE W. H. SNEED, Deacon.
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tion, $436; to the Colonization Society, $365. In the year 1839, following the organization of the Foreign Mission Board, this church is credited in the Minutes by $400 for this cause. For a number of years our Frankfort Church had been contributing through West Lexington Presbytery to the support of a foreign mis- sionary, besides making regular collections for the American Board of Foreign Missions; but consider- able rivalry and friction having occurred between the various agencies, our church thereafter turned all its funds for this object into the treasury of our Assem- bly's Board of Foreign Missions. In the decade 1840- 1850 the benevolent contributions were well maintained. In 1847, $41I went to Home Missions, and $174 to For- eign Missions. The church has never surpassed the self-denial and liberality of its earlier years, nor kept up its contributions in proportion to its increase in numbers and financial strength. Nevertheless few years have passed without contributions being sent to all our Boards. In the centennial year of our Assembly, 1888, in compliance with the request of that august body to the churches to raise a million dollars as a centennial offering to the Board of Ministerial Relief, this church made a special effort and responded nobly to the appeal, remitting to the Board $1,235.
In the year 1883, while the church was without a pastor, the session, after due consideration, made an important change in the disposition of the benevolent funds of the congregation. This church had been spared the calamities of division when so many churches in the border States of the South were rent in twain after the Civil War. In its membership was a large ele- ment which was Southern in its sympathies and affilia-
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tions. It was proposed by the session to divide equally between the two General Assemblies, North and South, our annual contributions to Home Missions, Foreign Missions, Education, Publication and Sunday-school Work, Church Erection, Ministerial Relief and Freed- men. It was hoped that by this plan renewed interest and liberally would be aroused in the congregation, and the result has been a gratifying success. We have been enabled to give to each Assembly more than we pre- viously gave to the one. Thus, without relaxing loyalty to our own Assembly's Boards, we have been permitted to aid our brethren of the Southern Church in their labors for our common Lord and Master. Nor have they been wanting in grateful acknowledgment of the contributions sent by this church, which occupies in this matter a position altogether unique. Numbers of appre- ciative letters have been received by the treasurer of these funds, who holds the receipts of the several com- mittees of the Southern Church for contributions sent to the amount of over $4,000 .*
THE LADIES' SEWING SOCIETY.
The Ladies' Sewing Society of this church has for over sixty years been a leading factor in our church work in providing ways and means for congregational purposes. As early as 1830 a society was organized by the ladies for church work which was called by them " The Circle of Benevolent Industry." It object, besides providing clothing for the needy poor, was to make for
* See Tabular Statement.
J. W. PRUETT,
Deacon.
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sale articles of wearing apparel and other handiwork for ornament as well as use, in order to raise funds for church expenses. Mrs. Eliza Sharpe was the first President. In the small beginnings of the Society the articles of needle-work were sent around for sale in a covered basket, which is still preserved. The Society, after filling an important place in the activities of the church for some years, was finally merged into the Ladies' Sewing Society, which in the meantime had been formed.
The first effort of the Ladies' Sewing Society had been to raise funds for a scholarship in Centre College. They then devoted their energies to their own congre- gational matters, principally in providing a parsonage for the church. This was completed and paid for by the Society during Dr. Bullock's pastorate, and was occupied by him for several years. When Dr. Stuart Robinson became pastor he preferred living in South Frankfort, and at his request the Society sold the par- sonage and united with him in purchasing a larger and more desirable property on Second and Shelby Streets. Here was located the Female Academy which was inaugurated by the session of this church, and which under Dr. Robinson's superintendency became widely known as a school of high grade. Mrs. Ann Crittenden was at this time the President of the Society, having some years before succeeded Mrs. John J. Crittenden, who for many years had been a most efficient President. When the congregation undertook the building of the present house of worship, this Society entered enthusi- astically into the work, and was so successful in doing the part that it had assumed, and much more in addi- tion, that the pastor jokingly asserted that the next
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work to be undertaken by the ladies would be the erection of a new Capitol for the State.
By reference to the Treasurer's books it is evident that the Society was true to its name, and was a " Sew- ing Society " in the fullest sense. A very large variety of needlework, fancy articles and small wares was readily disposed of at fair prices, and the receipts at some of the monthly meetings for work and articles disposed of during the month amounted to fifteen and even twenty dollars, and occasionally to nearly double that sum. On April 5th, 1867, the Society was reor- ganized and strengthened by the accession of new mem- bers, and at this meeting sixty ladies were present and paid their dues. In its continuous work to the present day this Society has been an invaluable aid in provid- ing funds for the congregation, in meeting the various demands for improving, refurnishing and caring for the church building, and in tiding the congregation over repeated financial emergencies, to all of which good work the officers of the church will cheerfully testify.
The present officers are : Mrs. J. N. Crutcher, Pres- ident ; Mrs. Mary A. McClure, Treasurer; Miss Mag Page, Secretary.
THE LADIES' BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
The Ladies' Benevolent Society of this church has been in active operation about fifty years. The initial meeting was held at the house of Mrs. Thomas S. Page November 13th, 1852. The following ladies were pres- ent : Mrs. Stuart Robinson, Mrs. M. Y. Brown, Jane B. Page, Eliza P. Monroe, Jane L. Swigert. Rebecca
DR. SAMUEL E. JAMES, Deacon.
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FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
Cox, A. J. Crittenden, R. A. Samuel, Elizabeth Hodges, Mary E. Batchelor, Martha A. Roberts, Ann M. Knott, Lavinia Herndon, Harriet Page, Matilda Reading, Mary C. Munsell, Mary Williams, Sarah C. Watson, Cornelia Roberts, H. M. Brown, Hallie Todd, E. C. Strobridge, Margerite Leavy, Ann Hord, Sarah H. Sneed, Susan Rodman, Mary Hendrick, Ellen Clark, Ann E. Tilford and Miss Harvey. They were enrolled and adopted a constitution, and all present signed the same in the order above named. Mrs. M. Y. Brown was then chosen President ; Mrs. A. J. Crittenden, Vice-President ; Mrs. Leavy, Secretary, and Mrs. Batchelor, Treasurer. The town was divided into three districts, and to each was assigned five ladies, whose duty it was to visit and afford relief and sympathy to the needy and distressed, and to report their cases to the regular meetings of the Society. At the next meeting the following additional names were enrolled : Mrs. Juliet Samuel, Mrs. Margerite Hern- don, Mrs. Charlotte Letcher, Mrs. Allie Todd, Mrs. James Harlan and Miss Maria Cronley.
The dues of the Society were twenty-five cents per month, and to this revenue was added the amount of the collections for the poor made in the church.
The Society still continues the beneficent work of its founders, and through the half century has been, and still is, a fountain of blessing to the distressed poor of our church and the community.
The present officers of the Society are: Mrs. W. F. Barrett, President, and Mrs. T. L. Edelen, Secretary and Treasurer.
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THE LADIES' MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
The Ladies' Missionary Society of this church was organized March 20th, 1878. At a meeting of the ladies of the congregation on the above date, in the church, Rev. J. W. Pugh, the pastor, was present, and explained the object of the meeting, and at the request of those present, presided during the preliminary proceedings. A constitution, consisting of eleven articles, modeled after that of the Synodical Society, was adopted, and the following officers were then chosen: For Presi- dent, Mrs. Mag Gaines; for Vice-President, Mrs. Aggie Sneed; for Secretary, Miss Hallie Herndon; for Treasurer, Mrs. L. J. Tate. Eight Directors were also chosen : Mrs. Hettie Lindsay, Mrs. Wattie Crutcher. Mrs. Lizzie Bacon, Mrs. Grant Green, Misses Sue Ghieselin, Emma Pruett, Fannie Hendrick and Sallie Jackson. The city was divided into four districts, and two directors were assigned to each for special work in arranging a canvass for funds in the congregation. The collectors appointed were: Misses Lettie Todd, Sallie Sneed, Annie Bull, Annie Monroe, Mary Bush, Lena Pepper, Annie McClure and Kate Bush.
This was the beginning of our Ladies' Missionary Society, which has continued until the present time, and as an auxiliary to our Synod's Society and a component part of our General Assembly's work, represented by the Women's Board, has done noble work for Home and Foreign Missions.
The present officers are: Miss Mary Page, Presi- dent : Mrs. J. H. Graham, Vice-President : Mrs. W. F. Barrett, Treasurer : Miss Sallie Jackson, Secretary.
JUDGE W. C. HERNDON, Deacon.
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YOUNG LADIES' SEWING SOCIETY.
In the year 1878 Mrs. E. L. Samuel, of this church, gathered together at her house, one Saturday afternoon, a number of the young girls of the congregation, rang- ing in age from twelve to eighteen years. The object had in view was the formation of a sewing circle, as a sort of training school to get the girls interested in church work. About fifteen girls were present, and Mrs. Samuel, with the assistance of Miss Vene Hern- don, directed and trained them in the various depart- ments of handiwork for a year or more, during which period they met with Mrs. Samuel every Saturday afternoon.
Other girls becoming interested and joining the circle, a "Society " was launched, with Miss Vene Herndon, President, and Miss Jennie Waggener, Sec- retary and Treasurer. The following were the first members of the Society: Sallie Cannon, Pattie Rob- erts, Lucy Stockton, Mary Ely, Annie Crutcher, Sadie Pugh, Rebecca Averill, Rose Stewart, Allie Todd, Lena Stewart, Nannie Browder, Jennie Bull, Annie Bull, Lillie Cleveland and Kate Green.
The incentive to the first efforts of the little Society was to aid in refurnishing the main room of the church, and the first one hundred dollars earned was given towards the payment of the new lighting apparatus, or " sun light." The second like amount was expended in the repairing and refurnishing of the Sabbath-school room. After this the Society aspired to still greater achievements, and took up the matter of a new church organ. In the course of a few years of energetic effort and persistent work it was enabled to place the fine
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