USA > Kentucky > Henderson County > History of Henderson County, Kentucky > Part 43
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*He was for many years a prominent minister in Virginia. and told me that the mistake of his life was his refusal to accept the Henderson call. D. O. D.
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455
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
At a congregational meeting held April 8th, 1860, Mr. Henry R. Tunstall, formerly an elder in the Walnut Street Church of Louis- ville, and Mr. Wm. Beatty, formerly an elder in the Fourth Street Church, of Louisville, were elected elders in the Henderson Church-
In the year 1860, the Lecture Room was added and the church enlarged.
The early part of 1861 saw a blessed revival. The pastor was assisted in the meetings by Rev. Dr. Hendricks, and about forty names were added to the roll.
Mr. John B. Cabell, one of the elders, died July 27th, 1862. In recording his death the session says : " It is our privilege to record the consistency of his conduct as a Christian, the guilelessness and gentleness of his character, the uniform courtesy and kindness ex- hibited in his intercourse with the church, and his deliberations with the session. He was a faithful co-worker, with a heart ever sympa- thising, and a hand ever ready, to contribute to the necessities of the Kingdom of God. In his last, and lingering, illness he exhibited the patience which arises from a trust in God, saying, 'My hope is firm as a rock ; precious, precious promises.' "
William Beatty, elder, died on October 25th, 1862. I quote the following regarding him, adopted as a resolution by the session : " He was a faithful and beloved brother in the Lord, firm in his attachment to the church, unswerving in his adherence to the principles of the Gospel. As a member and an office bearer in the house of God, he had our confidence and respect."
No important event in connection with the church occurred dur- ing 1863. In the spring of 1864 Mrs. Stites, seeing the urgent need of more room for the Sabbath School, built and presented to the church a room for the infant class. The minutes adopted April 8th, regarding the gift, read thus : The Session records with gratitude to God the liberality of Mrs. Rebecca Stites, in erecting an infant Sab- bath School room in connection with the church, and in defraying the entire expenses of the building. She has thus been instrumental in adding important facilities to the operations of our Sabbath School, and has conferred a lasting obligation upon the church and its chil- dren ; wherefore,
"Resolved, That the thanks of the Session are hereby tendered to Mrs. Stites tor her good work in behalf of our church and Sabbath School, and it is our prayer that her Christian liberality, as thus manifested, may prove a bles- sing to those in whose behalf it was bestowed, may be accepted and rewarded
456
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
of the Lord Jesus as done in his name, and in behalf of the 'little ones ' of his flock, and that his gracious words may be verified to the donor 'that it is more blessed to give than to receire.'"
The above were the last minutes entered in the session book by Mr. J. E. Rankin, who was then clerk of the session. A. little more than three months later, the church was called to mourn his death, in regard to which the session makes the following record : "In deep sorrow, we are called to record the death of our beloved brother, James Edward Rankin, ruling elder, and member of the session."
On the 11th of July, while engaged in his ordinary avocation as a merchant, in this town, he was wantonly assailed by one of a plunder- ing band of armed men and fatally wounded by a pistol shot. Strong hopes were entertained, and earnest prayers were offered for his re- covery. But God had ordained otherwise, and on the morning of the Lord's day, July 24th, 1864, his spirit took its flight, we doubt not, to a better world. Mr. Rankin was born on the 19th of August, A. D., 1810, and was a native of Henderson County. Here his life was spent, and none had won more fully, the respect and confidedce of the com- munity by a course of undeviating honor and integrity. Possessing in a remarkable degree a genial nature, and a kind heart, he secured not noly the esteem, but the affection of all who knew him. He made a public confession of his faith in connection with the church on the ninth day of June, 1842, was ordained deacon on the fourteeth of April, 1844, and ruling elder on the fourth of Januray, 1852. As a ruling elder he was invariably in his place at the meetings of sessions, and cheerfully and earnestly bore his share of every burden. He was a zealous and efficient co-worker, aiding with his influence, his purse, and his prayers, all the enterprises of the church. He was for many years Superintendent of the Sabbath School, in which his affections were greatly interested. The same regularity and perseverance which were his characteristics in other departments of Christian usefulness marked his course in this labor of love. He trained his family in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, endeavoring by a godly walk and conversation to commend to his children; the Gospel in which he trusted for salvation. He loved the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and was never forgetful of the interests of the church in which he was an office bearer. He was, indeed, one of those whom God raised up to be a pillar in the house of God.
In his confinement to the bed of suffering and death, he dis- played great calmness, and even when believing that his end was near, he manifested no pertubation of spirit, but quietly rested in faith on
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
the Savior in whom he believed. Wherefore, in view of our bereave- ment as a session,
"Resolved, First, that we deplore the loss of a member so qualified by per- sonal piety, by a good report, by practical knowledge, by marked prudence, and wise counsels to be useful to the church ; yet we bow in humble submis- sion to the gracious sovereignity of a covenant God.
"Resolved, Second, that our thanks are due to the " Head of the Church" who gave us for so many years, one fitted eminently to be an efficient helper in the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
On January 29th, 1865, at a meeting of the congregation, Thomas Evans, Richard Stites and Pinkney Thompson, were elected Elders and James R. Barrett, James H. Holloway and Wmn. A. Hopkins, Deacons, who were all ordained and installed February 5th.
The Posey Chapel Church, having become depleted by deaths and removals, the Presbytery ordered the dissolution of the organiza- tion there, and the transfer of the remaining members to the Hender- son Church.
This was done on November 25th, 1865, and on December 10th, Wm. J. Marshall, the only surviving Elder of the Posey Chapel Church, was elected, and installed a ruling Elder in the Henderson Church
Those acquainted with the history of the Presbyterian Church in Kentucky will remember that the year 1866 was one of unusual in- terest and excitment.
The deliverances of the General Assembly on loyalty, slavery, etc., the actions or the Declaration and Testimony party, and ques- tions connected with, and resulting from these, engendered feelings that caused the division and disruption of many churches.
The situation was rendered still more critical for the Henderson Church by its being selected by the Synod of Kentucky as the place of meeting for that year.
The session foresaw threatened danger and determined, if pos- sible, to avert it.
That God blessed their efforts and that the church remained united through all the trouble, is a matter for which we cannot be too thankful.
Feeling assured that the differences would almost inevitably cul- minate in a division of the Synod, the Session resolved that our church should not be represented at the meeting nor take any part in the proceedings.
The Synod met in October with an unusually large attendance.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
Dr. Robert Breck, the last Moderator, preached the opening ser- mon. So cool, so calm and collected through it all that none would have suspected for a moment that he anticipated the scene of excite ment so soon to follow his sermon. Indeed the quiet self-possession maintained by him through the trying ordeal was simply wonderful.
It is outside the scope of this article to give in full the proceed- ings of that night's meeting, which resulted as had been anticipated, in a split in the Synod.
The writer hopes never to be called upon to witness another such scene, at once so unfortunate to the interests of the church and so sad to those who truly loved her.
On January 18th, 1867, Rev. Jahleel Woodbridge announced to the Session his intention to resign the pastorate of the church, but for various reasons, no action was taken on his resignation by the congregation until April 30th, when the congregation voted to join Mr. Woolbridge in an application to the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relations between himself and the church.
In June, 1867, "the session having heard a good report of Rev. Wm. A. Harrison, of Alabama, invited him to visit the church with a view of supplying the pulpit."
Mr. Harrison arrived on July 6th and ministered to the church until the thirtieth, when at a congregational meeting he was " nomi- nated and elected pastor without a dissenting voice."
The third Sabbath in October was appointed by Muhlenburg Presbytery for the installation of Mr. Harrison, but on account of the sickness of Rev. Mr. Smoot, one of the committee on services, was postponed and did not take place until January 25th, 1868.
Mr. Harrison's labors were much blessed to the building up of the church. A revival began in November and continued until Feb- ruary. Frequent protracted services were held and part of the time the pastor had assistance from abroad.
The result was a large accession to the church, over fifty names being added to the roll between November and April.
On May 16th, 1869, Charles T. Starling and James L. Lambert were elected deacons and ordained and installed May 23d.
October 5th, 1869, Elder Major Fayette Posey died. Major Posey came to Henderson County in the year 1802 with his father, General Thomas Posey, from Spottsylvania County, Virginia. He had been a ruling elder in the church for nearly or quite fifty years.
For many years he and his brother, Captain John Posey, were the only elders and the mainstay of the church, and in her hour of need he contributed most liberally to her support.
459
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
In the latter part of the winter and spring of 1870, the church was blessed with another revival and about forty names were added to the roll.
On November 10th, 1870, at the request of Rev. W. A. Harri- son, the congregation voted to join him in application to the Presby- tery to dissolve the pastoral relation between himself and the Hen- derson church.
Ata congregational meeting, held February 19th, 1871, for the purpose of electing additional trustees for the church and parsonage property, Messrs. Samuel B. Vance, Malcolm Yeaman, C. T. Starl- ing and Allan Gilmore were elected Trustees for the church property and Philip B. Matthews and Campbell H. Johnson for the parsonage property.
At a congregational meeting, held April 12th, 1871, Rev. D. O. Davies was unanimously called to the pastorate of the church, he be- ing at the time pastor of the church at Clarksville, Tenn.
W. J. Marshall was, at a meeting of the Session on May 1st, ap- pointed commissioner to prosecute the call before the Presbytery of Nashville, which met at McMinville, Tenn.
Rev. Mr. Davies began his ministration to the church in June, 1871.
December 17th, 1871, James R. Barret, Wm. M. Hanna, Samuel B. Vance and Wm. A. Hopkins were elected ruling elders, and Ber- nard G. Witt, Prescott Burbank, Campbell H. Johnson and John H. Barret, Jr., were elected deacons and were ordained and installed December 24th, 1871.
Elder H. R. Tunstall died January 23d, 1872.
For many years before moving to Henderson Mr. Tunstall was a ruling elder in Walnut Street Church of Louisville, Ky. Active, earnest and faithful in the discharge of duty, always in his place in the sanctuary, his chief delight seemed to be in the service of his Master and working for His church.
In March, 1871, the church purchased for a parsonage, the build- ing formerly owned and occupied by the Farmers' Bank, for which was paid the sum of $8,500.
On June 12th, 1872, Rev. D. O. Davies was installed pastor of the church.
In November, 1872, the church was blessed with a revival, dur- ing which, between thirty and forty names were added to the roll.
In February, 1873, and again in February, 1875, the church re- ceived large accessions, and in January, 1877, over thirty names were . added to the roll.
460
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
On March 17th, 1879, Montgomery Merritt, Malcolm, Yeaman and D. J. Burr Reeve were elected deacons and ordained and en- stalled March 23d.
In January, 1880, the church enjoyed another revival, in which over forty persons were added to their numbers.
The years 1881 and 1882 passed without any occurrence worthy of note.
In the fall of 1883 the question of organizing a church at the Mission School was agitated, and at a meeting of the Session, held on December 26th, 1883, the matter having been fully discussed, on motion, it was unanimously declared as the sense of the Session, that a church should be organized at the Mission School, and a committee consisting of Dr. Davies, Elder Thompson and Deacon Yeaman was appointed to see what volunteers could be obtained towards start- ing the enterprise, and report to the Session.
On January 9th, 1884, the committee appointed at the last meet- ing made their report in the form of a petition, signed by twelve members of the church, asking "that they be named and set apart from this organization for the purpose of organizing and establishing a Presbyterian Church, at the place named, and to be known as and called the Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church of Henderson, Ky." Further action on this petition was postponed until necessary arrange- ments for organization were perfected.
On February 10th, 1884, the Session " dismissed for the purpose of forming the Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, the following members, viz : Dr. P. Thompson, Mrs. Nannie G Thompson, M. Yeaman, Mrs. Julia V. P. Yeaman, Mrs. R. H. Elm, I. C. Allin, Mrs. Susan A. Allin, Miss Mary McCullah, Hernandiz Nooks, Miss Lucy S. Beverley, B. W. Powell and Mrs. Helen Henry, and appointed March the 2d as the day when they would meet and organize the church.
On February 28th, 1884, at a meeting of the congregation, held for the purpose of electing additional elders and deacons, Messrs. C. T. Starling, B. G. Witt and James L. Lambert were elected Elders, and D. Banks, Jr., Edwin Hodge, G. G. Ellis and J. Ed. Rankin were elected deacons. At the morning service held on Sunday, March 2d, the elders and deacons elected on the previous Sabbath were or- dained and installed. In the afternoon the Session met at the Mis- sion Sunday School-room. After dismissing at their own request the following members who desired to join the new church, viz: Ed- ward Atkinson, Mrs. Nannie Atkinson, Mrs. Mary Ehrman, Mrs.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
Ella Helms, Miss F. A. Briggs, Mrs. Cornelia Hill and W. J. Marshall, Jr., the Session then completed the organization of the Chestnut Hill Presbyterian. Church of Henderson, Ky.
Subsequently, at various times, the session dismissed at their own request thirty more members to join the new church.
In March, 1884, after protracted services, in most of which the pastor was assisted by Rev. J. M. Evans and Elder Hopper, the Synodical Evangelist, over one hundred names were added to the roll of the church.
Since 1884 nothing of marked interest has transpired. The church has continued to do its work earnestly, systemmatically and well, contributing with a liberal hand not only to her own support, but to all the benevolent enterprises of the Synod and General As- sembly.
There are on the roll at this time the names of three hundred members, with ten elders and seven deacons.
Statistical report of members received into the church during the different pastorates since its reorganization in 1842 :
During the pastorate of Rev. W. G. Allen, 2 years and 6 months, there were 61 additions to the church, 50 on examination and 11 by certificate.
Rev. D. L. Gray in 6 years received 59 additions, 34 on exam- ination and 25 by certificate.
Rev. J. D. Matthews in 2 years 6 months, 24 additions, 13 on examination and 11 by certificate.
Rev. J. Woodbridge in 12 years, 143 additions, 67 on examina- tion and 76 by certificate.
Rev. W. A. Harrison in 3 years, 108 additions, 96 on examina- tion and 12 by certificate.
Rev. D. O. Davies in 16 years, 432 additions, 323 on examina- tion, 109 by certificates.
PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL.
On the completion of the church building in 1842, the Sunday School organized by Mr. John McCullagh in the Old Seminary, was removed to the church. Mr. McCullagh continued to act as superin- tendent for several years, assisted by Thadeus D. Jones. Being so fre- quently away from home in the prosecution of his Missionary Sunday School work, Mr. McCullagh resigned (Mr. Jones having in the mean- time died) and Col. E. H. Hopkins was elected to and filled the office until 1851, when he was succeeded by W. J. Marshall.
462
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
In 1853, W. J. Marshall, having removed his membership to Posey Chapel Church in the country, he was succeeded by Mr. James E. Rankin, who filled the office until his death in 1864. The office of superintendent was subsequently filled, first, by Rev. Alex. Ran- kin and then Thomas Evans until September, 1865, when W. J. Mar- shall, having returned to the city, was again elected superintendent and has continued to fill the office to the present time, assisted, first, by Thomas Evans, afterwards by Prescott Burbank, James L. Lambert and B. G. Witt, the latter being at this time assistant superintendent.
The Infant Class Department of this school was organized by Miss Nannie Rankin about the year 1861. She continued to act as superintendent of the class until 1866, when she was succeeded by Miss Florence Clark. In the year 1869 Miss Clark was succeeded by Mrs. Lucy Reeve, who has since remained in charge and to whose efficient management its present very flourishing condition is greatly indebted.
The roll of the Presbyterian Sunday School now embraces 9 officers, 28 teachers, 220 scholars.
FIRST CHURCH MISSION SABBATH SCHOOL.
In the fall of 1885, the session of the First Presbyterian Church appointed a committee, consisting of Elders Hanna and Lambert and Mr. Ingram Crocket, to hold a meeting in the lower part of the city and see what could be done towards starting a Mission Sabbath School in that vicinity. They did so, and met with such encourage- ment that in December, they organized a school in a small frame dwel- ling, situated on Green Street, near the end of the Corydon Gravel Road. Finding the house too small, and not adapted for Sunday School purposes, in the spring of 1886, the session determined to buy a lot and build a suitable house for the accommodation of the school- a beautiful lot located on the corner of Green and Hancock Streets was purchased, and the First Church Sunday School undertook to pay the cost of the lot, viz. $350. The erection of a neat frame building was immediately begun, and in due time was completed at a cost of $600. In addition to being occupied by the Sunday School a prayer meeting is held there every Thursday night. The success of the en- terprise is mainly due to thefaithful labors of Dr. Wm. Hanna, Messrs. James Lambert and Ingram Crockett, Mrs. Jane Letcher, Mrs. J. F. Mayer, Mrs. Robert Posey, Mrs. J. H. Barrett, Sr., Mrs. Dr. Hanna and Miss Mollie Wilson. Mr. James L. Lambert is the present Su- perintendent, and the enrollment of the school is nine teachers and thirty-five scholars.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
History fails to tell of this as a church congregation, prior to 1831. It is a fact, however, that one or more ministers of that denomination had held service in the county. We give below the proceedings of the first meeting looking towards an organization :
" At a meeting of some of the citizens of Henderson, Henderson County, Kentucky, called at the Union Church on the evening of the thirty-first of Oc- tober, 1831, for the purpose of taking into consideration the expediency of or- ganizing an Episcopal Church Parish, there were present: James Alves, Den- nis M. Threshly, James H. Lyne, James B. Pollitt, George Atkinson, Archi- bald Dixon, Henrv M. Grant, Horace Gaither, John H. Spidel, Levi Jones. James E. Rankin, Wm. Hart. Wm. Cunningham, James H. Green, David Hillyer, Samuel W. Wardlow, John G. Holloway, N. F. Ruggles, George Gayle and Wm. F. Thompson. Dr. Levi Jones was called to the chair, where- upon the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted.
"Whereupon, We are deeply convinced that the ministry, doctrines and observances of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, are in the highest degree conformable to the Scriptures, and the practice of the apos- tolic times, and,
" Whereas, We are strongly desirous of diffusing the blessings of this church over the region around us, and of perpetuating them to our children, therefore,
" Resolved, That it is expedient and desirable to organize at this time an Episcopal Parish in this place.
" Resolved, That the members of this meeting will associate themselves, and do hereby unite in an Episcopal Parish under the title of St. Paul's Church, Henderson, and that we will adopt and do hereby receive, and adopt, the doc- trine and discipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, consenting to be governed by the constitution and cannons of the general convention of said church, and also by the constitution and cannons of said church in the diocese of Kentucky.
"Resolved, That the delegates to the next Diocesan Convention from this parish be instructed to apply for admission into the diocese of Kentucky, agree- ably to the provisions of said diocese in such cases.
"Resolved, That N. F. Ruggles, Wm. F. Thompson, J. B. Pollitt. George Atkinson, James Alves, Horace Gaither and Wm. Hart, be the Vestry of this parish for the current year, any three of whom shall constitute a quorum to transact business, and then the meeting adjourned.
LEVI JONES, Chairman.
The new vestry held their meetings and had preaching whenever it was convenient to do so. On the twenty-first day of May, 1832, the vestry met, and on motion Rev. Nathan G. Osgood, was appointed Rector of the Parish. James Alves and James B. Pollitt, were ap- pointed a committee to wait upon him and solicit his acceptance.
464
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
The Diocesan Convention was appointed to meet that year in the Town of Hopkinsville, on the second day of June, and on motion James Alves, William F. Thompson, George Gayle and Levi Jones, were appointed delegates to represent the Henderson Church. In the early part of 1833, Mr. Pollitt died, and on the twenty-ninth day of May, William Hart resigned as vestryman, whereupon, Judge Thomas Towles and Dr. Levi Jones were appointed. On the twenty-sixth day of December, 1833, Rev. Daniel H. Deacon, was appointed Rector of the Parish.
On the second Thursday in June, 1834, the Diocesan Convention was held in Henderson ; prior to that time, however, a committee con- sisting of James, Alves, Horace Gaither and Judge Thomas Towles, was appointed to obtain subscription for the purpose of erecting a church. October 9th, 1834, Dr. Levi Jones and Nathaniel F. Ruggles, having removed, Edmund L. Starling and Francis E. Walker, were appointed vestrymen in their places. Colonel Edmund H. Hopkins, was elected Secretary of the vestry. The Committee appointed to solicit subscriptions for the purpose of erecting a church building had been laboriously engaged at the work assigned them, and had been so successful as to warrant the vestry in beginning the work ; therefore, Judge Thomas Towles, James Alves, Horace Gaither, George Atkin- son and Francis E. Walker, were appointed a committee to contract for and superintend the erection of a suitable building for the purpose of church worship, in the Town of Henderson. The subscription list returned by the Committee is given below, not so much as a historical curiosity, as to show the liberality of the people in those early times : "Nimrod Bishop, to Thomas Towles and D. H. Deacon:
"For the following funds paid him towards building St. Paul's Church, in Henderson, Kentucky :
" For amount received of William Soaper, $25 00; Larkin White, $15 00; George Gayle, $15 00; F. E. Walker, ยง20 00; Samuel Stites, $20 00; Walter Alves, $30 00; Will. D. Allison, $15 00; Tignal Hopkins, $6 oo; James Hicks, $6 oo; J. E. Rankin, $12 00; D. H. Deacon, $200 00; George Atkinson, $150 00; Mary B. Hopkins, $200 00; R. H. Alves, $20 00; Major Wm. Thompson, $30 00; James Alves, $110 00; E. H. Hopkins, $25 00; A. B. Barrett, $100 00; Hugh Kerr, $100 00; John Holloway, $50 00; Wmn. Rankin, $50 00; Wyatt Ingram, $25 00; James Rouse, $15 oo; B. G. Marshall, $6 oo; Haywood Al- ves, $8 oo; T. Bead, $21 21; E. L, Starling, $20 00; H. Gaither, $30 00; L. W. Powell, $6 00; J. B Hopkins, $15 00; Thomas Miller, $16 84; Henry Delano, $10 00; J A. Brawner, $15 00; Thomas Towles, $323 84; Owen Glass, $30- oo; Harvey Green, $5 00; Mary Henderson, $15 00; Walter Langley, $50 00; William Alves, $25 00 F. Cunningham, $15 00; Subscription paper $340 00. Making a total of twenty-one hundred and ninety dollars and ninety-five cents."
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