The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-07-10
Remembrance of Past Days.


A Memorial Sermon 6y the Rec. W. II.
Nc Carer, Pastor Of the old Presbyterian
Church Of EUdnsUiLLe, deliUered before the
Church and Congregation assembled Feby.
26th, 1860, for The last time in their Old
House of Worship. Journal Co. Printers.
The above is the title of most interest
ing sermon, preached by the Pastor of the
Old Presbyterian Church of this city, just
before its demolition. The sermon has been
printed for distribution by the congrega-
ton, but, as a matter of interest to many Of
our readers who may not see the printed
copy, we make few extracts. We would
be glad to make them more lengthy but the
press of other matter forbids. We are per-
suaded our readers will be pleased to have
in this form a short sketch of the earliest
church organization and building in this
city In speaking of the church building,
the Pastor says:
1t was erected in the year 1882, some
eleven years after the organization of the
Church, which organization took place in
1921, under the direction of the Rev. D. c.
Banks, who was at that time settled over
the Presbyterian Church at Henderson, KY
The original members only numbered some
ten or twelve, and, for years, there was but
little increase, and they were indeed as
4" sheep without shepherd" and without a
certain dwelling place. Their place of meet
ing was sometimes in private houses, some
times in an old log school house, on the
lower side of Locust street, nearly mid way
between First and Second streets; on one or
two occasions, as have been told mean
prior to the year l833- in a log building
standing upon First Street, between Oak and
Mulberry, and which is still in existence,
and may be seen, having been removed,
and now used by Mr.. VIM Dean on his
property, corner OF First and Mulberry
Streets. The old Court House-where II.
Nelson & Co.'S Auction Rooms now are
south of Third and Main Streets-was a
favorable place of meeting. There was no
flooring" puncheon seats were placed on
the bare ground-the fire in winter was
against the wall, in a poorly formed fire
place the smoke, too, often to the great in
convenience of the worshipers, choosing to
fud its way up through the entire space OF
the building, and out by numerous accom-
modating chinks and crannies In this
place some of our citizens were baptized in
infancy; there some of the present mem
hers of the Church, and some of our pre-
cious dead, commemorated the dying love
of Christ; there blessed meetings were
held, and although the building was I'M
comely, yet God was there, feeding his peo-
pie not only with the strong meat of his
word, but With "the finest of the wheat
Rev. Calvin Butler succeeded Mr.. Banks.
and it was during his pastorate that the
Church building was erected and mainly
through his efforts among the citizens of
the town.
The citizens who took the lead in the en-
terprise were Messrs. Jno. Shanklin and
Judge William Olmsted both Elders at this
time; Mr.. Luke Wood, who was an Elder
at the time of his death Major Alanson
Warner, who worshiped within these walls
until the time of his decease, some five
years since; and Amos Clark, Esq, now
residing in Texas. Mr.. Butler, when the
effort to build was commenced, changed his
residence to this place and, partly to fulfil
the object of his desires, made visit to the
East to collect funds to complete it, Noat-
tempt was made 10 make the building orna-
nental-"a plain building, 80 by SO; :" it
is believed that the entire cost was brought
within the limits of thirteen hundred dol
lars. The first set of seats were plain, pine
benches, without backs a slight elevation
upon which was placed a secondhand dr1-
goods box, covered with a piece of green
book muslin, or q baize," was the desk F"
from which the minister held forth the
Word of Life.
Referring to the allegation that the build
ing was originally built as Union Meeting
House, the Pastor says; "There is not a
grain of evidence to show that funds were
asked for Union Meeting House, or that
the spot was ever coded with that end in
view. 1t was not coded at all it was pur-
chased Let me exhibit the grounds on which
ol-a n,
be seen in original papers, now in possession
of the Trustees, and open to the inspection
of any person wishing more than the mere
statement of the fact. First, is the origin
al subscription paper, drawn up before even
the lot upon which the Church stands was
selected-let alone purchased-and is in the
following words: "The undersigned, being
desirous to have a Presbyterian Meeting
House for Evansville and its vicinity, prom
Use to paSthe sums annexed to our names,