The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-12-23
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Locust Bottom Church

This Church is located near the Forks
of the James river. [ propose to pub
lish "the following brief sketch of it's
history, its origin, organization, &c.,
drawn up by the Rev. Fl. d. Paine, in
July, 1874" with some little additions.
1t must remain subject Of lasting re-
gret to those now living, that the early
history of our church is so much obscur-
ed by the wantof early records, that it is
now an undertaking of no little difficult
ty to draw out from past and receding
generations even the most prominent
facts connected with its early origin and
subsequent progress. Almost the only
source of information now accessible, is
that of tradtion-the doubtful recollec-
tion of some of the more aged members
of the congregation who still remain.
So far, however, as can be gathered from
this source, with the aid Of few scat
tered scraps of record, it is proposed to
give as nearly as possible the order in
which things have occurred, with the
dates as nearly as they can now be as
certained.
1t appears that the section of country
now embraced within the bounds of Lo-
Gust Bottom congregation, was at very
early date an object of attention with the
Presbytery of Lexington, and at even at
an earlier date (than the organization of
the church, was perhaps visited occa-
sionally by ministers of the Presbyterian
Church. This Presbytery was accus.
toned, as they found it practicable, to
send missionary supplies to the entire re-
gion of country lying on the head of
James river and its tributaries. Among
these venerable pioneers might be named
Samuel Houston, Geo. A. Baxter, John
McElhenny, and A. B. Davidson The
Rev. Edward Crawford was the first min
lister who preached to this people with
anything like regularity. 1t seems that
the church was organized by this SER
want of Christ, about the year 1885.
For many years before the present house
of worship was built, divine se1Giia was
held at various points in the congrega-
ton, but chiefly at or near the house of
Mr.. Geo. Shirley, where it seems grew
a profusion of locust trees. From this
circumstance the church derived its name,
which it still retains, though the present
church edifce stands distance of at
least five miles higher up the river than
the original place of meeting.
Mr.. Crawford continued his labors
with this people for several years, but
with what degree of success cannot now
be ascertained. The following persons,
viz: William Davidson, Sr., Macon AL
len, James Walker, and George Poague
were elected and ordained ruling elders
during Mr.. Crawford's ministry. After
the lapse of fifteen or twenty years, a
period of which little is now known, it
appears that the Rev. Robert Logan com
menced preaching at Locust Bottom a
part of this time. He was at this time
minister of the church at Fincastle, to
which he devoted the remaining portion
of his labors. He began about 1905,
and continued perhaps about eight or
ten years; during this period William
Shanklin, William Davidson, Jr., and
James Gilleland were ordained to the Office
ruling elder. The Rev. A. B. David
son next succeeded Mr.. Logan. His
ministration commenced about 1915, and
continued for two years, one half of his
labors during that time having been de-
voted to this congregation. During Mr..
Davidson's connection with this congre-
CATION, John Shanklin, John Gilleland,
and George Armintrout were constituted
ruling elders.
Again about 1918, Mr.. Logan recon-
menced his labors at this church, and
during his second connection with the
congregation it appears that William
Womack was set apart to the office of
elder, which he filled with usefulness till
his death, which occurred March 9th,
1928. 1t ought to be here mentioned
that Mr.. Womack was among the most
efficient agents and most liberal contribu-
tors in the erection of the present brick
edifce in which the congregation now
worships.
In the autumn of the year 1924, the
Rev. John A. Vanlear settled at Locust
Bottom as the regular stated supply, and
continued to labor with good success for
about thirteen years, or until 1887, when
he received call from the congregation
of Messy Creek. in Augusta county,
which call he accepted; and so Locust
Bottom was again left without the regu-
lar ministrations of the Gospel. After
the lapse of period of about eighteen
months, the services of the Rev. H. H.
Paine were secured for half of his time.
Mr.. Paine commenced July, 1898, and is
at the present time, July, 1914, still the