The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-12-07
The Churches of Riehmo nd.
First Presbyterian Church.

Iancy. were certain Staunch PurltanS OF
the Presbyterian persuasion. Their
nun Der was however too small to adj
init offs church organization, and they
were content to hold meetings in pri
vate dwellings,, until the fall of 1887,
when, on the 18th of November, the
First Presbyterian Church of Rich
mond was organized, by Rev. Peter H.
Golliday and Rev. Edgar Hughes, with
thirty-two members, of whom only four
or five yet survive.
The first meetings for worship were
held in double brick house on the
north side of Main, between Pearl and
Front streets; but after the organiza-
ton they were held every other Sabbath
in the Associate Reform Church on
South Pearl street. The society con
tinued to worship here until there own
church was completed, early in the
spring Of 1889. This building, located
on the east side Of Front street, few
doors south of Walnut, was plain
wooden structure, twenty-four feet
wide, by thirty-six deep. 1t contained
but single room, which was finished
with small pulpit, and some fifteen or
twenty wooden benches, yet it was all
the society desired,-a place where
they might worship God after the man.
ner of Calvin and Knox. Here they
continued to meet for more than six
teen years.
Rev. Charles Sturdevant was at first
the Stated Supply nut in September
1S41, Rev. Thomas Whallon was in
stalled as the first regular pastor, which
place he filled until his death in 1915.
Mr.. Whallon was beloved by his whole
congregation, and his death cast q
gloom over the church which was not
soon dissipated.
For the next year there was no resi-
dent pastor, the pulpit being occasional
~ filed By Rev. A. r. Naylor, until the
spring of 1916, when Francis 2. Mon
fort, licentiate at the time, was ap-
pointed to the charge, and during the
y
ed as regular pastor. In 1851 the pull
pit was again vacant, and during the
following winter, subscriptions were
started for the purpose Of erecting
new church building. Mr.. Thomas
Hanna, donated house and lot valued
at $4,000; providing the church
should be built within three years /; and
Chas W. Starr, who yet lives in the mem
ory of many of our readers, give a va
cant lot on south Fifth street, only stip-
ulating that a place should be con-
structed for a clock, st least sixty feet
from the ground. The church was com
pleted within three years, and place
| left in the spire for clock; but alas !!
| it remains to this day vacant, the clock
is wanting.
In 1854 the new church was formally
| opened by Rev. c. Leavenworth. The
number of communicates at this time
was about eighty, new members were
however received at almost every meet
ing of the session, and on Dec. 9th
1857, Rev. J. F. Smith being at this
time pastor, thirty-four persons were
admitted at one meeting.
| In the fall of 1860 Mr.. Smith was sue
ceeded by Rev. w. H. Van Doran, one
| Of the most able preachers ever sta
toned in our city, who continued until
! the winter Of 1868, when he resigned
his position ADD has since been en-
gagged in preparing commentary on
the Bible. The pulpit being now again
vacant, several candidates appeared, th e
most prominent Of whom were Rev. j.
R. Geyer, and Rev. L. w. Chapman.
The choice fell upon the latter gentle
man, who has continued to faithfully
perform all the duties of pastor since
that time. Such is a brief outline OF
/ the history of this church, commen-
cling with a membership of thirty two,i
now has upon its rolls the nam es of two
hundred and thirty-seven active mem
bers, of whom sixty three have been
added during the present year.
| The great schism which divided the
church in 1887, had no effect upon the
little band. There were no new school
men among them, and they all chung,
and have ever continued to cling to tie
old school branch. Hence during the
late reunion of the branches, there have
been no old differences to adjust, no old
4 wounds to heal, and no lacerated parts
to bind together. The organization has
remained alike unchanged by the sepa'
ration and the reunion.
The building in which the society has
at various times worshipped have under
gone many vicissitudes The dwelling
on Main street has given place to .
business house, at present occupied a
: butcher shop. The old Associate Re-
form Church has been moved on to the