Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-16
History of the Church.

The First Presbyterian church OF Memphis
was organized with only five members by the
Rev. w. C. Blair, on the 9TH of June, 1928.
L. Henderson, one of the only two male
me BERG, was chosen and ordsined to The
Office of ruling elder. The Rev. VIM. p.
Alrich was sent out by the General Assem-
bly's Board of Domestic Missions to set IS
stated supply. 10 the church at Memphis.
Mr.. Alrich arrived at this place on the 18th
Of December, 1929, commenced his ministe-
rial labors and continued to discharge the
duties of the Office until February II, 1880,
at which time be left
10 November of the year 1880, The Rev.
S. M. Williamson having been iGvited by the
congregation, became its stated supply, and
continued his labors with the church until
November, 1888. In 1913, lot OF ground
having been presented as building site, the
present house of worship was commenced,
the congregation up to his time having wor-
shipped in schoolhouse on Court Square.
10 February OF the year 1884 the Rev.
| Simuel Hodge b.came the stated supply OF
the church, and continued TO act in this ca
paciiy for some months. The congregation
was then left without any regular ministry
until March. 1887, at which time the Rev. j
| Harrison, having received a call from the
church, was, by order of presbytery, duly
installed its pastor. Mr.. Harrison continued
to discharge the duties of bis Office in thi:
church until July, 1913, at which time he
| resigned his charge. The church then con
tinued vacant until December, 1S43, wher
the Rev. George w. Coons was engaged al
its stated supply, and in November, 1874
having previously received 4 call from thu
church, he was duly installed its pastor.
number of memhers OF this church re
siding in South Memphis being at an incon
| diets frOp, he hptrua If runrahfp
aud through "a desire TO extend the interest
of the Redeemer's kingdom," peiitioned III
presbyiery at its fall meeting that the,
mi ght be organize into a church. The peii
lion was granted, and they were accordiDgl,
organized into church On Saturday proceed
log the FRS: Sabbath in December, 1874. Il
a pamphlet published in 1S45 occurs The fol
lowing congratulatory passage: an review
ing our history as church, we feel W
|. have abundant reason to be grateful TO it
great head for His Astounding mercy an
; goodness 10 us. AS our kind and gentle shep
! herd, He has graciously led us on throug
. many difficulties and discoursgemeuts TO th
present period in our history. Ia the spiri
. and language OF the ancient patriarch, "
would here erect our Ebenszer, and sscribin
our past and present prosperity all to the ur
merited love of our d vine Redeemer, "
would say: Hitherto has the Lord helpe
| Z
as."
From the Seasonal Records, and othe
sources, the following is gathered as cor
D tinnsion of the historical sketch Of th
church from September IL, lS45, down I
a January l, 1876:
1 The Rev. George w. Coons RENAME
pastor OF the church until October 10, 1855
n at which time be was constrained, by del
:. cafe heslIh, TO offer his resignation. II
1 n n 3 II
e years laborsd as q missionary in Afric
i served the church as stated supply durin
4 the year 1858. la October, 1858, pastors
call was extended to the Rev. S. 3. NJ
Pheeters, who was al that time residing
s.. Louis, Mo. Mr.. McPheeters declined Il
;, call, and on the 22d of January, 1854, ii
congregation elected to the pastorate Il
/ Rev. j. o. Steadmsn, native of North Car
lima, then serving in Chester, Pa. DR.. Steai
man began his labors here on the 10Th
Nav, 1854, and served the church as state
supply until the 7th of May, 1856, when Il
4 pastoral relation was formed. II col
& tinued to exist until the 18th
4 March, 1868, at which time DIR. Steadms
! moved By the feeble state of his health @
= fered his resignation. On the 21st OF Sc
:. TENDER, 1868, pastoral call was extended
the Rev. F. H. Bowman, of Virginia, VII
accepted it and continued in charge of Il
church until the time of his death, the 6
:. of October, 1873. Alter this sad event Il
v pulpit remained vacant for period of fou
: teen months. On the LIST of January, 1ST
}. the Rev. Eugene Daniel, then serving
' church at Camden, Ark, was engaged
2 stated supply. Mr.. Daniel was coon ate
!, ward called TO the pastorate; was formal
installed on the 18th Of April, 1875, and b
I. continued in charge OF the pulpit up TO Il
1 nrasant time In the wear 1855 a colon