The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-11-17

Carper, Lewis r. Deisher, T. D. Kaufelt,
and E. E. Echols.
Membership, April LIST, 1858.
The church is now vacant.
Among the ministers and ruling elders
who have served this church are some
who became eminent for their usefulness,
of whom much could be written, but the
materials are not at hand for anything
more than brief mention. Among the
eldership may be named as worthy of
" double honor" Joseph E. Carper and
James Paxton-both of whom served
this church for more than thirty years,
and the last will be remembered as a
frequent attendant on the meetings of
Presbytery in which he took great in
terest to the last days of his long life.
Falling Spring Church, Rockbridge
County, Va.
The exact date of organization of this
church is not known; but it is thought
to have existed as an organization from
the time that this county was settled by
the whites; receiving occasional supplies
from different quarters, until, about the
year 1776, in connection with High
Bridge and Oxford churches, the services
of Rev. James Mcconnell were obtained
as pastor, and he continued as pastor
until the year 1877, when he removed
to Kentucky.
Rev. Samuel Houston served the
church as pastor in connection with High
Bridge, from the year 1889 to 1920,
when the pastoral relation was dissolved.
Rev. John D. Ewing was installed as
pastor on the Goth of April, 1928, and
this relation was continued until the
9th of August, 1854, when it was dis
solved at his own request.
Rev. William F. Junkin was installed
as pastor on the Sd of June, 1855, and
3lst, 1867, when he was called to a
church in Kentucky. On the 28th of
February, 1868, Rev. David w. Shanks
was installed as pastor, and continued so
until the spring meeting of Presbytery
1888, when the relation was dissolved
by Montgomery Presbytery on account
of protracted and wasting disease, which
disabled the pastor from preaching, as
we'll as from all pastoral work
Rev. F. 81. Gaines was installed as
pastor on the 9Th day of June, 1884, by
committee of Presbytery consisting of
Rev. j. M. Rawlings and Rev. John
Ruff.
Owing to the loss of records, it is not
known who were the first ruling elders,
nor when they were elected and ordained.
The first of whom we have any account
were Thomas Paxton, William Paxton,
John Greenlee, Joseph Snodgrass, David
Steele, Samuel McCluer, and Joseph
Walker. These had all died or removed
prior to April, 1919. At that time James
Laird and John Paxton were ruling
elders, but it is not known at what time
they were ordained, nor the time of their
service. William McNutt was ordained
in 1919 and served to December 31st,
1886. John Laird was also ordained in
1919, and served until 1855. James
Templeton and Jacob Hickman were also
ordained in 1919, but their time of SER
vice is unknown. Joseph Wilson was or
dained 22d of May, 1924, and served
until the 18th of November, 1926. Jo-
seph Paxton served from 9Th of April,
1926 to December, 1889. William Ed
mundson served from 9th of April, 1926,
10 May, 1880. John McHenry served
from Sd of May, 1880, to 1910. Abner
Grigsby served from Sd of May, 1880, to
-. Thomas Paxton served from Sd
Of May, 1880, to September, 18th. 1853.
Thomas McCorkle served from Sd of May,
1880, to June I'd, 1882. David Laird
served from Sd of May, 1880, to Both of
July, 1869. James Dryden served from
June, 1874, to January, 1873. Samuel
Johnston served from 5th of April, 1845,
to -, 1864. r. @. McCluer served from
1855 to 9TH of July, 1881. F. M. Wiley
served from 1855 to May 22d, 1868. Eli
Poage served from 1885 to July 21st,
1871. A. D. johnson served from 1860
to February 23d, 1868. Hobson Johns
served from 1860 to 18th of April, 1868.
with Thomas P. Paxton, who was or
dained in June, 1914, and is now in SER
vice; also w. K. Echard ordained in
1855 Col. W. r. Poague, ordained in
1867; David E. Laird, ordained Deem
Der, 1867; A. D. Campbell, ordained
August 10Th, $780, Joseph S. Paxton,
ordained August Goth, 1880; William
G. White, ordained November 10Th,
1881 and N. B. Rees, ordained Novem-
Der 10Th, 1881.
The earliest record now in existence as
to the number of members is of date
April, 1919, when the number of private
member was "a.
Membership, April 1st, 1885-16O.