The Indianapolis journal., 1903-12-27

sented in this account for the first
fifteen years of its existence in
Lafff& Indianapolis. means the First
s&<HS Church. because there was no
other organization until 1898. The estab-
lishment Of this denomination in this city
began almost with that of the capital. BY
an act Of the Legislature Of 1870 a COM
mission was appointed to select a site for
the capital Two points were first sus-
gested. viz. the mouth Of Fall creek and
the BLUFFS Of White river. After thorough
discussion and careful consideration. the
present location was selected by vote. BY
an act of the Legislature of 1921 the selec-
tiOn was confirmed. AS a result OF this
important action population began 10 re-
move 10 the new capital and among the
newcomers were some Of the families that
have been leading Presbyterians and i'm
portant factors 81 the advancement of this
city.
Rev. Ludwen c. Gaines. a missionary
from Ohio. preached the first sermon as
representative OF these good people. This
service was In the open air under the shade
OF a walnut tree, corner Of Washington
and Mississippi streets (nOw Senate avenue),
Aug. p, 1871 On this memorable occasion
Colonel Samuel ID. Maxwell was leader Of
held by Presbyterians until the Rev David
e. Proctor a missionary from Connecticut
came to the new settlement in 1922 He
spent a week in the community, and was
Invited to remain and devote half his time
TO preaching in the field. His services
were to begin in October and during his
absence the Rev. Isaac Reed missionary
sent out by the Missionary Board, visited
the locality and preached on several occa-
sion. Mr. Proctor remained only one year.
During his stay an effort was made to Sc
cure a house Of worship. y subscription
was raised amounting to $500. A frame
house was built on Pennsylvania street.
where the Talbot block now stands, di-
mensions thirty-four by fifty-fOur feet. The
work was carried forward under many diff
culdes for the new community. AS the
amount subscribed was not sufficient, the
committee, consisting OF Dr. Isaac Coe,
James Blake and Daniel Yandes, arranged
with Nicholas McCarty, the only merchant
OF the village, 10 accept orders from the
committee and wait their convenience for
his pay. In this way the wOrkmen secured
their compensation. This work was begun
in May, 1888, and had so far progressed as
TO permit the use of the building the first
Sunday in July. 1924 The building was
completed at a cost of 81, 800. and con-
sidered very fine for that day.
BUILDING CAME FIRST.
Although the work of erecting a church
building had been under way for some time,
there was no church organization until July
5, 1893. when a church was organized in the
cabinet shop of Caleb Scudder. DIR. Coe and
Mr.. Scudder were elected elders of this first
Presbyterian Church, and the church voted
TO request admission TO the Louisville. Ky,
Presbytery.
The second pastor Of this young church
was the Rev. George Bush, of Norris
ttOwn. n. j. He came in July, 1924, and
remained pastor until the year 1s2s. In
the meantime the church had changed its
relation and become member of the Wa
bash Presbytery. The relations of pastor
and church were dissolved by the presby-
terry. and Mr.. Bush led a faction off and
preached for them for one year.
The Rev. John r Moreland, of the pres
bytery of West Lexington, KY, became
shepherd of the flock in ISIS. He proved
himself a good leader and rallied the dis
tracted forces which had been scattered
when Mr. Bush led off the faction. Mr..
Moreland's work was terminated by death
in 1892. In 1898 the Rev William A. Holli-
day became the stated supply. He re-
manned a member of this church for the
most of the remainder Of his life.
The Rev. James w. McKennan visited
the field in 1884. and his efforts were SO
favorably received that he became pastor
I'm 1885. and continued for about five years
During his pastorate 40 members were
added. but the increase did not result in
greatly strengthening the organization, be-
cause, during this time, number with
drew TO form the First Episcopal Church