The Indianapolis journal., 1903-12-27

STR
laid Oct Z, 1871, and the completed build
ing was dedicated May 6, 1s4S. This house
used until 1866. After Mr.. Gurley's
resignation, in 1S49, the Rev. Charles S.
Mills. principal of a female seminary, sup
piled until September, 1850.
A THIRD SOCIETY.
While the church was without a pastor
in 1851, twenty-one members requested let
ters to enter the new organization, which
became the Third Presbyterian Church and
still later the present Tabernacle Church.
Among those who entered the new church
were Elders Scudder, Blake and Newcomb
Late in 1851 the Rev. John a. McClung, of
the Presbytery of Ebenezer, Ky, accepted
a call to the First Church His ministry
of about four years resulted in a large num-
her of additions to the membership. After
Mr.. McClung closed his pastorate, in Octo-
ber, 1855, the church was without a pastor
until November, 1856. when the Rev Thomas
NJ. Cunningham, of Missouri, was chosen
and entered upon his work in May, 1857.
During Dr. Cunninghams ministry the
church membership was greatly Increased,
especially with the young people, and it was
deemed necessary TO form another church
for the German-speaking people. This be-
came the Fifth Presbyterian Church The
Rev. j. Howard Nixon was Mr.. Cunning
hams successor, and began his work in jan
uary. 1861. At this time the city was enjoying
a very rapid growth and the church in
creased rapidly in members. 1t was first
proposed TO build an addition to the brick
building on the Circle, but circumstances
delayed the work. 1t was finally decided to
be advisable TO sell the property on the
Circle and remove north. The Circle-street
property sold for $4,000 and a new
location on the corner of Pennsylvania and
New York streets was purchased for So, 500.
The large building, corner of Pennsylvania
and New York streets, which was recently
destroyed TO make room for the new govern
ment building. was dedicated April "a, 1870.
The cost of this house with the real estate
was $11i,117.H During the building period
the First Church established a Sabbath
school in the southeastern part of the city.
/ which later grew into what is now the
! Seventh Presbyterian Church on Huron
/ street. On account of i'll health. Mr.. Nixon
/ closed his pastorate in 1869. The Rev Rob-
/ ert D. Harper. the next pastor, served less
/ than two years and removed from this field
/ To accept a position with the North Broad
/ street Church, of Philadelphia. The Rev
jeremiah p. f. kumler of Evansville, next
i came TO the church and remained almost
/ four years. doing excellent work He re-
/ moved from this city TO the Third Church
4 Cincinnati. The committee opened negotia-
/ tions with the Rev. James II. Brooks, d
/ D.. of St. Louis. but failed TO secure his
services on account of the demands of the
field in which ne was then located. The
Rev. Myron w. Reed whose ministry in
this city is so well remembered by many
of its present citizens. was installed pastor
in October, 1871 and continued until April
1881. The present pastor. Dr. NJ. L. Haines
Mr.. Reeds successor, began April 5, 1855
and has continued for longer period than
any other minister. The fine stone building
on Delaware street was dedicated Oct &
/ 1903
This account OF the mother church OF
Presbyterianism may seem long. but ther,
are many things OF interest that cluster
around the foundation principles OF such an
| organization. and it's influences are far.
reaching. The members of the Firs
Church also established 4 mission Sunday.