The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1904-04-16
Presbyterian Church OF Lexington, Mo.

A sketch of the history of this
church VIII interest many of the
readers Of the Christian Observer. 1t
is instructive, as well as entertaining
The church was organized May u,
1889, by commission of Missouri
PreSbytery, consisting of the Rev.
VIM. Dickson and the Rev. George M
Crawford. Twenty-Five members
united at the organization, and Messrs
James Aull. John Bray, Lewis Green,
and A. G Young were elected elders
The Rev. DR.. j. L Yantis was the
first minister who regularly supplied
the pulpit, serving in this way from
August, 1S4l, to the summer or fall
of lS47, when he moved to Saline
county.
Under Dr. Yantis' ministry, the
number of members grew steadily. In
1874, a church building was erected
on the lot where it now stands, though
now greatly enlarged aud improved.
The session was enlarged by the cleo
tion and installation as ruling elders
OF Messrs. Jesse NJ. Thompson, Chas.
E. Mills, H NJ Garvin, Alex L
Slayback, W T, Wood, William Van
Doren and Edward Stratton. Messrs.
s G. Wentworth, and William Hun.
ter became deacOns.
In March 1S49 ffty-four persons
were dismissed to form Prairie church,
and yet in October Of that year the
number of communicate were 1875
In November 1S49, the Rev. A. v
20 Schenck, of New York. became
stated supply. He served as such until
June, 1850, when he became pastor
During this pastorate, Messrs A. H.
McFaGden, William Hunter. and H
IS. Mcclure became ruling elders, and
MeSsrS John Williams and Isaac M
McGirk, deacons. Mr.. Schenck was
faithful and diligent pastor, and
was, apparently, more concerned
about the spiritual condition of the
church than its growth Ia numbers.
He resigned iu November 1853, and
10 October 1854, the Rev B. NJ. Hob
son. of Kentucky, became pastor,
Under Mr. Hobson's ministry, the
number of communicates grew
steadily until 1861, at which time l4O
were reported. Meanwhile, Messrs.
Thos H Allen and George Wilson
became ruling elders, and Mr.. Angus
tus Barley deacon. Dover church
was organized in village some ten
miles east of Lexington, with which
seven Of the Lexington church united.
During this pastorate, also, Eliza
beth Aull Seminary was founded.
Miss Elizabeth Aull was one of the
original members, At her death she
left handsome piece Of property to
the church for the purpose of founding
a school for females, and also $4,000
10 money, on condition that the
church raise similar sum and devot-
ed it to the school. The congregation
accepted the trust, organized Board
of Trustees, which secured the money
and also charter from the LeglSla.
ture of Missouri, and the school was
iuaugurated in 1860, under the presi.
dency Of the Rev {. G. Barbour.
The war between the states soon
came on church ard school alike suff-
cred MIR. Hobson, the pastor, went
to Kentucky. There seems to have
been no meeting Of the session after
December 1861, until September 6,
1868, and then only for the purpose
of granting letters to persons who had
left the bounds of the congregation
during the civil strife. In April 1864,
six persons were received on examina.
tlon. In August 1865, MessrS. W. G.
McCausland and Patrick Ballard be.
came ruling elders and in December
of that year the Rev. ] A. Quarles
was invited to become stated supply.
Soon after, Messrs. John r. Ford and
Rufus W, Finley became ruling ELDERS,
and Nessrs, Hugh T. Wilson and B,
r. Ireland, deacons.
During these years of civil strife
the ecclesiastical relations of the
church had not been disturbed. The
church was under the jurisdiction Of
Lafayette Presbytery, organized 10
1856. That Presbytery belonged tc
the Old School Synod Of Missouri, un.
der the Jurisdiction OF the Old School