Arizona republican., 1906-03-16
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The first sermon by a Presbyterian minister in Phoenix was preached by Rev. Wm. Meyer, the first Sunday in September. 1878 Mir Meyer was sent out by the board of home missions. At that time there were but two members of the Presbyterian church in the set tlement, to-wit: Mrs. Hosea Green haw and Mrs. A. D. Lemon. In No ember of the same year the first male member of the Presbyterian church. O. P. Roberts, arrived from San Fran cisco. Services were first held in the M. F. Church South and in a room used as a school room on Center street. In April, 1879, an arbor was erected on lots owned by the Nj. F. Church south of the court house plaza, and services were held there regularly un- til September, 1879.
 The First Presbyterian Church of Phoenix was organized in that place June Is, 1879. The organization con- sisted of eight persons, and the fir C elders, O. P. Roberts and pr. J. E. Wharton were elected. From October, 1879, to May. 1880, l the congregation worshiped in a build | ing about block and a half north of the plaza. which in it's time had been occupied as a dance hall. later a sa- l loon and still later by a carpenter 1 SNOD- 1<dltI services were iltlu III H. ! w Ryder's chapel. south of the city hall plaza This building still stands ' in MT. Ryder's lumber yard. Services were afterward held in a brick build : ing owned by Hooper & Co.,, southeast of the plaza. January 30. 1884, the first board of trustees was elected, consisting of John Y. T. Smith, H. W. Ryder, s. F. Patton, c. H. Knapp and $. E. Hershey
 In the latter part of 1881 MT Meyer removed from Phoenix and the church was without a pastor until August 1, 1883 when Rev. s. D. Fulton arrived and begun holding services and con- tinued serving the church until Aug
 ust l. 1888. October 21, 1888, Rev. H.
 Magill of Council Grove. Kan, was called to the pastorate. continuing the
 work until the latter part of 1890.
 April 13, 1891, Rev. R. E. Field was
 called, but died before accepting. The
 church was without a pastor until
 March, 1892, when a call was accepted by Rev. Dr. Preston Mckinney, who
 filled the pulpit until July 6, 1898. re-
 signing on account of failing health.
 October 26, 1898, Rev. L. A. McAfee
 was called, serving the church until November. 1905, when he resigned to
 accept the pastorate of the First Pres
 byterian church of Berkeley, Cal. No
 vember l, 1905, Rev. Henry Campbell
 accepted a call to this church for six
 months and on February 15, 1906, a
 call to the permanent pastorate was
 extended to him.
 The church has grown rapidly in in- fuence and numbers, the membership
 now being over 800. The church main- tains the following auxiliary organiza-
 tions:
 Sabbath school, L. J. Rice, superin-
 tendent.
 Bethany Mission. s. H. Mitchell, su- . perintendent.
 Christian Endeavor Society. A. J. , Hertel, president.
 Junior Endeavor Society, Miss Alice ) Miles and Jonn Kerlinger, superin- tendents.
 Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. c. H. Dav- 5 idsOn. president.
 ? WOmen's Missionary Society.
 The following are the officers of the church.
 Elders-John I. Brooks, J. c. Norton
 L. J. Rice, L. L. Plank, D. c. Hins- . dale, J. A. Ream, E. A. Spaulding, H D M. Weirick. clerk.
 DeacOns-H. H. Creighton and J. A Marshall.
 Deaconess-Mrs. w. c. Dawes.