The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1906-07-28
Chu rch History.


The following interesting his
torieal record of the Presbyterian
Church Of Brookhaven from its
organization down to the present
date, was prepared by Rev. W. E.
Phifer, the pastor, and read at the
exercises and copy deposited in
the corner stone. 1t is reproduc-
ed 10 full because of its general
interest:
1t is with feelings Of profound
gratitude to Almighty God, whose
protecting care and fostering
grace have been vouchsafed to us
in the past, that we meet together
today to lay the corner stone Of
this new building. During the
nearly 49 years of this church's
history, Gods love has been man
ifested and His sustaining grace
has clearly been in evidence.
Contemplating today the blessings
of the past, the success of the
present and the hopes for the flu
ture, we can but say with feelings
of praise and gratitude; Thus far
the Lord has led us on. Ii this
work had been of men, it would
long since have failed, but back Of
it, as the power behind the throne,
is He who hath said that the
gates of hell shall not prevail
against my church. "
The completion of this church
building viii mark the completion
of the third Presbyterian church
erected in Brookhaven. It is but
a feeble manifestation of our love
to Almighty God, that we, many
of whom are the successors of the
fathers who founded this church,
should erect new and more mod
ern building to the glory of His
name who hath loved us and
hath washed US from our sins in
His own precious blood and hath
made us kings and priests unto
God. Y
TO many in this town there is
much of sweet sentiment and ten
der memory connected with the
Presbyterian church which has
been removed TO give place TO this
new building. In the years gone
by it has been the halIowed place
of prayer and praise for the faith
|ers and mothers of many Of this
people; in this place holy matri-
Hm0nial ties have been formed; the
children Of the church, many of
whom are before me today, grown
men and women, have here been
dedicated to God by the sacred
rite Of baptism; and from this
church, recently removed, have
been carried to their last resting
place the sacred dust of the pious
dead; but the old must give place
to the new. II is not disintegra-
|tion, disorganization, but I'M
provement, enlargement that we
seek. AS We come together, there
fore, on this happy occasion to
perform this long cherished object
|of our hearts desire, it becomes
US to review briefly the past, that
we may ourselves see how mani.
testify Gods guiding hand has
been With as and bis protecting
Ilove has been over us during ali
1.-THE years that are gone; and that
we may place tlie facts obtained,
jas matters Of history, in this cor-
lner stone that these things may
lbe told to the generations follow
ling
The Presbyterian church was
lorganized in BrookhaVen ON the
I29th day Of August, 1857, 49
years ago the 29th day Of next
month; this organization was
detected By the Revs. a. Mccall
Hum and Roam, q majority Of the
Presbyterian committee appointed
lfor that purpose. The list Of its
lcharter members consisted of Z
names; 4 males and 3 females. Four
Iof these were transferred from old
Bensalem church at CaseyyilIe.
The names Of these charter mem
fbers are Daniel n. McLanrin