The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1917-06-18
SPLENDID SERVICES
Marked the Centennial Celebration at
the First Presbyterian Church
Yesterday-TOnights
Services.

first Presbyterian Church on the
,ertainties brought to light by that
itupendous event-the reality of the
world the Deity of Jesus
Christ, the resurrection of the body,
md the supreme Importance of the
,ross, which was the subject of Moses
md Elias conversation with Christ.
N the afternoon DR.. Barbour read the
following historic sketch of the
church: I
Historical Sketch Of Church by Rev.
John Barbour, d. d., Pastor
Since February, 1899.
/ will try to give an outline of the
history of the First Presbyterian
Church, leaving to others the supply
ing of "reminiscences and other details
Of people and events.
The church was organized June IA,
1917, by a Committee of the Presby-
terry of West Lexington. Rev. Robert
Wilson of Washington was Chairman
and William Hickey of Washington
and Robert Robb and J. Boyd of Cabin
Creek, Elders.
The early records in our possession
are very incomplete.
The church was founded Just at the
Of Monroes Presidency
The era of peace had come and a tre-
tide of development and con-
set in through all the West
The Presbyterian Church was not
asleep. The Board of Home Missions
was organized in 1916. The Board for
Education of Students for the Ministry
in 1919 After the great Revival in
1900 which swept through the Middle
West marked by such extravagancies
and leaving such heresies and divi-
sions the Rev. Robert Wilson who
organized this church, was one of the
eight young Ministers who came out
from the Valley of Virginia to meet
these needs. / have not been able to
learn the spot or house where the or
ganization took place nor where the
early worship was held. Before the
present edifice was built, the church
occupied large building on the lot
where the Opera House stands, The
church was large room with gal
lery, the pulpit being in the south end
and sitting in recess extending back
into the lot. There was vestibule
at the door. The Sunday School was
held in the gallery. Mr. T. A Respess
has told me of attending Sunday
School there in the afternoon, after
going to the Methodist School in the
morning. The church was provided
with a bell and a pipe organ.
In April, 1850, the church was de-
stroyed by fire which took in all the
buildings from the old Bank on SUIT
ton street around to the Alley, this
side of the Methodist Church, South
on Second street. There were two
Livery Stables and other buildings and
offices destroyed. Nothing was saved
out of the fire except the Pipe Organ
This was taken down by Mr.. Michael
Ryan and others and afterwards SET
up in the new church. 1t is now in the
church at Flemingsburg. The Pastor
DR.. Grundy was absent at the General
Assembly. On his return, just one
week after the fire, the Officers met al
the home of Mr.. A. M. January, (where
Judge Cochran now resides), and ar
ranged to rebuild. The Minutes OF
that meeting were kept by Mr.. W. w
Richeson and were handed down by
him to his daughters, who will show
them to any one desiring to see them
The first subscription was $1.00, made
by Richard January, the little son o.
Mr.. January. So rapidly did they pro
ceed and with such wisdom and taste
that this beautiful house was made
ready for occupancy Of the basemen
December 26th, 1850. 1t was not un
til 1852 that the upper room was nm
ished. Before the basement was read!
for worship, the Neptune Fire Com
pany was given the use of the room
and assisted by the ladies in supper
in response, no doubt, to their efforts
to save the Church that burned
Worship, meanwhile, was held in th'
Court House, the Sunday School beinl
held in the Academy of Rand ant
Richeson, on Fourth street.
Let us go back and speak of tn,
Pastorates. Rev. Robert Wilson ant
others supplied the church until 1920
when Rev. John T. Edgar came a
first regular pastor. He went from
here in 1927 to Frankfort, and then t,
Nashville. While there, he receive,
Andrew Jackson into the church.
have read Of the time he had in get
ting "Old Hickory" to promise to for
give his enemies. He was as faithful
and inexorable as Savonarola with Lo
renzo de Medici in Florence, but witt
better success, for though hesitatini
for a time saying he could not for
give the slanderers Of his wife, h
finally relented and became an humbl
follower of Jesus Christ.
have heard that DR.. Edgar lived II
the house now occupied by Mr.. W
Archdeacon, conducting there, also,
Private School
In October, 1880, Rev. w. l.. Breck
inridge came as pastor, remain un
til January, 1882. 1t was his frs
charge on leaving the Seminary. DR.
Breckenridge was for 23 years pasto
in Louisville, afterwards, President o
Center College. He was not bril-
liant man, and In his old age, was |
tiresome preacher, but he was digni
fed and courtly figure. who Away
said things and did things In goo'
taste. He was fine pastor. He be
came Moderator Of the General Assem-
blythe only pastor Of this ohurcl
TO reach that coveted honor. Their
followed a vacancy and dependence OF
supplies until November, 1884. whel
Rev. John ]. Rice. served as pastor
one year.
In July, 1886. Rev. Robert c. Grund
became pastor, serving the churcl
until March. 1857. DR.. Grundy was
man who would have stood out 4