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"OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH EUFAULA, ALABAMA."
"Presbyterian Church Histories of the Synod of Alabama,
East Alabama Presbytery"
Compiled by Rev. C. H. Rogers, 1889-1920, pages 67-69
Transcribed from a typed transcript copy located at the Alabama State Archives,
Montgomery, AL
No corrections made to punctuation, spelling, or grammar
The Presbyterian Church of Eufaula
seems to have been organized
sometime during the year, 1836. There were 16 members in the original
organization, eight of whom were Morison's. J. M. Morrison, W. L. Cowan,
and John McBride were ordained elders. The first church bell rung in
Eufaula was the Presbyterian bell, when, we are unable to say.
Rev. James Stratton was the first regular minister.
He came about the
beginning of the year, 1838, and remained until 1840, preaching in a room
over Wm. McKenzies's store. Mr. Stratton has two sons, twins, both of whom
became preachers. In the year, 1838, there was a protracted meeting in
which the Methodists, Baptist, and Presbyterian churches took part. This
was probably the first protracted meeting ever held in Eufaula. The place
was what is known as and now is the Jewish Synagogue. There was a
remarkable outpouring of the Spirit.
After the session had acted on this history, I learned
that in the
above mentioned meeting, one of the preachers gave a temperance sermon in
which he denounced the use of brandy peaches etc., and the sermon had such
an effect that almost the entire population emptied their brandy peaches in
the streets and they were eagerly devoured by the hogs. The result was
that
there were the drunkest set of hogs in Eufaula that day that ever perhaps
were seen anywhere.
The Presbyterian congregation moved with their first
church building
now known as the Link Place, in this same year. In 1839 and 40 they held
prayer meetings every morning before sunrise, called "Sunrise Prayer
Meetings".
Rev. Irvine, stated supply 1840. Died in July,
the same year, three
months after taking charge and is buried in the Link Place.
Rev. R. C. Smith, pastor 1840 to 1852 and married here
a Miss Mary
Woods.
Here the Minutes of the Session begin.
At the Presbytery which met at Tuskegee, Alabama,
permission was
granted the Rev. James Stacy to labor in the Eufaula Presbyterian Church.
This must have been the fall of 1853. See Min. of East Ala. Pres. For
further information see also Min of 1854.
Rev. James Stacy, S. S. 1853-55. He was from
Liberty County, Georgia.
He went from here to Newman, Georgia. During his ministry to this church
the books show an addition of two members by letter and one on Examination
of Elders mentioned at this time are Wm. L. Cowan, James W. Buford, William
T. Simpson and John M. Morrison. The last of whom died about 1854.
From
1855 to 1857 the church was without a minister but one member was received
during that time and this one on examination. Rev. John R. McIntosh,
acting
as moderator.
Rev. Evander McNair, S. S. 1857-58 P. 1858-1864.
During his ministry
as S. S. there were 27 members added on examination and 7 by letter. As
pastor he received twenty-three by letter and six members on examination.
In all 33 on examination and 30 by letter. Dr. William L. Cowan elder died
about 58. February 18, 1861, there is a record of the election of two
ruling elders, J. S. Dobbins and C. C. Tompkins.
Rev. W. H. Adams, S. S. 1865-1866. Received eight
members all on
examination. Salary $1700, session resolved "to institute an
educational
society in this church for the purpose of educating and preparing young men
for the Christian ministry, in order that the church may always have at
least one under its charge, who shall be furnished the means to obtain an
education to prepare him to preach the gospel."
In '67, the session, moderated by Rev. McMurry,
received eight on
examination and three on certificate.
J. J. Robinson, D. D. S.S., 1867-1880. June 1871
the new church was
dedicated. It was built of brick at a cost of $2200. J. P. McDonald
ordained elder in Greenville East Tenn., in the year 1833 was installed elder
of the Eufaula Church in 1871 and died May 21, 1875. Elder John C. Martin
also died the same year in Sept. December, 1871 L. Y. Dean and C. S.
McDowell were ordained Deacons. There were received during Dr. Robinson's
pastorate 58 members on examination and 32 on certificate.
Rev. T. M. Lowery, S. S. 1882-1885. Ordained to
the office of
eldership. E. G. Brownlee, L. Y. Dean, C. S. McDowell. Members
received on
examination - Three; on certificate - ten.
Rev. L. Addison McElroy P. Sept 15, 188-91.
Married here June 6, 1889,
Miss Ellie Richter. Ordained and installed Deacons B. Lloyd Guice, Baker
Stewart, J. L. McDowell. October 20, 1889. J. L. McDowell was
ordained and
installed Ruling Elder April 19, 1891. Farquhar McKay formerly an elder in
Clayton, Alabama, was installed Elder of Eufaula Church May 1oth, 1891. T.
R. McTyer was ordained and installed Deacon May 24, 1891. Members received
on examination during this pastorate, 32. On certificate 25. The
pastor
lost five months from sickness, during the summer of 90. Removed to Cape
Girardeau, Mo. August 15, 1891.
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