Also
referred to as the Presbyterian Church and the First Presbyterian
Church.
Oldest Church in Grove
City.
The Presbyterian Church
was organized February 7, 1842, with thirteen original members.
The first building was erected in 1857. During the time between
the organization and the erection of the first church, services were
held held sometimes in the school-house, sometimes in large barns and
sometimes in private dwellings. For several years the house of
worship was a mere shell, with no ceiling, only loose boards for a floor
and no pews, simply slabs arranged in tiers and supported at each end by
logs running the whole length of the building at right angles to
them. Ten years after the organization, the membership had
increased to nineteen. In February, 1864, a call was made for Rev.
W. T. Dickson for one-half his time. Mr.
Dickson accepted, and thus became the first pastor of the
church. He continued in charge of the congregation until 1874,
when he severed his relations with the church, and was succeeded in the
following year by the present pastor [1888], Rev.
J. W. McConkey. The membership of church is 500, of the
Sunday-school 400. Following is the present session: T.
W. Dale, R. C. Craig, J. A. McDowell, James W. Anderson, I. C. Ketler,
James Gilman and J. E. Black.
The officers of the various societies connected with the congregation
are: Sunday-school, J. E. Black,
superintendent; J. N. White,
assistant. Ladies Missionary Society: Mrs.
B. F. Junkin, president; Mrs. A. M. Craig,
secretary; Miss Ina McDowell, president; Miss
Flora Craig, secretary, and Mrs. Effie
Meyers, treasurer. Children's Band: Miss
Flora McDonald, president; Miss Mary Craig,
secretary, and Miss Lizzie Laughlin,
treasurer.
from History of Mercer County, 1888, page
508.
Continuing History
