John Calvin Barr was reared on his father's farm and followed agriculture until reached his twenty-fourth year, attending the local schools as opportunity was afforded him. He then entered Jefferson College at Canonsburg, where he was graduated B.A. in the class of 1855. In September of that year he began his preparation for the ministry in the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny, where he confined his studies until 1858, although had been licensed to preach in January of the previous year.

In the spring of 1857 he went to Pocahontas county, Virginia (now West Virginia), and commenced his labors there as a home missionary. In his Sabbath school work and in building up the churches of Liberty and Baxter, he had much encouragement. In April, 1858, he was ordained to the full work of the ministry, and now added to his field the beautiful Pisgah valley in Highland county, Va., making frequent journeys over Cheat Mountain to preach at Huttonsville and Beverly. In all these mountain regions his labors were so much appreciated that he would gladly have spent his days preaching to the pure minded people there.

In the spring of 1859 Rev. John C. Barr was married to Miss Maria Smith, the daughter of Joseph Smith, D.D. This change of relations required a more settled life than that which he had been leading over a wide evangelistic field. At the same time a pressing call came to him from the church at Lewisburg, Va (now West Virginia), to become the assistant pastor with Dr. McElheney. After due deliberation, he accepted the call and entered upon his labors in May, 1859. He found Dr. McElheney a very delightful and profitable colleague. The two men labored together like father and son without a discordant note for nearly ten years. The junior pastor took the responsibility of preaching in the town church and the senior pastor preached at two points in the country. During this period of collegiate labor, there were two precious revivals of religion, one just before the war in which thirty were added to the church and another just after the war in which ninety were added to the church.

Dr. Barr's labors were much blessed while he was at Lewisburg assisting his brethren in holding evangelistic meetings at their respective churches. In 1866 and 1867 he was troubled so much with his throat that he was compelled to resign his pastorage in 1868, and take charge of the school which had recently been established in Charleston, W.Va., namely the Charleston Institute, of which he had the control for several years, became a feeder of the church. He afterwards taught in a house that stood on part of the grounds now occupied by the Charleston Hardware Company, and later in the old lecture room.

Dr. Barr was a ripe scholar and a most successful teacher, in which capacity he did a work for a great good at a time prior to the development of our excellent public school system. Those who are not conversant with the facts can hardly appreciate the benefit derived by the church from Dr. Barr's connection with the old Charleston Institute. It is to be hoped that Christians will never forget that the school should be the handmaiden of the church, and that there must be something wrong about the school that does not, at least indirectly, achieve this relation.

After a few months' rest from preaching, his throat recovered, and he felt ready to supply the pulpit as well as manage the school. The church was divided between the two sections North and South, and as a compromise measure it was agreed that they would not recognize presbyterian control on either side. The church became vacant, and Dr. Barr took charge first of the Sabbath school, which was large and flourishing, and during the year took charge of the pulpit. After a few months a gracious revival of religion followed, in which thirty of the older scholars of the school united with the church. The gospel was faithfully preached, with no allusion to any differences existing between the people. In three years a majority of the congregation longed to return to their old presbyterian relations. They made a friendly separation from those who desired to go to the northern branch of the church. Dr. Barr was regularly installed pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Dr. Stewart Robinson and Rev. John Brown conducting the installation service. From that time the church with its surrounding missions has grown until it is taking its place with the largest and most powerful churches in the synod in Virginia.

Dr. Barr tried to exemplify in his life the scriptural lessons of Faith, Hope and Charity, and to advance his Master's kingdom in so far as it lay in his power. His efforts were largely blessed and on his way through life he made many warm friends who are bound to him in ties of love. Despite his advanced years he still possessed to the end a fairly good share of his old time vigor and never felt so contented as when in the harness doing his Master's work. He had a comfortable residence at No. 809 Quarrier street, Charleston.

On Friday night, September 8, 1911, he quietly breathed his last and entered upon the life eternal. He had lived a long life of faith and untiring fidelity, winning the esteem and love of a host of friends, and the confidence and honor of the whole city. The Southern Presbyterian Church of Charleston, W.Va., has set a fine example to the whole southern church in the splendid way in which they have taken care of the aged pastor and his wife since 1908, when he became disabled. He is survived by his wife and one son, a niece and two nephews.