Payette County ID Archives Church Records.....The History of the 1st Presbyterian Church-Payette, Idaho
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Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com November 27, 2005, 11:56 pm

History of the 1st Presbyterian Church 
Payette, Idaho

On July 31, 1891, a petition signed by thirteen persons was addressed to Rev. 
W. H. Hawkes Superintendent of the American Home Missions Society for Utah and 
Idaho, asking for the Organization of a congregational Church in Payette.  The 
petition was granted and the Organization effected on August 22nd with Rev. G. 
L. Cady as Minister.

On Sept. 15th the church decided to erect a house of worship.  This building 
became the Tabernacle, precious in the memory of the older members of the 
church.  There is no record of the date of its dedication.  

The first record of a meeting in the Tabernacle was a business meeting held on 
December 10, 1892.

Rev. Cady was succeeded by Rev. E. A. Paddock on Nov. 1, 1892.

On Dec. 5th the church found itself hopelessly in debt and voted to suspend 
preaching services after Dec. 11, but services were resumed in Feb. 1893 and on 
April 23, 1893 we find the Rev. H. M. Burr acting pastor.  But business 
troubles were not at an end and we find the church taking action May 1st, 1893 
to change to a Presbyterian organization.  There were now 23 members and upon 
the completion of the transfer to the Presbyterian Board the church became 
known as the 1st Presbyterian church of Payette and was enrolled in the 
Presbytery of Boise.  Rev. Burr was retained as Pastor.  Only nine of the of 
the former members enrolled in the new organization but four new names were 
added making the number thirteen as in the first Organization. 

Financial troubles seemed to continue to hinder and Rev. Burr resigned and we 
find little of record until 1896 at which time the church seemed to take on new 
life and a new church costing over $2200 was built all of which, excepting $700 
was raised by the local church and the new building was dedicated on October 
4th by Rev. D. E. Wishard D. D. Synodical Missionary for Utah and Idaho and 
Rev. Robert.  Asa Smith became Pastor and served until the summer of 1898 when 
ill health caused his resignation.  

The church became strong enough to support itself without aid from the board of 
Home Missions.  

The Manse was built in 1906 and the Ministers Salary increased to $1200 in 
1908.  From 1898 to 1908 the list of pastors includes Rev. Avery G. Hunt, Rev. 
J. J. Davy, Rev. Harry Leeds and in Sept. 1908 the Rev. George Henry Turner 
began a successful patorale being followed by the Rev. M. D. Reed who served 
for several years until the disorganization.  

For some years the church grew and prospered and all departments of church work 
were carried on, Sunday School, Christian Endeavor, Womans Missionary Society 
and Ladies Aid Society.  

In 1910 the total membership was 186 but thro many losses by removal and 
various causes it was decided to disorganize and upon petition to Presbytery 
the members were allowed to disband, April 16 to 19, 1923.  The building was 
torn down and the lot sold for a building site. 

There were years when the church was active and much accomplished and the 
active membership left was absorbed in the other churches of Payette where they 
became valued workers.  

Mrs. Underwood


Additional Comments:
This information was provided by the Payette County Historical Society.

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