Caldwell County MO Archives History .....EARLY HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH  
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		NOTES ON THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT 
HAMILTON MO
	Narrator:  Dr. Tinsley Brown, 80

     While Dr. Brown was not a member of this church during its early years, 
yet he was a researcher into its past.
     He quotes the records of the sessions.  In April 1867, Rev. P. Fox 
commenced preaching in Hamilton, probably in the depot, or in some private 
home.  He was the first Old School Presbyterian to preach here.  (There was a 
schism in the church, Old school and New school.)
     Soon after he began working here, it was plain that enough people were 
here to form a church.  On the 18th day of Aug. 1867, at the close of service, 
all those who wished to organize an Old School Presbyterian church remained; 
they were Wm. Gibson and wife, Lucinda Gibson.  Geo. Wilson and wife, Mary 
(father of Dr. I.C. Wilson).  Wm. G. Stewart (father of Frank Stewart) and 
wife, Mary.  Andrew King and wife, Elizabeth.  S.P. Wilson, Jane Collins 
(mother of James Collins), Miss Mary E. McAdoo, and Samuel Quick.
     The first ruling elders were Wm. Gibson and Geo. Wilson.  The first 
Lord's Supper was on Sept. 1 1867 when the elders were installed.  The first 
services were in the Methodist church.  One service at least was in the 
Baptist chapel on Kingston street, opposite the park.  One session notice says 
they met in the M.E. church.  Records of the early Baptist church relate that 
the Baptists and Presbyterians together used the McAdoo's Hall on north Main, 
a frame two story.  Then the Presbyterians occupied the frame church building 
on the present site of the Presbyterian church.  This house had been owned by 
the Protestant or Free Methodists and then was sold to the Presbyterians 
1872.  The Baptists rented it two Sundays a month.  Occasionally, the session 
(as per records) met out in the country to accommodate the country members.  
Once in 1867, they met at Pleasant Ridge east of town to take rural members 
into the church.  The first trustees were Wm. G. Stewart, James McAdoo (early 
druggist) and Dr. S.V. Stoller (early doctor).
     The first pastor was John P. Fox, and no one is now left who recalls 
him.  Rev. Joel Kennedy was the next, having also N.Y. township church as a 
charge.  Many people yet recall him.  He was the preacher who married "Aunt 
Mary Kautz," who lived in N.Y. township, but now lives in Hamilton aged 88.  
Then followed Wm. M. Reed, T.C. Armstrong, John C. Young who is still 
remembered very well, H.M. Rogers in the early 80s, and H.M. Sydenstricker who 
is an uncle of Mrs. Pearl Buck, the novelist.  That takes us up to 1890.
     Of the first 12 who formed the constituent members of the church, Wm. G. 
Stewart was the only one in membership when the brick church was dedicated 
1900 (the building having been out of use since the Federation of the 
Presbyterian and the Congregational churches 1928).


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