A Brief History of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

Presbyterians have featured prominently in United States history. The Rev. Francis Makemie, who arrived in the U.S. from Ireland in 1683, helped to organize the first American Presbytery at Philadelphia in 1706. In 1726, the Rev. William Tennent founded a ministerial ʻlog collegeʼ in Pennsylvania. Twenty years later, the College of New Jersey (now known as Princeton University) was established. Other Presbyterian ministers, such as the Rev. Jonathan Edwards and the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, were driving forces in the so-called “Great Awakening,” a revivalist movement in the early 18th century. One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Rev. John Witherspoon, was a Presbyterian minister and the president of Princeton University from 1768-1793.

In the early 1800ʼs the church held revivals and organized congregations, Presbyteries and Synods emphasizing the connectional nature of the church. Presbyterians also encouraged the growth of educational institutions and missionary outreach.

The nineteenth century also brought about disagreement and division over theology, governance, and reform. Portions of the Presbyterian church in the United States have separated from the main body, and some parts have reunited, several times. The greatest division occurred in 1861 during the American Civil War. The two branches created by that division were reunited in 1983 to form the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), currently the largest Presbyterian group in this country.

History of Pikeville First Presbyterian Church

In the spring of 1883 Dr. James Hendrick of Flemmingsburg, Kentucky, arrived in Pikeville to make plans for the establishment of a Presbyterian Church in the Big Sandy Valley. The church was organized on October 30, 1883 and met in the Methodist Church. Three elders were elected: Charles M. Parson, James R. Smith, and W. Mayo Connolly.

Reverend A.C. Steward was called as the first pastor. In 1889 a Presbyterian school was established on College Street and worship services were held there. By 1904 the church had grown to 78 members.

During the early 1900ʼs, the church and school grew under the guidance of Dr. James F. Record, who assumed leadership in 1889, a position he held until 1932. The church structure, (the building before we moved to this location) was built in 1908 and the church school addition later added in 1983. That church was extensively flooded twice when the Big Sandy River went over its banks – in 1957 and in 1977.

In November of 1998, the First Presbyterian church moved to its new structure on Cedar Creek Road, having out grown the older facility. That old church was sold to the Methodist church and was eventually torn down to make room for additional parking. The stained glassed windows that you see throughout the building and in the Sanctuary (all but the round one) had come from the old building. The pews in the hallways also came from the older structure.

The future of our church is known but to God. As it unfolds for us day by day, however, we pray that each of us will find a place among those who labor faithfully for the Lord Jesus Christ and find joy and peace in serving him.