A history of Mossy Creek Presbyterian Church

Machine generated contents note: Prefacev

Chapter I Scotch-Irish Settlers1

Scotland, Ireland. The Voyage to America. Life in Pennsylvania.

Church and Community in the Colonial Valley

Chapter II 1768-180826

Organization and Early Years

Organization of Congregation. The Reverends Thomas Jackson and Benjamin Erwin.

Relationships with Cooks Creek, Augusta, Linville Creek, Peaked Mountain, and

Harrisonburg Congregations. First and Second Church Buildings. Leaders in the New

Congregation. Early Subscribers to the Church. Concerns of the Early Congregation.

Life in the Congregation

Economic and Social Conditions. War for Independence. Religious Freedom.

German Neighbors.

Chapter III 1809-1860 60

A Period of Growth and Development

The Reverends Andrew Davidson, John Hendren, Issac Paul, John Van Lear and

John Pinkerton. Third and Fourth Church Buildings. Relationship with Union

Congregation. Elders and Trustees. German Membership Grows.

Life in the Congregation

Political Leaders and Influence. The Slavery Question. Relationship to Gennan

Congregations. Westward Movement. Growth of Education and Mossy Creek

Academy. Building Roads. Clouds of War.

Chapter IV 1860-1907 104

Trial and Recovery

The Reverends John Pinkerton, John Rosebro, Fleming Railey, and L. H.

Paul. Elders, Deacons, and Trustees. Church Discipline. A Manse is Built.

The Fifth Church Building. Chapels at Moscow and Sangersville. Organizations for

Women and Youth.

Life in the Congregation

The Call to Arms. Death and Destruction during the Civil War. Reconstruction and

Politics. Public Schools. The Railroad Comes. Village Trading Centers.

Chapter V 1907-1968152

The Twentieth Century

The Reverends James Massey, Martin Turnbull, Joseph Harris, Charles Fulton,

C. Irving Lewis, Stafford Query, Charles Slider, D. L. Beard, Marion Simmons,

Howard M. Wilson, and Millard Stephens. Elders, Deacons and Trustees. Chapels

Continue and Then Close. Leadership Training. Changing Forms of Worship.

Life in the Congregation

Improved Transportation and Increased Educational Opportunity. Two World

Wars and Difficult Economic Times. A Changing Community.

Epilogue and Conclusion 204

The Reverends C. Irving Lewis, Charles MacArthur, Robert Field, Jerry Smith,

and Jeffery Jones. Recent Developments in the Congregation. Conclusion.

Sources Consulted219

Appendix A Subscription Lists for the 1840s 231

Appendix B Pew Holders 234

Appendix C Individuals Voting in 1867 Concerning Denominational Affiliation 238

Appendix D Gravestones in the Old Portion of the Mossy Creek Cemetery 240

Appendix E An Abstract of Extant Membership Actions by the Session 1811-1900 254

Appendix F Elders and Deacons 1968-2000 294

Index 297.