A History of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church

 

 

A History of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church

The Big Spring Presbyterian Church in Big Spring, an area settled by people of refinement and culture from east of the Allegheny mountains, was established due to the lack of buildings for worship. The exact date of its founding is unclear, but there is no written record of a minister before 1868, when Elder John Moore was appointed to meet with the people of Big Spring. At the same time, Col. A. L. Gatewood was appointed to a monthly appointment at Big Spring and was tasked with raising a salary of fifty dollars, with assistance from Elder Moore. The first service was held on June 27, 1868.

Early Years and Growth

The pastor at that time was Rev. S.P. Bryon, who also served as pastor for the Linco, Tygart Valley, and Beverly Churches. Rev. Bryon later accepted a call to another church, dissolving his pastoral relations with Big Spring. The final service for this iteration of the Big Spring church was held on July 26, 1867. It is unclear how the church functioned for a year with a final service predating the first.

Subsequently, petitions were circulated and signed, requesting that the Presbytery establish a church at Big Spring. Signatories included:

• J. W. McCalpin from the Huntersville Church
• Mr. & Mrs. H. L. Slenker
• Mr. & Mrs. Varner
• Mrs. Annie Localpin
• Mrs. Rhea from the Linco Church
• Mrs. Mary Gatewood of Warm Springs
• Mrs. N. P. Vandervort
• A. C. L. Gatewood
• Annie Localpin
• Mary Localpin
• Lillie Vandervort
• Fannie Vandervort
• Myrtle Varner
• Li. C. Gatewood
• H. F. Hamilton
• Mrs. Wm. Wooddell
• C ... Showalter

The Presbytery granted the request and formally organized the Big Spring church on August 25, 1864, under the leadership of Rev. J. H. Sloan, an evangelist from Greenbrier Presbytery. During the organization, J.W. McCalpin and Col. ...L. Gatewood were elected, ordained, and installed as ruling elders, while B. F. Hamilton was made a deacon. The congregation voted to name the church “Big Spring.” Col. ...L. Gatewood generously donated the land for the church building.

Later Years

The church continued to operate and in 1893, it was reported to the General Assembly as having nineteen members. However, by 1896, the church was reported as vacant. Throughout its history, Big Spring was associated with other churches as part of home mission groups and was served by a series of ministers, including:

• Rev. R. L. Caldwell
• H. W. McLaughlin
• G. W. Nickell
• Asa D. Watkins
• Walter Bein
• W. R. Gibbs
• F. W. Gray

From 1931 onward, the pastor was Rev. C. N. Miles. At the time the source was written, the church had only one elder, Mr. B. F. Gatewood. Services were held twice a month, and the membership was approximately twenty people. The church also hosted Sunday School each Sabbath with an enrollment of thirty. Notably, there was no women’s organization in the church.