The Presbyterian Faith

 

The sources contain a wealth of information about the Presbyterian Church in Virginia and West Virginia, including its early history, organization, key figures, and impact on the region.

Early History and Origins

• The Presbyterian faith was brought to the area primarily by Scotch-Irish immigrants. Many of these early Presbyterians had originally settled in Ulster, Ireland, before migrating to America.
• During the existence of the Commonwealth in England, Presbyterians in Ulster were not molested, and many Episcopal clergy joined them, leading to a "Second Reformation".
• In 1653, only a few Presbyterian ministers remained in Ulster, but by 1660, there were at least seventy ministers serving eighty congregations.
• In the early 1700s, the established Church of England was the official church of the colony, and all inhabitants were assessed to pay for its expenses.
• Presbyterians, being Dissenters, initially faced some difficulties in obtaining licenses for their houses of worship in areas east of the Blue Ridge. However, in the Valley of Virginia, where many Presbyterians settled, there was less difficulty in obtaining licenses for their meeting houses.
• The first Presbyterian church in the Virginias was organized in 1783 in Lewisburg, by the Rev. John McCue.
• The oldest Presbyterian church in the Pendleton County area is that of Upper Tract, with an organization likely existing prior to 1797.

Key Figures and Ministers

• Rev. John Craig was an early and important Presbyterian minister in Augusta County. He initially served the congregations of Shenandoah, Augusta, and Tinkling Spring.
• Rev. Samuel Davies, of Hanover County, was a prominent early Presbyterian minister.
• Rev. John Brown, of New Providence, was another key early minister.
• Rev. Alexander Craighead, of Windy Cove, was an early Presbyterian minister.
• Rev. William Graham precipitated a controversy over psalmody at New Providence Church by introducing Watts' psalms.
• Rev. William Calhoon served as pastor of the united congregations of Staunton and Hebron.
• Rev. Joseph Smith was the first pastor of the Staunton church when it became a separate organization.
• Rev. Samuel Brown was pastor of the New Providence congregation for many years and had several sons who became ministers.
• Rev. David H. Cunningham served the Pisgah church, which was the mother church for the Presbyterian church in Crabbottom.
• Rev. Ferdinand Lair is credited with preaching the first Methodist sermon in Pendleton County, although he rested his Bible on a tree limb.
• Many Presbyterian ministers were educated at Liberty Hall, later named Washington College.
• Many ministers served multiple congregations or traveled circuits.

Church Organization and Practices

• Early Presbyterian congregations were often organized in rural areas.
• The Presbyterian Church in America was divided into "Old Side" and "New Side" factions, with differences in their approach to promoting religion. The New Side followed the more zealous and emotional style of George Whitefield.
• The "Old Side" Presbyterians were more conservative and less aggressive in their practices.
• In 1755, the Hanover Presbytery was formed by the Synod of New York.
• The Presbytery of Abingdon was formed in 1786 and included many congregations in Southwest Virginia, western North Carolina, and eastern Tennessee.
• Presbyterians used the version of the Psalms by Rouse, which was later replaced in many congregations by the smoother version by Dr. Isaac Watts, leading to some controversy.
• Presbyterians placed great importance on the preaching of the gospel.
• Presbyterians often sought rural areas in which to worship.
• Presbyterians in Staunton initially worshipped in the courthouse, and later in the old parish church before building their own church.
• Camp meetings, though originating with a Baptist preacher, were adopted by some Presbyterian congregations.
• Presbyterians built their first church in Staunton in 1818.

Geographic Distribution

• Presbyterian churches were numerous throughout the Valley of Virginia, including Augusta, Rockbridge, and Pendleton Counties.
• The Scotch-Irish Presbyterians were particularly strong on the South Branch of the Potomac, but many moved on to newer locations.
• Early Presbyterian meeting houses were located at various places such as Stone Church, Tinkling Spring, Hebron, Rock Spring, and Bethel.
• Other Presbyterian churches were located at Mossy Creek, New Providence, Timber Ridge, Falling Spring, Hall's meeting-house, and Windy Cove.
• There were also Presbyterian churches in Pocahontas County at Oak Grove and at Marlinton.

Social and Cultural Impact

• Presbyterian ministers often served as community leaders.
• Many early settlers were strict observers of the Presbyterian form of worship.
• Presbyterians were known to be people of strong moral character.
• The Presbyterian Church was a central part of the social and religious lives of many people in the region.
• Presbyterian churches often became centers for community activity and social gatherings.

Specific Examples

• The New Providence church was founded by families who emigrated from a church of the same name in Pennsylvania.
• A schism occurred in the New Providence congregation when Watts' psalms were introduced.
• A Presbyterian church was going up in Staunton at the time of Rochefoucault's visit.
• The Presbyterian Synod of Virginia met in Staunton in 1818.
• The first Presbyterian church in Waynesborough was built around 1798.
• The Presbyterian Church at Franklin had a number of pastors.
• The Presbyterian church in Staunton was used for a variety of community events and gatherings.
• Many individuals, both men and women, were active members of the Presbyterian Church and contributed to its work.
• Presbyterians made a strong stand for religious liberty in the region.
• The Presbyterian church at Loch Willow was a site of funeral services.
• Several ministers served as chaplains in the U.S. military.

In summary, the Presbyterian Church has a rich and complex history in the region, playing a vital role in the lives of many settlers and shaping the cultural and religious landscape of Virginia and West Virginia. The sources reveal the dedication, perseverance, and influence of the Presbyterian community throughout the region, highlighting its significance in the historical narrative.