History of First Presbyterian Church of Catlettsburg

Red Letter Dates in History of the First Presbyterian Church of Catlettsburg, Kentucky

1852 - Prior to 1852, preaching was maintained with some regularity at Catlettsburg for a number of years by various ministers who served the Bethesda Church (now Ashland First Presbyterian Church), namely Rev. J. H. Condit, Rev A.A. Case, and Rev. T. D. Lea. In 1852, a Committee of the Presbytery organized The Presbyterian Church of Catlettsburg with 16 members during the ministry of Rev. T. D. Lea, Stated Supply Pastor.

1859 - "The Presbyterian Church of Catlettsburg" was re-organized by Rev. J. C. Bayless under the name "Catlettsburg Presbyterian Church" in connection with the "Old School" Presbyterian General Assembly.

1862 - During the Civil War (1861-1865) the church building was used by the Union Army of Occupation. (The State of Kentucky began the war as a Neutral State) The original wood frame building was used as a headquarters, barrack, prison, and hospital which prevented the congregation from worshiping there.

1867 - During the ministry of Rev. J. D. McClintock, the church was re-named "The First Presbyterian Church of Catlettsburg" and became part of the southern Presbyterian Church General Assembly, The Presbyterian Church, in the U.S.

1875 - The present church building was dedicated, having been built during the ministry of Rev. W. W. Evans, who was succeeded by Rev. F. W. Lewis, a part-time pastor in 1877. He was succeeded in 1882 by Rev. E. F. Howe and, in 1885, Rev. S. D. Boggs.

1888 - Rev. Samuel D. Boggs was engaged as the first full-time pastor. During his first year of ministry, he conducted a protracted evangelistic meeting, which continued nightly for three months and more than 200 new members were added to the church. Mission Churches were organized at Hampton City, Argo City, and Normal of members living in those communities. Dr. Boggs served 22 years and 2 months as pastor.

1908 - Rev. W. J. Garrison was installed as pastor, and served until 1912.

1913 - Rev. R. L. Kinnaird was installed as pastor, and served until 1916.

1917 - Rev. G. M. Howerton was installed as pastor, and served until 1922.

1924 - Rev. J. R. Clark was installed as pastor, and served until 1926.

1927 - Dr. A. O. Price was installed as pastor and served until 1941. He also served as pastor of the Normal Presbyterian Church.

1942 - Rev. William Travis was installed as pastor of the Church and served until 1944 when he was called into military service as a Chaplin in the Army for the duration of World War II. Professor H. M. Hayward became Supply Pastor, to 1946.

1947 - A new Manse was built on the corner of Panola Street for the newly ordained pastor Gerald V. Case who was a student at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary.

1950 - Rev. Charles Arthur Scott was installed as pastor and served until the end of 1954.

1952 - In June, construction began by the men of the Church for the Centennial Addition, which was dedicated on June 4th, 1954 as the Harry Barker Russell Religious Education Building. The cost of the building was approximately $47,000, and many had donated their labor and talents.

1955 - Rev. Bert E. Clark was installed as pastor and served until 1959.

1960 - Rev. Daniel Purdom was installed as pastor and served until 1963.

1964 - Rev. Robert Thomas was installed as pastor and served until 1966.

1966 - Rev. Tom Vincell became Stated Supply while serving Normal Church until 1976, when severe illness limited his efforts.

1976 - Reverend Hank Peterson, Chaplain at the Federal Prison, became Supply Pastor and served until 1985.

1985 - Rev. Forrest Ford, Honorably Retired, and a former pastor of Normal Church, became Supply Pastor and served until his death in 1989. Presbytery named Rev. C Arthur Scott, Honorably Retired, as moderator. Pulpit supplies until 1991 included also Chaplain Morris Thompson, Chaplain Joe Elam, and rev. William Harper, Honorably Retired.

1991 - Rev. C. Arthur Scott became Supply Pastor serving the church during the 140th Anniversary Year 1992, when the buildings were restored and renovated for the Re-Dedication Celebration on May 17th, 1992. He served until 1996.

1996 - Richard Brown, Lay Pastor, was commissioned to serve to this present day.