First Presbyterian Church
Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 22 April 1930, page 1
A stone structure shaded by tall linden and sycamore trees, the First Presbyterian Church on Overton st. Newport, is one of the prettiest churches in Northern Kentucky. The present First Presbyterian Church has had three names and is not in reality the first Presbyterian Church. Tho much of the early history of the church, which had been in the keeping of one whose home was washed away in one of the early floods, has been lost, still some of the facts concerning the previous years can be gleaned from various records.
The present Church was known as the Second Presbyterian Church and the Columbia Street Presbyterian Church in former years. The First Presbyterian Church in Newport was organized in 1845 by Rev Samuel Lynn, John C Bayless and elders William Everett and James Preston with eight members. The minutes two years later mention Hiram Randall as the ruling elder, also the work of Ephraim Ladd and Benjamin J Boyd. Other early members are Dr. G H Stewart, Samuel Peacock, Thomas Blackwood, E W Hawkins and John Surran.
The first collection for the Board of Missions was taken in 1857 and the minutes tell of $12.50 collected. In 1851 a number of Newport citizens conceived the idea of organizing a new school church. A committee composed of Dr. E P Pratt and Benjamin Mills was appointed by the Presbytery of Harmony as the present Ebenezer Presbytery then was known. The new minister Rev L P Ledrox of New York City and 14 charter members started the church in the latter part of 1851.
Minutes refer to Mrs. Naomi Coffin as one of the early members. In February 1852 the election and ordination of the elders Henry Newton and Dr. George Stewart. On April 4, 1852, the church men voted to call it the Second Presbyterian Church of Newport. The first 14 months the new church was supplied with preaching by Rev G M Hain and Rev Mr. Orr of Covington. Rev Edwin Black became the stated supply for one year.
In January 1859, the church was built on Columbia st. and is today used by a colored Baptist congregation. Rev William Andrews was called and became the first pastor to devote all his time to the church. In 1861 Rev Fred Gallagher, who succeeded Rev Andrews and of the ordination on March 24 of Thomas Fagin and Sidney Rice as elders. The firing on Ft Sumter created great excitemet at the Sunday morning service. Rev Gallagher, a strong believer in the Union, delivered a fiery sermon that was described as "red hot".
In 1867 it was proposed that the First and Second Presbyterian Churches merge. The members of the first church agreed to sell their lot and apply the proceeds to the debt on the church on Columbia st. Rev John F Coons was chosen pastor and the church was from that time known as the Columbia Street Presbyterian Church. In 1870 Rev Coons slipped on ice and was disabled for further work. He was succeeded by Rev Drake, who remained one year.
In 1871 dissension arose and the pastor and 40 members withdrew founding the York Street Congregational. Rev Henry W Fay was installed in that year. In 1879 the election as elder was M R Harris, April 28, 1882, F J Immegart and George L Hathaway were chosen as elders during the pastorship of Rev H T Steward who filled the pulpit from 1881-1890.
In 1893 the cornerstone of the present edifice on Overton st. was laid. The Building Committee included John Surran, F J Immegart, Henry Hallmeyer, William Morgan and F B Wentworth, following Rev J Blackburn. Rev J P Whitehead was pastor at the time. He was followed by Rev Lindsay, then Rev T W Rainey, who was succeeded by Rev Thornberry. Elmer King is superintendent of the Sunday School. The deacons of the church at the present time are Charles H Sloan, president; Charles Riggs, secretary; Samuel Harton, treasurer; Fred G Otto, Charles Dunkhorst, George L Blackford, Arthur Zimmerman, George F Roth and Elmer King; trustees, Fred G Otto, Samuel Harton and George L Blackford.