Church traces roots to 1828

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December 5, 2009

Richard Copeland - HISTORY BUFF Pharos-Tribune Sat Dec 05, 2009, 06:26 PM EST

The first sacrament performed in Logansport by a Presbyterian minister was the marriage of Maj. Daniel Bell Jan. 1, 1828, by Rev. Crawford of Delphi. The first permanent Presbyterian minister to arrive in Logansport was Rev. Martin M. Post, who arrived Dec. 25, 1829, in a terrible snowstorm.

Rev. Post held his first prayer service just a few days after Christmas in the old seminary building. He continued such services until there were enough interested persons to begin building a church building. The 1836 a wooden building was built on Broadway between Fifth and Sixth streets where the Pharos-Tribune is located. The church was then organized in January 1831, with 21 members.

In 1838 a serious division occurred in the national Presbyterian Church. The division soon came to Logansport causing a severe split in the church. Rev. John Wright led the Old School Presbyterians to meet in a new location with Rev. Post leading the New School Presbyterians in the same location on Broadway.

Sixteen members organized on March 19, 1840, creating the Old School Presbyterian Church in Logansport or the First Presbyterian Church. Williamson Wright deeded the lot at Seventh and Spencer Streets on condition they build a stone church costing not less than $3,000 and that he have first choice of a pew. James Rogers was the contractor. The new building was completed in 1842. The congregation grew rapidly throughout the period from 1842 to 1877.

The year 1877 became an important time for the First Presbyterian Church. The building was greatly enlarged and changed. Envelopes were instituted to make a systematic collection of revenue.

Sunday morning, Jan. 29, 1893, was a total calamity for the First Presbyterian Church. A great fire believed to have started from escaping gas burned the church. Nothing was left except the burned stone walls and the stately spire. Insurance covered part of the loss.

The building committee began immediate plans to rebuild. The building was completely restored and on Sunday, March 11, 1894, the dedication was held in Thanksgiving.

Another fire destroyed the south end of the church in November of 1901. At the rededication, 95 persons were received into the church, bringing the membership to 608.

A momentous decision was made on Aug. 6, 1914, to unite the First Presbyterian Church and the Broadway Presbyterian Church under the name of Calvary Presbyterian Church.

In 1964, a decision was made to build an addition to the west side of the church. It was called Bigler Hall in honor of Rev. B.B. Bigler, who had served the church from 1905 to 1910. His son donated a small farm and house for the construction of the new hall. Ed Medland and Sons won the contract.

Many other small additions and renovations have occurred throughout the years for beauty, comfort and utility.

• Richard B. Copeland is a Cass County historian and may be reached at ptnews@pharostribune.com. The material for this article came from the Calvary Presbyterian Church History of 1992 and the First Presbyterian Church History of 1908.

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