HISTORY OF PENFIELD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

(information from a document donated by Kathryn Bailey,
whose grandmother was a member of this church)

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The village owes it's origin to Mercer University that was located here in the year 1833, as a Labor school under the supervision of the Baptist Church. In a few years, it assumed the proportions of a college and this attracted to the place, a number of excellent families, most of whom were connected with the Baptist Church. Two or three Presbyterian families settled in and about the village just before or soon after the location of the college. These families included, Mr. Johnson Boswell from Woodstock, Mr. B.E. Spencer from Greensborough and w.B. Johnson from Bethany Church. These men in the midst of adverse influences, cherished an abiding attachment for the Church of their fathers and most of the children grew up with a decided preference for the Presbyterian Church.

In the year 1873, a Presbyterian Church was organized at Oakland, about five miles from Penfield. Most of the Presbyterians in Penfield connected themselves with this church. The Rev. Henry Newton, after preaching at Parkland on the Sabbath, would frequently preach Sabbath night in Penfield, at first in private homes and afterwards by request, in the Baptist chapel.

Impelled by a desire to have preaching more often and to enable their children to enjoy the worship of the Sanctuary, they determined to erect a House of Worship. Accordingly, a House of Worship was erected in the spring of the year 1876, at a cost of about $1100.00. The Rev. C.W. Lane preached the dedication sermon on the third Sabbath in June to a crowded house. He preached from Rev. 22:9, "Worship God".

In the fall of 1876, the following petition was sent to the Presbytery, which met at South Liberty:

The undersigned members of the Oakland Church respectfully petition the Presbytery to be set off as a separate organization, to be known as the Penfield Presbyterian Church. Our reasons for making this request are as follows:

1. The distance to Oakland is so great that it is not only inconvenient, but often impossible to take our families to church.

2.We have built a neat and comfortable House of worship, without asking any help from abroad and have paid for it. It has been dedicated as a House of Worship for the Presbyterians.

3. The whole community is deeply interested in the undertaking. They, with us, will feel greatly disppointed if we fail to obtian a separate organization.

4. We acknowledge the authority of the Presbytery and promise obediance to it's requirements in the Lord.

5. While the Oakland Church will be weakend by the withdrawal of so many members, the cause of Christ will be strengthened and promoted.

6. We ask the Presbytery to take this action or appoint a committee to do it because no sessions will be left at Oakland to grant letters of dismission.

signed:

Johnson Boswell, Eliza E. Boswell, John T. Dovin, Ann Dovin, W.J. Boswell, Josephine Boswell, George N. Boswell, J.O. Boswell, J.R. Boswell, M.A. Boswell, Mrs. M.A. Wright, R.B. Boswell, Mifs Lizzie D. Boswell, Mifs Hattie M. Boswell, Mifs Mattie E. Dovin, Mrs. Fannie J. Colclough, Mifs Ada Scott, Mrs. C.G. Spencer, Mrs. Jane Fluker

On motion of the Presbytery, a committee of five was appointed: Dr. C.W. Lane, Rev. F.A. Simpson, Rev. R.N. Neal, William A. Corry and R.B. Smith, to visit Penfield and if the way is open to organize a church there.

The committee was called together December 16, 1876, but owing to the inclemency of the weather, only two of the committee were present, Rev. C.W. Lane and R.B. Smith. And nineteen presented letters of dismissal from Woodstock Presbyterian Church.

The organization was completed by the election of Elder Johnson Boswell and John T. Dolvin. Having signified their acceptance of the office, Mr. John T. Dolvin was ordained and they were duly installed as Elders of Penfield Church.

Closed with appropriate benediction.

C.W. Lane and R.B. Smith, Committee of August Presbytery

Around the turn of the century, the church was considerably changed in architecture. New pews and pulpit furniture, pulpit stand and three pulpit chairs ere added. Two memorial windows, one, 'In Memory of Johnson Boswell' and the other, 'In Memory of Eliza Cheney Boswell', were installed.

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Kathryn Bailey - aerobat2@mindspring.com