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159 Oakleigh Avenue P.O. Box 85 Appomattox VA 24522 (434) 352-5119 |
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159 Oakleigh Avenue P.O. Box 85 Appomattox VA 24522 (434) 352-5119 |
Through the Years...A Brief History of Appomattox Court House Presbyterian ChurchAlthough the Presbyterian Church was formally established in the United States in Philadelphia in 1706, the Appomattox Court House Presbyterian Church wasn't established until Rev. George William Leyburn came to Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Rev. Leyburn began conducting worship services in the Union Academy building in 1866 and the church was formally established on November 29, 1867 with Rev. Leyburn being installed with a half-time call. (He also apparently was serving the Walker's Church in Hixburg which had been formed in 1787). Rev. Leyburn remained the pastor of the church until around 1870. During his time in Appomattox Court House Rev. and Mrs. Leyburn, and their daughter Liza, established the first "free" school in the county and used the church building as a school Following the resignation of Rev. Leyburn as pastor, a series of pastors served the church either as installed pastors or as Stated Supply through 1893. The court house burned in 1892 and some records were lost and resulted in the scattering of some of the church's membership. In 1893, the Rev. Edward Marshall Craig served as Stated Supply and under his supervision the Evergreen Church and Pamplin Churches were begun and some of the Appomattox Court House members moved to these churches. The remaining membership was moved to West Appomattox, with their worship services and Sunday School being held in the new court house building, which they shared with the local Methodist Church. Between 1896 and 1898 the pastor, Rev. John C. Leps, served Appomattox Court House as well as Beale Memorial, Concord, Evergreen, and Union Presbyterian Churches. This was his first pastorate and, as he only lasted two years, he may have been a little overwhelmed and probably "worn out"! The church was served by Stated or Temporary Supply pastors until the installation of Rev. William Bedinger in 1901. Under his leadership a new church building was constructed, which continues to serve as the sanctuary of the present church. Rev. Bedinger resigned from the church in 1903 and the church was served by supply ministers until 1911 when Rev. Leps returned to serve until 1921. While serving Appomattox Court House he also served Union, Stonewall, Hixburg and Evergreen Presbyterian Churches. At least, this time, he knew what he was getting into serving multiple churches. Between 1921 and 1923, Rev. Walter W. Pippen, Jr. served as pastor of the church. (Session records prior to 1922 have been lost as a result of a fire) In 1924 Rev. Robert Eugene Redding came to Appomattox to serve the Appomattox Court House, Stonewall, Hixburg and Evergreen Churches. He served until his retirement in 1944. During his ministry (prior to 1932) a Sunday School room was constructed on the east side of the sanctuary and a Sixty-fifth Anniversary Service was held. The Rev. John MaCrae served as pastor of Appomattox Court House, Stonewall and Hixburg churches from 1944-1946 and returned to the church to relate the History of the church at its Centennial celebration in 1967. After Dr. MaCrae resigned the church was without an installed pastor until Rev. Dr. William Twyman Williams, Jr., was called as pastor in 1948 (along with Stonewall and Hixburg.) He served until his retirement on December 1961. Construction of the Educational Building began in 1952 and was dedicated on October 12, 1952 along with the new Hammond Organ in the Sanctuary. Dr. Williams conducted the service of dedication which was followed by a dinner served by the Women of the Church. (All Presbyterians love to eat)! Between 1955 and 1959, dedications of new pulpit furniture, three stained glass windows behind the pulpit, and a new piano for the Sanctuary which was purchased by the Young People were held. Dr. Williams gave the Centennial Prayer at the Anniversary Service. Two of the four people joining the church at the dedication of the "new" church building in 1901 were recognized for their presence at the Centennial celebration. The church had no regular minister until April 1962 when Rev. Millard Gray Stimpson came as pastor (also serving Stonewall and Walker's Churches). The church was in the process of remodeling and a dedication of the new Sanctuary stained glass windows and new pews was held. In the Spring of 1963 a new pastor's study was added and in 1964 the Church and Educational Building were brick-veneered and storm windows installed in the Educational Building, a name plaque was attached at the front entrance of the vestibule, a gold-plated cross was mounted on the top of the steeple, and new doors leading into the Sanctuary were installed. In 1966 the new acoustical system was dedicated. Rev. Stimpson completed his ministry at the church in 1971. However, he has continued to serve the church as advisor to subsequent pastors, filling in as supply minister and visiting members of the congregation when there has been no installed pastor, or occasionally serving as moderator for this church as well as surrounding churches. Rev. Cecil Dalton became pastor of the yoked churches of Walker's and Appomattox Court House in July of 1973 and served until his unexpected death in March 1977, three days after moderating a session meeting. In January 1977 Wednesday and Sunday night services were discontinued due to the fuel crisis. Rev. Peter Hale was called to serve the yoked churches in October 1977 and served until August of 1982. During Rev. Hales tenure the annual church picnic was begun in 1978, through the Appomattox Ministerial Association the Holy Week services with light lunches were started, Plexiglas was installed to cover the stain glass windows, and renovations and additions to the educational building were made. In 1983 two organs at the church were traded in and the present organ was purchased. One organ belonged to the church, the other belonged to Ellen O'Brien. Dr. Jim Ferry became the installed pastor of the yoked churches in May of 1984 and served through June of 1991. During his tenure the rotational classes of officers began, the Walkers and Appomattox Court House Youth groups started meeting separately, and Peaks Presbytery was formed from the combination of prior Presbyteries. The congregation helped Walkers celebrate their 200th Anniversary by worshiping with them. Following Dr. Ferry's departure after considerable discussion, the yoke with Walkers was broken in October 1991. In the spring of 1992 the church held a celebration for the 125th Anniversary of the Appomattox Court House Church. In October 1992 John and Roberta Kidd became Co-Pastors and served until the relationship was dissolved in 1996. During the time they were with the church, a renovation enlarging Fellowship hall, the repositioning of the kitchen, the installing of a handicapped ramp, repositioning of the pastor's study and conference room, and the creation of a handicapped bathroom was completed and the church building is now in its current form. The adjacent property to the church (formally owned by Elder Ellen O'Brien who died in November 1995) was purchased and rented until a proper use could be determined. The home is currently being used as a clothes closet run by volunteers (from a number of churches) for the community needy. The log cabin situated on the O'Brien property was donated to the Historical Society and moved to the Historical Village. Rev. Reuel Lanphier Howe, Jr., was called by the church and began serving in 1998 through 2001. The church celebrated the 100th anniversary of the present building. Rev. Howe (Lanny) was extremely interested in History, and created and brought the church registers up to date in a consolidated register. (All Baptisms, deaths, individuals joining the church, and transfers out of the church had previously only been included in session minutes.) He volunteered at the National Park at Appomattox Court House where he met and married his wife Lynda. During the interim period between Rev. Howe and the arrival of Rev. Smith, the congregation was served by two Interim ministers-Rev. Sherwood Smith (who had served the church in that capacity 10 years previously) and Rev. Frank Avery. The congregation voted in 2002 to go to a Unified System of government (only elders) and became incorporated as a result in Virginia Law allowing this and a Book of Order mandate that if allowed, Presbyterian Churches should incorporate. Rev. Cameron Smith, a newly ordained pastor, joined our church in March of 2004. His wife, Shannon and son Matthew accompanied him and were very quickly joined by the birth of their daughter, Rachel, the following month! Appomattox Court House Presbyterian Church has been involved in a great many mission and community projects over the years. In addition, through the years the church facilities have been used by a number of groups in the community as well as annual functions of the church. Listed below are some of the groups that have used the church or continue to use the church.
On going church activities include:
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Appomattox Court House Presbyterian Church 159 Oakleigh Avenue :: P.O. Box 85 :: Appomattox VA 24522 (434) 352-5119 |