Ristori^ 
 
 OF THE 
 
 First Presbijleridn Church 
 
 HICKORY, N. C. 
 
 1873 H 1923 
 
CHURCH ORGANIZATION 
 
 SESSION 
 
 Rev. E. M. Craig, D. D., Moderator. 
 Dr. W. B. Ramsay, Clerk. 
 
 G. W. Hall 
 
 H. E. Me Comb 
 W. B. Menzies 
 R. J. Reveley 
 
 N. M. Seagle 
 Dr. T. F. Stevenson 
 Dr. P. W. Troutman 
 J. J. Willard 
 
 BOARD OF DEACONS 
 
 Judge E. B. Cline, Chairman; R. L. Hefner, Vice-Chairman; 
 
 C. V. Garth, Secretary 
 
 N. W. Clark K. C. Menzies 
 
 G. W. Killian E, D. Yoder 
 
 D. M. McComb G. O. Yount 
 
 Committee Chairmen 
 
 Finance—K. C. Menzies; Property—G. W. Killian 
 Publicity—J. J. Willard; Poor—E. D. Yoder 
 Church Treasurer—J. J. Willard 
 Trustees—Dr. Ramsay, Judge Cline, K. C. Menzies 
 Organist—Mrs. J. H. Hatcher 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL 
 
 R. J. Reveley, Superintendent; H. S. Balch, Asst. Superintendent; 
 C. V. Garth, Secretary and Treasurer 
 
 Teachers 
 
 Dr. W. B. Ramsay 
 Mrs. R. J. Reveley 
 Mr. H. S. Balch 
 Mrs. H. T. Williams 
 
 Mrs. W. B. Ramsay ' 
 
 « 
 
 Miss Rosa Lee Dixon 
 Miss Essie Seagle 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 Mrs. A. C. Kelly 
 Miss Frances Dixon 
 Mrs. George Bailey 
 Miss Amelia McComb 
 Mrs. C. V. Garth 
 Miss Helen Brandon 
 Mrs. W. B. Menzies 
 . C. Yoder 
 
 WOMAN’S AUXILIARY 
 
 Mrs. E. M. Craig, President; Mrs. W. B. Ramsay, Vice-President 
 
 Circle Chairmen 
 
 No. 1, Mrs. Lawrence Cline No. 2, Mrs. A. C. Kelly 
 
 No. 3, Mrs. W. E. Gosnold No. 4, Mrs. R. J. Reveley 
 
 No. 5, Mrs. Connolly C. Gamble 
 

 tiislorical Sketch of the 
 
 First Presbi^terian Church of Hickory, N. C. 
 
 By Dr. ID. B. Ramsay Clerk of the Session 
 
 In preparing to celebrate today, the Fiftieth Anniversary 
 of our church, we have searched the records with a view of 
 setting forth some of the points of interest in the beginning 
 and early struggles and steady growth of the church with the 
 hope that we would be stimulated to greater efforts in the fu¬ 
 ture. 
 
 Nothing will prove of more general interest than the fol¬ 
 lowing from the sessional records: 
 
 Organization 
 
 A petition was sent to the Presbytery of Concord, signed 
 by 14 members of the Presbyterian church from different parts 
 of the county, and a number of the most respectable citizens 
 of Hickory (members of no church) requesting Presbytery to 
 organize a Presbyterian church in Hickory. 
 
 After due consideration Presbytery granted the request 
 and appointed Rev. W. A. Wood and Rev. G. M. Gibbs as a com¬ 
 mittee to visit the village at their earliest convenience, and if 
 the way be clear, organize a church. 
 
 Whereupon, the committee met on the 18th day of March, 
 1873, in the Methodist church in the village of Hickory, and 
 no obstacle being in the way, proceeded to the organization, when 
 the following persons presented certificates of dismissal from 
 their respective churches, viz: 
 
 Mrs. M. C. Baird from Rock Hill, S. C., Mrs. J. R. Bell from 
 Lincolnton, Mrs. C. M. Gibbs, Miss C. S. Gibbs, Mr. R. W. Gibbs 
 and Miss Anna T. Gibbs from Mocksville, Mr. J. B. Hussey and 
 Mrs. J. B. Hussey and Mrs. Caroline Bost from Newton, Mr. 
 J. G. Hall from Wilkesborough, Dr. B. F. Terry and Mrs. B. F. 
 Terry from Hampden-Sidney, Va., and Mrs. I. A. Mobley from 
 Charlotte. 
 
 These certificates being found in order were received and 
 their names enrolled. A call being made for officers, the fol¬ 
 lowing persons were nominated for Elders and unanimously 
 elected, viz: Dr. B. F. Terry, Mr. J. G. Hall and Mr. J. B. 
 Hussey. Having but few male members, the election of deacons 
 was postponed for the time. The above named members having 
 signified their willingness to accept the office of Elder, the 
 
Chairman proceeded immediately to the ordination of the two 
 last named (Dr. Terry having been previously ordained) after 
 which the three were regularly installed into office according 
 to the directions of our Book. 
 
 Two names were then presented for the newly organized 
 church, viz: Piedmont and Gibbs Mission. The latter receiving 
 a majority of votes was chosen as the name. Meeting closed 
 with prayer by W. A. Wood, Chairman. 
 
 Thus the new church began its life, and with Rev. G. M. 
 Gibbs as pastor and Mr. J. B. Hussey as Clerk of the Session. 
 During the first year three new members were added and a 
 movement started to secure a lot for a church. 
 
 The examination of the roll of our church today shows 
 one grandchild. Miss Virginia Hall, as the only representative 
 of the charter members. 
 
 Of the present membership we give the names of five 
 who have been connected with the church the longest: 
 
 Mr. N. M. Seagle, April 5, 1874. 
 
 Mrs. Laura Johnston Totten, April 5, 1874. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Sloop, March 24, 1878. 
 
 Mr. H. E. McComb and Mr. D. M. McComb, March 8, 1879. 
 
 The first report of the Sunday School was in 1876 when there 
 were 48 enrolled and the total gifts amounted to $14.53. 
 
 The name of the church “Gibb’s Mission,” was changed to 
 “Hickory,” in 1878. At the same time the congregation ex¬ 
 tended a call to Rev. T. G. Thurston, of Taylorsville, for one- 
 third of his time at a salary of $250. The call was not accepted 
 until a year later. 
 
 A lot was bought for the church from Henry W. Robinson 
 at the corner of Twelfth Street and Ninth Avenue for $100. 
 Trustees were elected to hold the property as follows: J. G. 
 Hall, R. W. McComb and R. W. Johnston. The first church was 
 erected on the lot facing Twelfth Street. The original building 
 now owned by the Missouri Lutherans, still stands on the 
 lot but has been turned to face Ninth Avenue. 
 
 Rev. L. McKinnon, Rev. R. Z. Johnston, Rev. J. M. Anderson 
 and Rev. T. G. Thurston were invited to dedicate the new church 
 on November 2, 1878. Mr. Thurston was the only one able to 
 be present. The church was dedicated on the date set. The 
 building cost $1,769.23. There was a debt of $739.61 which was 
 assumed and paid by the following: Hall Brothers, R. W. Mc¬ 
 Comb, R. W. Johnston, Mrs. Amelia Young, N. M. Seagle, J. 
 V. Fisher, and A. McIntosh. The congregation worshipped in 
 the Reformed church until the church was erected. 
 
 [Two] 
 
In 1881 the call to Mr. Thurston was amended calling for 
 half his time at a salary of $375. 
 
 Mr. Thurston and his daughter, Allie, were drowned in 
 March, 1884, in trying to ford Catawba River on their way to 
 Taylorsville. This was a very sad and distressing end to a 
 most useful life. 
 
 Rev. Ci A. Monroe, S. S., became pastor April 2, 1885, 
 this church paying a salary of $400, for half his time, the other 
 half being given to Lenoir. Both churches called him for all his 
 time in 1891. He accepted the call to Lenoir, terminating his 
 relations with Hickory April 19, 1891. 
 
 Immediately steps were taken to supply the church, re¬ 
 sulting in a call to Rev. J. Alston Ramsay, D. D., at a salary 
 of $900. He assumed the duties as pastor June 5, 1891 and con¬ 
 tinued until his death Jan. 11, 1900. He was the first pastor 
 called for all of his time. The church was greatly crippled financ¬ 
 ially during the winter of 1894, remembered as the year of a na¬ 
 tion wide financial panic, and had to surrender a part of the 
 pastor’s time. The Newton church called for one fourth of his 
 time. This relation continued through the rest of his pastorate. 
 A Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Society was organized 
 Sept. 21, 1891. The women of the church were so possessed 
 with the idea that women should keep silence in public that 
 none was willing to assume leadership. Dr. Ramsay, the pastor, 
 was elected and acted as the first president of the society. 
 The Earnest Workers were organized about 1887, the first 
 president being Mrs. M. E. Butler, and the first Manse was 
 purchased and largely paid for by them. This property was on 
 Eleventh Avenue between Fourteenth and Fifteenth Streets. Dr. 
 Ramsay was the first pastor to occupy it. 
 
 For the second time the church was called to mourn the 
 loss of a pastor by death, when Dr. Ramsay entered into his 
 rest on Jan. 11, 1900. 
 
 Rev. W. T. Matthews, the next pastor, began his work 
 April 4, 1900, and continued until Sept. 4, 1903. One of the 
 outstanding things of this pastorate was the taking steps look¬ 
 ing to a new church. The present church lot on the corner of 
 Thirteenth Street and Thirteenth Avenue was purchased for 
 $950. The relation between Newton and Hickory churches con¬ 
 tinued through Mr. Matthews’ pastorate. He resigned to accept 
 a call to Durant, Oklahoma. 
 
 On March 6, 1904, Rev. C. W. Trawick became pastor for 
 all his time, the church having recovered and being able to pay 
 a salary of $900. The present church building was begun, com¬ 
 pleted, and dedicated during this pastorate. 
 
 The records show that at a congregational meeting October 
 
 [Three] 
 
19, 1904, the first step to the building of a new church was 
 taken in electing a committee of nine for that purpose, as fol¬ 
 lows: Judge E. B. Cline, Chairman; K. C. Menzies, T. J. Green, 
 W. B. Menzies, A. McIntosh, Geo. W. Hall, H. E. McComb, W. 
 
 B. Ramsay and H. C. Dixon. The church was completed and 
 dedicated under the activities of this committee Dec. 2, 1906 as 
 the following sessional records show: “Our new church having 
 been completed and paid for, was dedicated to the worship of 
 Almighty God on Dec. 2, 1906. 
 
 “Rev. W. W. Moore, D. D., preached the sermon and Rev. 
 
 C. W. Trawick made the dedicatory prayer. E. B. Cline, repre¬ 
 senting the building committee, made a statement showing 
 the cost and furnishings of the church to be $14,060. H. C. 
 Dixon, on behalf of the Board of Trustees accepted the church 
 keys from the building committee.” 
 
 Mr. Trawick continued to serve the church until Sept. 1907, 
 resigning on account of ill health. Rev. C. T. Squires served 
 the church as supply during the last four months of this 
 pastorate. 
 
 Rev. J. M. Wharey, S. S., supplied the church from Sept. 
 1907 to May 1908 to the delight and edification of the church. 
 He instituted the household service which has been continued 
 until this time. 
 
 For the next ten years, July 27, 1908 to Nov. 26, 1918, Rev. 
 J. G. Garth was the pastor, this being the longest in the history 
 of the church. He was called at a salary of $1,000 which was 
 increased three times until it reached $1,500 during his last two 
 years. During this pastorate the organ was installed, the church 
 property was improved and additional real estate purchased. 
 The Young People’s and Sunday School Work showed a notable 
 advance during these years. 
 
 The world war, into which our country was drawn, resulted 
 in thirty of our young men enlisting, and the resignation of 
 the pastor that he might enlist in over-seas Y. M. C. A. work. 
 
 We are glad to note here that all returned home without 
 any fatalities, although Mr. Garth suffered a serious accident 
 in the city of Charlotte, N. C. 
 
 The present pastorate began May 25, 1919. During these 
 four years there has been a steady development in the church 
 work with all departments well organized for efficient service. 
 The number of members added to the church roll during this 
 pastorate is one hundred and eighty-six. The salary offered 
 Dr. Craig was $2,100 which has been increased twice, the pres¬ 
 ent salary being $2,700.00 and Manse. 
 
 [Four] 
 
These pastors, differing in their talents, all filled their 
 places faithfully, and were blessed of God in their labors for 
 the upbuilding of His kingdom in our midst. 
 
 This history would not be complete without mention of 
 the loyalty and devotion of the members of this church, men 
 and women, whose self-sacrificing efforts have made possible 
 the splendid progress of the church, and whose prayers and 
 consecrated lives are our richest heritage. 
 
 The church has entertained Concord Presbytery on several 
 occasions, and the Synod of North Carolina met in this church 
 in 1914. 
 
 Today we are better prepared for a forward work than 
 ever before, and we pray for God’s continued blessing upon us. 
 
 The following members of this church have gone into 
 the Master’s service, or are in preparation: 
 
 Mr. Mattie Ingold Tate, M. D., Korea. 
 
 Mr. J. W. Hassell, Japan. 
 
 Mrs. Louise Dixon Crane, Africa. 
 
 Miss Ruby Satterfield, China. 
 
 Mrs. Eva Harris Clark, Grundy, Va., pastor’s wife. 
 
 Rev. Bonnar Knox, West Virginia. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Ramsaur, Burkemont mission, last year. 
 
 Miss Grace C. Henderson, Assembly Training School, Rich¬ 
 mond, Va. 
 
 Glenn O. Yount, Middle class. Union Theological Seminary, 
 Richmond, Va. 
 
 Table showing reports of the church at the end of each 
 
 five years. The 
 members. Three 
 
 church was 
 Elders were 
 
 organized 
 
 elected. 
 
 March 
 
 18, 1873 
 
 with 13 
 
 Year 
 
 Elders 
 
 Deacons 
 
 Members 
 
 S. 
 
 School 
 
 Gifts 
 
 1878 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 21 
 
 
 81 
 
 $ 707.00 
 
 1883 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 36 
 
 
 87 
 
 510.00 
 
 1888 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 79 
 
 
 93 
 
 635.00 
 
 1893 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 116 
 
 
 89 
 
 1,416.00 
 
 1898 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 116 
 
 
 112 
 
 947.00 
 
 1905 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 137 
 
 
 103 
 
 1,667.00 
 
 1908 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 162 
 
 
 126 
 
 2,178.00 
 
 1913 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 231 
 
 
 242 
 
 3,146.00 
 
 1918 
 
 6 
 
 10 
 
 239 
 
 
 203 
 
 3,527.00 
 
 1923 9 
 
 * estimated. 
 
 9 
 
 355 
 
 
 326 
 
 *8,500.00 
 
 [Five] 
 
Sketch of the lUoman’s Missionary Society 
 
 Bt] Miss Amelia McComb, Auxiliarij Historian 
 
 The Ladies’ Home and Foreign Missionary Society of the 
 Hickory Presbyterian church was organized Sept. 21, 1891, by 
 Rev. Alston Ramsay. There were thirteen charter members as 
 follows: 
 
 Rev. J. A. Ramsay, Mrs. H. C. Hamilton, Mrs. R. W. John¬ 
 ston, Mrs. H. C. Dixon, Mrs. N. M. Seagle, Mrs. L. G. Hay, Mrs. 
 L. M. Totten, Mrs. J. A. Ramsay, Miss E. Bonney, Miss Annie 
 Irvine, Mrs. A. H. Crowell, Mrs. H. E. McComb, Mrs. P. C. Hall. 
 
 The officers of the society were three, a president, a vice- 
 president and a secretary-treasurer. The meetings were held 
 at the residences of the members, taken in alphabetical order, 
 until the new church was built. Since then the Pastor’s Study 
 or church parlor has been the place of meeting. The monthly 
 dues were ten cents per member and this was divided equally 
 between Home and Foreign Missions. 
 
 This society was one of the first in Concord Presbytery 
 to ask that a Union be formed. Presbytery granted the request 
 and the Hickory society had a delegate present at the organi¬ 
 zation of the Union May 8th, 1906, at Salisbury. 
 
 The Union’s fourth meeting was held in the Hickory church 
 April 5-7, 1910. In 1918 the name having been changed from 
 Union to Presbyterial, this organization again met in the 
 Hickory church. 
 
 The weeks of prayer, for Home Missions in the Spring 
 and for Foreign Missions in the fall are observed. 
 
 The Mission Study Classes have been taught. 
 
 The leaders have always been much interested in the 
 mountain schools—Plumtree and Lees McRae, in which several 
 of the young women of the congregation have taught. The 
 Barium Springs Orphanage receives a liberal offering every year. 
 
 The Survey is generally taken. Two who have had their 
 names on our roll have gone to the Foreign Field—Dr. Mattie 
 Ingold Tate to Korea in 1897 and Mrs. Louise Dixon Crane, 
 who sailed on the 30th of January, 1912, for Africa. 
 
 September, 1916, the Ladies auxiliary was divided into cir¬ 
 cles. At that time there were forty-two names on the roll. 
 At the present, March, 1923, there are seventy-five names en¬ 
 rolled. There are five circles, a Young Woman’s Circle having 
 been added last year. 
 
 The Auxiliary gives to all the causes of the church, ac¬ 
 cording to the Assembly’s plan. 
 
 [Six] 
 
The amount contributed by the Circles for 1921-1922 was 
 $842.78. 
 
 The Auxiliary is steadily growing in efficiency and service. 
 
 PASTORS AND SUPPLIES 
 
 Rev. G. M. Gibbs March 18, 1873-March 24, 1878. 
 
 Rev. T. G. Thurston Mar. 31, 1879-Mar. 2, 1884, Drowned. 
 
 Rev. C. A. Monroe, D. D. April 2, 1885-April 19, 1891. 
 
 Rev. J. Alston Ramsay, D. D. July 5, 1891-Jan. 11, 1900. Death. 
 Rev. W. T. Matthews April 4, 1900-Sept. 4, 1903. 
 
 Rev. C. W. Trawick March 6, 1904-Sept. 1907. 
 
 Rev. C. T. Squires Supply, summer 1907 in pastor’s 
 
 absence. 
 
 Rev. J. M. Wharey, D. D. Supply, Sept. 1907-May 1908. 
 
 Rev. J. G. Garth July 27, 1908-Nov. 26, 1918. 
 
 Rev. E. M. Craig, D. D., May 25, 1919. 
 
 RULING ELDERS 
 
 J. G. Hall 
 J. B. Hussey 
 Dr. B. P. Terry 
 
 R. W. Johnston 
 
 R. W. McComb 
 P. C. Hall 
 
 H. C. Hamilton 
 H. C. Dixon 
 Dr. T. T. Hay 
 J. E. Haithcock 
 Dr. W. B. Ramsay 
 A. McIntosh 
 Dr. T. F. Stevenson 
 H. M. Doll 
 G. W. Hall 
 
 S. A. Grier 
 
 Dr. P. W. Troutman 
 David Spence 
 
 N. M. Seagle 
 W. B. Menzies. 
 
 R. J. Reveley 
 J. J. Willard 
 
 March 18, 1873-July 31, 1897. To Lenoir. 
 March 18, 1873-June 1, 1879. To Raleigh. 
 March 18, 1873-April 20, 1877. To Char¬ 
 lotte. 
 
 Oct. 1, 1876-April 11, 1911. 
 
 Oct. 1, 1876-Feb. 4, 1881. Death. 
 
 March 17, 1879-Feb. 2, 1908. Death. 
 
 Jan. 26, 1881-June 17, 1899. Death. 
 
 Nov. 19, 1882-Jan. 21, 1908. Death. 
 
 May 15, 1887-Dec. 7, 1890. To Raleigh. 
 March 1, 1891-Nov. 18, 1915. Death. 
 April 8, 1894. 
 
 June 21, 1903-Sept. 15, 1908. To Ocala, Fla. 
 July 14, 1907. 
 
 Nov. 21, 1907-Aug 6, 1922. Death. 
 
 April 25, 1909. 
 
 June 14, 1915-Dec. 31, 1916. To Barium 
 
 Springs. 
 
 June 3, 1917. 
 
 June 3, 1917-July 11, 1917. 
 
 Jan. 23, 1921. 
 
 Jan. 23, 1921. 
 
 Jan. 23, 1921. 
 
 Jan. 23, 1921. 
 
 [Seven] 
 
CLERKS OF SESSION 
 
 J. B. Hussey 
 J. G. Hall 
 H. C. Hamilton 
 H. C. Dixon 
 Dr. W. B. Ramsay 
 
 N. M. Seagle 
 R. W. Johnston 
 A. McIntosh 
 H. E. McComb 
 
 F. A. Wiley 
 L. M. Totten 
 L. G. Hay 
 
 G. C. Bonniwell 
 G. W. Hall 
 Arthur M. Ingold 
 Judge E. B. Cline 
 W. E. Holbrook 
 
 W. B. Menzies 
 W. A. Hall 
 
 D. M. McComb 
 
 G. W. Killian 
 
 J. J. Willard 
 
 E. D. Yoder 
 
 H. W. Warner 
 
 Dr. Glenn G. Scott 
 W. S. Taylor 
 
 K. C. Menzies 
 Glenn 0. Yount 
 C. V. Garth 
 
 N. W. Clark 
 R. L. Hefner 
 
 March 18, 1873-April 18, 1874. 
 
 April 18, 1874-Feb. 4, 1881. 
 
 Feb. 4, 1881-March 17, 1889. 
 
 March 17, 1889-Jan. 21, 1908. 
 
 Feb. 23, 1908. 
 
 DEACONS 
 
 May 18, 1874-Jan. 23, 1921. Elected Elder. 
 May 18, 1874-Sept. 16, 1876. Elected Elder. 
 Oct. 1, 1876-June 21, 1903. Elected Elder. 
 Mar. 17, 1879-April 25, 1909. Elected Elder. 
 March 17, 1879-May 3, 1884. 
 
 Nov. 19, 1882-Jan 20, 1903. Death. 
 
 May 15, 1887-June 1905. Death. 
 
 Aug. 2, 1891-Oct. 3, 1900. To Raleigh. 
 Nov. 21, 1897-April 25, 1909. Elected Elder. 
 Nov. 21, 1897-Feb. 3, 1909. To Morganton. 
 Mar. 30, 1904. 
 
 Oct. 19, 1904-Oct. 30, 1911. To Greenville, 
 
 S. C. 
 
 Oct. 19, 1904-Jan. 23, 1921. Elected Elder. 
 April 25, 1909-April 5, 1919. Death. 
 
 April 25, 1909. 
 
 May 7, 1911. 
 
 June 6, 1915-Jan. 23, 1921. Elected Elder. 
 June 6, 1915. 
 
 June 3, 1917-Jan. 26, 1920. Death 
 June 3, 1917. Non-resident. 
 
 Jan. 23, 1921-March 14, 1921. Death. 
 
 Jan. 23, 1921. 
 
 Jan. 23, 1921. At Theological Seminary. 
 Jan. 23, 1921. 
 
 Jan. 23, 1921. 
 
 Jan. 23, 1921. 
 
 TREASURERS FROM 1873 TO 1923 
 
 N. M. Seagle, H. E. McComb, Geo. W. Hall, Judge E. B. 
 Cline, W. A. Hall, W. B. Menzies, J. J. Willard. 
 
 SUPERINTENDENTS OF SUNDAY SCHOOL FROM 
 ORGANIZATION TO THE PRESENT 
 
 J. G. Hall, J. E. Haithcock, H. M. Doll, Dr. W. B. Ram¬ 
 say, Geo. W. Hall, R. J. Reveley. 
 
 [Eight]