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The origins of the Virginia Presbytery

From the Centennial History of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (1803-1903)
Prepared and Published by Order of the Synod

The Presbytery of Virginia is composed of the following churches: Old Providence, Augusta Co., Timber Ridge, Ebenezer and Broad Creek, Rockbridge Co., Va., and New Lebanon, Monroe Co., W. Va. Ebenezer congregation for many years worshipped regularly also in Bethel Church, and was therefore called often Ebenezer and Bethel. Services are now very seldom held in the latter church. These five churches were in connection with the Presbytery of Pennsylvania from 1782 till Oct. 22, 1802, when they were connected with Big Spring Presbytery. This relation being dissolved at the forced union in 1822, the residue of the Associate Reformed congregations joined the Associate Church. The Associate Churches maintained their connection with the Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania, and were, May 1, 1800, transferred to Chartiers Presbytery. In Aug., 1803, however, they were a part of the Presbytery of the Carolinas, and here they remained till April 16, 1844, when they became a part of the First Presbytery.

The Virginia Presbytery was organized at Ebenezer, May 8, 1854, the following members being present: Rev. Horatio Thompson, D. D., Rev. I. G. McLaughlin, Rev. W. M. McElwee. Student, A. B. Beamer. Elders, Hugh Brownlee, Michael Beamer, John McKerny.

Dr. Thompson preached the opening sermon from John 4:38, “Other men labored and ye are entered into their labors.”

Our limited space forbids us to speak of the encouragements and the discouragements of the work of the Lord in the Presbytery. The interest in and the contributions to Home and Foreign Missions have been good. The women, the young people and even the children have contributed to it. May the Lord prosper his work more and more.