Presbyterian Women History 

In writing the ‘History of the Women of the Presbyterian Church’ I think the history should be called the ‘Perseverance of the Saints.’  Do we as Presbyterian Women of 2008 have the faith and fortitude shown by the women of our early church?

It is hard to say when the women were first spoken of as an organized group.  When the church began in 1827 on the roll were four men and eight women.  That speaks for itself.

Reports show the rapid decline of the church in 1863 during the civil war.  Reports to Presbytery in 1864 show no money raised except $10 for foreign missions.  What saved the church in this period of dark times?  Quoting from W. K. Shackelford’s “History of the Presbyterian Church,” written in 1924, a “band of prayerful, consecrated women whose prayers called down the blessing from Him who said, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against my church.”

During the ten years following the civil war, the church became very disorganized.  Dr. Breck, the minister at this time, wrote that he doubted if the Presbyterian Church would have survived but for the faithful, efficient aid he received from Christian women.

The secretary’s book of minutes of the first Missionary Society of this church from 1887-1896 has been preserved.  This seems to be the first organized group of ‘women of the church.’

In 1921 the day after the new church building was dedicated, a meeting was called by the women of the church to organize an Auxiliary from the present church circles.  The Auxiliary, as it was called for many years, remained active and strong, most of the time having five or six circles, meeting once a month and then meeting once a month together.  The combined circles were referred 
to as the Auxiliary. 

From a 1950 report, the group was referred to Presbyterian Women for the first time.  From 1950 to 1970 the ‘women of the church’ stayed very active.  Our circles provided supper on Sunday nights for the college students, serving from 50 to 60 each Sunday. Breakfast for the college Sunday School class was also served during this time.  After this came a big change—college students not staying on campus over the weekends.  

Big changes came as more and more women went to work outside the home.  But this does not mean a decline in our women’s work in supporting the church.  Up to this time we had no women officers, which is not the case today.  They have added much strength to our church in many ways.  Having the men and women working together has made us a much stronger, closer congregation.  We are proud of our many goals and accomplishments from our combined efforts.