.......At first the little group met in their homes and then later in a nearby log cabin school they had built.  Here in this wilderness of wild animals and passing Indians, the little group met to study their Bibles, sing and pray for the safety and guidance of their families.  This group of worshipers was called the Salt Creek Congregation, so named by Abraham Lincoln, surveyor.

As the community began to grow, so did the vision of these settlers.  Their prayers for a church of their own were answered in 1836 when Peter Buckles donated land—the same land on which our church now stands.  A square frame building was erected.  It is said that from his elevated pulpit, the preacher “sounded no uncertain trumpet.”  In 1865 a brick church replaced the frame one.  A steeple 72 feet high towered over the countryside, but later was considered unsafe and was removed.  The bronze bell that called worshipers to service still rings in our church belfry today. ¹

As the congregation continued to grow, so did the enthusiasm for a larger church. By 1897, concrete plans were in place.  The old brick church was removed and by midsummer the building of the new church had begun.  It would cost $10,070.  By Christmas 1898 the congregation was worshiping in the beautiful new sanctuary.

Although our church took root as the Salt Creek Congregation, it became the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1851.  Sometime after 1904 it was known as the First Presbyterian Church and more recently as the First United Presbyterian Church of Leroy.

As LeRoy grew, so did the needs of the community   Aware of the desire for higher education for young people in the area, our church established the LeRoy Seminary in 1845.  It served the community until a high school was built in 1864.

Forty-six ² ministers have preached the word of God in our present church.  History tells of occasional struggles to pay the minister’s salary during hard times.  In 1880, he received $600 a year with board free.  We can only assume the free board was in the homes of agreeable members of the church.  In 1910, on land purchased across the street from the church, a large manse was built.  It served the needs of 21 ministers and their families before it was sold in 1987.

The government of the church has changed over the years.  Originally, the three youthful founders of the church were elected and ruled as elders until their deaths.  In 1899, the number of elders was changed to six.  In 1916, the rotary system of election was adopted.  At present, nine ³  elders  and twelve deacons serve the membership. 

In the early days, attending Sunday school was as imperative as going to church service.  Men and women had separate Bible classes as did the young adults.  History tells of the faithfulness of teachers, who, from its beginning as Sabbath School, helped children learn about God’s love.  It tells of a Sunday school superintendent who served continuously for 15 years and a secretary-treasurer who served for 25 years with perfect attendance.   Since those days, our church has been blessed with scores of others who have followed in their footsteps—giving of their talents unselfishly in the work of the church for long periods of time.

Praising the Lord with music seems to have been at one of its high points 100 years ago.  The Sunday school had its own orchestra.  It is said that one dedicated member never missed a single Sunday in 25 years of playing his bass violin.  The director of the church band was greatly admired throughout the community or his “inspiring leadership” and encouragement of “golden voices that delighted and enriched the lives of all lovers of music.”  In the years since then many outstanding musicians have offered their special talents to the glory of God.

With the work of the church never done, members have organized themselves in a myriad of ways over the years in their efforts to serve its needs.  Perhaps the mightiest organization to look after the well-being of the church, and surely the longest lasting, was the Mite Society which organized in 1885.  Its purpose was to serve the church both spiritually and financially—which the ladies did with great determination for 85 years.

With indomitable spirit, the Mite Society surmounted the problems of finance in endless ways.  Members pieced quilts, maintained a lunch stand each year at LeRoy’s famous fairs early in the century, held bazaars and ice cream socials, published cookbooks and made and sold aprons, never seeming to be at a loss for a way to raise money to help pay the minister’s salary or help buy an organ or new carpeting for the sanctuary.  The Mite Society worked continuously to help pay off the church’s debt, having oyster suppers, waffle suppers, bakery sales, and collecting and selling old newspapers.  Their efforts helped pay for repair of broken windows, work on the roof, redecoration of the church, and anything else in need of attention.  The ladies of the Mite Society were best known for their Decoration Day dinners which were first served in 1900,

Through the years, the church building has had numerous improvements to meet the growing needs of the membership.  Most extensive was the remodeling of the church building and the addition of the new Christian Education wing in 1957.  This addition provided more classrooms and a large dining room.  In 1988, the pastor’s and secretary’s offices were enlarged and modernized.⁴  

January 1899 was a time of great rejoicing for Presbyterians in LeRoy as they met to dedicate their new and beautiful church to the glory of God.  We can imagine that on that day, the church overflowed with people from town and country, coming in horse-drawn buggies, in wagons, on horseback, or on foot—the ladies in their long dresses and big hats, men in their stiff collars, and wearing bowlers or caps and children bouncing joyously on this momentous occasion.

Little is known about that dedication program so long ago, but we can imagine that this was a time of great rejoicing for these Presbyterians, who had planned and prayed, labored and given generously to behold that day the majesty of this church with its vaulted ceiling and splendid stained glass windows.  Surely it was with humble thankful, prayerful hearts these Presbyterians dedicated this place to serving the Lord.

The church was rededicated on its 100^th anniversary in 1999. The congregation gave praise to God for the hundreds of people who have worked and worshiped here since its humble beginnings.  Thanks be to God for those Christians whose commitment to God and church gave us a springboard for the new millennium.

                                                                   Bettye King

                                                                  (Written in 1999 for the rededication ceremony)

¹ The bell is no longer in use.

²  Fifty ministers have served the congregation to date.

³ Currently 11 elders serve the congregation.

⁴  Remodeling of the sanctuary including new audio/visual and stained glass window renovation are among improvements made in 2011 and 2012n 2011 and 2012.