Historically Speaking

After World War II, when our service men and women returned home, the “Baby Boom” went into full swing. Housing developments and school districts throughout the country conducted major building projects to keep up. These men and women coming back from war or working on the home front were used to “being part of it.” After the war, that concept of “joining in” continued. Churches, service organizations, fraternal groups, and other organizations flourished with large

Paxton’s original log church was built in the 1720’s or 1730’s. In 1931, while the renovation of our sanctuary was taking place, it was decided to place a stone marker on the site of the original church. It was also thought to use some of the original stone supports on the marker if they could be located. On June 17, 1931, Rev. Harry B. King, Rush Hosler, and Thomas Hall made soundings and excavations and

In April 1929 there is a mention in the Session Book that “…we are looking forward to making needed repairs to the church and auditorium, with the possibility of a restoration to a former colonial period that will be of service and comfort to the congregation.” On January 14, 1931, during the Great Depression, the 363 members were called to a Congregational Meeting to approve borrowing $10,000 for repairs. Brognard Okie, a noted authority on

In our previous post, we traced the changes to our church’s structure from 1856 until 1899.  As we think of those changes, we should remember that in 1888, Paxton’s membership numbered 37. In 1900, Mrs. James Boyd gifted our east porch to the congregation (remember that the cabin is north of the church which may help you determine directions).    A postcard circa 1902 – 1905 shows the lonely church sanctuary building sitting alone in the

In our previous post, we traced the changes to our church’s structure from 1740 until 1855.  With Paxton’s mission being to spread the Word, our church has often been modified to better serve this mission. The choir was started by Miss Matilda Brown in 1856 with David Elder as the choir leader.   By 1858, a choir had taken the place of the preceptor.  A gallery for the choir was built over the vestibule on the

We cherish Paxton as a historical church but we know that its most important mission has always been to be a beacon of light of Christ in a troubled world.  With that in mind, our church complex has been changed almost a dozen times since it was first built to better serve its mission. We date our stone church’s building time as 1740.  There are some who believe it is a bit later, but in

The congregation of Reverend John Elder would have sung the Psalms of David; and they would have been led in their singing by a “precenter.”  The precenter would “read the line” to the congregation before they sang it.  Around 1850, at Paxton, the choir took the place of the precenter. Until the Civil War the various Presbyterian bodies that now comprise the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) used psalms predominantly, singing hymns only now and then, especially

This past April, the United States has been remembering the one-hundredth anniversary of our involvement in World War I.  While working in the archives, Paxton Presbyterian found a map and key to twenty-five trees planted in memory or honor of  twenty-five members of Paxton who took part in “the war to end all wars.”   Next time you come to Paxton, check out the left display case in the new entrance area. You will find a

How often have you passed the case containing Paxton’s historic communion set in the archives hallway outside the west sanctuary door?  When you look, do you know what you are seeing? The markings on one large charger (large plate) indicate it was made by Townsend & Giffin in London sometime between 1771 and 1801.  Another charger, which has initials, was made between 1760 and 1770.  The four two-handled cups are attributed to William Will who

The Historical Committee of Paxton Presbyterian Church plans to publish a series of short articles that will trace the history of the church and its members in upcoming issues of PACE.  The following questions and answers represent the first in this series. Q-1   When was the construction of our meeting house begun? A-1 Construction began in 1740.  It was several years before it was completed.  The outer walls of the meeting house are unchanged. Q-2