(Published in The Franklin Press, April 10, 1930)

The Presbyterian church in Franklin was organized January 29, 1854, in the Franklin academy by Rev Wm S Moore. The following is a list of the charter members: Curtis Saunders, John and Barbara Slagle, Elem Slagle, Matilda Siler, Jane McConnell, Elizabeth Saunders and Mrs McCloud. Curtis Saunders was the first elder and Elem Slagle, the first deacon.

The Church

The church building that we now worship in is the same quaint old building that was built after the organization of the church, 76 years ago, ivy covered and small, but many eminent ministers have preached from its pulpit, and many noted visitors from the outside world have worshiped within its walls. The church bell was given by Davidson college. The organ was bought by the women of the church, who procured funds by giving entertainments, selling lunches, having bazaars, etc.

The Manse

The church had been organized 26 years before a home for its pastor was built, in 1880. This had not been necessary because Rev Wm Moore and Rev Jacob Hood, the first two pastors owned thier own homes. During the pastorate of Rev M R Kirkpatrick, a five-room manse, was built. Later two more rooms were added to accomodate the family of Rev J Q Wallace. In the spring of 1926 the manse was all done over, inside and out, making a very comfortable home for the coming pastor, Rev J A Flanagan and his bride. On Nov 1, 1927, it, with all it contained, including the pastor's splendid library and many priceless heirlooms belonging to the pastor's wife, were destroyed by fire. Just a year later the pastor and his family moved into the new brick manse which they now occupy.

Rev Wm Moore served this church from 1854 until 1865, He died while still a young man, and Rev Jacob Hood became pastor. He was succeeded in 1872 by Rev W H Davis. The following show the suceeding ministers: Rev Alfred Morrison, 1875; Rev M R Kirpatrick, 1878-1883; Rev E A Sample, 1885-1889; Rev G A Sparrow and Rev E Leutz, 1893; Rev J T Wade, 1893-1897; Rev E A Sample, second pastorate, 1899-1904; Rev V H Starbuck, 1905-1906; Rev W P Chedister, 1909-1912; Rev J Q Wallace, 1914-1926; Rev J A Flanagan was ordained July 4, 1926 and is the present pastor.

Clerks of the Session

Rev Wm S Moore, pro tem 1854-1857; R H Nugle, elder, 1857-1858; E L Slagle, elder, 1858-1867; D C Harden, elder, 1867-1875, B W Moore, elder, 1875-1878; Rev M A Kirkpatrick, pro tem, 1878-1880; M P Rankin, elder, 1880-1912; C A Lowrey, elder, 1914-present time.

Meetins of Presbetery

Presbetery met at Franklin and was entertained at the camp ground, Aug 27 1858. We note in the records where the session extended thanks to the authorities of the camp ground for their kindness in giving them the use of their property. At that time Franklin church belonged to Concord presbytery and the trip to the meeting of Presbytery took days and days. Oct 1, 1901, Presbytery again met at Franklin, and the third time, April 12, 1927. The last time many of the visitors had never been to Franklin before, and were charmed with the beauty of the scenery. The ease with which they made the trip brought many more delegates than had ever come before, most of them leaving for home after the last service. The church has been endebted each time to the members of other congregations for entertainment of the Presbytery guests.

Woman's Work

The first record we have of women's work in our church was in 1880, when a committee of women was appointed to help solicit funds to build the manse. The committee consisted of Mrs McDowell, Mrs Kirkpatrick, the minister's wife, Mrs Rankin, Mrs Slagle, and Mrs Bulgin. In 1898 Mrs Sallie Wright was president of the "Ladies' Aide;" Mrs Julia McDowell Roan was secretary and treasurer. At this time we met once a month, and our program consisted in reading the scriptures, verse about, repeating the Lord's prayer, and paying our dues of 10 cents a month. And we were doing as much as most churches at this time. Our money at this time was used exclusively for local charities.

In 1914 conditions were about the same. Mrs Anna Campbell was president, Mrs E C Kingsberry, secretery and Adelaide Bulgin, treasuer. Our activities are still confined to local charities.

Contrast with that our present activities. We now have our survey for information, our year book, programmes for auxilliary and circle meetings, our birthday offerings, one week of self denial for home and foreign missions, our pledges to be paid monthly or yearly for benevolent causes, our prayer band, our Bible study classes, our prayer calenders (sic). In 1917 we became identified with our church organization and began to send our funds to the "Board" to be distributed. In 1929 the twenty-fourth annual meeting of the Woman's auxiliary of Asheville presbytery met in Franklin church. Although we had been organized as a church for 75 years, we had never entertained Presbyterial before. The program included six services and 23 speakers, besides reports of committees, one speaker being from China.

Old Minutes

In the old minutes book are recorded many unusual and interesting events. In 1856, in the session record, we find this item: "Lucy, a house servant and slave of Rev Wm S Moore, was received into the church and her children baptized. She was put on probation for a month after applying for membership, and instructed before she was received." Under present conditions, Lucy (colored) would have been a member of our auxiliary and circle.

Dated Aug 28, 1858, we find this record: "The moderator called the attention of session to the fact that Mr.------, one of our church members, had taken the Sabbath day to be married in when there was no sufficient reason for intruding on the sacredness of that day for the purpose." Later the man made acknowledgements and they were accepted by the session. We know that this was the correct thing to do, for the records, were approved by Presbytery's moderator.

A short financial history may prove interesting. On April 1, 1860, the first statistical report is given. The total sum paid out was $49.70. In 1929 the total was $4,283.

(We are very sorry to have had to cut out a part of this most interesting report. The items weer (sic) given, and were of great interest).

(transcribed March 25, 2006)