History of the Presbyterians Church in Natchez Early Missionaries A number of Presbyterians drifted into the Natchez area during the period of Territorial government, 1798-1817, coming from the eastern seaboard across the wilderness and down the Mississippi River from the western states. It is believed that the first Presbyterian minister to travel south of the Tennessee was the Rev. Joseph Bullen, who came as a missionary to the Indians in 1799. In 1801, three missionaries were sent from the Synod of North Carolina and came to Mississippi by way of Nashville, nearly perishing from lack of provisions on the long journey. These three preached in the Natchez area, seeking to consolidate the Presbyterian people and establish an organized work. One of these, the Rev. William Montgomery, later returned and settled near Natchez Organization of the Church In 1804, Bethel Presbyterian Church was organized near Uniontown; in 1807, the Salem Presbyterian Church was organized in Washington, Mississippi. That congregation in 1811 moved to the present site of the Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church and the name was changed. It is the oldest Presbyterian Church organization in the state. Mississippi Presbytery was organized there March 6, 1816. In 1807, the Rev. James Smylie from North Carolina held services for the Presbyterians in Natchez at the Adams County Court House, and that same year the Rev. Jacob Rickhow from the Presbytery of New Brunswick in New Jersey preached several months to the Natchez people. Under the ministry of the Rev. Daniel Smith, the First Presbyterian Church of Natchez was formally organized on March 20, 1817. He continued as stated supply minister until 1819, when the Rev. William Weir was installed as first pastor. A long and fruitful era at First Presbyterian began with the ministry of Dr. Joseph B. Stratton, who came to Natchez in 1843 and remained pastor until 1894. For the rest of his life, until 1903, he served as pastor emeritus.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 14:23:12 +0000
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