First Presbyterian Church of Athens records

In the autumn of 1809 in Athens, Ohio, the First Presbyterian Society of Athens, which later became the First Presbyterian Church, was organized by the Reverend Jacob Lindley. Reverend Lindley was the first President of Ohio University. He served as Pastor until the fall of 1827.

There were nine original members of the Presbyterian Church. The nine were: Joshua Wyatt and his wife, Elizabeth Josiah Coe, Arthur Coates, Dr. Eliphaz Perkins, Alva Bingham, Mrs. Sally Foster, and Reverend and Mrs. Jacob Lindley.

The first public services were held in a small brick schoolhouse that stood just a few feet east of the present church, on the site of the present City Building. Later, services were held in the Court House. Services were held there until 1828 when a brick church was built on the site of the present church.

In 1815, the membership was 478. A revival that year added 43 to the church roll. In 1820, 56 more were added, making the total 177 members.

In 1827, at the State Capital, the church was incorporated and the name given was the First Presbyterian Church of Athens. The first regular or full time minister was the Reverend John Spaulding, who was called to the pastorate in 1828. Previous to that time, the Church depended upon the presidents of the College to serve. From 1809 to 1852, Ohio University was under the control of Presbyterian when Methodists took control until 1872.

In 1828, the first church was built on the Northwest corner of the present Court and Washington Streets. It was a plain brick building that had no Sunday School room and no bell tower. There was a small lofty tower on the west side of the church and was reached by a flight steps. It stood high above the small congregation just as in some of the oldest churches in the East.