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First Presbyterian Church
Our History :
Much of the history of any Presbyterian Church can be found in the minutes of the Session. A firm requirement of the Presbyterian Book of Order is that all meetings of the Elders be recorded and the minutes submitted each year to the Presbytery for approval. With the exception of the war years, 1864 and 1865, the records are remarkably complete.
Dr. GastonThe town of Cross Plains was in existence in 1847 when Captain Edward White purchased land and laid out a city, to which he gave his mother’s maiden name, Dalton. Early deeds were recorded in the courthouse at Spring Place, Murray County. Three years later Whitfield County was formed by the division of the larger county of Murray.
At the intersection of five roads, on the triangular lot where the courthouse annex now stands, stood a small frame building known as the Town House. This building was not only used for town meetings, but also for worship by many groups, including Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists. During 1847 the Baptists and Methodists purchased other properties and began building separate churches.
The Presbyterians purchased the Town House building and property and became the first organized church within the city. The organizational meeting was held on October 31, 1847, with two ministers present: The Reverend John Jones and the Reverend I. M. Waddell. The Reverend Mr. Jones became the first minister to the congregation, which consisted of five men, six women, and one young boy. Two Elders elected were James McSpradden and A. E. Blunt. Mr. Blunt was also the first mayor of Dalton.
The original frame building was destroyed by Union solders before they withdrew from Dalton at the close of the Civil War. In 1868 a small red brick building was erected with most of the labor being furnished by the church members. A steeple was added in 1893.
Much of the history of any Presbyterian Church can be found in the minutes of the Session. A firm requirement of the Presbyterian Book of Order is that all meetings of the Elders be recorded and the minutes submitted each year to the Presbytery for approval. With the exception of the war years, 1864 and 1865, the records are remarkably complete.
Dr. GastonThe town of Cross Plains was in existence in 1847 when Captain Edward White purchased land and laid out a city, to which he gave his mother’s maiden name, Dalton. Early deeds were recorded in the courthouse at Spring Place, Murray County. Three years later Whitfield County was formed by the division of the larger county of Murray.
At the intersection of five roads, on the triangular lot where the courthouse annex now stands, stood a small frame building known as the Town House. This building was not only used for town meetings, but also for worship by many groups, including Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists. During 1847 the Baptists and Methodists purchased other properties and began building separate churches.
The Presbyterians purchased the Town House building and property and became the first organized church within the city. The organizational meeting was held on October 31, 1847, with two ministers present: The Reverend John Jones and the Reverend I. M. Waddell. The Reverend Mr. Jones became the first minister to the congregation, which consisted of five men, six women, and one young boy. Two Elders elected were James McSpradden and A. E. Blunt. Mr. Blunt was also the first mayor of Dalton.
The original frame building was destroyed by Union solders before they withdrew from Dalton at the close of the Civil War. In 1868 a small red brick building was erected with most of the labor being furnished by the church members. A steeple was added in 1893.