Last Sunday morning at about 9 o' clock, sparks from the furnace falling on the roof of the Presbyterian Church started a fire that in a short time left nothing but the walls standing. The alarm was turned in and both hose companies responded promptly and did heroic work, but only succeeded in confining the flames to the one building.
The church was a frame structure erected about ten years since at a cost of $6,000. $3,000 was carried on the church and furniture. Arrangements are now being made to erect a modern $15,000 brick church on the lot recently purchased by the congregation, and work will be pushed rapidly to have it completed by the first of September.
From The Commonwealth, April 11, 1903
The Presbyterian congregation will worship in the school auditorium tomorrow. Sunday School and divine service at the usual hour. Mr. Harrison's morning subject will be "The Resurrection".
From The Commonwealth, April 11, 1903
The services of the Presbyterian Church will be held in the old Episcopal Church. At the morning exercises, Mr. Harrison will be installed pastor of the Church. At the evening service, The Rev. C. P. Newman will preach the sermon. The public is cordially invited to these services.
From The Commonwealth, April 25, 1903
Mr. Jos. Trimby, of Chattanooga, who has the contract for the new Presbyterian Church in this city, announces that the work of laying the foundation will begin next Monday. A force of workmen has been engaged for several days in clearing the lot and making the necessary excavations.
The new building will be one of the finest church edifices in the State. It is estimated that it will cost at least $25,000 to build and furnish the structure.
From The Commonwealth, March 19, 1904
The corner stone of the new Presbyterian Church will be laid on Monday, May 9, under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge, Grand Master T. U. Sisson, of Winona, officiating. It was to have been laid last week, but the date was postponed on account of the inability of Mr. Sisson to be present.
From The Commonwealth, May 7, 1904
On last Monday afternoon the cornerstone of Greenwood's magnificent new $25,000 First Presbyterian Church was laid with Masonic ceremonies-Grand Master T. U. Sisson, of Winona, officiating. The Grand Master was assisted by Worshipful Master W. H. Stevens and many members of Greenwood Lodge No. 135.
The choir of the church rendered splendid music at intervals and the entire program was very successfully carried out.
When the work of laying the cornerstone had been declared completed by the Grand Master, Rev. J. R. Hughes, in behalf of the church, delivered an appropriate and interesting address. Mr. Hughes referred in glowing terms to the rapid and substantial advancement Greenwood has made along all lines during the past ten years-eulogizing her people for their great interest in church work and splendid church building-and his remarks were attentively listened to by the vast crowd present.
Grand Mater Sisson was next introduced, who spoke eloquently and impressively for about thirty minutes, taking Masonry and the good it has accomplished for mankind as his subject. Mr. Sisson's address was interesting from start to finish, and his references to Greenwood's rapid growth and the bright prospects for her futures at the conclusion of his remarks were highly appreciated by our people.
The popular pastor, Rev. W. W. Harrison, and the members of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood should and do feel proud of the magnificent building which they now have in course of construction. It would reflect credit upon a city of much greater proportions, and will be an ornament to Greenwood when completed.
From The Greenwood Enterprise, May 13, 1904
Plans submitted to and approved by the congregation of the Presbyterian Church last night call for an extensive construction program entailing a total expenditure of $85,000, in providing adequate facilities for the activities of the church.
The plans provide for the remodeling of the present church building at the corner of Main and Washington Streets into a Sunday school building, and for the erection of a modern church auditorium on property owned by the church immediately south of the present building and fronting on Main Street. The new building will be modern in every respect, with basement and banquet hall, and the entire church plant designed to answer all the needs of the congregation. The two buildings will be connected.
The expenditure will be met partly in cash and partly by a bond issue under the plans of financing approved last night.
In addition to the church building, plans were approved for the erection of a modern brick veneered manse for the pastor on a portion of the property on Front Street where the present manse is situated.
The present building will be sold and moved and part of the property disposed of.
From the Greenwood Daily Commonwealth, June 5, 1924
S. G. Beaman, local contractor, was yesterday awarded the contract for construction of the new church auditorium for the First Presbyterian church of this city. The contract price was $40,348.35.
The contract awarded yesterday includes the auditorium exclusive furnishings and does not include the remodeling of the old church building for Sunday school purposes. Contract for this work will be let in the near future.
Work on the auditorium will begin in about two weeks and will be completed in six months.
All the bids received were well within the preliminary estimates.
From the Greenwood Daily Commonwealth, March 25, 1925
Preparations for breaking ground for the new church auditorium of the Presbyterian Church are now being made and ground will be broken for the erection of the structure within the next few days.
The old frame building used by the church for Sunday school purposes has been moved to the back of the lot on which the new building will be erected, for temporary use. It will later be torn down.
From the Greenwood Daily Commonwealth, April 1, 1925
Work has begun on the new Presbyterian Church Auditorium. Contractor S. G. Beaman has placed his workmen on the job this morning, and has gone to work in earnest with the construction of the new Church plant. It is estimated that approximately six months will be required to complete the erection of the new building and that the Presbyterians will be in their new quarters in the early fall of this year.
From the Greenwood Daily Commonwealth, April 6, 1925
Contract has been awarded to S. L. McGinnis, local contractor for construction of a new wing and remodeling of the old Presbyterian Church building for use as a Sunday school building.
The additional wing will be erected on the west side of the building, extending along Washington Street. The approximate cost of the wing and remodeling is $18,000.00
Work on the new church auditorium is proceeding rapidly and will be completed at an early date.
From the Greenwood Daily Commonwealth, September 4, 1925
The Presbyterian Church tower is being torn down today in preparation for the remodeling of the church building, which will be used by the Sunday School department when the new church auditorium is completed. Work on the new auditorium, which stands directly south of the present church, fronting on Main Street is progressing rapidly and the building is rapidly nearing completion.
From the Greenwood Daily Commonwealth, October 1, 1925
The old Presbyterian Church, which was purchased by Messrs. Rush & Gardner, is being moved to the vacant lot near the jail. Mr. J. B. Ballard, of Yazoo City, has the contract for moving it. It will be converted into a store and the upper story will be used by the secret societies.
From The Greenwood Daily Commonwealth, June 28, 1926
The Presbyterian Church is going up under the splendid management of Mr. Norquist.
From The Greenwood Daily Commonwealth, July 26, 1926
The beautiful $5,500 Moller pipe organ, which has been in process of installation at the First Presbyterian Church, was formally presented to the congregation at the services yesterday evening with an appropriate program.
Mrs. J. F. Cortner, acting as a representative from the choir committee to arrange the program, gave a synopsis of how the money was raised by the Ladies Auxiliary to pay for the organ, and Mrs. O. C. Neill gave a review of the musical instruments used in the church, dating back to the first piano.
Hon. D. S. Wright, elder of the church, accepted the gift of the organ for the congregation and Mrs. J. H. Morgan presented a silver plate for the organ to Andrew Parish, youngest son of Mrs. R. P. Parish, who has been organist for twenty-five years.
The plate bore the inscription, "In honor and affectionate appreciation of Ethel Dahmer Parish, organist since 1900". The presentation came as a complete surprise to Mrs. Parish.
The tenor of the whole service was in appreciation for Mrs. Parish's loyalty and efficient service rendered as organist for the many years. In conclusion, Dr. J. P. Marion paid Mrs. Parish a beautiful tribute as he added a word of appreciation to the Auxiliary for its work in raising the money for the organ.
From The Greenwood Daily Commonwealth, July 5, 1926
