Church History

Due to an evangelistic move to spread the Presbyterian faith to Eastern Kentucky, theFirst Presbyterian Church of Pineville was formally established on April 24, 1889.

 The organizing members of the church were: Frank Marimon, Mary C. Marimon, E.H. Patterson, Emma D. Patterson, H.L. Wallace, Mary C. Veal, Lizzie Veal, Louise Duffield, Mrs. Louisa S Duffield, Richard Martin, O.L. Robards and Lyta A. Thornberry.

  By July 1890 the congregation moved into its new church building with a membership of 25.  There are no records between 1897 and 1929 but a few historic details have been assertained.  The first Silver Communion set was given by the Duffield family early in the 1890's.

  The church pews  installed in 1902 were remodeled in 1916 and the pulpit furniture was given by the Rollins family.

  In October 1928, Rev. E. L. McClurken was installed as minister of the chuch.  At this time the name of the church was the Memorial Presbyterian  Church and was part of the Knoxville Presbytery.

During the year of 1933-34 the church reported starting a Sunday School class of 20 under privliged boys under the teaching and direction of Mrs. P. T. Cairns who also taught them morals and manners in classes during the week.

By 1939 the Sunday School had reached an enrollment of 59 with ot-post Sunday Schools in East Pineville and  Bimble.

The church now had 185 members with 4 elders and 4 deacons

The mission program had grown tremendously by March 1940 with Bible classes being taught at Bell High, Roland Hayes School, and Pineville High School.  There were twenty-one classes being taught with an enrollment of 836.

On April 15-16, 1940 the church was host to the Knoxville Presbytery composed of 93 delegates and officers.

For the remaining war years the church was very active in undertaking many projects on of which was writing to the men of the church who were in the service.

In 1946 the town and the church was devastated by a flood, but the church was willing to pick up the pieces and start over again.

The 1950's opened with the church hosting the 260th stated meeting of the Knoxville Presbytery with 66 representatives attending.

October9, 1950 Dr. MCclurken had two heart attacks bit was able to return home on Oct. 23rd.  Then on March 21 1952 Dr. E. L. McClurken died he had served the church since 1928 his guidance and presence was missed not only by the church but the whole community.

Rev. Troy Eslinger began his pastorate  on November 2nd and was installed on Nov. 23rd.

In 1957 Rev. Eslinger resigned from the church and the church issued a call to Rev. Ray Hanson Jr. in June of 1958.