The Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green
A Brief History
 Shortly after completion of the building, the congregation split into Old School and New School factions. Nationally, the disruptive issues were in the areas of polity and theology; locally the dividing points were sectional difficulties and personalities. Between 1849 and 1858, the two "schools" had separate ministers and met on alternate Sundays in the church sanctuary. The breach was healed in 1858, just in time for the disruption of the Civil War. Although nationally the Presbyterian Church split along Union and Confederate lines, the local church did not divide until 1868. This division was not as amicable as the former, and the courts had to intervene in splitting the church's property. Former Old School supporters formed First Presbyterian Church, U.S. (Southern) and retained the building. Prominent Unionist families, mostly New Schoolers, formed Second Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.(Northern) and moved to the corner of Eighth and Center Streets. This schism ended in 1888 with the reunion of the congregations as First Presbyterian Church, U.S.
After many years of worshiping in rural churches, Cumberland Presbyterians established a town church in 1866 under the leadership of Reverend Jesse Grider. They prospered in a substantial structure on Eleventh Street, near the corner of Center, until the 1906 national union of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. The local congregation had mixed feelings about the reunion. The majority retained the building and became Eleventh Street Presbyterian Church U.S.A. (After 1912, they relocated to the corner of Twelfth and State Streets and took the name Westminster Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.). Those who desired to remain Cumberland built a new house of worship at the corner of College and Eleventh Streets, where they remained until their 1970 move to Campbell Lane.
Bowling Green Presbyterians proved once again to be in the forefront of the union movement when the First and Westminster Presbyterian Churches combined in 1949 to become The Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green--exactly thirty-four years ahead of the national reunion. Significant additions and alterations to the physical plant have occurred in the almost half-century since that reuniting, but the landmark sanctuary and steeple still stand as symbols of the Reformed tradition in Warren County. 2004 was the 185th Anniversary of the Church. The Congregation marked this milestone with much celebration including a march to the original building site in the Pioneer Cemetery. Photos
Organ History by Thomas N. Moody Even from skimpy notations in Session books, one can surmise from earliest times in the Sanctuary’s life there has been a pipe organ to lead singing during worship. Two notations might speak to those early times: first, the Reverend Samuel Wilson Calvert—minister at the building of the Sanctuary and female academy in 1833—deplored poor singing of the congregation and he admonished some improvement, a fact that led to purchasing individual song books; second, the 1895 steeple fire caused damage to the balcony and organ—as a result, the organ was removed to the main floor, left side. Even if the balcony was not altered after the fire, one has to imagine that the earliest organ was a one-manual, maybe with pedals, organ. The make of the instrument cannot be known. In those early days, there were German organbuilders plying the Ohio River and supplying organs throughout the region. Likely, also, that organ would have required someone to do hand pumping. The next organ was made by Henry Pilcher and Sons of Louisville, Kentucky. That firm had a long and significant history prior to being purchased by the Moller firm. It appears the newly-positioned organ was a replacement of the balcony organ—also set up on the main floor. In 1920 the choir loft was added to the main Sanctuary, and the organ, most likely improved over the former, was moved to the loft. The console or keyboards were attached to the case and the choir sat in front of the organist. In the 1950’s, there were improvements to the organ and a new, detached console was added. The instrument began its mechanical decline and there grew to be a desire for an instrument that would better serve a growing church with expanding music program. A committee was formed, various organ builders were consulted; finally, the prestigious Aeolian-Skinner firm of Boston, Massachusetts was chosen. The initial payment was made. Then, a shocking announcement was made: the firm would be filing Chapter X in bankruptcy. Recovery came in the form of Robert Sipe, Dallas organbuilder, stepping up to finish the organ. Some pipes of the Pilcher were revoiced and used in the new instrument. So, on the weekend of Thanksgiving, 1973, the organ arrived in crates. The organ has been a vital part of worship and program to this day.
The Presbyterian Church USA and its predecessors have a long history in America and the World. Learn more about our history on the Presbyterian Historical Society Website.
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