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The Lancaster Presbyterian Church (Old Church) grew out of a schism in the Lancaster Church, which was founded in 1830 as the Middle Fork Presbyterian Church. It became known as Lancaster Presbyterian on March 30th 1833. At the time, the area that became Monroe Townships was part of Lancaster Township. Many Presbyterian bodies in the area split between Old School and New School factions during the 1830s. The Old School was more conservative and was more inclined to be pro slavery than the New School, although the distinctions are not always firm.

The Old School members withdrew from the Lancaster Church on June 22, 1839 after members signed the statement below. The New School Church became known as the Monroe Presbyterian Church in 1844 while the Old School continued to use the Lancaster name. The two bodies reunited after the Civil War.

Comparing the records, it appears that both the Old School (Lancaster) and new School (Monroe) kept copies of the records before the split. Both definitely had copies of the resolution written by the Old School members. A photocopy of the church records is available at the Jefferson County-Madison Public Library.

The following is from the records of the body that became Monroe (New School)

June 22, 1839.
The following preamble and resolution were drawn up as a new Test of church membership by the Old School portion of the church. In as much as it is desirable that every one's standing in the church be known, and whereas it is desirable, both to us and to the Pby of Madison, to know who compose the Lancaster church, therefore Resolved that we whose names are hereunto set, declare our adherence to Madison Pby and through it to the General Assembly which met and held its sessions
in the 7th Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia in May 1838.
To this were appended the following names:
Robert Elliot Martha Elliot
Enos Wildman Jane Wildman
Sarah Ann Thorne Elizabeth Fenton
William Elliot Minerva Ann Elliot
Mary Humphrey Charles M. Culbertson
John Hood Jane Hood
Robert Graham Nancy Graham
Alexander Caldwell Rebecca Caldwell
Nathaniel Rowlison Jane Rowlison
Elizabeth A. Beachboard Sarah ( ) Johnston
Henry Thorne Jane Fenton

The Monroe records follow this statement with the following “Whereupon the above members retired from the communion of our church and became a separate organization.” The Lancaster Church continued with its own recordkeeping, starting on September 26, 1839.

[Editor's note: From this point on, the session records are different. Later, the presbytery ordered session, baptismal, and death records to be kept separately. Spelling has been maintained from the original unless it differed so much from standard usage as to cause problems understanding words.]

June 22, 1839
Agreeable to a previous notice our Election was held in the Lancaster Church for the purpose of Chosing one aditonal [sic] Elder whereupon Enos Wildman were Elected and ordained to that office by the Rev. Simeon H. Crane
R Elliott Clrk

June 23, 1839
Communion season session met at the call of the Mod Constituted with Prayer members presant SH Crain Wildman and Elliott Received by Examination into the Church Henry Thorn Alexander Coldwell Rebecca Coldwell and Sarah Jane Johnston Cloasd with prayer
Robt Elliott Clk

September 26th 1839
added to the Church by certificate,
Ann Wells, Elizth Patton
received on examination
Jane Large & Robt Kinnear.

Nov. 23th 1839
At a meeting of the Church of Lancaster within the bounds of the Presbytery of Madison Indiana which is now in communion with the general asembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America at the house of Robt Elliott the 2th Nov 1839 the following gentleman Wm M. Eliott Alexander Coldwell and Henry Torn were duly Elected Trustees of the aforesaid Church
Simeon H. Crian Clerk of the session

March 29, 1840
Session met at the call of the Moderator constituted with prayer members presdent the Reverend S.H. Crane Wildman & Elliott Recd into the Church Miss Martha Winchester by letter from the Hanover Church.

March 29th 1840
Wildman was appointed to attend the next Stated meeting of Madison Presbytery
R Eliott Clerk

From the Minutes of Madison Presb. inserted by order of Presbytery

April 6th 1840
Page 49 Res that it be enjoind on the family belonging to the churches within our bound to teach their children the Shorter chatecism and that as far as practicable Cathechiticial classes be formed in all the churches under our car

P. 93/94 Res that in the oppinion of this Prsb. the frequent instences in which members Remove out of the bounds of our churches without taking dismifsions Should be Regarded as a Serious evil which it is

Res. [?]To contribute a due proportion to contingent fund of the G Asembly also the commifsins fund
R. Elliott Clerk of Sefsion

Thus far examined and approved by open Presbytery Madison Presbtery in Sefsion at pleasant Township Church
April 11th 1840 Daniel Lattimore Moderator

September 20th 1840
Sefsion met at the Call of the moderator when Mrs. Martha Hanna late Martha Winchester asked a letter of dismision from this Church and hir request was granted
R Eliott clk

Madison Presbyery in Sefsion at Church. April 1841 Thus far examined and approved
John Mathew? m

January 19th 1851
Sefsion met at the Call of the mod. Open with Pryaer member presant Rev. J. Crawford Wildman and Elliott when Mr. James Henry asked a letter of dismission for himself and wife to join the Church of Madison and his request was granted Closed with prayer.
Robt. Elliott Clk

March 10th 1851
Sessin met at the call of the Mod Constituted with prayer. Members present Rev. Joseiah Crawford Minister E Wildman & Robt Elliott Elders. Brother Wildman was appointed delegate and R Elliott alternate to attend the Session of Prsby at Hanover Closed with prayer.

Rob Elliott Clk.
January 4th, 1853
Sefsion met at the all of the Mod members present Rev. Wm. Hamilton Wildman and Elliott opend with Prayen When Mr. Joseph M. Window ask a letter of Dismission from the Lancaster Church to join the Pallistine Presbyterian Church and his request was granted.
Robt Elliott Clk

November the 5th 1853
Sefsion met at the call of the moderator and opened with prare members present Rev John Eastman, Wildman, R. Eliott when Mrs. Amanda Jackson presented a letter from the Jefferson Church and was received into the Lancaster Church. She closed with prayer
R. Elliott Clk

November 1853
Mr. W. H. Tull, dismissed his membership with the Lancaster Church by joining the New School Church
R. Elliottt Clk

Examined & Approved by Presbytery in Session at Madison April 7 (?) 1854 with the following exceptions. 1 Page 52 A meeting is not formally closed with prayer
2 Pag 59. There is notice of a member dismissed without any notice of the authority of sefsion.
Thomas S. [last name illegible from a photocopy of a photocopy]

May 21, 1854
Session met at the Call of the moderator members present, Rev. John Eastman, Wildman and Elliott opend with prayer when Mrs. Susan Ann Woods presented A letter and was reseved into the Church at the same time Mrs. Margret Renfro and Mr. Thomas Jackson presented them selves and was reseid into the Church Closed with prayer

August 17 1854
Session met at the call by the modrator members presant Rev. Mr. Stone, Wildman and Elliott opend with prayer when Miss Rachel Jane and Miss Hannah L. Grayham present themselves and ware ? recseived into the Church.

P. 61
November 5 1854
Session met at the call of the Mod members Presant Wildman and Elliott opend with Prayer when Mr. Samuel Polick [?] asked a letter of Dismission from this Church for himself and his wife and his request was granted. At the same time Mr. Bernard Cook aks for A letter of Dismission for himself and his wife and is and his riquest was granted. At the same time Miss Elizabeth Bur?? Asked a letter of dismission from the Church and her Request was granted Closed with prayer
Robt Elliott Clk

Thus far examined and approved by Presbytery April 11, 1855
Daniel Lattimore Moderator 4

June 17th 1855
Session met at the moderators present Rev. Mr. Bishop Wildman and Elliott opend with prayer when Mr. Permeis Irwin and his wife Sarah and ware examined and ware examined and ware receivd into the Church Closed with prayer
R. Elliott Clk

November 25th 1855

Session met at the call of the moerator members presiant. Rev. Mr. Simms Wildman and Elliott opend with Prayer when Mrs. Lucinday Riker Presented a letter from the Indian Ky [?] Church and ware receivd into the Lancaster Church. Mrs. Martha Hammilton and Miss Eliza Benefield ware examind and receivd into the Church Closd with prayr
R. Elliott Clk

Session Examined in Presbtery and approved.
Lancaster Church Apr. 1856
Daniel Lattimore

August 12h 1856

Session met at the call of the moderator members Presant Rev. Charles Lee, Wildman, and Elliott opend with prayr when Miss Eliza Benifield asked a letter of dismission from Pres. Church to join the Jefferson Church and his request ware granted. Closd with Prayer. R. Elliott

Examined approved madison Presbytery at Jefferson Church April 12th? 1858 in

Session met at 1 [?] February 1862 at the call of the modrator the last sabeth in February when Ezekel wescott and Hanor his wife presented themselves for membership and was reseved by leter Clost by prayer ??
Robert Elliott Clk

May 15, 1858
Agreeable to a previous motion an Election was held in the Lancaster Church for the purpos of choosing one aditional Elder whereupon James m. [the middle initial was inserted and is not legible] Elliott was Elect and ordained to that ofice by the Js Crowe [it looks like the word Rev. was omitted before Js.]
R Elliott Clk

February 21st 1859
Sefsion met at the Call of the members. Rev. John Mitchell attended [?] and James M. Elliott & R. Elliott opend with prayer when Miss Jane Riker ware restored to the Church. Closed with Prayer.
R Elliott Clk

Approved by Presbytery in Sefsion at Pleasant Township Ch. April 13, 1858, with the exeption that there is no need meeting of sefsion to appoint the congregational meeting for the election of elder on May 15, 1858.
M. Sturges Temp. Clk
F.M. Symmes Mod.
September 13 1863

Session met at the call of the modrator opend with prayer members present James Elliott Robert Eliott ?? hen Miss Martha J. Wildman and Miss C.E. Wildman presented themselves for Examinaiton and ws reseived in faith and Communion into the Church Closed with prayer??

Robert Elliott Clk

at the same time Parmenius Irwin his wife Sarah presented their infant son Charles Edgar and Mary S. infant daughter for Baptism
at the same time Mrs. Susannah Wood presanted her infant daughter Margaret E. Woods for Baptism
Robert Elliott Clk

Examined & Approved to this pont
Madison, April 6th [??]
Jhn Scott Mod

November 24, 1864 Sesion met at the request of Mr. Samuel Benifield when he asked for a leter of dismition to join the Jefferson Church at which time himself and wif we dismist don by order of sesion.
Robert Elliott

These minutes have been examined & approved thus far, by the Presbytery of Madison in session at Hanover Mch 29, 1856
J. Mitchell Moderator

April 28, 1865
A Communion held
Sabbath April 21, 1865 Session met at the call of the molderator members present Robert Elliott, James Elliott, Enos Wildman when Rev. Henry Trumbo [?] being preent moderated the Session at which time ?? Elliott presented herself and was received on examination Closed with prayer

Jan. 21, 1866
Communion held at Lancaster Presbyterian Church Session met members present Robert Elliott Sen James M. Elliott Wildman Session using moderated by Rev. Alexander Parker the following persons presented themselves Edward Ryker Minnie j. Wildman and was received in the first communion with the church closed with prayer
Robert Elliott
Sem Clk

Thus far examined by Presby and approved Vernon March 30th 1866
Thos Whallon Mod

December the fourth session met at the call of the morator members present Robert Elliott, James Elliott, Edos Wildman at which time Arabella Smart came forward and was examined and receved in the church
Enos Wildman clk

December the eighteenth sesion met opend with prayer members prsant James E. Elliott Enos Wildman when Thomas Sanderson came forward examined and reseved into the Church
Enos Wildman

1845 July 27
Collections of the Lancaster Church For the Board of Foreign Missions
Nov 11th 1846 The Board of Domestic Missions
March 29 The Board of Education
March 30th Miscellaneous
July 19th 1846 The Board of Domestic Missions
Nov 21 1847 The Board of Domestic Missions
Aprile 9th 1948
Collection for Commitioners fund
Oct 22 1848 Domestic Missions
March 24th 1849 Commitioners fund
August 12, 1850 Domestic Missions
January 25, 1852 Board of Foreign Missions

August 24th 1835
Fanny Lowring Departed this life
August 24 1835

September 10th 1835
Martha Elliott Departed this life
September 10th 1835 R. Elliott Clk

July 16th 1843
Miss Jane Weatherford Departed this life
A member of the Lancaster Church
R. Elliott Clk

June 15th 1844
Infant Baptism Martha Jane Daughter of Enos and Jane Wildman Baptized by the Rev. James A. McKee
R. Elliott Clk

March 23rd 1845
Infant Baptism Laura Daughter of John and Martha Edwards
William son of Robert and Nancy Graham all Baptized by the Rev. James R. Crow
R. Elliott Clk

March 29th, 1846
Infant Baptism George Logan son of Wm. and Minvery Elliott By Rev. J.F.Crow

Thus far examined and approved by Presbytery
April 10, 1847 William Sickels Mod.

Infant Baptism Mary Louis Daughter of James M. and Elizabeth Elliott Baptized
by Rev. J. D. Crawford R. Elliott Clk

Infant Baptism James Washington son of James and Ann Henry and Cynthia Daughter of Enos & Jane Wildman All baptized by Rev. James Green
R. Elliott Clk

Infant Baptism Robert Alexander son of Robert & Nancy Graham Baptised by Rev. Josiah Crawford R. Elliott Clk

Oct. 21, 1849
Infant Babt Christopher Columbus son of James and Ann Henry and James Frances Son of John and Lucindy Ryker all baptised by Rev. Josiah Crawford

August 11th 1850
infant baptism Emila Elvarado daughter of James & Elizabeth Elliott baptized by Rev. Josiah Crawford Rob Eliott Clk

Mr. Francis Hamilton Departed this life
September 7th 1845 a member of the Lancaster Church
R. Elliott Clk

September 29th 1846
Mrs. Margret Riker Departed this life a member of the Lancaster Church
R Elliott Clk

January 28th 1852
Nathaniel Rowlison Departed this life a member of the Lancaster Church
R. Elliott Clk

September 1852
Mrs. Jane Rowlison departed this life September 1852 a member of the Lancaster Church

May the 3, ? 1853
Departed th is life Mrs. Mary J. Rutlige a member of the Lancaster Church
May the 28 1853
R. Elliott Clk

May 18th 1834
Baptised by Dr. Matthews Mr. John Nichols & Martha his wife Jane Steel, Sarah Ann Mooney and Nancy Johnston, all adults Robert Elliott

June 21st 1835

Baptised by Rev. Samuel Gregg Miss Eliza ann Barrie Rob. Elliott Clk

June 23rd 1839
Adult Baptism Henry Thorn
by the Rev. S.H. Crane
R. Elliott Clk

July 18t? 1841 Adult Baptism
Robert Gordon by the Rev. Daniel Lattimore
R Elliott Clk

November 19th 1841
Adult Baptism Miss Elizabeth Rowlison
By the Rev. Daniel Lattimore
Robt Elliott Clk

June 16th 1844
Adult Baptism
Miss Mary Jane Rollason by Rev.J.L.Smith
R.L. Elliott

March 29th 1846
Adult Baptism Miss Rody Thomas Eaves & Miss Mary Jane Hamilton by the Rev. J.B. Crow
Robt Elliott Clk

August 10th 1851
Infant Baptism Minnetta Joan and Richard Bruce; Enos and Jane Wildman children, Josephine Oliff, Robert & Nancy Graham Daughter
Baptized by the Rev. Josiah Crawford
R Elliott Clk

September 5th 1852
Infant Baptism Jesse Fenton son of Wm and Minerva Elliott and James Francis son of George & Elizabeth McLelland all Baptised by the Rev. Wm. Hamilton
Rob. Elliott Clk

November the 5, 1853
Infant baptism Martha Ann, daughter of John & Lucindy Ryker, John S. ? son of Robert and Nancy Graham all baptized by Rev. J. Eastman
R. Elliott Clerk

Thus far examined and approved by Presbytery Aprl 11, 1855 Daniel Lattimore Moderator

November 4th 1855

Adult Baptism Miss Eliza Bennifield
By the Rev. Mr. Simms R. Elliott Clk

Jan. 21, 1866
Adult Baptism Edward Ryker
Baptized by Rev. A. Ryker

June 21st 1835
Infants Baptism by the Rev. Samuel Gregg Mary Jane daughter of William and Minirva Elliott
James Alexander son of Enos and James Wildman
“Mary Elizabeth
Jane McClung
David Alexander
William Lyle
Robert Samuel
Harriet Amela
Victor King”

All James and July Brisbane Children
Martha daughter of Anthony & Elizabeth Elliott Anthony Alexander son of Miles and Mary Craig
Robert Elliott Clk

July 22nd 1836
Preaching at the house of Mr. John Woods w Henry D. his child Baptism and aministered to the Following children Amanda Wiliam July Ann Joseph Dunn all John and ???

July 22, 1836
Martha Nicholas children and John Miller son of John and Jane Hood all Baptized by the Rev. Simeon Salisbury
Robt Elliott Clk

September 3, 1836
Infant baptism Hannah L. Daughter of Robert and Nancy Graham Harriet Daughter Daniel and Susan Baxter Nelson Lodge son of Jly Brisban all baptised by Rev. S. Salisbury
R. Elliott clk

September 9th 1837
Infant baptism Mary Ester daughter of Chrls H. and Mary Thompson Robert Elliott son of Enos & Jane Wildman, Miles Anthony son of Anthony and Elizabeth Ellitt, Lysander Miles son of Mils and Mary Craig all baptized by the Rev. John F. Crow.
Robt Ellitt clk

June 29, 1838
Infant baptism Daniel Baxter of Joseph and Rebeccah Comiske, Bartholomew Fenton son of William & Minerva Elliott Emily daughter of Mrs. Sarah ann Thorne, Moses son of Robert & Nancy Graham
All baptized by the Rev. D. Lattimore
Robt Elliott Clk

November 10th 1839
Infant Baptism Mary Eliza Daughter of Enos and Jane Wildman, William Renfrow son of William and Minerva Elliott all Baptized by Rev. Simeon H. Crane?
Robt Elliott Clk

Infant Baptism David Caldwell son Alexander & Rebecca Caldwell by Re. S.H. Crane
R.Elliott Clk

June 21st 1840
Infant Baptism Ednia Anne daugter of Robert and Nancy Graham, Martha ann daughter of John and Jane Hood by Rev. S.H. Crane

July th? 1841
Infant Baptism Martha daughter of William and Minerva Elliott bby Rev. Daniel Lattimore. Rob. Elliott Clk

October 20th 1842
Infant Baptism
William Wiley Sarah E. and Mary Amanda, all Nathaniel D. and Sarah Johnston children Baptism James S. Graham [correction made, apparently the clerk omitted James and added him and all are Grahams] Robert and Nancy Graham. John Finley son of Enos and Jane Wildman. All Baptised by Rev. D.Lattimore
R. Elliott Clk

August 20th 1843
Infant Baptism Robert James, John Long, Alexander Chambers, all Nathanel and Martha Rowlisons Children Baptised by Rev. D. Lattimore.
R. Elliott Clk.

May 13th 1860
Infant Baptism William Dick son of George and Elizabeth McLelland
Emma Cate daughter of Samuel and Mary Jane Benefiel all baptized
By Rev. Mr. Henry Robt. Elliott clk

By the same John Adams son of John and Lucinda Rikers R. Elliott Clk
March the first the 1862 Communion Session??
Infant Baptism Ellsworth Scott Infant sun of John and Lucindy Ryker