Potosi Presbyterian Church

This organization was authorized by the Rev. Thomas Donnell, Pastor of Concord Presbyterian Church (later called Bellevue), and James Edgar, an Elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This was the fifth Presbyterian Church organized in what was then known as Potosi Presbytery. Henry Pease was elected Elder and by necessity was also Clerk of Session. The first Church was a red brick structure,

completed in 1833. During the first four years, only stated supply pastors presented services. In 1836 the Rev. John F. Cowan came from Pennsylvania to Potosi as the Church's first full time pastor, serving until 1852. In those years the church experienced considerable growth. At the time of the Civil War, dissension and division weakened the Church, as it did the Nation, and although the Church did not entirely disband, no services were held for five years. However, on October 4, 1866, again six people met to maintain and perpetuate the organization of the Presbyterian Church of Potosi. Recovery and growth came slowly, but the Church again continued to grow. A Sunday School, Youth and Women's organizations were established. In 1907, the Church's 75th anniversary year, the congregation perceived the need for a new church. John Anderson Lankford, head of a large architectural firm in Washington D.C., was commissioned to design their new home. Langford was a native of Potosi who had been encouraged and assisted in his education by members of the Potosi Presbyterian congregation. He was the first important Black architect in the United States, later regarded as the Dean of African American Architects. He returned to Potosi and in appreciation of support given him, designed the present Church. The English-Gothic structure was completed in 1909 and dedicated on October 17, 1909, and continues in use today. The first Church building still exists, being the oldest standing Presbyterian Church west of the Mississippi. It is now occupied by the Mine au Breton Historical Society as a museum. Compiled in 1997 by Catherine Polete, Elder and Historical Committee Chair.