Presbyterian Church and Manse
- Ken Bott
- Feb 5
- 2 min read
According to his obituary, Samuel Lovejoy Gillespie moved to Corinne in 1876 to serve as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at that location. It says that he lived there for 3 years and then moved to Brigham City to establish the ministry. (Another source said that he came to Brigham City in the spring of 1874.) Reverend Gillespie was a veteran of the Civil War and had also served as a missionary in Evangasimba, Africa. While serving in Africa for 3 years, Rev. Gillespie married his wife, Martha White, another missionary.
Rev. Gillespie and his family were initially treated with hostility but eventually became valued and respected members of the community. Martha was the postmistress of the post office in 1881 and was involved in the community in other ways. Land to establish the church was difficult to acquire but a disaffected Mormon, John M. Bridges, sold the family his lots at 71 and 77 North Main with his adobe house on the property. The home served the congregation for a time and, eventually, the Gillespie’s moved into the home. Around 1878, he began to build the new Presbyterian Church on the other lot. In the fall of 1914, the manse was built for $3000. Rev. Gillespie left Brigham City after approximately 18 years, traveled in Gospel wagons until he was no longer able and then moved to Los Angeles, where he eventually died.
In the mid 1950s, the Community Presbyterian Church purchased the property on the south east block from the tabernacle. The original Webster School and First Ward building, and the later brick First Ward building, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (at this time it was the Sixth Ward building) were included in the purchase.
Members of the Amity Lodge of Free Masons purchased the northwest corner of the lot and moved the original Presbyterian Church from north Main Street to the new lot and put it on a new foundation. It is now bricked. The Manse was also moved from Main Street to the 200 East side of the lot. The Gillespie Hall, named for Samuel L. Gillespie, was completed on the lot in 1964.
Any errors are unintentional and I'm happy to correct them if you could let me know. Photos are for nonprofit educational and noncommercial purposes only.
Comments