The First Presbyterian Church was organized October 21, 1858, by a committee from the Presbytery of Highland, Rev. Alexander W. Pitzer, of Leavenworth, chairman. The number of persons entering into the organization on that day was eight. Their names were as follows: William M. Davies, Mary Davies, George B. Irwin, Rebecca Irwin, Annie Love, Andrew Hamilton, Maximilla Ireland and Edward Hair. The following persons have served the church as ministers: Rev. Julius Spencer, from April, 1858, for about eighteen months; Rev. H. H. Dobbins, for seven months, from September, 1863; Rev. T. P. Lemis commenced his labors in April, 1865, and continued with the church until February, 1868; Rev. Edward Cooper had charge of the church from December, 1868, until December, 1875; Rev. J. H. Clark officiated as pastor from March, 1876, until June, 1878; Rev. M. L. Howie began his labors in November, 1878, and continued with the church until November, 1882: he died in Chicago in August, 1913; Rev. D. C. Milner began his work in December, 1882, and continued with the church until September 23, 1887: Rev. M. L. Howie (second term), November 11, 1887, to 1897: Rev. J. D. Countermine, from 1897 to 1899; Rev. B. F. Boyle came February 25, 1900, and continued as pastor until in the fall of 1911. Rev. W. I. Alexander came in November, 1911, and continued his labors until September, 1914. Rev. W. C. Isett was called in September, 1915. [Illustration: Presbyterian Church at Atchison, Kan. ] For some months after its organization the church had no regular minister and services were held in a store room, hall and private residences. For a time the church held meetings in Bang’s Hall on Commercial street, and in Price’s Hall, on the corner of Fourth and Main streets. During the pastorate of Rev. Lewis, the building on Fourth street, between Commercial and Main streets, known as “the Presbyterian hall,” was erected, and the congregation commenced using it as a place of worship in 1865. The congregation began the erection of the present church building in 1880. The corner stone was laid on September 15 of that year. About the time of beginning the building, Mrs. S. Donald, Mrs. Judge Berry, Mrs. C. A. Stuart and Mrs. A. J. North canvassed the city and secured large subscriptions to the building fund. The building committee consisted of A. W. Simpson, A. F. Martin and J. M. Covert. The elders in 1880 were as follows: A. B. McQueen, A. J. North, J. M. Covert, J. W. Allen, J. S. Trimble, and Harry Harkness. The deacons in the same year were as follows: B. F. Hudson, J. Edward Lewis, S. D. D. Smith and D. M. Wynkoop. The trustees were as follows: B. F. Hudson, president; A. F. Martin, secretary; David Lukens, treasurer; E. K. Blair, R. B. Drury, A. W. Simpson, S. D. D. Smith. Officers of the Sunday school were as follows: A. F. Martin, superintendent; J. M. Covert, assistant superintendent, and J. E. Lewis, secretary and treasurer.