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The story of Lexington Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church began 100 years ago today.
On April 19, 1923, Dr. W.W. Orr, chairman of the Board of Home Missions, held a service that night at the Rockbridge County Courthouse and organized the church with 21 charter members.
In May of 1923, the Synod appointed the Rev. D.T. Lauderdale, then pastor of Broad Creek, to take charge of the Lexington Mission Church. He preached his first sermon on May 20, 1923, at the Odd Fellows Hall in Lexington.
On Sabbath evening, May 11, 1930, the Rev. D. T. Lauderdale was installed as the first pastor of the congregation. The Rev. W.M. Ford of Timber Ridge and Walter M. Harris, elder from Old Providence, were the Presbytery’s commission in charge of the exercises.
In the spring of 1932, when the congregation was only nine years old, the Lexington Church became self-supporting. Under the dedicated leadership of Rev. Lauderdale, the Lexington Church became one of the most active and growing churches in the denomination. In only 10 years, membership grew from 21 to a total membership, including inactive and non-resident members, of 455. After 20 years, the active membership alone was nearly 500.
Dec. 18, 1960, marked a sad day in the history of the church. On that day, Rev. Lauderdale announced his retirement. His resignation was regretfully accepted, bringing to an end his 37 years as pastor of the church.
On April 20, 1957, during the morning worship service marking the 35th anniversary of our church, Hubert R. Camden, a charter member and senior elder, made the motion that the name of the church be changed from the Lexington A.R.P. Church to the Lauderdale A.R. Presbyterian Church in honor of the Rev. D. T. Lauderdale, the founder and only minister of the church to that date. At a congregational meeting on May 25, 1957, the name of the church was officially changed.
There has been several pastors over the years. Presently, the Rev. Ben Dowling is the pastor, having faithfully served since 2010.
On April 23, Lauderdale A.R. Presbyterian Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary, beginning at 9:45 a.m.
