The following is the latest in our series of First Presbyterian Church history. These snippets have been collected in anticipation of our 200th anniversary in 2027.
As First Presbyterian Church grew, it faced the challenge of providing a regular salary for its minister. According to the History of the Presbyterian Church of Baton Rouge (1890), the congregation addressed this issue by asking pew holders to surrender their previously purchased ownership rights so the pews could be leased annually. The income from those leases was then used to support the pastor’s salary.
In 1840, the Rev. Jahleel Woodbridge began serving as the church’s regular minister while the congregation worked toward calling a permanent pastor. Four years later, he was formally installed as pastor. Under his leadership, church membership grew from 57 to 94.
To be continued next month.
