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The Reverend John Connor, pastor of the Leesburg Presbyterian Church began to hold service occasionally on Sunday afternoon in an old chapel or schoolhouse near Farmwell Station in the year 1876. Members at that time were received in connection with the Leesburg church, but thereafter were received into the mission at Farmwell. Funds were gathered in 1877 for the erection of a church building. Reverend Connor quoted that he “took part in organizing and dedication of the building.” The land on which the building was erected was conveyed by deed dated September 28, 1878 from George Lees, Executrix, to James Rose, Charles Janney and Luther Thrasher, Trustees. The amount of land was ten acres, two rods, three and six-tenths perch, Book #288. At the same time five acres of land was conveyed to the Reverend L.B. Turnbull where he erected a manse. Plans for organizing the Farmwell church took place on November 23, 1877. The Reverends William Dinwiddie and A. W. Pitzer were appointed as a committee “to organize a church at Farmwell if the way is clear.” Excerpts from the minutes of the Chesapeake Presbytery dated April 10, 1878 stated that there had been unusual accessions in the churches of Litchfield, Grove and the Farmwell mission. Reverend Turnbull was heard in regard to his work at Farmwell and was released from his charge at the Middleburg church. The Reverend J.F. Connor was added to the organizing committee. On September 5, 1878, the committee organized the Farmwell Church with the following reports received and approved the church was ordered enrolled: “There was a congregation of twenty-three members. Twenty-one were present and participated in the election of officers under the direction of Presbytery. The congregation elected James W. Rose as elder and Milton Fadely and George C. Bauckman as deacons.” They were ordained and installed. After that the pastor declared that the church was fully organized and entered upon its good works. They had a lovely building entirely free from debt and with means to furnish the building. The first minister of the church was the Reverend J. F. Connor according to the session records. Young seminary students later supplied it. One was Calvin Stewart and another a Mr. Cane. L.B. Turnbull became pastor in 1878. A called meeting of Presbytery was held at the Farmwell Church on Thursday, November 7, 1878 to ordain and install the Reverend L.B. Turnbull, pastor of the Farmwell Church. The Reverend Henry Brouch presided and presented the constitution questions. The Reverend William McClure gave the sermon, the Reverend A.W. Pitzer delivered the charge to the pastor and the Reverend John Connor delivered the charge to the congregation.”
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