Document Type

Book

Abstract

Transcript of a handwritten book.

This document, written by George C. Sibley in October 1840, provides a detailed account of the contentious relationship between the First Presbyterian Church of St. Charles, Missouri, and the Rev. James Gallaher. 

The Election and Call (1838)

On June 13, 1838, the church members unanimously elected Rev. James Gallaher as their pastor. A committee consisting of Robert Boal and George C. Sibley was appointed to prosecute the call and raise a salary subscription, which eventually totaled $684. Despite this unanimous invitation, Gallaher’s commitment remained vague; he visited briefly in July 1838 but did not formally accept the call at that time. 

Period of Uncertainty and Neglect (1838–1840)

The narrative highlights several grievances the church leadership held against Gallaher:

  • Prolonged Absence: Shortly after receiving the call in October 1838, Gallaher left for Mississippi for five months without informing the church of his intentions. 

  • Irregular Service: Upon his return in March 1839, his preaching remained extremely irregular. The church was often forced to rely on other ministers for pulpit supply. 

  • Salary Disputes: Despite his lack of formal acceptance and irregular service, Gallaher claimed and collected a large portion of his salary. 

  • Conflicting Interests: It was later discovered that Gallaher had a separate engagement and salary at Troy, which he had not disclosed to the St. Charles session.

The Schism of 1840

The conflict peaked during the "Great Presbyterian Controversy" between the Old School and New School factions. 

  • The Neutrality Plan: Gallaher and Elder Robert Boal proposed that the church remain "neutral" and independent of higher church judicatories. 

  • The Decision: Sibley and other members opposed this, fearing it would lead to the loss of their Presbyterian identity and their church property. 

  • The Vote: At a meeting on April 28, 1840, the church voted 24 to 17 to officially adhere to the Old School General Assembly. 

  • Secession: Immediately following the vote, Gallaher, Boal, and approximately 20 followers withdrew to organize a new, "New School" church. 

Defense Against Charges of "Quarrelsomeness"

The final sections of the document serve as an appendix to defend the church’s reputation. Gallaher reportedly characterized the congregation as a "quarrelsome set". Sibley counters this by tracing the church's history since 1818, arguing that while they had faced trials and external "persecutions," the congregation had maintained internal harmony until the interventions of Gallaher and Boal.

Publication Date

1840

Collection

St. Charles Presbyterian Church Collection

Repository

Mary Ambler Archives

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication 1.0 License.

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