Pitzer Church¹

In the year 1869, the congregation was organized under the leadership of Rev. C. T. McCaughan. The first meetings were held at a schoolhouse one mile east and two miles north of Pitzer. This was the meeting place from 1869 to 1873. In 1873 a church was built and dedicated June 1, 1873, at the site one mile east and one mile north of Pitzer. This church was known as Union Church for several years

 In 1892, a parsonage was built at Pitzer at present site. In 1899, it was decided to move the church to the center of the township or Pitzer. The church was moved and remodeled. It was named Pitzer United Presbyterian Church.

In 1938 it was voted to put a basement under the church, and it was completed that summer. In October 1944, the 75^th Anniversary of the church was observed. Dr. C. E. Hawthorne of Washington, D.C., was guest speaker. He had served the church as pastor 25 years earlier.

On December 2, 1945, the Pitzer Church was completely destroyed by fire. Church services were then held at the schoolhouse until the present church was built and dedicated in 1947.

The following ministers have served this church:  C. T. McCaughan, James Sawhill, Robert A. Evans, R. C. Finney, H. D. W. Garrett, J. E. Barr, R. L. Wilson, C. E. Hawthorne, Walter J. Stewart, Chas. M. McClung, W. Z. Allen, W. G. Robertson, Peter Bock, Reed Kessler, Wm. A. Muir, A. B. Miller, Robert L. Franklin, Albert C. Bullock, Charles White.

Pitzer Women²

The Pitzer Congregation was organized in 1869.  Fifteen years later a Women’s Missionary Society was organized as an auxiliary to the church and by which they might carry on a work that they could call their own. 

Original Pitzer Presbyterian Church

Photo courtesy of the Madison County Historical Society

Pitzer Presbyterian Church (Built in 1947)

(Now a private residence)

 The first meeting was held on December 1, 1884, at the William Harrah home.  Attending that meeting were Mrs. Elizabeth Graham, Mrs. Joan McCorkle, Mrs. Kate B. Harrah, Mrs. Martha E. Sawhill, Mrs. Lizzie B. Barr, Miss Elizabeth T. Beck, Miss Mary C. Moore, Miss Addie E. Creswell, and Miss Louisa M. Creswell.  A constitution was adopted and the following officers were elected for a one year term:

Besides doing local projects they contributed hundreds of dollars which, combined with money from many like societies, carried on Missionary work not only in the United States but throughout the world.  In 1959, when the First Presbyterian and the United Presbyterian Churches merged, they became known as the United Presbyterian Women, continuing to do the same kinds of things.

In 1939-41 the women served meals for threshing and silo filling crews. As many as 160 meals were served in a day at noon. Pledges were another way of raising funds. Ice cream suppers and soup suppers were another source of needed money.  In the 1960s and 70s the main project was making mincemeat for sale. As many as 300 to 400 quarts were made during the fall.  One of the yearly projects is Thank Offering Services.  Many times a missionary on furlough is the speaker and the congregation joins in the giving. Many wedding receptions and showers have been sponsored by the women. They have been responsible for cleanup days and the weekly cleanings.

Women who have served as president are:

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