First Presbyterian Church Through the Years The first church in Fort Smith, a frame building perched on top of a red clay embankment with a stone basement was erected in 1842 as Union Chapel on the corner of Washington and Mulberry Street (now North Second and B Streets. The pulpit was occupied on alternate Sundays by Presbyterian and Methodist ministers. When a Methodist congregation was organized and moved to another church building, the Union Church Building became the property of the First Presbyterian Church, which was organized in 1846 by the Rev. Williamm Kirkpatrick MARSHALL. History says there were four charter members of this church three by letters from older churches and one on profession of faith. Three of the original members were John F. WHEELER, Joseph BENNETT and Mrs. Margaret F. BAIRD. Mrs. H.B. SPARKS, wife of Mitchell SPARKS, joined this church in 1847. In 1850 the Rev. Cephas WASHBURN became the pastor and served the church until 1857. Outgrowing the small building, in 1876, ground was broken on the corner of Eighth and "B" Streets, the new church being completed January 1877 at a cost of just $6,000. Congregation in the church at the time numbered 150 members and worshipped there until the construction of its present-day building in 1900. In 1898 the present location was purchased and the cornerstone laid in July 1900. In the early church there was one lone pastorate, that of the Rev. W.A. SAMPLE (1858-1863). Then the church was without a pastor until 1868 when Mr. SAMPLE returned and served untill 1888. Two very brief pastorates followed, and in 1890 Dr. Malcolm M. McKAY accepted a call and remained as pastor until 1917. Feb 14, 1908 - Ft Smith Elevator The death of Rev. W. A. Sample & the Early History of the Presbyterian Church in Ft. Smith May 31, 1903 - Fort Smith Times names mentioned: Phillips May 31, 1903 - Fort Smith Times names mentioned: Dyke May 31, 1903 - Fort Smith Times names mentioned: Kennedy, Barkdull, Read, Maddox