Centennial History of Butler County, 1905 "In 1818 Rev. James Hughes, principal of the grammar school, organized a Presbyterian congregation in Oxford. However, it was not until 1825 that the church was regularly organized under the pastorate of Rev. Robert H. Bishop, D. D., president of Miami University, who continued to preach to the congregation for several years in the university chapel. In 1833 a house of worship was built at a cost of about six thousand dollars. The house was a two-story brick, fifty by seventy feet in dimensions, and would seat nearly five hundred persons. It stood on the site of the residence of Frank McCord.

Presbyterian Church, 4 E. Church St., 1890 (photo courtesy of Smith Library of Regional History)

On the 15th of January, 1833, the "First Presbyterian church of Oxford, in the county of Butler," was incorporated under the laws of Ohio. The incorporators were Benjamin C. Swan, James Montgornery,, Abraham I. Chittenden, John Harding, James R. Hughes, C. H. Spinnings, Charles Barrows, Harry Lewis and Joseph Woodruff.

Rev. Henry Little succeeded Dr. Bishop as pastor. The pastors in succession, after Rev. Little to November 23, 1869, the date when the old and new school Presbyterian united, were Rev. George B. Bishop, Rev. William Graham, Rev. John W. Scott, Rev. Henry Maltby, Rev. J. R. Burgett, Rev. W. Rogers, Rev. David Swing, Rev. J. B. Stewart, Rev. William Rogers, Rev. Mr. Haight and Rev. John Crosier. Since that time the pastors have been Rev. A. H. Young, Rev. Charles Fuller, Rev. Jacob Norris, Rev. Francis M. Wood, Rev. George G. Mitchell, Rev. Nesbitt, Rev. Bierce and Rev. Thomas J. Porter, the present incumbent.
 
 

In January, 1841, a large number of members of the First Presbyterian church withdrew, because of a disagreement among the membership over some questions of church policy, and on the first of February following organized themselves into a new religious body under the name of the Second Presbyterian Church of Oxford. Among those thus seceding from the mother church was the acting pastor, the Rev. William Graham, and he became the pastor of the new society.  The Second Presbyterian church was organized with thirty-two members, which number was increased at the second meeting to seventy. Having obtained admission into the Cincinnati presbytery of the so-called New School Presbyterians, the new body was soon in possession of a comfortable church, erected on the northeast corner of Main and Church streets, and fronting on the latter. In June, 1844, Rev. Graham was succeeded as pastor by Rev.  Daniel Tenney, who continued in charge for twelve years. In July, 1856, Rev. E. W. Root was installed pastor, being followed, August 11, 1861, by the Rev. J. P. E. Kumler, and in March, 1869, by the Rev. A. H. Young.

Original Second  Presbyterian Church (photo courtesy of Smith  Library of Regional History)

 
In November, 1869, by full and most harmonious concert of action upon the part of the membership of the two existing branches of the Presbyterian church, both bodies were united, the organization to be known as the First Presbyterian church of Oxford. The new church thus strengthened decided to occupy the house of worship of the Second church, and retain as pastor Rev. Mr. Young, and to enlarge and improve the church edifice to meet the wants of the increased society and congregation, which was accordingly done.

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