It was in the year 1844 that
Dr. Hoge was invited to
Richmond by the session of the First Presbyterian church.
The invitation was accepted, and an arrangement was made by which he was to assist
Dr. Plumer until a lot could be purchased and a small church erected, with the view of ascertaining whether another congregation could be collected in a new locality.
The site on which the Second Presbyterian church now stands was purchased, a lecture-room built, a congregation gathered, and on the 27th of February, 1845,
Dr. Hoge was installed as pastor—
the Rev. Dr. Leyburn preaching the ordination sermon,
Dr. Plumer delivering the charge to the pastor, and
Rev. William Lyon the charge to the people.
In a few months it was found that the lecture-room was too small for the needs of the congregation, and plans were adopted for the erection of a more commodious house of worship.
Dr. Hoge went, with
Mr. Samuel P. Hawes, to New York to obtain a model for the new church building; an architect of that city was chosen, who drew the plans, in accordance with which it was erected.
It was dedicated in the year 1848, a dedication hymn having been composed by the late
John R. Thompson, and introduced into the hymn-book subsequently authorized by the
Presbyterian General Assembly.
In the process of time the edifice was found too small for the requirements of the congregation,
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and it was enlarged by throwing a transept across the eastern end, thus adding two wings to the building, enlarging and beautifying it at the same time.
These alterations were carried out by
Mr. George Gibson, an honored deacon of the church, and perhaps the only original member now living.
An incident connected with the early history of the church illustrates the growth of the city in a westerly direction.
When the officers of the First Presbyterian Church proposed to purchase the lot on which the
Second Church stands, it was earnestly opposed by an influential member, on the ground that it was too far up-town, and that a congregation could not be gathered at such a remote region.
