Reverend John M. Dickey

From "Lexington" by Mary Wilson and Sharon Y. Asher, published sometime after 1975.

THE REVEREND JOHN M. DICKEY

John McElroy Dickey was born in York District, South Carolina, December 16, 1789. His parents, Margaret Stephenson and David Dickey, lived in humble circumstances but were of excellent Christian character. No pressure of business could ever induce the parents to omit the customary household worship or other religious duties.

John became familiar with the scriptures at a very early age. Some say he read the Bible through at the age of four years.

In 1803 his parents moved to Kentucky where John went to stay with his cousin, Rev. William Dickey, in order to study for the ministry. He was licensed to preach by Muhlenburg Presbytery on August 29, 1814.

The following December he made a visit to Indiana and spent a few weeks in what is now known as Washington and Davis counties. He liked this location very much and soon moved there with his infant daughter and his wife. His library consisted of a Bible, a theological dictionary, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, and Fisher's Catechism. After serving this area for four years, he moved, with his family, to Lexington and became pastor of the New Lexington, Pisgah, and Graham Fork churches.

Mr. Dickey's installation at New Lexington was the first formal Presbyterian settlement in this territory. He served at New Lexington and Pisgah for sixteen years. When care of the former congregation was committed to other hands, he held the pulpit of the Pisgah society for twelve years longer, until the infirmities of age became too great.

It is not only as pastor of the small country flock that his usefulness is to be measured, however. He was, in addition, a traveling Bishop. From far and near in revivals, at communions, and in vacant churches, his difficult horseback journeys often carried him over the southern half of the state.

Mr. Dickey organized churches at Columbus and Franklin and the church of New Providence near Shelbyville. His custom was to make a tour of two weeks, preaching daily, and for an equal length of time to remain at home laboring in his own parish.

Mr. Dickey died on November 21, 1849. He was buried beside his second wife and his three children in the cemetery of the Pisgah church. His stone is a plain marble slab, inscribed with his name, age, date of birth and death, and the text of a commemorative discourse.

Taken from A History of Early Indiana Presbyterians, by Edison.

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