The Lincoln Family and First Presbyterian Church
(adapted from: Ten Ministers: A history of the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Illinois 1828 -1953)

Abraham Lincoln's Association with the church began in 1850 and continued until he left Springfield to assume the duties of President in 1861, encompassing the period of his emergence on the national scene and his rise to greatness.

There was some Presbyterian background which related to Mrs. Lincoln. The church had been organized in the home of her uncle, Dr. John Todd, and Mrs. Lincoln had been brought up in Lexington, Kentucky, as a Presbyterian, although when she became a member of the Springfield household of her sister, Mrs. Ninian Edwards, she attended the Episcopal Church with the Edwards family and continued to do so for some time after her marriage.

On February 1, 1850, Abraham and Mary Lincoln's second son, Edward, died. The minister of the First Presbyterian Church was asked to conduct the funeral. The minister at that time was Reverend Dr. James Smith and his service made a deep impression on both of the bereaved parents.

Shortly after Edward's death Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln made a visit to Lexington and while there Mr. Lincoln found in the Todd library a thick volume entitled The Christian's Defense. He became particularly interested in it when he discovered that the author was Dr. James Smith, the pastor who had conducted his son's funeral. When Mr. Lincoln returned to Springfield from Lexington he sought Dr. Smith to talk over with him some of the religious doubts he had entertained. Dr. Smith tells us that as a result of these talks Lincoln's doubts were shattered and from that time on he was a believer in the Christian faith. Thus began what proved to be a close and lasting friendship.

These two circumstances led Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln to the First Church. They rented a pew and regularly attended church services, and thereafter Dr. Smith stood in the close relation of the pastor who "buried their dead, baptized their living and was admitted to their full confidence." He was a welcome neighbor and dropped in at least twice a month to spend a pleasant evening in the midst of the Lincoln family circle. He and Lincoln had long conversations when the latter came to see him, or when they drove together over the prairies. Mr. Lincoln, however, never formally joined the church, although his wife became a member October 13, 1852. Thomas (Tad) Lincoln was baptized in the church on April 4, 1855.

Below: The Lincoln pew, in its original location in the Third and Washington Street building, is draped in this picture. It is center, fifth row from the front.