Author talk:Beverly Tucker Lacy

Biography

Source: http://archive.org/details/historyoffirstpr00aver

Author: Averill, William H

Subject: First Presbyterian Church (Frankfort, Ky.)

Digitizing sponsor: Princeton Theological Seminary Library

Excerpt:

"Rev. Beverly Tucker Lacy was born in Prince Edward County, Virginia, February 21st, 1819. His father, Rev. William Sterling Lacy, removed to Missouri in 1821, where he remained a few years, and went to Tennessee, where he reared his family. After receiving his preparatory education from his father, Beverly entered upon the study of law, designing to make that his profession. About this time he united with the church of which his father was pastor, and at once determined to change his profession and study for the Gospel ministry. With this end in view he entered Washington College, Virginia, from which he graduated in the class of 1843. He studied theology at Princeton Seminary under Drs. Archibald Alexander, Charles Hodge and Samuel Miller, graduating in the class of '46.

"Mr. Lacy's first charge was Kent Street Church, Winchester, Virginia, where he was ordained pastor in 1847, which he served for five years.

"In 1847 Lacy was married to Miss Agnes Alexander, his second cousin, and niece of Dr. Archibald Alexander. She died in 1852, and was a lady remarkable for her loveliness of disposition and lofty Christian character. She left a son, John Alexander Lacy, who was spared to minister to and comfort the father in his declining years, and is yet living, an honored member of the bar in Washington City.

"After Winchester, Mr. Lacy's next charge was in Salem, Virginia, from 1853 until 1858. In 1858 he came to the Frankfort Church (Ky), and was installed pastor in July, and remained until July, 1861, when the happy and very useful relation he sustained was interrupted by the breaking out of the Civil War. Mr. Lacy then returned to Virginia, and shortly afterward entered the Confederate army as chaplain at the headquarters of General "Stonewall" Jackson's Corps, of the Army of Northern Virginia.

"After the close of the war, Mr. Lacy served the church at Wytheville, Virginia, until 1865, when he removed to St. Louis, to take pastoral charge of the Pine Street Church of that city, which he served four years.

"In 1871 Dr. Lacy accepted the position of Superintendent of Missions for the Synod of Missouri, in which work he was eminently successful in building up and strengthening the Church throughout the bounds of the Synod.

In 1874 Dr. Lacy took pastoral charge of the church of Mexico, Missouri, where he remained about five years, when on account of impaired health he was led to resign. His health not permitting regular pastoral work, he took up his residence with his son in Sedalia, Missouri, from which place he supplied with great success a group of smaller churches, building them up into strong and flourishing congregations.

"In 1887 Dr. Lacy, having become a confirmed invalid, accompanied his son, who removed to Washington City, where he resided until his death, in November, 1900. Although confined to his bed and chair, unable to help himself in any way for these thirteen years, yet in this helpless condition he was wonderfully sustained and comforted by the Master, whom he had served so long and faithfully. His mind and memory through all these years of bodily weakness and suffering remained as bright and strong as in his best days, and it was a great privilege to hear from his lips his experiences of the goodness and mercy of God in all His dealings with him. As indicative of his wonderful memory of persons and events, the writer of this sketch, in a conversation with him a short time before his death, was asked many questions concerning the people of the Frankfort pastorate, and although forty years had elapsed, Dr. Lacy called the names of all the members of the families, including the children, large and small, of whose subsequent career he was desirous to know. Many incidents, some of minor importance, connected with the Frankfort pastorate and Dr. Lacy's life here, were vividly recalled by him, although they had long since passed from the memory of his auditor. For the people of this church, in which he had enjoyed such a pleasant and useful pastorate, he entertained to the last a lively interest and affectionate regard.

Research by —William Maury Morris II^Talk 03:24, 14 October 2012 (UTC)