It was advised by the Trustees that there remains the sum of $600 of the principal of the Robert Harper Bequest uninvested and, that sum should be used to defray part of the cost of needed repairs to the manse.

A pen and ink drawing of the Leesburg Presbyterian Church was presented by Louise Harrison Patton in memory of her grandmother Lalla F. Knox.  The drawing accepted by the Session with sincere thanks.

July, the Session discussed the idea of having communion in the home.  Motion was made that a commission be appointed from the Session to accompany the minister on Sunday afternoon to have communion in the home of those who are sick and are truly precluded from attending communion, and that this be the future policy of this Church.

September, Rev. Johnson stated to the Session that he had been asked by the Principal of the Leesburg High School to take over the direction of the football team for the fall months.  As he runs short of teachers and had no one to carry on the athletic program.  Rev. Johnson explained to the Session that if he took this job his routine visiting would be greatly curtailed; He left it entirely up to the Session as to what he should do.  The Session came to a unanimous conclusion that for Mr. Johnson to work with these boys presented him with such an unusual opportunity to serve them and thus the Church in these difficult times.  This work carries no financial remuneration.  Mr. Johnson notified the congregation and included his own statement that he takes on the special opportunity to serve the community and its boys with pleasure, begging the members of the Church to bear with him if he fails to enter their homes as often as he would like during this period.

Rev. Johnson suggested to the Session the idea of a Religious Education council for the Sunday School.  In regard to the night services, Mr. Johnson stated that beginning in November every Sunday night for a period of six weeks he would start teaching a course on the Sacraments.

December, Mr. Johnson asked the Session what they thought of inviting the six Protestant churches to take part in the Union Services next Summer.  Motion carried that a committee composed of six white Protestant Ministers and one layman from each of these six Churches make the plans of the Sunday Night Union Services for the Summer of 1943.

- 1943 -

In a congregational meeting a motion was carried that the income earned from the Harper Bequest first be used to repay the $600 previously used for Manse repair.  When the above stipulation has been met additional income from the bequest shall be invested in United States Government Bonds, Series F. until such time as the congregation shall otherwise direct the disposition of these funds.

The Moderator submitted the Benevolence budget for the coming year; $400 from the Woman's Auxiliary and $500 from Church Benevolences.

A note in the operating budget stated that the balance on hand included $10.95 reserved for Victory tax deducted from Pastor's salary.  Items listed among the disbursements were $39.50 for Bible Teaching in Public School and $35 for the Defense Service Council.

September, Rev. Johnson told the Session he had been asked to help with the football team again this year.  The Session advised him to take on this work.

The Rev. Johnson made a statement that the Methodist, Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches were working as a council for Bible teaching in public schools.

At a congregational meeting held for the purpose of electing Elders and Deacons the Pastor was requested to make an explanation clarifying the status of the qualifications of Mr. Roscoe B. Rhodes in the event that his name be placed in nomination.  There had been some question concerning Mr. Rhoads capacity to be elected as Elder unless he gave up immediately one of his civil capacities.  Mr. Rhoads had been appointed by the Judge of the Circuit Court to perform civil marriages.  The feeling was that this would prevent his being ordained because it required him to unite in marriage persons who had been divorced on other grounds than those the Book of Church Order holds valid.

The Pastor did considerable research in this matter and made a trip to Union Theological Seminary to confer for three of the professors.  In addition to this, he spoke with three leading men in Potomac Presbytery to obtain their advice.  It was their unanimous opinion that Mr. Rhoads' performing civil ceremonies would in no wise affect his eligibility for Eldership.  The tenor of their answers is that he is deserving of commendation rather than condemnation for holding the office.  Let it be noted that the six were consulted independently and that all six were strongly of one opinion.  It was also noted that this explanation is made with absolutely no desire on the part of the Minister to dictate tot he congregation how it shall vote in this matter.  Because the congregation has, in the opinion of the Session, been placed under an unfortunate misapprehension in the past, the Session felt that in fairness to Mr. Rhoads this explanation should be made.  Mr. Rhoads name was placed in nomination for the office of Elder and was elected on the first ballot.

October, at a called meeting the Pastor announced his decision to accept a call to the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, VA.  In a letter to the congregation Rev. Johnson states:

As I believe God called me to Leesburg, so do I believe that He is calling me to the Westminster Presbyterian Church.  It is for this reason above all others that I herein submit my resignation as Pastor.  I do not feel that I am leaving with my work completed.  Rather, I feel that like millions of other young men today, I must leave the work I am doing to take up another work more pressing.  The question of man-power is also critical for the Church.  Because of the great number of ministers we have in the Chaplain's Corps, our Church at home is left with its pulpits inadequately manned, from the point of numbers.  There is no question of the challenging work to be done for Christ and no question of the challenging work to be done for Christ and His Kingdom here in Leesburg.  Because of this very fact, I am certain that God has the man prepared whom He purposes to succeed your present Pastor in His work among you, so may we be confident that God will be with your next Pastor, perhaps even in more abundant measure.  This only would your present Pastor ask of you, that you receive his successor with the same open heart with which you received him, and that you love his successor with the same love that you have manifested toward him.

A letter in response to this news states that congregation's profound regret to see our Pastor sever his Pastoral relations with the Church and he and his wife leave the community, we are grateful for and deeply appreciate the fruitful services they have rendered the church and community during their stay in  Leesburg.  The Session wrote again to Union Theological Seminary asking for a supply minister for the months of November and December.  They responded with a letter that said they would make every attempt to arrange for supply.  It may be difficult for us to have supplies for you during our Christmas Holidays, if there are any students staying over who are available, I will try to secure them for you.  I am swamped with requests for young ministers and am afraid it is going to be a little difficult to secure a permanent Pastor.  I shall be glad, however, to send you other seniors after Christmas whom you may interest in your field.

- 1944 -

In view of the shortage of Ministers and a large number of Churches being without a Pastor as a result of many of our Ministers having entered the Chaplaincy Service, the pulpit committee has concluded that the chances are doubtful of securing a Pastor before another class at Union Theological Seminary graduates.  Mr. Robert Fulton who has preached here on occasion has completed two years work and expects to spend one year in the ministry before finishing his work at the Seminary.  He would be able to supply from Fall through next Summer.

The services of Mr. Gabriel G. Williamson, from the Union Theological Seminary were secured for the Summer months.  The services of Mr. Robert Fulton of Danville, VA, a candidate from the Seminary, are contracted for one year from September at a salary of $3,000 per annum and the Manse.

- 1945 -

The Session urged a thorough canvas of every member.  The Pastor, Mr. Fulton, appointed a committee within the Church to study the finances of the Church and to draw up a budget for the coming Church year, and on this committee was place a member representing each organization in the Church.

The pulpit committee reports that Mr. Fulton expects to return to the Seminary to complete his studies in September and they recommend an arrangement to have him alternate with another student until he completes his training.  At that time, the call impressed with Mr. Fulton's ability, diligence, humility, fearlessness, and the whole-hearted manner in which he has dedicated himself to this chosen work.

The Session ordered that a table and visitor's register be purchased and place din the vestibule of the Church.

- 1946 -

The Session elected Elder Clemens to comprise a committee to make a study of the feasibility of erecting a Sunday School Building.

The statistical report for this year was:

On June 11th at 8:00 AM, a commission from the Presbytery of Potomac ordained and installed Mr. Thomas Robert Fulton as minister of this Church.  A large congregation was present to witness this most impressive ceremony.

In September the Session agreed to actively sponsor the formation of an organization in our Church, known as the Men of Church.

- 1947 -

It was brought to the attention of the Nominating Committee that several members of the Church could not attend Church services on Sunday morning due to the fact that they have small children.  It is suggested that one or more of the basement rooms in the Manse be used as a nursery during the Church hour.  The Session approved and authorized a committee to provide a nursery in the basement of the manse.

It was unanimously carried that the left side of the balcony (facing the pulpit) of the Church be reserved for any colored persons desiring to attend Church services.

June 18th, the thanks of the Session were extended to the Pastor for his numerous activities in connection with the recent airplane catastrophe near Hillsboro, VA in which fifty lives were lost.

July 15th, the Moderator advised the Session that he had placed in his hands a copy of the Last Will and Testament of Mrs. Otie Hagins Drake, deceased, which makes the Leesburg Presbyterian Church the principal beneficiary, upon the acceptance of her bequest, in conformance with the conditions therein stated. Whereas Otie Hagins Drake, by the terms of her last will and testament, devised and bequeathed the residue of her estate to the Trustees of the Leesburg Presbyterian Church as a building fund for the purpose of the erection and construction of a new Church building.  After discussion concerning the terms of the will the congregation was called to vote.  It was stated that the acceptance of this fund in no way involved the destruction of this building and further that the adoption of the resolution to accept the bequest was simply the acceptance of the fund in accordance with the terms of the will.  The resolution passed unanimously.

November 30th, the Clerk of the Session read to the congregation the following letter:

I, T. Robert Fulton, in view of a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, SC, which came to me September 29th, and having given such call anxious hours of thought and prayerful consideration, do feel this call is a summons from God to a field of service which I cannot decline.  It is with the deepest regret that I ask the congregation of the Leesburg Presbyterian Church to accept my resignation of the Pastoral charge of this Church effective December 31, 1947 ...

In submitting this resignation I desire to be clear that no individual, or group of individuals, or any internal causes within this Church has prompted this action.  I am grateful to Almighty God for the generous love, affection, and loyalty which this congregation has shown me these three year I have served this Church.  I ask for a dissolution of the Pastoral relation only because of the strong convection that this new field offers me a larger opportunity of service and development as a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ.

- 1948 -

Upon recommendation of the Pulpit committee a call was extended to Rev. Monroe Bush, Jr.  Mr. Bush chose not to participate in the Minister's Annuity Fund, and in view of this wish, it was recommended that Mr. Bush be paid an annual salary of $2600.  It was further recommended that during the first year of his ministry he be paid $400 as a contingent fund to be used by him for the purchase of fuel for the Manse, traveling, and other expenses.

April 25th, the newly elected Pastor, Mr. Bush, gave a short talk on the contemplated policies of the Church, under his Pastorate.  The matter of a new Church building was presented and after some discussion it was decided to elect a fact-finding committee to gather all information pertaining to such a building.

May 21st, the Session resolved that the wire recorder be accepted on behalf of the Church, and the appreciation of the entire congregation be expressed to the anonymous donor.  We recognize both the generosity and the foresight of this person, and assure this person that under our direction every possible use will be made of the recorder to broaden the Church's ministry.

November 1st, the congregation was presented with the following list of assets of the Church:

After commenting on the financial status of the Church is was resolved that an Architect, Delos Smith, prepare plans for a new Church building estimated to cost not less than $45,000 nor more than $55,000.

- 1949 -

September 30th, the Session agreed for the Leesburg Presbyterian Church to participate in the Leesburg Inter-Youth Council.  A committee together with the Minister are to represent this Church for a period of twelve months.

During this time, an educational building was build on to the Sanctuary by generous bequests from Mr. Robert Harper and Mrs. Otie Drake.

October 23rd, a congregational meeting was called to consider recommendations regarding the redecoration of the Church Sanctuary.  It was resolved that it be authorized to have the first floor of the new Church building plastered, to have the south end of the Church Sanctuary repaired, to placed arch, plaster ceiling, repair plaster on walls, place a rail at gallery to purchase a pulpit and chairs, new pews were needed, new Communion Table, rugs, lighting fixtures, equipment and supplies for the new Church building, and to such other things and purchase such other equipment as they deemed necessary and expedient relative to the Church Sanctuary and the new Church building.

The Educational building was furnished as memorials for loved ones from the Church and appropriate markers placed.

- 1950 -

The congregation met on April 16th to hear the following letter:

Having been invited by the Board of Trustees of Loudoun Community College to assume the presidency of that College, and having indicated tot he Board of Trustees my willingness to do so, I respectfully request that the Session recommend to the congregation that my resignation be accepted.  It is with regret that I herein request the termination of a relationship which has been the source of happiness and inspiration to me, and submit to all concerned the testimony of my deep gratitude for the understanding and support accorded me by the congregation in a truly Christian manner throughout the entire tenure of my pastorate.  Signed Monroe Bush, Jr.

The pulpit was supplied by Chaplains of the US Army for the rest of the year.

- 1951 -

January 28th, a commission from the Presbytery of Potomac installed the Rev. David Clarence Crawford, Jr. as the Minister of this Church.  A large congregation (all Protestant Churches in the town joining) was present to witness this most impressive ceremony.

April 1st, the budget for this year was presented.  It allowed $7,000 for current expenses and $750 for Benevolences.

September 23rd, a letter incorporated into the minutes commending the Sunday School ...

The Session of the Leesburg Presbyterian Church recognizes that the primary task of the Church is to lead men and women, young people and children to the commitment of their lives to Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, and to help them grow steadily in Christian character and service.  The most effective work done by the Church toward the accomplishing of this primary task is done through the Church School.

A service which is of infinite and eternal importance is rendered by the teachers, leaders and officers of the Church School.  They therefore deserve the respect and gratitude of the whole Church.

To these teachers, leaders, and officers, the Session of the Leesburg Presbyterian Church expresses its most sincere appreciation for their abundant labor and their effective service.  The Session commends them to the unfailing gratitude and affection of this congregation.  And for them the Session earnestly prays:  "The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you always."

- 1952 -

Approval was granted the Presbyterian Youth Fellowship to place a plaque on the Youth Fellowship Room door, in memory of Miss Sue Ellen Clagett, who passed away on September 24, 1950 at age 13.  It was agreed that the Moderator e granted the authority to prepare for a proper celebration of the sesquicentennial of this Church.

A request was granted to the Loudoun-Fauquier Garden Club that our Church be included in the 1953 Tour of Homes, Gardens, and Churches.

- 1953 -

A committee was appointed to prepare a "Directory of the Presbyterian congregation at Leesburg, Virginia".

In July, the Moderator reported that the Women of the Church had agreed to assume responsibility for the sesquicentennial observance.

September 8th, a committee was appointed to prepare of a Recognition Service for Miss Lilias Janney, for many year the faithful organist of our Church.  A service was held during Church Family Night and a tribute was paid.  Be it resolved by the congregation of the Leesburg Presbyterian Church that it hereby expresses its sincere gratitude and appreciation to Miss Lilias Janney for her faithful, devoted and meritorious services to the Church as organist and for her various other spiritual and material contributions through her faithful attendance on the Worship and other services of the Church during her life; that as a token of our esteem, affection and gratitude the Congregation takes delight in presenting to Miss Janney at this time this vase, which was purchased by contributions from a large number of the members of the congregation, and the it is our prayer that Miss Janney will be able for many years to come to continue to be of service to her Church and that it may be a sustaining comfort and source of strength to her through the rest of her life; and finally, may God bless her for a life filled with service to Him and to mankind.

- 1954 -

April 8th, at a Session meeting, it was reported of a talk with the Rev. D. Kirk Hammond, relative to having sound movies made of the sesquicentennial celebration.  Mr. Hammond advised against having the pictures taken, whereupon it was unanimously carried that moving pictures of the celebration shall not be made.

On May 1st and 2nd, a celebration of the 150th anniversary was held.  Many former members, relatives of former Pastors, and a great host of friends of the Church were present.  A guest book was provided showing registration of the many visitors.  Anniversary plates with a picture of the Church and a historical synopsis were prepared.  These were on hand for purchase as a souvenir  A historical sketch and directory was brought up to date and printed for every person attending the observance.  A pageant was presented on Saturday evening depicting many of the important events in the life of this Church.  The Moderator of General Assembly, the Rev. Frank Wilson Price, DD delivered the sermon.  Taking part in the service was the Rev. T. Robert Fulton, former pastor 1946-1947.  The sanctuary was filled to capacity, after worship the large congregation adjourned tot eh lawn for a most bountiful meal.  In the afternoon, the members and friends gathered for a devotional period and other addresses and reminiscence and greetings from Re. Fulton, and Rev. Cliff R. Johnson.  The celebration closed with the singing of "Blest Be The Tie That Binds".