The Auxvasse Church was organized on the first day of June, 1828. On that occasion Reverends William P. Cochran and Thomas R. Durfee were present. Eleven persons presented letters from other churches, signed a solemn covenant, and were organized as the Auxvasse Church. Their names were as follows: Wm. Mateer, David Kennedy, John Hamilton, Reuben Scott, Mary Kennedy, Clarinda P. Tate, Peggy C. Hamilton, Mary T. Scott, Ann T. Hart, Betsey Patton. John Hamilton and Reuben Scott were elected and ordained ruling elders. The Auxvasse Church took its name from the stream near which it stands.

As early as 1820, God in His providence, directed the steps of a few Presbyterian families to this section of country, then in all its native wilderness, to be as trees planted by the rivers of waters, whose leaf should never wither. These people of God, loving the doctrine and polity of their church, sought for and greatly rejoiced in the occasional visits of the ministers of their own faith to their Western homes.

In 1823 Rev. David Kirkpatrick preached in a neighboring school house. The following year Rev. Wm. S. Lacy, from St. Charles County, preached at the house of Mr. Samuel Dyer; and in 1825 Rev. John Howe, from Kentucky, preached at the house of Mr. James Tate. On the 13th of Feburary, 1826, the neighbors met together for the purpose of cutting logs, with which to build a house of worship, and on the 14th the house was raised. This building was of hewed log, twenty by twenty-six feet. In the middle of one side there was the door, in the other was the pulpit with a window behind. There was a window also in either end. In this primitive house precious seasons were enjoyed. These early worshippers realized the fulfilment of the promise, "Wherever two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in their midst."

In the Spring of 1826, Rev. Mr. Pomeroy visited the settlement, preached at the house of Mr. James Tate, and distributed tracts to the children. Mr. Thomas Durfee became the stated supply of the church immediately after its organization, and continued to preach about two and a half years. During his stay the membership gradually increased, with some fifteen additions by letter and on examinations. After Mr. Durfee's departure the church was without a minister about one year. Toward the close of the year 1831, the church secured the services of Benjamin F. Hoxey, a young New Englander, first as stated supply and afterward as pastor. In the Fall of 1834, Mr. Hoxey returned to the East, his health, both of body and mind, failing him. The journey was undertaken by the advice of the church, in the hope of his recovery, but in vain; he grew worse, and in a few months died. Mr. Hoxey's labors were greatly blessed. All through the Summer of 1832 there was a constant revival in the church.

In September, 1832, the church held its first great camp meeting. The church building, being small, a shed was built for the accommodation of all who might attend, capable of holding 1,000 persons. Three times a day under this shed there was preaching, interspersed with prayer and inquiry meetings. For the purpose of securing light at night, six platforms, four or five feet high, were erected around the shed. These were covered with earth, and fires of hickory bark kept burning upon them, sending up their flame like so many ancient altars. At this meeting Mr. Hoxey was assisted by Revs. R.L. McAfee, W.P. Cochran, Mr. Woods and Mr. Holt. People came from far and near, and the power of God's spirit subdued many and brought them near to Christ. Those who were present on this occasion describbe it as being characterized by great solemnity and perfect order. The result of this meeting was some forty additions to the Auxvasse Church, and the conversion of many others who united with other churches.

In August, 1833, the second great camp meeting was held. At this meeting Mr Hoxey was assisted by Revs. Edwin F. Hatfield of New Your, Amos F. Brown of Illinois, William P. Cochran and Robert L. McAfee. The meeting is described as being very much like the first - people came in crowds and from great distances. Of the many converts, most were from a distance and went to other churches. In the Fall of 1834 Hr. Hoxey returned to the East. Over 100 were added to the church during his stay of about two years. He was diminutive in person and unpreposessing in appearance. It is said that the celebrated Dr. David Nelson, seeing him for the first time as he entered the pulpit to preach, stretched himself upon his seat as though possessed with the conviction than he was to be bored, but before Mr. Hoxey had proceeded far with his discussion Dr. Nelson aroused himself and became a most ernest hearer, and finally, in his intense admiration, turned to one of his ministerial brethren with the inquiry: "Who is that little son of thunder?"

After Mr. Hoxey's departure the church remained without a regular supply for nearly five years. Rev. R.L. McAfee was occasionally present, and some additions were made to the church. In the Summer of 1835 Rev. R.L. Gray took charge of the church. In the following Fall the third camp meeting was held, at which Mr. Gray was assisted by Revs. Dr. David Nelson, James Gallaher and R.L. Mcafee. The result or success of this meeting was not equal to that of the preceding ones. There were, however, quite a number of conversions and additions to the church. Shortly after this Mr. Gray left the church and went to Kentucky. This was the last camp meeting held by the church, incipient disorders having produced the conviction that it was best that they were not repeated. From about the beginning of 1836 to that of 1838 the church had no regular supply. At this time it was supplied occasionally by Mr. Joseph Fowler and James Inskeep, licentiates, and by Rev. R.L. McAfee. Early in 1838 Rev. John L. Tantis took charge of the church, and was installed pastor July 13, 1839. During his stay the church was strengthened by some thirty additions. During his pastorate, in 1840, a neat brick church was built, and took the place of the old loghouse. Mr. Yantis resigned his charge in the Spring of 1841. In the Summer of the same year Revs. W.W. Robertson and David Coulter came to this county. Mr. Coulter, then a licentiate, was called as stated supply to the church. In the following January they labored together in a revival at Concord. Of the converts of this revival nineteen connected themselves with the Auxvasse Church. The next month (February) Mr. Robertson assisted by Mr. Coulter at Auxvasse, and a great revival occurred, by which thirty-four were added to the church. Mr. Coulter remained at Auxvasse about two and a helf years. The church was greatly blessed by his labors, it being in a revival state during about half his stay. After his departure the church was without a minister for more that a year, during which time it was supplied by Rev. R.L. McAfee occasionally, but mainly by Mr. Robertson. In the Spring of 1845 Rev. R.S. Symington took charge of the church as stated supply, and remained four years. In February, 1848, a protracted meeting was held, in which Mr. Symington was assisted by Revs. W.W. Robertson and Frank Hart. A revival occurred, and twenty-five persons were added to the church. After Mr. Symington's departure the church remained without a minister for more that two years, but during this time experienced one of the greatest revivals in history. This revival took place in September, 1850, under the preaching of Messrs. Coulter, Robertson and Hall. As the fruit of this meeting, there were some fifty additions to the church, while surrounding churches received quite a number. In the Spring of 1851 the church secured the services of Rev. William H. Woods, who remained but one year. There was nothing special that marked his stay. From 1852 to 1861 the church was for short periods supplied by Messrs. L.M. Wilson, S.S. Laws, M.M. Fisher, Isaac Hughes and Jeptha Harrison. In 1859 the church received one of its richest blessings - fifty-six were added to her communion, while some went to other churches.

In November, 1861, the church engaged the services of its present minister, Rev, John F. Cowan, at that time a licentiate. During the past twenty years there have been several extensive revivals, besides frequent refreshing baptisms of the blessed spirit upon the people, from which much precious fruit has been gathered. The first revival under the ministrations of the present pastor occurred in March, 1864, at which time he was assisted in part by Rev. R.S. Symington, but mainly by Rev. W.W. Robertson. Thirty-eight were then added to the church. The second revival occurred in October, 1870, in which the pastor was assisted by Rev. W.W. Robertson, and twenty-three were added to the church. In November, 1873, there was a precious revival, and twenty-nine were added on examination. At this time the pastor had the assistance of Messrs. Charles, Mitchell and Robertson. In December, 1881, a meeting was held, when thirty-seven were added on examination - the pastor was assisted by Rev. Farnk Mitchell. How great has been the blessing of God upon this old mother church in central Missouri! During fifty-four years of its existence the Auxvasse church has been a center of Christian and Presbyterian influence to the surrounding country.

It has not, indeed, escaped trial and trouble. It has known adversity. It has experienced the blight of unhappy dissension. It has learned, from sad interruptions at times of holy communion with God and the sweet fellowships of the saints, that the holiest and most consecrated of God's chosen ones on earth do and say things which become not those of the "household of faith". But on the other hand many have been its seasons of joy and gladness. Blessing after blessing, rich and precious, has descended upon it. The churches of Fulton, Concord, Augusta and perhaps others are offshoots of the Auxvasse Church, and are the living proofs of its preosperity and its constantly extending influence during the yeas that have gone by. It is now occupying the third house of worship, built near the consecrated grounds of the former ones. As the old houses became straitened for room to accommodate the worshippers, necessity was laid upon the people to pull down and build larger ones. Rev. John F. Cowan, D.D., the present minister, was called to the pastorate of the church in November, 1861, when he was a licentiate and in the dew of his youth. He has grown from year to year in the affections of his people and by consequence in usefulness. This is his first and only charge, and if the members of the church have a controlling voice, he will never have another. So mote it. The whole number added to the church from its organization to this date, May 1, 1882, is 763; of these 508 were on examination, and 183 by letter from other churches; about one-third of these were added during the last twenty years. The whold number of children baptized is 340. The present number of communicants is about 230.