(Receive our blog posts in your email by clicking here. If the author links in this post are broken, please visit our Free PDF Library and click on the author’s page directly.)
Born on the same day that he entered into glory — Sylvester Larned was born on August 31, 1796 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and died on August 31, 1820 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Trained at Andover and Princeton for the ministry, and ordained in 1817, Larned was appointed as a missionary to the “Old Southwest.” The city of New Orleans captured his heart, and in 1818, when he arrived, there was very limited knowledge of the gospel in this mostly Roman Catholic territory. He coordinated outreach efforts for a time with the local Episcopalian minister (who, after his death, presided over his funeral). The cornerstone for the First Presbyterian Church was laid on January 8, 1819 and was dedicated on July 4, 1819. Rev. Larned’s ministry to the people of New Orleans lasted but a short while before he succumbed to yellow fever at the age of 24. He was “the first pastor of the first Presbyterian church in New Orleans,” and we have highlighted his love for the city as reflected in prayer previously. Today, we recall the life and death of a young man who gave his all in the service of Christ for the gospel, and the fact that he entered into glory 200 years ago today.
For more details on life and ministry, see his biography by R.R. Gurley, along with sermons, here.
