WOMAN MINISTER DIES -- Rev. Mrs. L. M. Woosley, 90, the first ordained woman minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and one of the first of all denominations, died June 30 at Lexington, Ky.

She had lived the last 20 years in Lexington with a daughter, Mrs. J. T. Slaton, who survives her.

Mrs. Woosley was ordained in 1889 and spent many years in evangelistic work. She was a member of Leitchfield Presbytery at the time of her death.

She is the author of a little book, "Shall Woman Preach?"

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, July 22, 1952, page 4]

Mrs. Woosley, Kentucky
Rev. Mrs. Louisa M. Woosley will be remembered as one of the outstanding evangelists of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and a pioneer in her field of ministry. She was a member of a large family of early settlers--the Laymans--of old Grayson County, Kentucky. She was born March 24, 1862 and was married to Curtis G. Woosley in 1879. After the death of her husband, Sept. 29, 1930, she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. J. T. Slaton, 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.

Mrs. Woosley felt the call of her Lord and Master to ministerial service in the early years of her married life. She faced, with courage, the criticism and prejudice of a woman being in public life and especially in a pulpit. Her faith and ability won the battles and she was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry in 1889 by the Nolin Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. For more than 45 years she was very active in evangelistic services, holding revivals by the hundreds over the central area of the United States, as far west as Oregon and Washington. Compiled records of the first 25 years of her ministry show one hundred thousand (100,000) souls have been saved under her ministry in twenty states.

Mrs. Woosley filled the pulpit with grace and dignity. She was a small attractive, modestly dressed woman. With her culture, charm and knowledge of the Bible and God's plans for saving souls she was an inspiration to all who heard her.

During the later years she became less active in the ministry of her church's evangelistic program and consecrated herself, her time and devotion as a teacher of the Ladies Bible Class, First Methodist Church, of Lexington. With love and loyalty, she was ever true to her own church.

In many homes of the nation will be found the little book published by Mrs. Woosley in 1891, "Shall Woman Preach?"

Among the bereaved are her daughter, Mrs. J. T. Slaton, Lexington, Ky., a son, Jasper L. Woosley, Carlisle, Arkansas; a brother, Hardin Layman, Aberdeen, Washington; three sisters, Mrs. Melissa Covert, Aberdeen, Washington; Mrs. Ida Daugherty and Mrs. Dora Likens, Caneyville, Kentucky; also nephews and nieces, six grandchildren and nine great grand-children. Her body was laid to rest beside her husband in the Lexington Cemetery, July 2.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, August 26, 1952, page 15]

IN OCTOBER 1938, a petite gray-haired grandmother stood behind the pulpit of the Marion Cumberland Presbyterian Church and presided over a meeting of Kentucky Synod as moderator. At age seventy-six, she demonstrated the same discipline and skill in leadership that had insured the success of her difficult ministry. Elected to the office of moderator by acclamation, this woman now stood before a synod that had refused to recognize the validity of her ordination in 1889, almost fifty years before. Because of her tenacity of spirit and her deep commitment to God's call, Louisa M. Woosley was unafraid to challenge the tradition of the church that refused to admit women into the clerical office. Her efforts were rewarded as the church reversed its attitude toward her and other women within her lifetime.

Born in the hills of central Kentucky on 24 March 1862, Louisa Mariah Layman was introduced to religion by her staunch Baptist father. At the age of twelve, she experienced salvation, and soon after she was "impressed to labor in the vineyard of the Lord, seeing the harvest was truly plenteous and the laborers few." She thought herself disqualified from such a ministry by her youthful age and her limited educational background. Above that, she had no knowledge of any other woman whose ministry could serve as a model for her vocational decision. Throughout these younger years she struggled with this call that seemed impossible to fulfill. 1

In 1879, Layman married Curtis G. Woosley, a farmer. Secretly hoping that her husband would respond to God's call to preach, she entered the marriage, convinced that her struggle was over. Instead, her call became more intense as Curtis demonstrated no inclination for preaching. In the fall of 1882, with her two young children to care for, she began to read the Bible from cover to cover, hoping to justify her refusal "to obey the actions of the Holy Spirit and go to work for the Master." As she read, she marked every place a woman was mentioned. At the end of her study, she was "convinced of the fact that God, being no respecter of persons, had not overlooked the women, but that he had a great work for them to do."2  With this new knowledge came a deeper anxiety. Certain that her community, church and family would reject her efforts to preach, she sought relief from her call. Approaching God in humility, she received a deep assurance of Christ's forgiveness, but she was clearly aware of God's claim on her life. Her call was sure; her courage was not.

Soon after this, her daughter became critically ill. Woosley was convinced that because she had used her children as an excuse to deny God's call, God was taking action against her to remove this obstacle to her ministry. In desperation, she prayed for God to heal her daughter as a confirmation of her own call to preach, with the promise that she would respond to God's will. When her child recovered, the awareness of having made a seemingly impossible promise drove Woosley into a dark depression. Her health failed to the point that she was confined to her room for six months. Weakened and helpless, unable even to raise herself to a sitting position in bed, she hesitated to comply with what she understood to be God's will. Finally, in her helplessness, she committed herself to God's call, saying, "Oh Lord, lead me in a plain path, and show me thy way, that I may walk therein." In faith she 'put her hand in [God's], as [God] reached out to help [her].'' 3

With her internal call resolved, Woosley's health began to improve. She kept secret her promise to God until an opportunity arose for her to act. The occasion presented itself on 1 January 1887, when the elders of the Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church, her home church, invited her to preach in the absence of the pastor. Her call was confirmed by the joy she experienced as she preached. In Woosley's words, "My sky was without a cloud, so happy was I in the discharge of duty. I felt that the days of darkness were past, and that God's approval rested upon my labors.''4   In spite of opposition from family, friends, and community, she launched into her mission with zeal. Preaching in school houses and open fields until the doors of churches were opened to her, Woosley developed a reputation as an able evangelist. Eventually, the affection and support of her family was returned, and Cumberland Presbyterians in the area welcomed her into their pulpits with enthusiasm. 5

At the meeting of Nolin Presbytery, in 1887, Woosley presented herself as a candidate for the ministry along with five other persons. The following year, she delivered a doctrinal discourse, withstood an examination by the Committee on Literature and Theology, and subsequently was licensed to preach the Gospel.  Her ministerial record for the year indicated that she had preached 267 sermons and witnessed 306 professions of faith with 119 additions to the church. With the prospect of even greater success, Nolin Presbytery appointed her as presbyterial missionary, giving her the freedom to evangelize anywhere within the bounds of the presbytery during the year which followed. 6

The 1889 meeting of Nolin Presbytery was held with the Ephesus congregation. At this historic meeting, it was ordered "that Brother G. E. Morris and Sister Louisa M. Woosley be ordained as ministers of the gospel." At the close of the morning session on Tuesday, November 5, Nolin Presbytery ordained her to the ministry of Word and Sacrament by the laying on of hands. 7

When the Kentucky Synod reviewed the minutes of Nolin Presbytery in 1889 and 1890, the irregularity of the presbytery's action in ordaining Woosley was discussed. After much debate, the Synod ruled "that the Confession of Faith in its form of Government and rules of Discipline makes no provision for such ordination" and that "the Presbytery had no authority either from the Confession of Faith, or from the Holy Scriptures for the ordination of a woman." 8  At the same time, a motion to instruct Nolin Presbytery to revoke Woosley's ordination died for lack of a second, leaving Nolin Presbytery free to carry her name on its ministerial roll for the next four years. 9

After the ruling by Kentucky Synod, Woosley decided to write her own defense of women's ordination.  Based on her previous study of the Bible, Shall Woman Preach?, or the Question Answered was published by Woosley in 1891. Through its pages she exposed the faulty logic of her opponents, while using scripture to support the right of women to claim a divine call to ministry. After writing this book, she seemed content to let the published pages speak in her defense, as is suggested by her silence during the debates on the issue following the book's publication.

The regularity of Woosley's ordination was denied by Kentucky Synod again in 1893 when it declared her election as an alternate delegate to the 1894 General Assembly null and void. At the same meeting, a resolution was adopted which instructed Nolin Presbytery "to retire the name of Mrs. Louisa M. Woosley from its list of ministers," and endorsed Woosley as a "lay evangelist, and as one whose efforts the Lord has blessed." Commending her as a "consecrated efficient laborer in the master's cause" was considered by Kentucky Synod to be a sufficient recognition for a woman engaged in a preaching ministry within the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 10

The decision was appealed to the 1894 General Assembly by Woosley and Nolin Presbytery. By a narrow margin, the Assembly voted to uphold the actions of Kentucky Synod and concurred in the endorsement of Woosley as a "lay evangelist." Nolin Presbytery's subsequent appeal to the 1895 General Assembly for a reopening of the case was denied." 11

 When Kentucky Synod reissued its order for Nolin Presbytery to retire Woosley's name from its ministerial roll, Nolin Presbytery refused to comply. Believing that the authority to examine and ordain ministers lay solely within the jurisdiction of the presbytery, Nolin Presbytery was convinced that the Synod's action was unconstitutional and had disregarded Woosley's four-year standing as an ordained minister. Instead of erasing her name from the roll, Nolin Presbytery resolved the dilemma by granting Woosley a letter of dismissal with recommendation upon her request, thus granting her the status of minister in transitu. This allowed her to retain her ministerial standing while dropping her name from the roll of the presbytery. 12

Woosley continued to function as a Cumberland Presbyterian minister in transitu until she was received as a member of Leitchfield Presbytery in 1911.  Her name was added to the General Assembly's roll of ordained ministers in 1913 without challenge. Three years later she was elected Stated Clerk of Leitchfield Presbytery and held that office for twenty-five years. She served as a commissioner to General Assembly three times and was elected moderator of Kentucky Synod in 1938.

Woosley's ordination did not simply set her apart for ministry; it transformed her into a symbol of women's equal partnership with men in the leadership of her church. Her very presence in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church challenged the long-held theological assumptions which had limited the sphere of women's activity and influence. As a symbol, she influenced greatly the church's life and thought.

The person behind the symbol was not, however, the radical reformer that one might assume. She was very much a product of late nineteenth-century American culture. While her style of life did not reflect the accepted role for women of her day, Woosley continued to exalt motherhood as a worthy vocation for a woman's life and appealed to woman's superior moral influence in the home as a reasonable defense of women's activity in the religious. sphere. As a traveling evangelist, she refrained from emotional ranting from the pulpit, preferring to call persons to conversion through calmly conveyed messages based on traditional Cumberland Presbyterian theology. The purpose of her preaching was to win souls to Christ and to inspire Christians to greater acts of service. Although faced with strong opposition, she never left the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, but steadfastly supported it all her life. The church was strengthened by her leadership as she quietly worked within the structures of power available to her.

Woosley's ministry allowed her, as a woman, to discover her own voice and exercise it in ways that were both profitable and powerful. Yet, her motives were not self-centered, but directed toward the good of human beings in much the same way as a mother cares for her family. While persons in authority discounted the importance of such a voice within the structures of power, men and women were drawn to hear this woman preach, perhaps out of curiosity for a new phenomenon or out of appreciation for the sincerity with which she delivered the ancient message. Persons today still testify to the great influence she had on their religious development through her preaching and her work as a presbyter.

Examination of the limited number of Woosley's sermons, notes, correspondence and publications which are still in existence reveals the strength of conviction held by this pioneer. Some of these documents reflect her sensitivity to women's issues of her day. In addition, many of her words resound theological motifs common to the period. Of all the themes that can be discerned, three seem to be most helpful in understanding the personality and motivation of this resourceful woman. These basic beliefs were that: 1. Women are equal partners in God's reign; 2. God's high calling is to live in service to humanity; and, 3. God invites humans into a personal relationship of love.

A reason for Woosley's ability to do what other women had not done before was that she never questioned her own mental and spiritual capacity to do the job. She believed in the equality of women with men, especially in the intellectual sphere. Although at times she did admit that women were physically weaker in some ways than men and claimed the superiority of women in the moral sphere, in every other way, she affirmed the equality of women and men. 13

In her book, Shall Woman Preach?, or the Question Answered, Woosley described in theological terms her understanding of the virtue and status of womanhood. According to her reading of scripture, God created men and women as equal partners who shared alike the responsibilities of life. Instead of placing woman in a subordinate position to man, God made woman as a "helpmeet" of equal authority.  In this way,

Woman was given to man not as a slave, not as an inferior, not as a superior, but as an helpmeet~ Nothing is said of man's having authority over the woman; neither is it said that the man should have dominion over the things of the earth to the exclusion of the woman .... Not a word is said of man's sphere and woman's sphere, neither of his authority and her subjection; so, without a doubt, they ' stood on equal footing under the law.  14

With the Fall, however, came a change in woman's status.  It brought about the subordination of women to men, giving men sole authority to rule. But Christ, who was born of woman, brought redemption and restored the original equality of women and men. True oneness was made possible through Christ. In Woosley's thinking, this allowed Christians to understand and practice equality between the sexes, because they knew that in Christ there was neither male nor female. Non-Christians continued to subordinate and often abuse women because they were operating out of the fallen order. Only Christians could approach each other as equals. 15

Woosley believed that as a result of redemption in Christ, the woman was capable of sharing equally in the spiritual realm. She writes:

Let the man and woman stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder, in defense of the cause of Christ. It necessarily follows, if they are heirs together of the grace of life, that each has a share (an equal share) in all that pertains to salvation through Christ; for the woman was created in the image of God just as was the man. And if she gains anything in Christ she gains equally as much as the man?16

She believed that women were just as capable of being led by the Holy Spirit, resulting in their ability to preach, teach and rule on an equal basis with men. The entrance of women into public ministries was evidence that the Holy Spirit did not exclude women from full partnership in the spiritual realm.

In her understanding, Christianity was exalted above other religions because of its power to liberate women.  The elevation of women's status in society served as proof that Christianity was progressing and that man's character was improving, for "only when woman [was] held in high esteem, [did] man become noble and rise to true greatness." 17

Woosley did not place the responsibility for the liberation and elevation of women solely upon the men of the church, however. She challenged women to achieve high standards, thereby proving their worth and ability to the world. She was driven to achieve extremely high goals in her own life, believing that anything less would be compromising her womanhood as well as her faith. In her words:

The women of today, with all their advancements, have much to do in order to establish their capacity to work on an equal plane with the man, and still to maintain with gentle dignity the bright lustre of their true womanly nature. It only remains for woman to take hold boldly of the rights of progress, and to guide her destiny to the highest plane of success. This she may do, if she chooses .... There is a work for every one to do: and to establish her true dignity and worth, woman must have some noble purpose in life, and work for its attainment .... Woman's mission is to reach the noble and sublime, and unless she succeeds in making the world better and happier, by her work and by her life, she fails to attain unto the high standard assigned her .... If she fails in this work, the lustre of her womanhood's glory is dimmed thereby? 18

In her sermons, Woosley celebrated the glorious achievements of women. From the long-suffering mother who raised her children without the support of her husband, to the mother of James and John who boldly requested that positions of privilege be given her sons by Jesus, Woosley praised the work of nurturing and sacrificing for children as a sacred enterprise. She recognized women as divinely appointed teachers of the young and old alike. In many of her writings, she told the story of women of the Bible, painting their portraits as courageous leaders who remained faithful under adversity and exhibited outstanding heroism in the fighting and winning of battles for God. 19  The women of the Bible were held up as examples for women of her day, just as the women to whom she preached were called to serve as examples for the women who followed them. She believed that freedom for women to act as equals with men would not be long in coming. In her idealism, she wrote,

Great moral revolutions are shortly to transpire, and... good men and women will soon stand side by side in the defense of the gospel, and of everything that is pure, good and holy. The walls that divide Christian men and women in their work will soon crumble in the dust; for God's people are one people .... Then let America's women press forward to higher attainments; for, if Christ is ever proclaimed universal King, it must be done by the united voices of men and women. 20

Woosley was convinced that the liberation of women was intrinsic to the nature and mission of the church. Setting free the women of all nations and cultures was a first step in drawing the world into the reign of God. 21  She believed that if the church would destroy the old illusions about separate spheres of power and influence, the human resources that would be released could carry enough collective force to win the world for Christ.

Infused with this view of Christian progress, Woosley did her part to encourage noble behavior in American Christians at home, while supporting the foreign mission effort. She took an active role in the support of the Woman's Board of Foreign Missions, often delivering prayers before presbyterial, synodical and convention meetings and frequently serving as a speaker on mission themes. When a woman from her home presbytery presented herself for service in foreign missions, Woosley assumed the role of mentor, grooming her for leadership in the public arena. In 1924, Woosley was awarded the first Perpetual Membership given by The Woman's Board, and later she was awarded the first Patron Membership in honor of her work for missions. 22  Many of her personal records reveal significant financial contributions for home and foreign missions, as well.

Much of her preaching and teaching served to exhort both women and men to commit their fullest potential to courageous acts of service for God's cause. From the examples of the valiant actions of persons in the Bible, especially those of Jesus, she would challenge people to act sacrificially. This is demonstrated in an excerpt from her sermon about the "must" that' motivated Jesus:

Have you not noticed that little word "must," as it runs through the earthly life of the man Christ Jesus?...That 'must' tells us of a compelling power all through our saviour's life--the power of devotion to His Father's will and passion for souls. His whole life was controlled by a single purpose, and He set His face like a flint toward its accomplishment .... Have we the same fixed purpose, the same impelling power gripping and guiding us? Or, is our life merely one of easy drifting with the current, and is our activity but the following of the line of least resistance? 23

The description of the forces controlling Jesus' mission and ministry mirrored Woosley's own singleness of purpose. She strove for perfection in her daily life and work. Always immaculately dressed in black or an occasional black skirt and white blouse, Woosley demonstrated remarkable rigor in her exercise of piety. Although at times her strictness alienated those around her, she consistently demonstrated her beliefs through her devotion to disciplined study, worship and charity. Her commitment to the highest personal standard is best reflected in a hand-written statement recorded on the front leaf of her Bible:

...I will not do [any]thing that I would refrain from doing if Jesus were in person standing before me or undertake anything I can not ask Him help me do. Nor will I do anything I think it possible I may repent in the uncertain hour of my certain death. Every day shall be marked by at least one act or look of love. Wherever I do, whatever I do I will pray to God that I may commit no sin, but be the cause of some good. I will open and close the gates of day with prayer. I will sigh to God continually for the Holy Ghost to fill me and help me carry out these rules and so keep myself unspotted from the world and in all humility sit at Jesus' feet until His will shall be my meat and drink and He shall say it is enough, come up higher. So help me God with steady gaze, til then to look to Him whose heart bled and broke for me. L M W Aug. 1, 1908. 24

Woosley's devotion to the mission of winning souls for Christ and exhorting persons to greater service carried her into a demanding evangelistic ministry for more than thirty years. Her career required that she travel sometimes as many as ten months out of the year, preaching as often as three times a day. Her stamina was tested many times, and occasionally she gave in to exhaustion. Still, her devotion to her work surpassed all other concerns of her life. During one particular campaign, away from her family during the Christmas season, she wrote in a postcard to her son, Jasper:

Dec. 24, 1912, Iantha, Missouri

I came this time just to let you know I am thinking about you .... I am so lonesome today, have no services, had to give way to two Xmas trees in the ME and CP churchs [sic] and I always get restless when not at work. Will continue the meeting tomorrow. This has been a hard proposition. Not much light on the way yet .... Your mother. 25

This proved to be a particularly hard period in her ministry, for earlier she had written in a postcard to her daughter-in-law Irene:

June 1, 1912

My dear Irene, am working hard for a meeting but find there are many obstacles to be overcome and it is going to take time. I do so much want a good 0ld time revival. I feel I need it myself and I must have it and I write to ask you [to] pray especially for me now. I am passing through a great trial, an awful struggle and if I can but have the victory in this meeting it will be to me a great help and inspiration and then for the work [sic] sake .... Your little mother  26

For Woosley, the dignity of one's life lay in the quality of one's work. Successful living meant doing the little things well and meeting the requirements set for one's life by society, family, church and above all, God. Strength of character was the sign of a good person.27  This belief was most clearly articulated whenever Woosley preached to an all male congregation, a frequent occurrence during her revival meetings. In one of her early sermons to men, she observes that society is "overstocked with a certain kind of the male species. Namby, pamby sort...living like parasites," while the world needs "men of industry, activity, thought, purpose; men of heart." Throughout the sermon she challenges the men to strengthen their resolve and take a stand for what is right, ending with the verse: 'For right is right, and God is God, and God and right will win. To falter would be cowardice, to doubt would be a sin. 28

Woosley continued to exhort persons to courage and faith throughout her ministry. Even near the end of her life, she held fast to an optimistic belief in power of human effort to accomplish God's purposes. Addressing the members of Kentucky Synod as retiring moderator in 1939, Woosley restates her claim that,

We are not only to be hearers, but doers of the Word. God saved you for service. As the prophet was, you may be eyes to the blind, feet to the lame. Someone is looking your way for help, for light, a lift. God has no other hand than yours and mine with which to lift fallen humanity. Dare we fail Him? A long pull, a strong pull, a pull all together and we will make this the best year of our history. 29

The disciplined devotion which marked Woosley's extensive career allowed her to accomplish remarkable results as an evangelist. Her records show that by the age of fifty, she had preached a total of 6,343 sermons, witnessed 7,664 professions from which 2,506 members had been added to church rolls, and baptized 358 persons in as many as thirteen states. 30  For all that she had accomplished, she was never boastful of what she had done. In fact, she spoke little of her career in later life and was convinced that she "never did enough.'' 31

Throughout her ministry, Woosley appears to have been driven by an overwhelming desire to succeed in order to prove her value and usefulness as a human being.  Her Evangelistic Logs were filled with detailed statistical information about every revival that she held, as if she were keeping a tally of her winnings. Often her exhortations to other persons echoed the deep desire for true greatness in her own heart. At times, this may have been the case. However, like many women, Woosley was more often activated, not from a desire for public acclaim, but from a desire to please the one she loved. She wanted to please God.

Woosley was not a sophisticated theologian. Although she could articulate clearly the doctrines of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, she did not approach theology systematically, but relationally, preferring to speak of Christ as a "lover" or '"friend", and to describe God as a generous, loving parent. Her theology drew upon her experience as a woman and a mother, more than on the complex theological discussions of the day.

In reference to her experience of salvation at an early age, Woosley described her relationship with God as one of peace and joy. 32  In her earliest sermon, she presented a theology of grace which depicted the atonement as an act of supreme love by a God who cares deeply for the well-being of the world. Faith was described as "the hand that takes hold upon God and Christ or touches as it were the hem of his garment.'' 33  It was primarily through female metaphors that she disclosed her belief in a nurturing, loving God.

Of all the images she used for God, the "Good Father" image was her favorite. Interestingly, the meaning of the term "father" was frequently explained through maternal images. In one sermon entitled "Fatherhood of God," Woosley imaged a love relationship between a mother and a child, and then names God as "a spirit as gentle as a dove, pure as sunlight, tender as a mother.'' 34  In many sermons she employed the biblical metaphor of the "hen gathering her brood" as a description of God's compassion.  In addition, she illustrates the love of God by using stories of compassionate and sacrificial acts of women.

Her relation to Jesus Christ was even more personal than her experience of God as "Father." She felt that Christ most perfectly revealed the nature of God, and. without Christ, God's nature could not be understood. Not only was Jesus full of compassion and good will for human beings, but she trusted Jesus Christ to be faithfully consistent in concern for her. In most intimate terms, she describes, God as "making love to us" in Christ, and Jesus as a "lover who touched men.'' 35

This helps to explain the hand-written entry on one of the back pages of Woosley's Bible. The words describe her deep devotion to God as lover:

True love is not cold, selfish and calculating. It thinks not of itself. It gives all. It desires to please God. His will its pleasure, His favor its life, His smile its joy. True love is sincere not pretence [sic], does not profess much but delights to sit at His feet. 1 Pet 1:8 Whom having not seen I love. A profession of love not founded in the heart is exceedingly hateful to God. Insincerity spoils any profession. I thank the [sic] with every drop of blood in my body and love Thee with every heart throb. Like the widows oil pour it out that it may be increased. 36

Woosley's affection for God may have grown out of the deep affection that she held for her own family. Her children were deeply devoted to their mother and she to them. Although her husband and children felt neglected at times because of Woosley's long absences, they remained loyal supporters of her work. She kept in close touch with her son, Jasper, often expressing her deep affection through letters, postcards and gifts. Vianna remained close to her mother, through frequent visits and correspondence, and after her father's death, provided a home for her mother with her family in Lexington, Kentucky. 37

The ministry of Louisa M. Woosley extended over a fifty-year period. For over thirty-five years, she engaged in an evangelistic career. When requests for revival preaching began to subside, -Woosley became the pastor of three congregations in the Caneyville area. For a decade Woosley divided her time between the pastorate and occasional revivals in the region. When forced by Curtis' death to relocate to a city with no Cumberland Presbyterian Church, she became the teacher of the Ladies Bible Class of the First United Methodist Church. She found a way to minister wherever she lived.

During her later years, Woosley's eyesight failed her, and she spent her final year confined to her bed, after breaking a hip. Until her death, she was comforted by the memory of scripture and songs that had been a part of her life. She died on 30 June 1952. In fitting tribute, this gospel song which she sang on her deathbed was sung at her funeral:

My latest sun is sinking fast,  My race is nearly run;  My strongest trials now are past,  My triumphs begun.  O, bear my longing heart to Him, Who bled and died for me;  Whose blood now cleanses from all sin,  And gives me victory.

O come, angel band, come  and around me stand, · O bear me away  on your snowy wings  to my immortal home.  38

Louisa M. Woosley has been remembered as a woman of conviction and strength by all who knew her.  Firmly convinced of God's claim on her life, Woosley never wavered in her commitment to ministry nor in her desire to please the God she loved. She challenged society's standards and the church's tradition, opening the way for Cumberland Presbyterian women to respond freely to God's call to ministry. In spite of strong opposition, Woosley faithfully preached the message of God's love for humanity, winning thousands of persons to Christ in her lifetime and setting high standards for those who followed in her footsteps.  The first woman Presbyterian minister proved herself worthy of her calling.

NOTES

1. Louisa M. Woosley, Shall Woman Preach?, or the Question Answered (Caneyville, KY, 1891 ), pp.189f.

2. Ibid., pp. 190f.

3. Ibid., pp. 192ff.

4. Ibid., pp.195f.

5. Ibid., p. 199.

6. Nolin Presbytery (CPC), Minutes, 1887, p.73; 1888, pp. 89-92, 95.

7. Ibid., 1889, pp. 6ff.

8. Kentucky Synod (CPC), MS. deliverance, October 1893, Louisa M. Woosley Papers, Arch. File "Ordination", Historical Foundation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Memphis, TN.  Hereafter cited as Woosley Papers.

9. Cumberland Presbyterian Church, General Assembly, Minutes, 1894, pp. 24f.

10. Kentucky Synod, MS. deliverance.

11. General Assembly, Minutes, 1894, pp. 22ff.; 1895, pp. 34ff.

12. Nolin Presbytery, Minutes, 1896, pp. I06f.; 1897, pp. 3, 5.

13. Woosley, Sermon, "What is the Matter with the World," Woosley Papers.

14. Shall Woman Preach..., p. 51.

15. Ibid., pp. 53f.

16. Ibid., pp. 57f.

17. Ibid., pp. 95ff.

18. Ibid., pp. 171,103.

19. Woosley, Sermons, "Mothers Who Stand Alone" and "Every Wise Woman Buildeth Her House," based on Proverbs 14:1. Woosley Papers.

20. Shall Woman Preach p. 186.

21. Ibid., p. 109.

22. Mary E. Fults, "Mrs. L. M. Woosley," Unpublished paper, Woosley Papers.

23. Woosley, Sermon on John 4:4, Woosley Papers.

24. Bible, Woosley Papers.

25. Louisa Woosley to Jasper Woosley, 24 December 1912, Woosley Papers.

26. Louisa Woosley to Irene Woosley, I June 1912, Woosley Papers.

27. Shall Woman Preach .... p 171.

28. Woosley, Sermon on Proverbs 8:4, Woosley Papers.

29. Woosley, Sermon "Doing His Work", reprinted in the Cumberland Presbyterian  161 (13 October 1989): 11.

30. Woosley, Evangelistic Records, Woosley Papers.

31. Telephone interview with Louise Slaton Davis, 18 February 1988.

32. Shall Woman Preach .... p. 190.

33. Woosley, Sermon on Amos 4:12, Woosley Papers.

34. Woosley, Sermons, Woosley Papers.

35. Sermon, "Fatherhood of God," Woosley Papers.

36. Bible, Woosley Papers.

37. Interview with grandchildren, Joe C. Woosley and Mildred Woosley, 21 June 1988.

38. Personal papers, Woosley Papers.

[Source: American Presbyterians 68:4 (Winter, 1990), pages 221-230]

1887
An opportunity being given for persons to converse with the presbytery on the subject of a call to preach the Gospel; The following named persons came forward a [sic] candidates for the ministry, viz, John Y. Nichols, E. R. Duggins, R. L. Layman, J. A. Bozarth, Lafayette Layman, and Mrs. Louisa M. Woosley.
These persons were all received under the care of presbytery as candidates for the ministry, and assigned as follows, from which to write discourses, to be read to the presbytery at next session. . . .
Louisa M. Woosley, Amos 4:12.
[Source: Minutes of Nolin Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, November 4, 1887, page 73]

1888
Woosley, Mrs. Lula [sic: Louisa], Caneyville, Ky.
Candidate - Nolin Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1888, page 171]

1888
Candidate Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley (November 2, 1888, page 83)
The special business assigned to this hour was taken up. When E. R. Duggins, R. L. Layman, J. A. Bozarth, Lafayette Layman and Mrs. Louisa M. Woosley, read discourses prepared from texts previously assigned them. Each discourse read. (November 2, 1888, page 86)
On motion presbytery proceeded to license the candidates whose discourses had been received as popular to licensure. When at the request of the Moderator, the Rev. W. E. Wortham proceeded to and did license R. L. Layman, E. R. Duggins, J. A. Bozarth, Lafayette Layman and Mrs. L. M. Woosley to preach the Gospel, where God in his providence might cast their lots. (November 2, 1888, page 89)
Rev. J. S. Ward and Mrs. L. M. Woosley was ordered to hold a protracted meeting at White Mills during the next ecclesiastical year. (November 2, 1888, page 89)
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, was appointed missionary in the bounds of this presbytery, for the next twelve months, preaching when and where she may choose; but not to involve the presbytery in a debt, but to appropriate all she may receive for her labors, to her own use and benefit. (November 2, 1888, page 90)
[Source: Minutes of Nolin Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, November 2-3, 1888, pages 83, 86 & 89]

1889
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., Caneyville, Ky.
Licentiate - Nolin Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1889, page 180]

1889
Licentiate Present - Louisa M. Woosley
On motion it was ordered that Brother Morris and Sister Woosley be ordained as ministers of the Gospel. (November 4, 1889, page 108)
On motion ordered that Sister Louisa M. Woosley preach a discourse tonight at 7 1/2 o'clock preparatory to ordination. (November 4, 1889, page 110)
Sister Woosley preached a discourse preparatory to ordination from John 10-9. (November 4, 1889, page 110)
Rev. John S. Ward preached an ordination discourse from the last chapter of the Gospel as received by Mark & 15 verse when presbytery proceeded to ordain Brothers Scott, Morris and Sister Louisa M. Woosley. Rev. W. E. Wortham presiding and delivering the charge. (November 5, 1889, page 113)
[Source: Minutes of Nolin Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, November 1-5, 1889, page 101, 108, 110]

1890
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Nolin Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1890, page 126]

1890
Minister Present - Louisa M. Woosley
[Source: Minutes of Nolin Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 31, 1890, page 1]

1891
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Nolin Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1891, page 140]

1891
Minister Present - Louisa M. Woosley
[Source: Minutes of Nolin Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 1, 1891, page 1]

1892
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Nolin Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1892, page 148]

1892
Minister Absent - Mrs. Louisa M. Woosley
[Source: Minutes of Nolin Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, November 3-5, 1892, page 3]

1893
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Nolin Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1893, page 150]

1893
Mrs. L. M. Woosley came in and was enrolled.
On motion, presbytery proceeded to the election of delegates to the General Assembly, which meets at Eugene City, Oregon, in May, 1894, and the result was as follows:
Rev. J. D. Harned, principal, and Rev. Mrs. L. M. Woosley, his alternate.
[Source: Minutes of Nolin Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 24-25, 1893, pages 2 & 3]

1894
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, having presented her credentials as a ministerial delegate from Nolin Presbytery, in the Synod of Kentucky, her right, under the Constitution, to take her seat as a delegate was challenged by Rev. J. S. Grider, D.D., on whose motion it was determined that the Moderator should appoint a committee of five to report upon the question of Mrs. Woosley's eligibility.
The following members were appointed upon said committee: Ruling Elders H. H. Buquo and L. P. Padgett, and Revs. W. H. Black, D.D., D. E. Bushnell, D.D., and J. L. Goodknight, D.D.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1894, pages 7-8]

REPORT OF COMMITTEE IN MRS. WOOSLEY'S CASE.
The special committee on the eligibility of Mrs. L. M. Woosley to a seat in the General Assembly reported as follows, and the report was adopted:
To the Moderator and Members of the General Assembly.
Your special committee appointed to investigate and report upon the right of Mrs. L. M. Woosley to a seat in this body as commissioner from Nolin Presbytery in the Synod of Kentucky, beg leave to report the following: We have nothing regularly before us except the commission of Sister Woosley, which appears to be regular; but we are advised that the Synod of Kentucky, since the election of Mrs. Woosley as such commissioner, undertook to declare such election null and void, and that from said action of the Synod Mrs. Woosley prosecutes an appeal to this General Assembly; and also that Nolin Presbytery has memorialized this body to review and reverse the action of the Synod. Therefore, without expressing any opinion as to the merits of the case, we recommend that no action be taken on this reference, but that the same together with the appeal, memorial and record in the cause, when received by the General Assembly, be referred to the judiciary Committee for consideration, with instructions to report as early as practicable.      H. H. Buquo, Chairman.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1894, page 9]

1895
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY (No. 3).
The Committee on Judiciary submitted report No. 3, and there was also a Minority report offered in connection therewith, and pending the consideration of said reports, recess was taken until 8 o'clock P.M.

The General Assembly resumed the consideration of report No. 3 of the Committee on Judiciary, and the Minority report in connection therewith. The Minority report was adopted, the two reports being as follows:

Your Committee on Judiciary having carefully considered the memorial from Nolin Presbytery, indorsed [sic] by the Synod of Kentucky, and that of J. W. Woods, asking that the question regarding the legality of the ordination of Mrs. L. M. Woosley be reopened, and also asking a deliverance on several other questions growing out of this controversy, make the following Majority report:

It appears to the committee that the Synod of Kentucky, in passing upon the Minutes of Nolin Presbytery, found that that Presbytery had ordained Mrs. L. M. Woosley to preach the gospel, and being of opinion that the Presbytery had no power to ordain a woman, directed her name to be retired from the roll of ordained ministers.

The committee are of opinion that while the Synod had jurisdiction to express itself upon the abstract question of the eligibility of a woman to the ministry, yet it being a judicial case, the committee are of opinion that under section 72 of the Rules of Discipline the Synod could not make an adjudication revoking the action of the Presbytery or affecting the personal rights of Mrs. Woosley, without first giving notice to the Presbytery and to Mrs. Woosley so that they might be heard before the Synod. We are therefore of opinion that inasmuch as no such notice was given, the Synod had no jurisdiction, save of the abstract question, and that an appeal to the General Assembly gave that body no greater jurisdiction. We are further of opinion that if the memorial now before your body were granted, and that matter were re-opened, it would be opened as an abstract question only, and therefore would not be binding on Mrs. Woosley personally.

We therefore recommend that the question be not re-opened. This leaves the opinion of the last General Assembly on the abstract question unaffected, and leaves the Synod to take such action in accordance with that opinion affecting the rights of the Presbytery and Mrs. Woosley as may be necessary.

In view of the foregoing conclusion, and the deliverance of the General Assembly made at Memphis, in 1892 in reference to lay preachers, your committee are of opinion that the other questions raised in this memorial need not be considered at present.
     D. M. Prendergast, Chairman,
     J. H. Wofford,
     J. T. Borah,
     A. A. Wilson,
     John M. Gaut,
     C. L. Keaton,
     H. H. Buquo.

To the Moderator and Members of the General Assembly:
The undersigned, members of your Committee on Judiciary, respectfully dissent from the report of the majority upon the memorial coming up from Nolin Presbytery, asking for the re-opening of the question decided by the General Assembly of 1894, touching the ordination of Mrs. L. M. Woosley to the ministry; and we submit the following instead:

This question came before the General Assembly of 1894 upon the memorial of Nolin Presbytery and appeal of Mrs. Woosley, and was adjudicated by that body upon the record submitted, and was there impleaded by representatives of the parties, thus waiving all right to question the General Assembly's want of jurisdiction. That General Assembly took jurisdiction of the cause upon the application of these parties as above stated, and after full hearing gave it final issue by refusing Mrs. Woosley a seat in the General Assembly as commissioner from Nolin Presbytery, and affirming the order of Kentucky Synod upon Nolin Presbytery to retire her name from its roll of ministers, on the ground of the invalidity of Mrs. Woosley's ordination as a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Your committeemen submit that a fundamental condition of the seeking of any kind of relief in the courts of our Church, is first submitting to the authority of the Church, as expressed in our written law and the injunctions of competent judicatories. "Those who have not submitted to a regular trial are not entitled to appeal,' Discipline, Art. 80. "Any member of the Church submitting to its authority may complain against every kind of decision except where an appeal has been taken." Discipline, Art. 89. The constitution, Art. 4, describes church members as those "submitting to a certain form of government." In Art. 31 it empowers the Presbytery "to see that the injunctions of the higher courts are obeyed," and in Art. 37, the Synod "to take effectual care that the Presbyteries observe the government of the Church, and that they obey the injunctions of the higher courts." Under General Review and Control, discipline, Art. 69, it is made a matter of examination "whether the injunctions of the superior courts have been obeyed." Art. 84, Rules of Discipline: "In considering an appeal, the following order shall be observed: 1. Ascertaining whether the appellant has conducted it regularly." The regularity of an appeal involves submission to a regular trial. The regularity of any other form of prayer for relief certainly cannot involve less than the same obedience. On the face of the case before us, the Nolin Presbytery has utterly refused to obey the injunctions of the courts in this very case in hand, and therefore the said Presbytery is rendered ineligible to ask legal redress; and therefore the memorial should be dismissed.

We submit, secondly, that no provision is made in our laws for one General Assembly to re-open as case adjudicated by a former General Assembly. Rules of Discipline, Art. 67: "Every decision made by any church court, except the highest, is subject to the review of a superior court." The Presbyterian Church holds that "the decision of one General Assembly cannot be reviewed by a subsequent General Assembly. There cannot be a remedy after the last, a court higher than the highest." "A case being once judicially decided by our General Assembly, the decision is final." See Hodge's Church Polity, pp. 502, 503. The Presbyterian General Assembly of 1847 refused to re-open a case passed upon by the General Assembly of 1845. All recognize that there must be an end of litigation. There is no better place to end it than where our Constitution prescribes that it shall end. Therefore for this reason, also, the memorial should be dismissed.

And we recommend that said memorial of the Nolin Presbytery be and is hereby dismissed.

Respectfully submitted.

J. N. Parker,
S. M. Templeton.

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1895, pages 34-37]

1896

1897

1898

1899

1900

1901

1902

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907

1908

1909

1910

1911

1912

1913
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1913, page 329]

1914
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1914, page 274]

1915
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1915, page 233]

1915
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
In the absence of Stated Clerk, Mrs. J. T. Slaton, the Moderator appointed Mrs. L. M. Woosley, clerk pro tem.
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 3, 1915, page 3]

1916
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1916, page 252]

1916
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
In the absence of the Stated Clerk, Mrs. J. T. Slaton, Mrs. L. M. Woosley was continued as clerk pro tem.
The Presbytery accepted the resignation of Mrs. J. T. Slaton as Stated Clerk and elected Mrs. L. M. Woosley Stated Clerk by acclamation.
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 8-10, 1916, pages 3 & 7]

1917
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1917, page 254]

1918
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1918, page 222]

1918
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 6-8, 1918, pages 1 & 3]

1919
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1919, page 221]

1919
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 5-7, 1919, pages cover & 1]

1920
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
Pastor - Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1920, pages 148 & 242]

1920
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 3-5, 1920, pages 1 & 3]

1921
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
Pastor - Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1921, pages 234 & 324]

1921
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 9-12, 1921, pages 2 & 3]

1922
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
Pastor - Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1922, pages 193 & 285]

1922
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 8-10, 1922, pages 1 & 3]

1923
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly, May 17-23, 1923, in Fairfield, Illinois.
Served on the Committee on Ministerial Relief.
Pastor - Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
Pastor - Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Standard, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1923, pages 14, 17, 203, 204 & 294]

1923
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 7-9, 1923, pages 1 & 3]

1924
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
Pastor - Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
Pastor - Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Big Reedy, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1924, pages 174 & 262]

1924
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 5-7, 1924, pages 1 & 3]

1925
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
Pastor - Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
Pastor - Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Big Reedy, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1925, pages 148 & 236]

1925
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 4-6, 1925, page 1 & 3]

1926
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
Pastor - Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
Pastor - Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Big Ready, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1926, pages 156 & 243]

1926
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 3-5, 1926, page 1 & 3]

1927
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
Pastor - Caneyville Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
Pastor - Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
Pastor - Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Big Ready, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1927, pages 177, 178 & 249]

1927
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 9-11, 1927, page 1-3]

1928
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly in Jackson, Tennessee, June 21-27, 1928.
Served on the Committee on Missions.
Pastor - Caneyville Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
Pastor - Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
Pastor - Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Big Reedy, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1928, pages 18, 21, 21a]

1928
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 7-9, 1928, pages cover & 1]

1929
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
Pastor - Caneyville Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
Pastor - Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
Pastor - Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Big Reedy, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1929, pages 159, 160 & 225]

1929
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 6-8, 1929, pages cover & 1]

1930
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) Caneyville, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
Pastor - Macedonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Caneyville, Kentucky
Pastor - Mt. Pleasant Cumberland Presbyterian Church - session clerk lived in Big Reedy, Ky.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1930, pages 169 & 243]

1930
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 2-3, 1930, pages cover & 1]

1931
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) 142 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1931, page 227]

1931
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 4-6, 1931, pages cover & 1]

1932
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1932, page 193]

1932
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 9-10, 1932, pages cover & 1]

1933
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1933, page 184]

1933
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 8-9, 1933, pages cover & 1]

1934
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1934, page 178]

1934
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 7-8, 1934, pages cover & 1]

1935
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly in McKenzie, Tennessee, June 13-18, 1935.
Chairman of the Committee on Evangelism and Revivals.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1935, pages 17, 20 & 188]

1935
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 6-7, 1935, pages cover & 1]

1936
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1936, page 196]

1936
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 4-5, 1936, pages cover & 1]

1937
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1937, page 259]

1937
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 3-4, 1937, pages cover & 3]

1938
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
Commissioner to General Assembly in Russellville, Arkansas, June 16-22, 1938.
Served on the Committee on Publication and Sunday School Work.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1938, pages 16, 20 & 237]

1938
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 9-10, 1938, pages cover & 1]

1938
Rev. Mrs. L. M. Woosley of Leitchfield Presbytery was elected moderator by acclamation.
[Source: Minutes of Kentucky Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 25-27, 1938, page 1]

1939
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1939, page 239]

1939
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 8-9, 1939, pages cover & 3]

1939
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, December 5, 1939, pages cover & 2]

1940
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 9, 1940, pages 4 & 6]

1940
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1940, page 227]

1940
Minister Present - Mrs. L. M. Woosley
Mrs. L. M. Woosley, Stated Clerk
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 6-7, 1940, pages 7 & 24]

1941
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., (Stated Clerk and Treasurer) 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1941, page 234]

1941
The resignation of Rev. L. M. Woosley as stated clerk and treasurer of Leitchfield Presbytery was accepted with many tears and deep regret.
Mrs. Evelyn Bruington Crick was elected as her successor.
[Minutes of the Leitchfield Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 6, 1941, page 9]

1942
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1942, page 250]

1943
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1943, page 252]

1944
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1944, page 229]

1945
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1945, page 249]

1946
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1946, page 214]

1947
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1947, page 220]

1948
Woosley, Mrs. L. M., 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1948, page 233]

1949
Woosley, Mrs. L. M. (Retired), 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1949, page 237]

1950
Woosley, Mrs. L. M. (Retired), 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1950, page 239]

1951
Woosley, Mrs. L. M. (Retired), 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1951, page 255]

1952
Woosley, Mrs. L. M. (Retired), 1421 Richmond Rd., Lexington, Ky.
Minister - Leitchfield Presbytery - Kentucky Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1952, page 239]

1953
Our Deceased Ministers
Name: Woosley, Mrs. L. M.
Age: 90
Date of death: June 30, 1952
Presbytery: Leitchfield
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1953, pages 5 & 151]