Phineas Densmore Gurley

Phineas Densmore Gurley (November 12, 1816 – September 30, 1868) was Chaplain of the United States Senate and pastor of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.

Early life

Gurley was born in Hamilton, New York, on November 12, 1816, the son of Phineas and Elizabeth (née Fox) Gurley. Gurley graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York, in 1837, with the highest honors of his class, and from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1840. Gurley later compared the experience of the assassination with a major battle: I "felt as though I had been engaged all night in a terrible Battle and had just strength enough to drag myself off the field."

Gurley was known for his beautiful singing voice and powerful oratory skill.

Gurley took an active part in the negotiations that resulted in the union of the Old School and New School branches of the Presbyterian Church. Gurley continued to serve as pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church until his death in Washington, D.C., on September 30, 1868. He spent the last two years as moderator of the Presbyterian Church.

Personal life Gurley married Emma Brooks on October 9, 1840. Both were natives of New York. Their children were: Frances Mary Gurley, William Brooks Gurley, Hosea Mellville Gurley, Charles Lawrence Gurley and Emma Harrison Gurley.

Archival collections The Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has a collection of Gurley's sermons, correspondences, and photographs.