Guide to the Phineas Densmore Gurley Papers

Phineas Gurley was born in Hamilton, NY. He studied at Union College and Princeton Theological Seminary. From 1840-1854 he served pastorates in Indianapolis, IN and Dayton, OH. In 1854 he was called to the F Street Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC. In 1859, when the Second and F Street Churches merged to create the New York Avenue Church, Dr Gurley took over as pastor of the new congregation. He died in Washington in 1868.

Gurley served as chaplain of the United States Senate in 1858, and as moderator of the General Assembly in 1867. He is perhaps best remembered for having been the pastor in attendance at the deathbed of Abraham Lincoln and for the sermon he preached at the President's funeral.