Reverend Richard Cordley became a pastor in 1857. This was when the people moved into its first permanent building, called the "Stone Church." Though the building was not completed until 1862. Cordley was an abolitionist and was a free-stater. During the American Civil War, some members were killed by pro-Confederate soldiers in the Lawrence Massacre of 1863. Cordley's home was burned, but the church building was not hurt.