EARLY KNOX COUNTY CHURCHES

Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee (1887)

    CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH:

The first Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Knox County was organized in the year 1824, near the place known as Low’s ferry, the residence of the late Gen. S.D.W. LOW, about two miles from the present village of Concord, which took its name from this church.  Among the first ruling elders and deacons:

Early ministers were:

A camp-ground was also established at this church, where for many years meetings were held annually in July or August.  The congregation, numbering about eighty members, is now worshiping in its fifth house, which is located in the village of Concord.  The present pastor is Rev. J.S. PORTER.

A second church, known as Marietta, was organized soon after Concord at the mouth of Hickory Creek in the Ninth Civil District, and a third, Beaver Creek, was established in the Eighth District, near the present site of Powell’s Station. 

Union Church in the Tenth District, two miles west of Campbell’s Station, was organized about 1863, and West Emory, two miles southwest of Ebenezer, in 1879.

In the spring of 1883 a commission, composed of Rev. E.J. McCROSKEY,  J.R. BUTT and T.W. KELLAR, was appointed by the presbytery to take steps for the establishment of a church in Knoxville.  Mr. McCROSKEY entered upon the work of soliciting subscriptions, and as soon as a sufficient amount had been obtained a lot was purchased, and the erection of a house begun.  In the spring of 1885 the work had progressed sufficiently to allow of the occupancy of the building, but it is not yet entirely completed.  In March 1885, the congregation was organized with

W.H. BAUGH was installed as pastor, and so continued until June 1886, when he was succeeded by J.V. STEPHENS.  The present membership of this church is 110, and of the entire county about 600.

Previous to 1837 the churches in Knox County belonged to Knoxville Presbytery, but on March 15 of that year, by authority of the synod, Hiwassee presbytery was organized at Lebanon Meeting-house, in Monroe County.  It embraces all of East Tennessee from the upper line of Knox County to the Hiwassee River.  The first moderator was John TATE, and the first stated clerk, Floyd McGONEGAL.

Go to Membership Roster of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Knoxville (1895)

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