Bethesda Presbyterian Church (Russellville, Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bethesda Presbyterian Church
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Russellville, Tennessee |
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| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1835 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001771 |
| Added to NRHP | April 11, 1973 |
Bethesda Presbyterian Church is a very old church in Russellville, Tennessee, USA. It was used as a hospital during the American Civil War. This church is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of places worth saving.
Contents
History of Bethesda Church
Building the Church
The Bethesda Presbyterian Church started in 1832. Its brick building was finished in 1835. Inside, it had tall wooden pews where people sat. It also had a fancy wooden pulpit where the preacher stood.
The Civil War Arrives
When the Civil War was about to begin, people in the church had different ideas. Some supported the Union (the North). Others supported the Confederacy (the South). Because of these strong differences, the church stopped its services. It stayed closed until the war ended.
A Hospital During War
In December 1863, about 25,000 Confederate soldiers came to the church. They were led by General James Longstreet. They stayed there for the winter, until February 1864. During this time, they used the church building as a hospital for wounded soldiers.
Battles also happened near the church in October and November 1864.
- In October, the Union soldiers, led by General Alvan Cullem Gillem, attacked Confederate troops. This battle was called the Battle of Morristown. The Confederates had to retreat.
- In November, Confederate soldiers, led by General John C. Breckinridge, won a battle against the Union troops. This was the Battle of Bull's Gap. They chased the Union forces away.
During one of these fights, a cannonball hit one of the church walls. It caused damage. Workers later fixed the wall by adding large iron rods to make it strong again. The Union Army also used the church as a hospital for their injured soldiers.
Many soldiers from both sides are buried in the church cemetery. It is sad that 80 of these wartime burials are still unknown. We do not know their names.
After the War
Church services started again after the war. But the people could not forget their political differences. Supporters of the Confederacy sat on one side of the church. Union supporters sat on the other. Empty pews separated them.
In 1871, one group left the church together. They joined another Presbyterian church in Morristown. The other group kept worshiping at Bethesda until 1875. Then, they closed Bethesda and joined a new church in Russellville.
Bethesda Church Today
The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it is a very important historical site. The church building and its cemetery are now cared for by a local group called the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
In 2011, some teenagers damaged the church and its cemetery. They broke windows and marked the gravestones. Today, the church has a special sign from the Civil War Trails Program. This sign tells visitors that the church was used during the American Civil War. There is also a plaque that honors the soldiers who died in the war.
