Calvary Episcopal Church (Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. James Episcopal Church
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off TN 48, Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1879 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001268 |
| Added to NRHP | August 22, 1977 |
The Calvary Episcopal Church is a special old church located in Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee. It sits just off Tennessee State Route 48. This church used to be called St. James Episcopal Church. It is an important historical building in the area.
Contents
The Church's Story
How the Church Began
The St. James Episcopal Church started in 1878. Its small, white building was finished the next year, in 1879. The church was built in a style called Gothic Revival. This style often includes pointed arches and tall windows. Bishop Charles Quintard officially dedicated the church in August 1882.
The Drouillard Family's Role
The church was built by Captain James Pierre Drouillard and his wife, Mary Florence Kirkman Drouillard. Mary Florence was the granddaughter of Anthony Wayne Van Leer. Her family was well-known in Pennsylvania. They were also known for being against slavery. Mary Florence inherited the important iron works in Cumberland Furnace. She also received about 20,000 acres of land nearby.
Captain Drouillard went to West Point. He was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Mary Florence married him in 1864 in Nashville, Tennessee. This was a surprise to Nashville society because Tennessee was still fighting against the Union at that time.
Building a Community
For several years, the Drouillards lived in Cumberland Furnace. They managed the iron works. In 1870, they built their large, three-story home. It was designed in the Italianate style. This house is now called Drouillard House. It overlooks the community. The Drouillards also built a school for all children, both Black and white. This school was on the land where the church's parish hall is today.
In 1882, the Drouillards gave the church building to the Protestant Episcopal Church of Tennessee for just $5. The Drouillards moved from Cumberland Furnace to Nashville in 1886. The church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
Name Change and New Beginnings
In the 1980s, St. James Church helped start a new church. This "daughter" church was in Dickson, Tennessee. Later, in the 1990s, the church in Dickson became the new St. James Episcopal Church. The original church in Cumberland Furnace then became a mission church. It was renamed Calvary Church.
