First Presbyterian Church (Greeneville, Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Presbyterian Church |
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First Presbyterian Church and adjacent Christ Chapel
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| Location | 110 North Main Street, Greeneville, Tennessee |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Presbyterian Church (USA) |
| Churchmanship | Reformed |
| Website | www.firstpresgreeneville.org |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Mount Bethel Presbyterian Church
Harmony Church Greeneville Presbyterian Church |
| Status | Church |
| Founded | 1780 |
| Founder(s) | Rev. Samuel Doak |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | active |
| Heritage designation | NRHP |
| Designated | May 3, 1974 |
| Architectural type | Greek Revival |
| Completed | 1848 |
| Administration | |
| Presbytery | Holston Presbytery |
| Synod | Synod of Living Waters |
The First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville, Tennessee, is a very old and important church. It belongs to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) group. This church was the first one ever started in Greeneville. It is also one of the oldest churches in the entire state of Tennessee.
The church began in 1780 near a place called Big Spring in downtown Greeneville. The first services were led by a traveling minister named Samuel Doak. Regular services started in 1783. Rev. Hezekiah Balch became the first full-time minister.
Contents
The Church's Long History
The first church building was made of logs. It was built near where the Greeneville Town Hall is today. In 1798, the church changed its name to Harmony Church. This happened after some members had a disagreement about their beliefs.
Later, in 1840, the church's name changed again to Greeneville Presbyterian Church. The brick building you see today was built in 1848. In 1928, a fire badly damaged the inside of the church. Luckily, the strong brick walls were still standing. The church was quickly rebuilt. In 1940, it got its current name: First Presbyterian Church.
In 1926, a three-story building for education was added. Later, Christ Chapel was built in 1999. The Family and Nurture Center opened in 2000. These additions helped the church serve its community even better.
Fighting Against Slavery
The church and its members were very active in the movement to end slavery. This movement was strong in East Tennessee. For example, Rev. Hezekiah Balch freed his enslaved people in 1807. Rev. Samuel Doak, who also started Tusculum College, did the same in 1818.
Francis McCorkle, another pastor, was a leader in the Manumission Society of Tennessee. This group worked to help enslaved people gain their freedom.
Important Connections and Recognition
First Presbyterian Church is like the "parent" church of Tusculum College. This means it played a big part in starting the college. The church is recognized as a historic place by the Tennessee Historical Commission. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important part of the Greeneville Historic District.
When the church split in 1798, some members kept the name Mount Bethel. In 1990, Mount Bethel merged with First Presbyterian Church. This brought the two parts of the church back together after 192 years.
The Church's Pipe Organs
A pipe organ is a very large musical instrument that makes sound using air through many pipes. The First Presbyterian Church has a rich history with these instruments.
In 1905, the church got its first pipe organ. It was made by the Estey Organ company. This organ was improved in 1924. It had two keyboards and 20 sets of pipes. Sadly, this organ was destroyed in the 1928 fire. When the church was rebuilt, they installed a very similar organ. In 1945, more pipes were added in the balcony.
In 1964, a new, larger organ was built. It had three keyboards and 21 sets of pipes. Many pipes from the old organ were used again. Ten new sets of pipes were also added. A set of chimes was also included in this new instrument.
In the early 1990s, the church got an even newer organ. This one had 27 sets of pipes and 1,630 individual pipes! Many of these pipes were brand new. The organ's pipes are placed on both sides of the front of the church.
In 1999, Christ Chapel also received its own pipe organ. This smaller organ has 8 sets of pipes and 381 pipes.
Church Leaders (Clergy)
Here is a list of some of the important ministers who have served First Presbyterian Church over the years:
- 1780 - Samuel Doak, the first minister to lead services
- 1783 - Hezekiah Balch, the first full-time minister
- 1810 - Charles Coffin
- 1820 - Christopher Bradshaw
- 1829 - Francis A. McCorkle
- 1850 - Ira Morey
- 1857 - E.T. Brantley
- 1865 - John W. Elliott
- 1868 - Samuel V. McCorkle
- 1875 - John E. Alexander
- 1878 - Samuel V. McCorkle
- 1881 - A.M. Hooke
- 1882 - S.A. Coile
- 1889 - Edgar C. Mason
- 1891 - S.A. Coile
- 1895 - W.H. Lester
- 1900 - R.F. Wertz
- 1904 - John S. Eakin
- 1918 - O.G. Klinger
- 1921 - Jere Moore
- 1948 - Robert C. Johnson
- 1956 - Roger A. Cowan
- 1960 - Hugh V. Simon
- 1986 - G.K. Preston III
- 1998 - Daniel M. Donaldson
- 2019 - J. Todd Jenkins
See also
- Oldest churches in the United States
