First United Presbyterian Church (Athens, Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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First United Presbyterian Church
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | 321 N. Jackson St., Athens, Tennessee |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1892 |
| Architect | Sherman, Rodger; et al. |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 08000701 |
| Added to NRHP | July 24, 2008 |
The First United Presbyterian Church is a very old and special church in Athens, Tennessee. It is located at 321 N. Jackson Street. This church has a rich history, especially for the African-American community in the area. The building itself has stood for over 130 years!
Contents
Discovering First United Presbyterian Church
How the Church Started
This church began around 1889 or 1890. It was started as a "mission church." This means it was a new church created to help people in the community. A minister named Jacob L. Cook led this new church.
Jacob Cook was born in Athens, Tennessee. His parents were people who were once enslaved. He went to Fisk University, a famous school. While there, he was part of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. This group traveled and sang to raise money for their school.
After Fisk, Jacob Cook graduated from Knoxville College. He then traveled north to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There, he studied to become a Presbyterian minister. He attended the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Building the Church
After his studies, Jacob Cook returned to Athens. He started a new church group. At first, they met in a building that was also used as a dance hall.
The church building you see today was built in 1892. People in Pennsylvania helped pay for it. They also helped get furniture for the church. The seats inside the church are very interesting. They actually came from an old opera house! These original seats are still used in the church today.
A Recognized Landmark
The First United Presbyterian Church is a very important building. In 2008, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history.
In October 2013, the Tennessee Preservation Trust added the church to its "Ten in Tennessee" list. This list highlights historic places in the state that need extra care to be preserved. It shows how much people value this special church.
