The Cumberland Presbyterian Church

The Origins of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church

"The Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located on Clear Creek in Carroll County, Tennessee, and as far as can be learned, was established in 1825. It was a part of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church that came into existence about 1800-1825 when its members disagreed on the method of ordaining its ministers. A cemetery is a part of the church grounds and a rather large number of Sparks' and their descendants are buried there. Several of the descendants of Nathan Sparks became Presbyterian ministers." 1

"The mystic, lucky number of seven was the number of God-loving, God-fearing women who organized the first Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Lebanon, Tenn., in the year 1829. These women have all long since passed away, but their work lives on, and their memories are held sacred by many. These seven devout members who were the charter members were Mrs. Tolliver, Mrs. John Pruett; Mrs. Findley; Mrs. Golladay; Mrs. Hunt; Mrs. Charles Cummings; Mrs. George Cummings; and Miss Ibbie Martin. The Rev. George Donnell, a well-known school teacher of that day, had been preaching in Lebanon, Wilson county, Tennessee, for some time in the Methodist Church, the only church building then in town. On one preaching day he and the above seven women organized a Cumberland Presbyterian Church." The Methodist pastor felt that the Rev. Donnell had overstepped his privileges, and the use of the Methodist Church was discontinued. The little band then secured the use of the court house; but for some reason this building was also closed against them. They then moved to an old vacant log house and worshiped there. Being denied the use of the two buildings caused a bit of strife in the little village, so the husbands of the women, though not members of the church, decided to build a church for their wives. So in 1831 the first building was erected  Rev. George Donnell was installed as the first pastor and served for some time. No available records tell how long he was pastor. He was followed by Rev. Robert Donnell who died in 1855.  2

 1  Source:  The Sparks Quarterly, December 1995, Whole No.172, pages 4548-50.

2  Source:  http://www.cumberland.org/hfcpc/minister/DonnellR..htm).