First Cumberland Presbyterian Church

140 Years of Ministry

In the pre-Civil War year of 1858, following the “Great Revival of the 1800’s”, the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, had its beginning.  Rev. J.C. Provine was the organizing pastor.  The first building, located at the corner of East Main Street and Spring Street, was erected the following year.  As the young congregation sacrificed to labor in God’s Kingdom, the country was poised for the Civil War.  In 1863 the congregation was directly affected when General Rosecrans, commander of the Union forces at the Battle of Stones River, turned the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church into a hospital for the wounded.

Despite the devastation of the war, the church prospered over the next three decades.  Church records from 1895 show 203 members.  In 1906 the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church voted to merge with the northern branch of the Presbyterian Church.  Although the Murfreesboro Church did not vote for the merger, the denominational split affected the congregation as a majority of members joined other churches.  The total membership in 1909 was 18 faithful souls.  A fire destroyed the church building in 1915.  By 1918, with a membership of 50, it was rebuilt.  In 1928 the building was sold to the City of Murfreesboro, and the congregation relocated to the corner of South Bilbro and Vine Streets.  By 1936 the congregation had grown to 89 members.  From 1943 until 1955 the congregation experienced significant growth, reaching a membership of 320 with over 300 in Sunday School.  To accommodate this growth, the church purchased the current 907 East Main Street site.  The present facilities were developed and completed in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.  With the new facilities, the membership grew to over 500 in 1962.

Significant ministry milestones include the first church-operated daycare facility in Murfreesboro, a kindergarten program, and a pre-school enrichment program for children having limited learning opportunities.  Recently the church has been known for its wonderful music ministries. 

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