Cumberland Presbyterian Churches

Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee, Obion County, Marshall’s Obion County History, and both Obion County Histories, 1981, 1986:

The Cumberland Presbyterians were also pioneers in the organization of churches as well as in missionary work in Obion County. At the organization of the Obion Presbytery in march, 1833, there had been established two societies in the county — Troy, and Mount Comfort, the former of which was represented in the presbytery by James McCollum. The minister ordered to ride on the Troy Circuit at this session was Charles E. Hay, who continued for many years one of the most active and devoted members of the Obion Presbytery.

Other pioneers in that body were Benjamin Lockhart, Samuel M. Johnson, Eli S. Jones, John B. Hubbard, Jethro L. Byrd, Levi Calvery, John W. Ward, F. E. Roberts, David Morrow and Charles McBride. The first session of the presbytery held in Obion County was at Mount Comfort, in September, 1835; the second was one year later at the residence of James J. McCollum, at which time W. S. S. Harris, of Troy was chosen its stated clerk.

The third society organized in the county was Bethlehem, which was admitted into the presbytery in March, 1839. At the same time F. D. Piner was assigned to preach at Reeves’ Schoolhouse. At about this time the growth of the church was very slow, so much so that in 1842 a day was set apart for fasting and prayer for the welfare of the denomination. In 1849 New Ebenezer and Pleasant Hill societies were admitted into the presbytery, and J. W. Ward and F. E. Roberts were assigned, respectively, as their pastors.

Other societies were admitted as follows: New Prospect in 1843; Antioch, 1856; Beech, 1860; Campground, 1862; Union City, 1867; Crittenden Grove, 1867; Star of Bethlehem, —-; Mount Ararat, 1880. Some of the above churches were organized several years previous to their admission into the presbytery, notably among which are Antioch, Camp Ground, and Union City. Prior to 1881 that portion of Obion County south of the river belonged to Hopewell Presbytery, but in that year this territory was constituted a part of Obion Presbytery. It then included three churches: North Union (Gibson County), organized about 1845; Beech Valley, about 1857; and Kenton, in August, 1867.

Since the change in the presbyteries three new churches have been admitted. They are Rives, in 1882; Palestine, Obion, 1883; and Mount Horeb, 1886. The aggregate membership of the churches of Obion county, as reported as the spring session of the presbytery of 1886, is 1,311, and the value of the church property $17,300. Later additions: Protemus Church.