First Presbyterian Church of Greenfield
The Church after 1920 + 1950’s
The History of First Presbyterian Church of Greenfield, TN
| The First Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) In Greenfield, Tennessee is located at exactly the same location of the first Church in the community that is now the City of Greenfield. In 1837, a group of residents built a small log cabin and used it for a Church, school, and community center. It was called The Church Of Ebenezer meaning “Stone Of Help.” In 1868, three years after the War Between The States, Mr. Joseph Henry WARD gave the Ebenezer Church one acre of land. On this property, a larger building of hand-hewn boards with a cypress timber roof was erected. Most of the labor and materials were donated by the men of the Church. In 1870, the Ebenezer Church joined Hopewell Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. It would still be another 10 years before any other churches were organized in Greenfield: thus, the community continued to gather here for worship. By 1897, the Church had grown so large that the old frame building was dismantled and a two-story brick building was erected on the same site. In 1912, the Church dissolved its relationship with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and joined the West Tennessee Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. On a Sunday morning in February, 1917, the brick building and all its contents and records were destroyed by fire. By the Spring of 1918, construction on the present building had begun. The first service was held in the new Sanctuary on the 5th Sunday in February, 1920. The present building, with its impressive stained-glass windows and exceptional architectural design, was dedicated on June 24, 1923. Since that time, our Church has affectionately been known as “the Church on the Hill.” In 1924, the Wicks pipe organ was installed. Since that time, the organ has been updated, and the building itself has witnessed many improvements and has been exceptionally well maintained. In the Spring of 1991, the building underwent a major redecoration effort, which included paint, carpet, pew pads and light fixtures. In 1993, the Fellowship Hall was redecorated, and in 1994, the Sunday School rooms were redecorated as well. First Presbyterian Church is a community of faith focused around worship and service with varied activities including: Sunday School classes for all ages; Kirk Kids for young children; Jr. & Sr. High Presbyterian Youth Fellowship; three Presbyterian Women’s Circle groups; Children’s Choir and Adult Choir; Bible Studies; 20 & 30 Something’s group; Deacon’s Fund for the needy; Fellowship Dinners, and a radio ministry of 60-second devotionals aired Monday through Friday mornings and afternoons. Today, as it has been for 162 years (1999), the members of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenfield continue to worship and serve God on the very same site as the original log cabin. On Sunday, June 28, 1998, the congregation celebrated the 75 th Anniversary of its present building. Truly, we may lift up our hearts by remembering the words of those who dedicated “The Church on the Hill” on June 24, 1923.Source Unknown Submitted by Joe Stout |
| OFFICERS – 1923 THE SESSIONReverend Robert McInturff ModeratorA.C. Akin J.T. Akin E.J. Baker N.M. Barnett W.A. Barton E.N.J. Brock M.A. Capps W.A. Coats J.A. Cooper H.O. Elam P.D. Harris – Clerk W.J. Hatcher H.F. Hudson R.D. Johns S.L. Lett W.E. McAdams Robert McUmber William Orr J.B. Reed E.M. Shannon W.T. Smith | TRUSTEES E.N.J. Brock W.J. Hatcher J.B. ReedSUNDAY SCHOOL OFFICERS Dr. H.F. Hudson – Superintendent P.D. Harris – Assistant E.M. Shannon – Secretary & TreasurerCHURCH PIANISTS Mrs. W.T. Smith Mrs. S.L. MaidenCHOIR DIRECTORS Mrs. W.A. Barton Mrs. J.B. ReedMISSION SOCIETY Mrs. H.L. Goolsby – President Mrs. Harry McAdams – Secretary & TreasurerBUILDING COMMITTEE A.J. Barton – Chairman E.N.J. Brock P.D. Harris W.E. McAdams J.W. Perry E.M.Shannon |
