Welcome to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a notable testament to the American frontier spirit and religious evolution during the early 19th century. Established amidst the fervor of the Second Great Awakening, this church played a pivotal role in the spiritual life of early settlers and continues to be a significant religious institution.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was officially founded on February 4, 1810, in the log cabin home of Reverend Samuel McAdow, near what would later become Burns, Tennessee. The inception of this church was a direct response to the challenges faced by Presbyterians on the American frontier. At the time, there was a dire shortage of educated clergy willing to venture beyond the Appalachian Mountains, where settlers were rapidly expanding.
This lack of clergy led to a split within the Presbyterian Church, primarily due to differing views on the ordination of ministers. While the Old Side favored a doctrinally oriented church with a highly educated ministry, the New Side, from which the Cumberland Presbyterian Church emerged, embraced a more experiential form of worship and allowed for the ordination of ministers with less formal education.
The church’s founding members, including Reverend Finis Ewing and Reverend Samuel King, sought to fulfill the spiritual needs of the pioneer communities. They opted for a more inclusive doctrine, famously adopting the ‘Whosoever Will’ gospel that emphasized free will and rejected the strict Calvinist doctrine of predestination.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church grew rapidly, reflecting the dynamic and often tumultuous religious landscape of the time. By 1829, it had established its own General Assembly, signifying its growth into a distinct denomination. This new church provided a spiritual home for many on the frontier, emphasizing education and missionary work. In 1826, the denomination founded Cumberland College in Princeton, Kentucky, aiming to better train its ministers.
The church’s evolution did not stop there. Over the years, it expanded beyond the United States, establishing congregations worldwide. Despite its tumultuous beginnings, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church has continued to adapt and serve its community, maintaining its commitment to education and inclusive doctrine.
As you explore the history of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, imagine the fervent gatherings of early settlers, the debates and discussions that shaped its doctrine, and the enduring impact of its message that ‘whosoever will’ may come.
