First Presbyterian Church (NRHP #10001060) - Cookeville, Tennessee

First Presbyterian Church was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places under criterion A for its local significance in religion, and under criterion C as a locally significant example of a Neo-Classical church building in Cookeville. The church was born out of a schism resulting from the union of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church with the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America that took place during the early years of the twentieth century. Architecturally the building is a good example of late Neo Classical architecture in Cookeville. Built in 1909, the style of the church is seen in the gable ends with pediments and strong cornice lines, and the colonnaded entry porch.

The origins of First Presbyterian Church trace back to the nationwide merger of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PCUSA) in 1905. Though officially united, not everyone felt that way in Cookeville or across the state of Tennessee. At a meeting on September 11, 1906, only three Tennessee Presbyteries showed any support for uniting with the PCUSA, Cookeville Presbytery, McMinnville Presbytery, and the Lebanon Presbytery. Those opposed to the merger agreed to meet in Dickson, Tennessee, at the birthplace of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Thursday May 3, 1907. Discussions over whether to remain a Cumberland Presbyterian Church or a member of the PCUSA led to dissension in the Cookeville congregation that later caused a schism.

Meanwhile the Building Committee and trustees, Jesse Arnold, Jeff Dyer, and W.D. Ferrell, searched for property to buy in order to erect a new building. On November 22, 1909, trustees of the Building Committee closed on the sale of the Hunter property. Ironically or spitefully, for records do not indicate, the lot sat directly across the street from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church on the northwest corner of Broad & Madison streets. They purchased the land from Jere Whitson and held a public groundbreaking later that month. The design of the new church adopted the Akron floor plan with an offset pulpit and no center aisle. The Building Committee launched an aggressive campaign to raise funds to pay for constructing and furnishing the new church. They prevailed upon members and non-members alike and kept detailed records. Ruling Elder and founder of the Bank of Putnam County, Jesse Arnold, donated the hefty sum of $1250, while elder Jeff Dyer contributed $1000. Future Supreme Court Justice Dick L. Lansden gave $750. Many others paid with either cash or sweat equity as the construction progressed.

Foundations for the building were laid in November of 1909 and the cornerstone laid in 1910. Construction began in earnest around the middle of April. Though the building was not yet completed, eager members began meeting in the church sometime in September of 1910. The building’s furnishings were completed in April of 1911, and the sanctuary was officially dedicated on August 20, 1911 by Dr. Thomas A. Whittington, the same pastor who dedicated the Cumberland Church across the street in 1894. During the service he presented the congregation with keys to the completed structure, announced that construction costs totaled $10,000, and declared all debts owed by the church were paid in full.

On December 28, 2010, the church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). All of the information above (and much more) was found on the original documents submitted for listing consideration and can be viewed here:
catalog.archives.gov/id/135819419

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

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Taken in: United States / Tennessee / Cookeville (show map)

Taken on: November 1, 2019

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First Presbyterian Church

NRHP #10001060

Neo-Classical architecture

Neo-Classical design

Neo-Classical church

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian Church of the United States of America

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Jesse Arnold

Jeff Dyer

W.D. Ferrell

built in 1909

Jere Whitson

Supreme Court Justice Dick L. Lansden

Dr. Thomas A. Whittington

Cookeville

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Camera: Nikon D7200, f/5.6, 18mm, ISO 400 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D7200
Aperture:	f/5.6
Focal Length:	18mm
ISO:	400
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Windows)
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