Cumberland Presbytery
Encyclopedia
In the history of the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition in the United States, there have been a number of judicatories
named Cumberland Presbytery.
PC(USA), as it was established in 1786 from part of Abingdon Presbytery
, encompassed all of Kentucky
, settlements on the Cumberland River
in Tennessee
, and later the settlements on the Big and Little Miami Rivers in Ohio
. The presbytery
grew rapidly and in 1799 was divided into three smaller presbyteries
. Transylvania Presbytery
retained the area to the south and west of the Kentucky River
in central Kentucky
. West Lexington Presbytery
covered the area of Kentucky
between the Kentucky River
and the Licking River
. Washington Presbytery
comprised the area northeast of the Licking River and north of the Ohio River
. In 1802, these three presbyteries
were formed into the Kentucky Synod
, separate from the Synod of Virginia. One of the first actions of the Kentucky Synod
was to form Cumberland Presbytery from the portion of Transylvania Presbytery
south of the Salt River
.
Cumberland Presbytery was the heart of the Second Great Awakening
. Although ministers in support of the Great Revival of 1800 generally dominated the presbytery
, the anti-revival faction dominated Kentucky Synod
PC(USA). In 1806, differences between the presbytery and the synod over the revival, ordination standards for ministers, and the literal interpretation of the Westminster Confession of Faith
resulted in Cumberland Presbytery being dissolved back into Transylvania Presbytery
. The former members of Cumberland Presbytery fought for their position for a number of years in the hope that Kentucky Synod
would reconsider. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), while stating that Kentucky Synod
had made an error of judgement, took no action to reinstate Cumberland Presbytery. In 1810, the former members of Cumberland Presbytery reformed the presbytery
as the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
.
was the reformed Cumberland Presbytery organized on February 4, 1810. The presbytery
was made up of members of the Presbyterian Church and others in the area left abandoned when Kentucky Synod
PC(USA) dissolved the original Cumberland Presbytery and expelled many of its ministers. The new independent presbytery
struggled to be reunited with the larger Presbyterian Church. At the same time, it grew rapidly and divided into three smaller presbyteries
in 1813. Cumberland Presbytery was succeeded by Cumberland Synod.
met only three times in 1843 and 1844 before being renamed Cumberland Presbytery by Green River Synod in 1844. Located primarily in South-Central and Eastern Kentucky
, this Cumberland Presbytery was a member judicatory
of Green River Synod from 1844 to 1888 and of Kentucky Synod
from 1888 to 1988. This Cumberland Presbytery was one of the best organized and funded of all Cumberland Presbyterian judicatories
. After the partial reunion of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
and the Presbyterian Church (USA)
in 1906, it was the financial stability of Cumberland Presbytery that enabled the Cumberland Presbyterian Denomination to survive. In 1988, as part of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church middle judicatory
realignment, this Cumberland Presbytery was dissolved only to be reformed as a much larger presbytery
. The last stated clerk was Rev. James W. Knight
.
. This incarnation of the presbytery
was formed in the Cumberland Presbyterian middle judicatory
realignment of 1988. Cumberland Presbytery is a part of Midwest Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
.
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
named Cumberland Presbytery.
Cumberland Presbytery, PC(USA) 1802-1806
Transylvania PresbyteryTransylvania Presbytery
Transylvania Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church , as it was established in 1786 from part of Abingdon Presbytery, encompassed all of Kentucky, settlements on the Cumberland River in Tennessee, and later the settlements on the Great Miami River and Little Miami River in Ohio.The presbytery grew...
PC(USA), as it was established in 1786 from part of Abingdon Presbytery
Abingdon Presbytery
Abingdon Presbytery is a part of the Presbyterian Church and within the Synod of Mid-Atlantic. Many of 55 churches are small, with less than 100 members. The entire presbytery has approximately 4,500 members and almost 50 ministers. The presbytery is named after a region in southwestern Virginia...
, encompassed all of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, settlements on the Cumberland River
Cumberland River
The Cumberland River is a waterway in the Southern United States. It is long. It starts in Harlan County in far southeastern Kentucky between Pine and Cumberland mountains, flows through southern Kentucky, crosses into northern Tennessee, and then curves back up into western Kentucky before...
in Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, and later the settlements on the Big and Little Miami Rivers in Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. The presbytery
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
grew rapidly and in 1799 was divided into three smaller presbyteries
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
. Transylvania Presbytery
Transylvania Presbytery
Transylvania Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church , as it was established in 1786 from part of Abingdon Presbytery, encompassed all of Kentucky, settlements on the Cumberland River in Tennessee, and later the settlements on the Great Miami River and Little Miami River in Ohio.The presbytery grew...
retained the area to the south and west of the Kentucky River
Kentucky River
The Kentucky River is a tributary of the Ohio River, long, in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The river and its tributaries drain much of the central region of the state, with its upper course passing through the coal-mining regions of the Cumberland Mountains, and its lower course passing through the...
in central Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. West Lexington Presbytery
West Lexington Presbytery
West Lexington Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church was formed from Transylvania Presbytery in 1799. It covered the area of Kentucky between the Kentucky River and the Licking River...
covered the area of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
between the Kentucky River
Kentucky River
The Kentucky River is a tributary of the Ohio River, long, in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The river and its tributaries drain much of the central region of the state, with its upper course passing through the coal-mining regions of the Cumberland Mountains, and its lower course passing through the...
and the Licking River
Licking River (Kentucky)
The Licking River is a tributary of the Ohio River in northeastern Kentucky in the United States. The river and its tributaries drain much of the region of northeastern Kentucky between the watersheds of the Kentucky River to the west and the Big Sandy River to the east.-Origin of name:The Native...
. Washington Presbytery
Washington Presbytery
Washington Presbytery, of the Presbyterian Church is the association of PCUSA churches in Washington and Greene counties in Pennsylvania. It contains 65 churches and has a membership of about 12,000....
comprised the area northeast of the Licking River and north of the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
. In 1802, these three presbyteries
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
were formed into the Kentucky Synod
Kentucky Synod
In the history of the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition in the United States, there have been a number of judicatories named Kentucky Synod.- Kentucky Synod, PC :...
, separate from the Synod of Virginia. One of the first actions of the Kentucky Synod
Kentucky Synod
In the history of the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition in the United States, there have been a number of judicatories named Kentucky Synod.- Kentucky Synod, PC :...
was to form Cumberland Presbytery from the portion of Transylvania Presbytery
Transylvania Presbytery
Transylvania Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church , as it was established in 1786 from part of Abingdon Presbytery, encompassed all of Kentucky, settlements on the Cumberland River in Tennessee, and later the settlements on the Great Miami River and Little Miami River in Ohio.The presbytery grew...
south of the Salt River
Salt River (Kentucky)
The Salt River is a river in Kentucky that drains . It begins near Danville, Kentucky, rising from the north slope of Persimmon Knob south of KY 300 between Alum Springs and Wilsonville, and ends at the Ohio River near West Point...
.
Cumberland Presbytery was the heart of the Second Great Awakening
Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening was a Christian revival movement during the early 19th century in the United States. The movement began around 1800, had begun to gain momentum by 1820, and was in decline by 1870. The Second Great Awakening expressed Arminian theology, by which every person could be...
. Although ministers in support of the Great Revival of 1800 generally dominated the presbytery
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
, the anti-revival faction dominated Kentucky Synod
Kentucky Synod
In the history of the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition in the United States, there have been a number of judicatories named Kentucky Synod.- Kentucky Synod, PC :...
PC(USA). In 1806, differences between the presbytery and the synod over the revival, ordination standards for ministers, and the literal interpretation of the Westminster Confession of Faith
Westminster Confession of Faith
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. Although drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly, largely of the Church of England, it became and remains the 'subordinate standard' of doctrine in the Church of Scotland, and has been...
resulted in Cumberland Presbytery being dissolved back into Transylvania Presbytery
Transylvania Presbytery
Transylvania Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church , as it was established in 1786 from part of Abingdon Presbytery, encompassed all of Kentucky, settlements on the Cumberland River in Tennessee, and later the settlements on the Great Miami River and Little Miami River in Ohio.The presbytery grew...
. The former members of Cumberland Presbytery fought for their position for a number of years in the hope that Kentucky Synod
Kentucky Synod
In the history of the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition in the United States, there have been a number of judicatories named Kentucky Synod.- Kentucky Synod, PC :...
would reconsider. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), while stating that Kentucky Synod
Kentucky Synod
In the history of the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition in the United States, there have been a number of judicatories named Kentucky Synod.- Kentucky Synod, PC :...
had made an error of judgement, took no action to reinstate Cumberland Presbytery. In 1810, the former members of Cumberland Presbytery reformed the presbytery
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
as the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Cumberland Presbyterian Church
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Christian denomination spawned by the Second Great Awakening. In 2007, it had an active membership of less than 50,000 and about 800 congregations, the majority of which are concentrated in the United States...
.
Cumberland Presbytery, Cumberland Presbyterian Church 1810-1813
The genesis of the Cumberland Presbyterian ChurchCumberland Presbyterian Church
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Christian denomination spawned by the Second Great Awakening. In 2007, it had an active membership of less than 50,000 and about 800 congregations, the majority of which are concentrated in the United States...
was the reformed Cumberland Presbytery organized on February 4, 1810. The presbytery
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
was made up of members of the Presbyterian Church and others in the area left abandoned when Kentucky Synod
Kentucky Synod
In the history of the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition in the United States, there have been a number of judicatories named Kentucky Synod.- Kentucky Synod, PC :...
PC(USA) dissolved the original Cumberland Presbytery and expelled many of its ministers. The new independent presbytery
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
struggled to be reunited with the larger Presbyterian Church. At the same time, it grew rapidly and divided into three smaller presbyteries
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
in 1813. Cumberland Presbytery was succeeded by Cumberland Synod.
Cumberland Presbytery, Cumberland Presbyterian Church 1845-1988
King Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian ChurchCumberland Presbyterian Church
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Christian denomination spawned by the Second Great Awakening. In 2007, it had an active membership of less than 50,000 and about 800 congregations, the majority of which are concentrated in the United States...
met only three times in 1843 and 1844 before being renamed Cumberland Presbytery by Green River Synod in 1844. Located primarily in South-Central and Eastern Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, this Cumberland Presbytery was a member judicatory
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
of Green River Synod from 1844 to 1888 and of Kentucky Synod
Kentucky Synod
In the history of the Presbyterian and Reformed tradition in the United States, there have been a number of judicatories named Kentucky Synod.- Kentucky Synod, PC :...
from 1888 to 1988. This Cumberland Presbytery was one of the best organized and funded of all Cumberland Presbyterian judicatories
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
. After the partial reunion of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Cumberland Presbyterian Church
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Christian denomination spawned by the Second Great Awakening. In 2007, it had an active membership of less than 50,000 and about 800 congregations, the majority of which are concentrated in the United States...
and the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
in 1906, it was the financial stability of Cumberland Presbytery that enabled the Cumberland Presbyterian Denomination to survive. In 1988, as part of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church middle judicatory
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
realignment, this Cumberland Presbytery was dissolved only to be reformed as a much larger presbytery
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
. The last stated clerk was Rev. James W. Knight
James W. Knight
James Wade Knight was a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. He served as that denomination's first Director of Ministry and was the Executive of Kentucky Synod....
.
Cumberland Presbytery, Cumberland Presbyterian Church 1988-present
Primarily located in central and eastern Kentucky with one congregation in Pennsylvania, Cumberland Presbytery forms the traditional heart of the Cumberland Presbyterian ChurchCumberland Presbyterian Church
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Christian denomination spawned by the Second Great Awakening. In 2007, it had an active membership of less than 50,000 and about 800 congregations, the majority of which are concentrated in the United States...
. This incarnation of the presbytery
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
was formed in the Cumberland Presbyterian middle judicatory
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
realignment of 1988. Cumberland Presbytery is a part of Midwest Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Cumberland Presbyterian Church
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian Christian denomination spawned by the Second Great Awakening. In 2007, it had an active membership of less than 50,000 and about 800 congregations, the majority of which are concentrated in the United States...
.
Sources
- History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Kentucky to 1988, by Matthew H. GoreMatthew H. GoreMatthew H. Gore is a British historian, popular culturist, and educator residing in Memphis, Tennessee. He is best known for his book The History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Kentucky to 1988 , but has published on a variety of topics as diverse as The Origin of Marvelman , the...
, Joint Heritage Committee of Covenant and Cumberland Presbyteries. Memphis, Tennessee, 2000. - 2006 Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Memphis: Tennessee, 2006).