Narrator: Let's go to 1868. Where we find ourselves in Henderson, Kentucky. Where a convention was held to decide what should be done.

First Minister: (Standing)

Let us bow our heads in prayer. Dear God, we come before thee in thy holy presence to ask for thy guidance as we consider our future. Lead us as we make our choice. Help us to listen for thy direction. In the Name of Thy Son, we pray, Amen.

All: Amen.

First Minister: Brethren, we have met here to make some important decisions about our future. The question before us is, "Shall we continue to worship with our former slave owners, or shall we start on a journey which will lead to the birth of a separate denomination? I invite each of you to speak to this question.

Second Minister: Mr. Chairman, for some time now, we have not worshiped with our white brethren. While we need to continue to love our former owners and all others of a different race. I believe that time has come for us to establish ourselves as a separate church. Let's try to hold as many of the twenty thousand members as we can.

(As he sits, several in attendance nod their heads in agreement.)

Third Minister: Mr. Chairman, we need to think about this very important point - Just how long do you think we will last if we separate ourselves from our white brothers? We have no church buildings, few books and Bibles, a handful of ordained ministers who know about the government of the church. We have not been taught enough yet to go out on our own. If we go out alone now, in a few years, we will be out of existence and completely forgotten. I, for one, believe we need to stay a while longer.

(As he sits, several in attendance nod their heads in agreement.)

Fourth Minister: True, we have very little in material things, but if we have the will, we can make it with the help of God.

Fifth Minister: (In a sad but fearful voice.)

Mr. Moderator, there is fear among us. There are few belongings and possessions, and other material things. But the Lord has brought us, a mighty long way; we can't help but to ask which way now Lord, which way.

First Minister: Brethren, prayer is the key and faith unlocks the door. May we go in peace.

Narrator: In January 1869, in Huntsville, Alabama another meeting was held. No decision was reached in that meeting. A third meeting was scheduled. And so it was in May, 1869, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, during the time the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was meeting; a full delegation of black Cumberland Presbyterians met separately to make a decision about the future. In this meeting, a decision was reached. Rev. Moses Weir was elected to communicate the decision to the white General Assembly.

Suggestion: Someone to read dramatically the following comment of Mr. Weir. It might be emphasized here that the church leaders had now made a decision and that this statement informs the white church what had been decided.)

Rev. Weir: Our fathers and our brothers, I come before you today not to represent myself, but to represent the more than 20,000 black freed slaves who proudly call themselves Cumberland Presbyterians. We thank God for the great tradition you have given us. We love the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. It has a strong doctrine. We think there is none better in all the earth. It has a strong government. As persons who believe in making our decision, we like a church government, which calls for a democracy. We thank you for what you have given us. Blessed be the Lord for all his benefits. As you know, we have convened a meeting of many of our ministers and elders alongside the meeting of the General Assembly. Just one hour ago, we reached a major decision, which I have been asked, to communicate to you. My fellow ministers have asked me to be the spokesman for this occasion. Your black brothers, who also proudly call themselves Cumberland Presbyterian, have decided to organize a Colored Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In order for us to be organized as a denomination, we request the following of you:
That you organize a Colored Cumberland Presbyterian Church. We feel that it would not be for the advancement of the interest of the Church, among either the white or colored race, for the ministers of the two races to meet together in the same judicatures.

In order for us to be organized as a denomination, we request the following of you:

(1) That you organize colored Cumberland Presbyterians into separate presbyteries and synods.
(2) That you make available to us some church buildings so that we might have places for worship.
(3) That you make available to us some hymn books and Bibles.
(4) That you help us secure a school for the education of our ministers.

Since our relationship has been cordial, we ask that you assist us as we start on this journey of faith. If you help us in these four ways, we believe that our church can make it. All the leaders of the church send their greetings and wish for you a most blessed meeting of the General Assembly. May God bless you all.

Narrator: The General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church acted favorably to fill the requests.

Narrator: It is now May 1, 1874, in the Cumberland Presbyterian Publishing House, Nashville, Tennessee. The most eventful day in the life of this great denomination. The occasion is the first meeting of the General Assembly of the Colored Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The meeting is in session. The first Moderator of the General Assembly of the new denomination is moving toward the podium, The Rev. Pink Price. Listen if you will.

(Footsteps are moving toward the podium.)

Rev. Price: (These words are spoken with pride and enthusiasm.)

Mr. Stated Clerk, the Rev. J. F. Humphreys, commissioners and friends: The first General Assembly of the Colored Cumberland Presbyterian Church is now in session.

(Sounding of the gavel - twice).

Let us pray. Be with us, O Lord God, as we convene the first General Assembly of the Colored Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Guide us as we begin this journey. We realize that the road ahead may be rocky, but with thy help, we will make it. We ask this in the name of thy Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

All: Amen, Amen, Amen.

(They all stand and sing without music.) "I Love Thy Church"

Moderator: Mr. Stated Clerk will you call the roll?

Stated Clerk: The roll call of presbyteries. Please stand as I call the name of your presbytery.

(The commissioners from each presbytery will stand and say "Present.")

Stated Clerk: Huntsville Presbytery

Huntsville Presbytery Commissioners: Present

Stated Clerk: Elk River Presbytery

Elk River Presbytery Commissioners: Present

Stated Clerk: Farmington Presbytery

Farmington Presbytery Commissioners: Present

Stated Clerk: Hiwassee Presbytery

Hiwassee Presbytery Commissioners: Present

Stated Clerk: New Hopewell Presbytery

New Hopewell Presbytery Commissioners: Present

Stated Clerk: New Middleton Presbytery

New Middleton Presbytery Commissioners: Present

Stated Clerk: Springfield Presbytery

Springfield Presbytery Commissioners: Present

(Pause for 2 seconds)

Stated Clerk: Quorum present.

First Commissioner: Mr. Moderator and brethren of this great assembly, I am happy to report on behalf of the committee on statistics the following information: We have 46 ordained ministers, 20 ministers licensed to preach, 30 candidates for the ministry, and 3,000 members.

Second Commissioner: (These words are to be spoken with a lot of excitement in praise and thanksgiving for the new beginning. Please express a lot of power and excitement in the voice.)

Mr. Moderator, from what my ears have heard and my eyes have seen I do believe a new Church is born. We may have a modest beginning but nevertheless we have begun. Praise God! Hallelujah! We have a Church!

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