1964

CROMWELL MISSION: The Board is still in the process of completing the transaction for the three acres of property on Cromwell Rd. $1,000.00 in earnest money has been paid Boyle Investment Co. The remaining $4,000 will be paid when final approval by the Planning Commission has been given the subdivision plans.

We have proceeded with the organization of a fellowship in this area. Meetings were held in the Cromwell School to begin the organization. When this was closed to us, the Parkway Village Community Center was obtained for a short period. This will not be available after the first of June this year.

A Church School has been organized and is now meeting each Sunday. The Rev. Roy Blakeburn has consented to serve as supply for an indefinite period and is conducting Worship Services each Sunday morning at 8:30 o'clock. The average attendance is now approximately 36 with about $250.00 a month committed in pledges.
[Source: Report of the Board of Missions and Evangelism of Memphis Presbytery, Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 16, 1964, page 18]

1970

Cromwell Church Organized in Memphis

Cromwell Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Memphis, was organized February 8 by a commission of Memphis Presbytery, including Rev. Robert L. Hull, Rev. J. David Hester, and Rev. William A. Rawlins. The sermon was delivered by Dr. John E. Gardner, a former pastor.

The roll bearing the names of 66 charter members was read by Paul Roberts, Jr. Three families in the congregation had been charter members of other Cumberland Presbyterian churches in recent years. Following the reading of the covenant from the Digest, Mr. Hull declared the church duly organized.

Paul W. Allen, the pastor, then constituted the congregational meeting, called for this date, and a set of resolutions for the congregation were adopted. These resolutions set out the manner in which elders would be elected, that they would carry out the duties of both elders and deacons, and that they would be elected for stated terms.

The congregation then elected the elders who had been nominated in a previous meeting. Elders from the presbytery assisted in the ordination. The new church had no elders to participate in the laying on of hands and therefore asked the various church sessions to send an elder to aid in this service.

"It was very sitting to have our sister churches, who have supported our ministry, involved in this service of ordination," commented Mr. Allen. Those ordained elders were Robert L. Porter, Robert Moore, Robert A. Wilson, Jr., and Charles McPherson. Dennis Raines was installed as a member of the session.

Following the congregational meeting the presbyterial commission installed the minister as pastor.

At the conclusion of the service the pastor presented the church's application to become a constituent of Memphis Presbytery, to the moderator, Dr. H. Shaw Scates. A portion of the application reads ". . . we do hereby apply to be received under your care, and we promise cheerful compliance on its part, as well as our own, with all the duties and obligations enjoined upon particular churches and their officers by the government of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church."

It is not often that a service with such a range of business is conducted. Many of the 150 present, from churches throughout the presbytery, commented on this aspect of the organization.

In preparing for this milestone in the life of the church the altar wall was paneled and a rough hewn cross mounted on it. A parament was presented to the church for use on the pulpit by Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Bruce, and Mr. and Mrs. George Howton, the pastor's family.

The church functioned in a Presbyterian manner during the days before its formal organization. An executive committee was elected and this committee served in behalf of the membership in planning the work and worship.

Financial aid in the amount of $300 monthly is still being given the new church. But organization means that the congregation is entitled to official representation in presbytery and synod. Its session now bears greater responsibility for directing the life and work of the people.

Dr. Hubert Morrow, Bethel College, was guest speaker at the morning service on organization day.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, May 12, 1970, page 15]

1984

Recommendation 2: This Board has met with representatives from the Park Avenue and Cromwell churches and hereby recommends to Memphis Presbytery the adoption of the Resolution attached hereto.

WHEREAS, the Park Avenue Cumberland Presbyterian Church, located at 3261 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN and the Cromwell Cumberland Presbyterian Church, located at 3706 Clearbrook, Memphis, TN have declined in membership for several years; and

WHEREAS studies have been made which indicate that the two churches are in locations which do not indicate much potential for growth; and

WHEREAS the two congregations under the direction of the church-sessions have voted to unite and form a new Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and relocate in the vicinity of the area bounded on the north by Park Avenue; and bounded on the south by Winchester Road; and bounded on the east by Kirby Parkway; and bounded on the west by Hickory-Hill - Ridgeway. Providing suitable property can be purchased on which a church facility can be built.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, THAT WE REQUEST THE Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church to grant the request of the two said congregations to unite and relocate as soon as feasible.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the two churches be permitted to move to some suitable and available temporary location, to begin holding services of worship and church-school, as one congregation, until a permanent facility can be built.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the properties of the two churches be sold, and the proceeds from the sale to be used for the building of the new facility. Any indebtedness on the present properties to be paid from the proceeds of the sale.

Tommy Thompson, Pastor Park Avenue Cumberland Presbyterian Church
W. C. Moseley, Clerk of Session of Park Avenue Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Hinkley Smartt, Pastor Cromwell Cumberland Presbyterian Church
John Gardner, Clerk of Session of Cromwell Cumberland Presbyterian Church

[Source: Report of the Board of Missions, Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, November 10, 1984, Appendix I]

1985

To the Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in session with the Ebenezer Church, Mason, TN, April 20, 1985:

Whereas, the Church presently known as Cromwell-Park Avenue Cumberland Presbyterian Church is in the process of securing short-term financing to secure property located on the South West corner of Holmes Road and Germantown Road, Extended; and

Whereas, the lending agencies require the said short-term financing to be secured by a mortgage on the property known as 3706 Clearbrook, Memphis, TN; and

Whereas, the deed now resides with the Trustees of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Trustees of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church provide a quit claim deed and convey to the Trustees of the Said, Cromwell-Park Avenue Church the real property known as 3706 Clearbrook, so the said property may be used as collateral for the short-term financing of the Church.

These preambles and resolution are presented by the Church-session for your consideration.

Tommy Thompson, Moderator
W. C. Mosley, Clerk of Session

[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 20, 1985, appendix B]

To the Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in session with the Ebenezer Church, April 20, 1985:

Presbyters:

Whereas the Cromwell Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Park Avenue Cumberland Presbyterian Church have become one congregation, presently known as Cromwell-Park Avenue Cumberland Presbyterian Church; and,

Whereas the said Cromwell-Park Avenue Church is in the process of relocating to the southwest corner of Holmes Road and Germantown Road Extended; and

Whereas the said church is in essence a new particular church, and should have a new and different name, since the present name does not reflect the newness of the church; and,

Whereas, the Church-session asked the people of the congregation, by means of a straw vote, to suggest a name for the new church; and

Whereas, the name receiving the largest number of votes was "First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Memphis;" therefore,

Be It Resolved, that the Church-session of the said church, request the Memphis Presbytery to approve the name, "First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Memphis."

These preambles and resolution are hereby presented by the Church-Session for your consideration.

Tommy Thompson, Moderator
W. C. Mosley, Clerk of Session
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 20, 1985, appendix C]

First C. P. Church of Memphis:

"Resolution Regarding Conveying of Property" was heard; on motion this resolution was accepted, marked B and filed.

"Resolution Regarding the Name of the New Church" was heard; on motion, this resolution was accepted, marked C and filed. The request to rename the Cromwell/Park Avenue Church "First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Memphis" was approved.

On motion, Recommendation 1. of Report No. 2 of the Board of Missions, requesting a loan a $50,000 from the Presbyterial Trust Fund for First Church was concurred in, and the recommendation adopted.
[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 20, 1985]

Church Directory, 1973

Church Directory, 1974

Church Directory, undated c1982

Church Directory, undated c1983