1930

To the Presbytery of Memphis of the Synod of West Tennessee of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church:

The undersigned respectfully represent that on the 26 day of January, A.D., 1930, there was organized by the Rev. J. N. Everett, at the Newman Theatre, in Buntyn-Normal section of Memphis, a new Church, adopting the principles and government of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with a membership of 64, and electing the undersigned as ruling elders and deacons.

Under, and by authority of the said church, (Park Avenue) we do hereby apply to be received under your care, and we promise a 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.

Signed:

Elders:

J. Y. Goodman          G. H. McCaskill
R. M. Ebert               J. P. Minyard
W. D. Stewart           W. C. Hall
R. A. Bell                  A. D. House
A. T. Rochester         Reginald Perry

Deacons:

E. S. Sandridge         B. E. Briscoe
S. B. Goodwine        J. L. Garrett
J. W. Ketchens         S. V. Perry
N. H. Puckett           L. J. Sink

Rev. J. N. Everett made a motion that Park Avenue church be received into the Presbytery, which motion was duly seconded.

On motion a document was received by the Presbytery which was introduced by the East Side Church with reference to the reception of the Park Avenue Church under the care of the Presbytery which is as follows:

To the Moderator and Brethren of the Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in a called meeting at the Central Church, Memphis, Tennessee, Feb. 22, 1930:

Brethren:
     We, the session of the East Side Congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, respectfully offer to you our objection to receiving the Park Avenue congregation into your body for the following reasons:

First, It is in violation of Section 16 of the Constitution of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (see page 91, Confession of Faith).

Second, Its organization was contrary to a deliverance of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as found on page 59 of the Digest, the substance of which is that no Cumberland Presbyterian ministers, either within or without his presbytery, is permitted to organize a new congregation from dissenting members of a Cumberland Presbyterian congregation. This organization was presided over by Rev. J. N. Everett, a minister and a member of this Presbytery.

Third, the location of a rival congregation in such proximity to East Side congregation as this proposed congregation, called Park Avenue, would not promote peace, but rather strife and bitterness which is contrary to the right spirit of a Christian institution.

We request that the Presbytery permit the introduction of testimony, both documentary and oral, that will establish this cause, show the regularity of the Session of East Side congregation, and the irregularity of the number comprising the petitioning group.

Don by order of the Session, Feb. 19, 1930.

Attest:

John R. Younger,                                     C. A. Davis,
                    Clerk                                                      Moderator.

On motion the Presbytery appointed a committee of five, consisting of Revs. J. F. Walton, J. T. Buck, and Elders Oscar Griggs, J. D. McClanahan, and J. L. Yancey to hear evidence concerning the admittance of the Park Avenue Church into the Presbytery and to report to the Presbytery within an hour.

The Presbytery took recess for one hour.

Recess out, the Moderator called the Presbytery to order.

The Committee asked for more time and same was granted by the Presbytery.

The Presbytery recessed until 3 o'clock this afternoon.

Recess out, The Presbytery was called to order by the Moderator and J. D. McClanahan led the Presbytery in prayer.

On motion the Presbytery adopted the report of the special committee which is as follows:

We, your committee, have had before us the application of the Park Avenue organization asking to be received under the care of this Presbytery; we have also considered the objection presented by the East Side congregation.

We have considered the volume of evidence of both parties and find that it was impossible for us to, at this time, make a decision which would be the most expedient for all concerned. Therefore, we recommend that a committee consisting of Rev. J. F. Walter, A. M. Langdon, R. E. Mooney, be chosen to go on the ground for the purpose of thoroughly investigating the condition that exists and make report to the Memphis Presbytery at the spring meetings as to what steps should be taken for the interest of the Cumberland Presbyterian Churches of Memphis and the Church at large.

We recommend this, in view of the fact that evidence was brought before us which causes us to believe that a delay is expedient.

                                                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                             J. F. Walton
                                                                  J. L. Yancey
                                                                      Oscar Griggs
                                                                            J. T. Buck
                                                                                 J. D. McClanahan

On motion the Presbytery tabled the motion to receive Park Ave., Church into the Presbytery, pending the report of the special committee which was named in the report of the previous committee. The special committee was named in the report of the previous committee. The special committee is to report at the next regular sitting of Presbytery.

[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, February 22, 1930, pages 5-8]

1930

Elder R. E. Mooney and Rev. J. F. Walton, members of the Special Committee regarding the admission of the Park Avenue Church, submitted separate reports which were tabled by the presbytery.

On motion, the Park Avenue Church was voted into the presbytery without discussion. Votes nine to eight.

Notice of appeal to Synod was served immediately by Rev. C. A. Davis and he requested that the tabled reports appear in the presbyterial minutes for evidence in the appeal.

On motion, the presbytery voted not to allow the tabled reports to appear in the Minutes.

The moderator ruled that sentence was arrested, pending the outcome of the appeal.

On motion, the presbytery over ruled the Moderator's decision and the Park Avenue Church was enrolled. Delegate G. H. McCaskill was seated.

[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 16, 1930, pages 9-10]

A report from Elder Langdon, member of the Special Committee regarding the admission of the Park Avenue Church was read to the presbytery. On motion, the presbytery tabled this report. Votes 8 to 7.

Rev. C. A. Davis, appellant, requested the presbyterial minutes to show this report for use as evidence in the appeal.

On motion, the presbytery refused this request.

On motion, Revs. C. R. Matlock and W. R. Johnson were appointed to act as counsels for the presbytery in the case of the appeal to Synod.

TO THE MODERATOR AND BRETHREN OF MEMPHIS PRESBYTERY:

Having already served notice of our intention of appealing in the matter of receiving Park Avenue Church, we herewith submit the grounds therefore.

The following grounds are hereby given;

1. Irregularity in the proceedings, to wit: enrolling Park Avenue Church and seating their delegate.

2. Declining to receive important testimony, to wit: the reasons for objecting to the reception of Park Avenue Church as filed by the Session of East Side Church at the called meeting of Presbytery in February 1930 and supported by documentary evidence.

3. A strong manifestation of prejudice.

4. A violation of an approved Rule of Order, to wit: tabling the report of a committee appointed to investigate. See Roberts Rules of Order, p106.

5. A violation of the Standing Rules of Memphis Presbytery, to wit; Rule No. 3.

6. Violating the Constitution of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, to wit: over-ruling the moderator's proper ruling that an appeal arrests judgment.

Signed: C. A. Davis, Appellant.

Whereas Memphis Presbytery received the Park Avenue group into membership by a vote of 9 to 8 in opposition to the objections this, the Session of East Side Church, and whereas we feel that the matter should be appealed to the Synod of West Tennessee,

Therefore Be It Resolved, that we, the Session of East Side Cumberland Presbyterian Church, appeal from the action of Memphis Presbytery, and accept as our action, the action of our pastor, Rev. C. A. Davis, in filing notice of an appeal to the Synod of West Tennessee.

Adopted this 22nd day of April, 1930.

C. A. Davis, Moderator,
Jno. R. Younger, Clerk.

[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 17, 1930, pages 12, 13 & 14]

1930

Communications were read and referred to as follows:

. . .

An appeal from the action of Memphis Presbytery in receiving Park Ave. congregation into said Presbytery in which Rev. C. A. Davis and the session of East Side Church is the appellant to Committee on Judiciary.

A brief from the counsel appointed by Memphis Presbytery to represent and defend said Presbytery in the appeal to Committee on Judiciary.

[Source: Minutes of the Synod of West Tennessee of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 21, 1930, page 6]

The committees on Educational Endowment, Minutes of the General Assembly, Missions and Judiciary made reports which were concurred in and their recommendations adopted. (Appendix Q, R, S, T).

We, your Committee on Judiciary, have agreed to make the following report:

The case of appeal from the action of Memphis Presbytery in receiving Park Avenue congregation into the family of churches under its care has been thoughtfully and prayerfully considered.

We, hoping to get the contending parties to reach terms of agreement, invited them to meet with us but after three long hours of reasoning and pleading did not succeed in this.

So we come now with this as our report: We have considered the papers, appeal and pleadings which were referred to us.

Your Committee, having considered the plea of appeal, is convinced there were some irregularities in the proceedings of the presbytery in this matter.

We are convinced that the presbytery did not intentionally violate any law or principle of right in receiving said congregation, therefore, the congregation should be recognized as a properly organized factor.

Therefore, we recommend that the contending parties shall be advised that with brotherly love each shall recognize the other in the spirit of honor and discontinue their contentions and mutually agree to live and work together in brotherly love.

S. H. Braly,
J. H. Thomas,
J. P. McDaniel

[Source: Minutes of the Synod of West Tennessee of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 23, 1930, pages 12 & 30-31]

1931

The report of the Council of Memphis Presbytery was submitted and adopted and the Council discharged. (Appendix K.)

We, your counsel appointed to represent this presbytery at synod in the appeal case of East Side against the reception of Park Avenue, report that we have discharged our duty, the case being definitely and finally disposed of at last synod, leaving the Park Avenue congregation a member of Memphis Presbytery. Those interested in the full account of this case are referred to the report of the synod's Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted.

C. R. Matlock,
W. R. Johnson

[Source: Minutes of Memphis Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 16, 1931, pages 13 & 22]

1947

Sunday, June 8, Park Avenue Church, Memphis, Tennessee, had a home-coming service and open house, marking the completion of their new church building. The church was organized in 1930 by the late Rev. J. N. Everett. The first services were held in the Normal Theatre. The congregation then moved to the Messick School where they met for about six months until a frame building was erected on the present site on Park Avenue at Greer Street. During the past year the building has been remodeled, an education building added, and the whole covered with field stone, at a cost of approximately $37,000.

Rev. W. R. Johnson, pastor of Grace-First Church in Nashville, served as the first pastor of the church from 1930 to 1932. He was succeeded by Rev. Melville Anthony who went into the service as a chaplain in 1942 and is now stationed at Chandler, Arizona. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. George E. Coleman. Both Rev. Mr. Johnson and Rev. Mr. Anthony were guest speakers in the services Sunday. Brother Johnson addressed the combined adult Bible classes at the Sunday school hour at 9:30, and preached at the evening worship hour at 7:30. Brother Anthony preached at the morning worship hour at 10:45 and spoke to the combined Christian Endeavorers at 6:30 p.m. A very brief service was conducted at 2:30 p.m., at which time the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Aven was christened. Officiating at this service with the pastor was the child's grandfather, Rev. William C. Phillips, pastor of Fifth Church.

Open house was held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at which time neighbors and friends of the church visited and were shown through the building. The elders and their wives received the guests, and the deacons and their wives acted as escorts. Mrs. Clyde Gilliland, chairman of the reception committee, presided at the table in serving refreshments, and was assisted by Mrs. Clifford Bell, Mrs. Thomas Bloodworth, Mrs. A. R. Moser, Mrs. L. L. Covington, Mrs. Charles Norton, Mrs. DeWitt Vorus, and the girls of the Gleaners (High School) class. Members of the church contributed more than $12,000 to the building program during the past year through the envelope system.

The present building will accommodate the Sunday school by departments, providing separate rooms for all classes above the junior department. The primary and junior departments are still housed in a temporary annex. The Sunday school has an average attendance now of more than 300 and is rapidly growing.

Much labor, amounting to several hundred dollars, has been contributed by the men of the church.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, June 12, 1947, pages 13-14]

1951

Park Avenue church was organized in January, 1930, in the Normal Theater building on Highland Street with 86 charter members. The congregation held services at the theater and in the Messick High School until the church building was completed at Park Avenue and Greer St. in September, 1930. The first pastor was Rev. W. R. Johnson. He was followed by Thomas Melville Anthony and George E. Coleman who is presently serving the church. Park Avenue is named for the thoroughfare which passes its door and is located in the southeast section of the city where the residential growth has been tremendous in recent years. The church as enjoyed a fine growth also; has 711 members and an average of 400 in Sunday school each week. The property is valued at $75,000.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, November 13, 1961, page 9]

1957

WORK HAS BEGUN ON $160,000 MEMPHIS PARK AVE. BUILDING

A groundbreaking ceremony was held November 17 for the new $160,000 education building to be constructed by the Park Avenue church, Memphis, Tenn. Work is already proceeding toward construction. The new addition will be built south of the present building and will consist of two stories and a basement. It will be 41 feet wide, 144 feet long, and have approximately 17,000 square feet of floor space.

The basement will have a large kitchen, a dining room and fellowship hall about 40 feet wide and 55 feet long, with a stage, and two adult classrooms. The ground floor will have a nursery, kindergarten, and primary department, and the second floor will care for two departments. Kitchenettes, rest rooms, corridors, and storage rooms are provided. The south wall, except for the end rooms, is made up of glass windows, with the other walls of brick.

Completion of the new building is expected about June 1. The pastor is Dr. George E. Coleman, who is now in his 16th year as minister.

This is one of two major units to provide adequate facilities for the one thousand-member congregation. The other unit in the planning will be a new sanctuary, with the present building a remodeled to provide more class room space and assembly space for the Sunday school. The Sunday school has a present enrollment of 775; present superintendent is Guy N. Jones. Rev. Charles Hodges began his work as minister of Christian Education of the church the first of November.

[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, November 26, 1957, page 4]

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 Yearbooks: 1966, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1980 supplement, 1982, 1984

Cumberland Presbyterian Women Yearbooks: 1966, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982-1983, 1983-1984