Knoxville Presbytery

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

1827 - 1890


1827 - Formed from Lebanon Presbytery by order of Cumberland Synod.

Resolved, That a Presbytery be stricken off the Lebanon Presbytery, to be bounded as follows, viz., on the north by the Logan Presbytery, on the west by the line dividing East and West Tennessee, on the south by the state line of Tennessee, on the east by undefined boundaries, to be known as the Knoxville Presbytery; and that it be composed of the following members, to-wit, Rev. Messrs. George Donnell, Samuel M. Aston, Abner W. Lansden, and William Smith, and that the first meeting of said Presbytery be constituted and held at Concord meeting-house, in Knox county, East Tennessee, on the third Thursday in April, 1828; that the Rev. George Donnell be the first Moderator, and in case of his absence, Rev. Samuel M. Aston.
[Source: Minutes of Cumberland Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, November 23, 1827]

1829 - Became part of Franklin Synod in reorganization

That the Nashville, Lebanon, Knoxville, and Hopewell Presbyteries compose a Synod to be known as the Franklin Synod; to meet the third Tuesday in October, 1829, at the Big Spring Meeting-house, in Wilson county, State of Tennessee; and that the Rev. Thomas Calhoon be the first moderator, and in case of his failure, the Rev. Samuel McSpadden.
[Source: Minutes of Cumberland Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 25, 1828]

1840 - Became part of newly formed Middle Tennessee Synod

Resolved, that the Franklin Synod be and it is hereby dissolved, and that the Knoxville and Hiwassee Presbyteries be attached to the Middle Tennessee Synod, and the Jackson Presbytery be attached to the Columbia Synod.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1840.]

1843 - Became part of newly formed East Tennessee Synod

That the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church be and is hereby respectfully petitioned to divide Middle Tennessee Synod by striking off the Hiwassee, Knoxville and Ocoee Presbyteries, and form a new one to be known by the name of the East Tennessee Synod, and include said three Presbyteries. That the first meeting of said Synod be held at Fork Creek Church, Monroe County, Tennessee, on Friday before the third Sabbath in October, 1843, and that Rev. John Tate be appointed the first Moderator and Rev. James W. Ramsay his alternate.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1843.]

1888 - Became part of Tennessee Synod (consolidation of Columbia, East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and West Tennessee Synods)

The Synods in Tennessee also memorialize this General Assembly to allow them to be consolidated into one, called the Synod of Tennessee. Your committee [Committee on Overtures] recommend that the petition be granted, and that the consolidated Synod of Tennessee meet in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, McMinnville, on Tuesday, October 23, 1888, at 7:30 o'clock P.M. This report was adopted.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1888, pages 29-30]

1890 - Name changed to East Tennessee Presbytery

Report of the Committee on Overtures was adopted. Memorials have come before this committee as follows: (2) From Knoxville Presbytery, asking that its name be changed to East Tennessee.
[Source: Minutes of Tennessee Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 23, 1890, page 10]


1828
1st meeting - April 17, 1828 - Concord Meeting House, Knox County, Tennessee


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Updated January 7, 2015

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