Clarksville was incorporated in 1784 and by the early eighteenth century was a village of forty families. Dr. Gideon Blackburn, an itinerate Presbyterian minister, preached to locals outdoors in a place south of Clarksville called Tompkins Grove. He organized First Presbyterian Church on May 25, 1822. The first congregation of fourteen initially worshipped in private homes and later in the new brick Court House on the square in downtown. The Court House served as the meeting place for the church for almost 20 years. By 1835 the congregation had outgrown that venue and worshippers wanted their own church building. They raised $2,300 and Lucinda Elder donated land at the present site of Third and Main Streets. In 1840 the first church building opened and by 1844 membership had reached 120.
As the congregation continued to grow it became obvious a new larger structure was needed. Under the direction of Dr. J.B. Luton, minister from 1872-1897, the old walls were removed to make way for a neo-gothic building of pressed brick and stone. The new church housed a sanctuary with stained glass windows which included the beautiful Rose Window, the pews, pulpit, communion table and chandeliers, all featuring Christian symbols. Below the sanctuary was a lecture hall. In 1876 the cornerstone was laid and two years later the building was completed for $43,285.15.
First Presbyterian was part of the Southwestern Presbyterian University until that school moved to Memphis in 1925. The University provided ministers when the regular pastors were absent. Ministerial students from the University often taught Sunday School. The church benefited from this rich intellectual connection.
By 1950 once again First Presbyterian needed to expand and included construction of the Education Building and the Chapel on the west side of the 1878 sanctuary. During the 1960s rooms were added to the north end of the education building and the sanctuary underwent a significant renovation including air conditioning. Additionally, the kitchen was remodeled and the Memorial Garden created.
Reverend George Gracey became the pastor in 1974 and under his guidance the church grew and flourished. Beginning in 1990 the congregation began a capital campaign to address not only church needs but important community needs as well. While the extensive renovations to the church were being completed the church met at the American Legion Building. By June of 1992 the congregation could return to the beautiful sanctuary. In 1993 the congregation voted to purchase the old Clarksville City Street Department at 215 Foster Street, near the church. In 1996 the church voted to use this location to build the Activities and Outreach Center. The AOC has a basketball court, Sunday School rooms, Boy Scout meeting room, and a kitchen and dining area. It houses Loaves and Fishes, which serves 40,000 meals a year to disadvantaged people.
The church purchased a new organ in 2006. A rich musical tradition continues to thrive at First Presbyterian. After more than thirty years as pastor George Gracey retired later that year. Under Rev. Gracey's leadership the church continued to expand Community Outreach in a number of ways. In 2003 the Christian Education Commitee began the innovative rotation Sunday School program for the youth. First Presbyterian empasizes Christian Education and there are a number of Sunday School classes to meet the various needs of the congregation. Additionally, there are many different groups and circles within the church for people of all ages and interests. Bill Bryant served as interim minister as the search committee worked to find our next minister. Dr. David George Forney was installed as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in August 2007, and Rev. Mary Margaret Flannagan was installed as Associate Pastor in May 2008. |
