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Franklin
- Cumberland
Presbyterian Church
615 West Main Street
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 599-0029 |
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Work
got underway and by April 16, 1877 the church was ready and
dedicated that date. The Reverend Thomas Dale, a musician, author
and publisher, was ordained to the ministry that same day and
served as pastor for about 6 years. The Reverend James. H. Warren
(Great-Uncle of James H. (Jim) Warren, former county judge and
well known citizen for whom Jim Warren Park was named) served
as pastor for six years.
DESCRIPTION OF ARCHITECTURE
The stone front steps
are weathered and worn from the tread of many pilgrim feet throughout
the years. It’s reddish brown brick exterior, in the distinctive
architecture of a bygone era, is highlighted by tall, narrow
cathedral windows (which had beautiful stained glass installed
in December, 1996). The sturdy brick walls rise from a heavy
stone foundation, which was made from stones furnished from
the Hughes Farm on Boyd Mill Pike. Tall massive front doors
are arched, as are the eight shutter-like vents in the bell
tower. Double tin cap stones, painted white, are appended to
the several brick buttresses around the sides and front of the
building. A high impressive steeple once reached skyward above
the bell tower. In the early 1940s a severe storm blew this
steeple down.
Entering the foyer, one
faces a stonewall marker, noting the erection date, “A.D.
1876 by F.M. Reece.” A door to the right and left lead
into the Sanctuary, which immediately lends a feeling of utter
peace and tranquility to both body and mind |
The
high vaulted ceilings (track lighting addin in December
1996) are in keeping and the handmade pews, with their
beautiful turned arms are works of art, made of alternating
strips of red oak and white oak. The wainscoting is
of the same material. These pews are put together with
wood pegs instead of nails. Most unusual is the low
partition down the center of the room separating the
pews. This arrangement was in keeping with the tradition
of the era in the Old South for men and women to sit
separately in Church services.
Facing the pulpit,
one is profoundly affected by the beautiful stained
glass figure of Christ, postured with outstretched hands,
which fill the arch behind the choir in chancel. This
memorial to Felton Jarvis, an Elder and devoted member,
was given by is wife, Mary Lynch Jarvis. It was designed
by Dennis Harmon of Emanuel Stained Glass Studios.
The
Church was listed on the National Register of Historic
Places in 1982
All
the beautiful stained glass, all renovations to the
Sanctuary, annex and all outside, were made possible
through a substantial trust left to this Church by
Mary Lynch Jarvis when she passed away from cancer
June 6, 1995.
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