Across raging seas and sun-starved deserts, countless adventurers throughout time have risked all to view the world’s great structural masterpieces. Willing to pay enormous sums of money and endure treacherous travel, they relentlessly strive for the opportunity to stand in the shadow of ancient historical monoliths such as Egypt’s pyramids or China’s Great Wall.

Fortunately, for the less adventuresome, Carroll County is home to its very own incredible structural masterpiece--First Presbyterian Church U.S.A., located at 591 North Stonewall in McKenzie.

The Glory Within

Opening the inner door into the church auditorium, one’s focus is immediately drawn to multi-colored shafts of filtered light emanating through spectacular stained glass windows positioned near the ceiling and adjacent walls. Fully illuminated by the sunshine, the stained glass disperses vibrant spacklings of color that dance freely about, lending the auditorium a timeless, ethereal quality. Overhead, a superbly crafted ceiling, constructed in the architectural style of Great Greek Revival, introduces a theme that continues throughout the church interior. It feels as if time stands still as one stands alone, drinking in the glory of this special place.

Walking among the wooden pews, the encircling spirit of faith that has embodied this holy place for the better part of the twentieth century is quite discernable. It feels like home.

The Beginning

According to an April 3, 1969 article published in The McKenzie Banner, the First Presbyterian Church was established in McKenzie in 1906, with the first members holding services in a hall above Freeman’s Men’s Wear. The original members, it was noted, had previously been members of the local Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The first supply pastors appointed for the church were the Reverends M. B. Molloy, and B.B. Lavender, who served from 1906 until 1910.

In 1909, the young denomination, desiring to build a church of its own, elected a building committee comprised of fellow parishioners R. J. Parnell, Jeff Thomason, and R.B Moore.

After an arduous three-year construction initiative, a special service was held on September 22, 1912, to commemorate the church’s completion. According to a McKenzie Banner article published on September 29, 1912, a total of $9,099.64 in donations had been collected, exceeding the construction cost of $9,000. The article stated that more than 200 people had contributed to the building fund.

Miss Marguerite Parnell, a young member of the church, was given the honor of placing the first brick of the cornerstone.

First Presbyterian Church U.S.A. in 2006.

First Presbyterian Church, circa 1930s. Notice the columns that were removed at a later date.

During morning services, Reverend E.T. Beard of Milan presided in a service in which Hermon R. Ownby and Dr. Jeff Reddick were ordained as ruling elders.

Later that evening, Dr. James E. Clarke of Nashville, editor of the Presbyterian Advance, delivered an eloquent and inspiring sermon to the large gathering of worshippers in attendance. It was stated that various guests and representatives of all denominations throughout the region were in attendance at the all day service, many comprising a choir led by Mr. W. L. Noell of Huntingdon.

The new church was equipped with an auditorium, Sunday school room, seven classrooms, dining room, kitchen, ladies’ parlor, pastor’s study and three vestibules. Fifty-one windows - twenty- eight glass and twenty-three Florentine glass - were installed throughout the structure.

Records reveal that the church’s first regular pastor, a young man named Oliver C. Cude, served First Presbyterian’s congregation from 1910 until his death on February 17, 1913.

A church bulletin for August 6, 1911 listed the following church officers: Elders included D.A. Burkhalter, J.T. Burns, J. W. Coleman, John C. Rodgers and G.T. Ridley. R.J. Parnell served as clerk, and W.W. Hamilton was treasurer.

Deacons listed were D. W. Black, J. Frank Burns, H. R. Ownby, and J.S. Parnell. Serving as trustees were J. D. Herron, Dr. M.H. McLean, R.B. Moore, Dr. Jeff D. Reddick, and W.A. Young.

Also listed were: president of Christian Endeavor--Robert Ridley; superintendent of Junior Christian Endeavor--Mrs. William Thorne; president of the Ladies Aid Society--Mrs. D.A. Burkhalter; president of Ladies Missionary Society--Mrs. O.C. Cude, and Sunday school superintendent J. W. Coleman.

Selected Highlights from Church Records (1915-1968)

July 2, 1915--A union service was planned with the Cumberland Presbyterian, Methodist, and Christian churches for the first Sunday in the month. Reverend J. W. Dishman of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church would provide preaching.

June19, 1916--Session voted to purchase the Main Street home of W. E. Johnson for the purpose of converting it into a manse. The property was purchased for $1,250.

June 25, 1916--Reverend George L. Johnson was re-elected as pastor for one year at a salary of $665.

November 1, 1918--Miss May Cannon was elected church organist, with Miss Marguerite Parnell as her assistant.

April 29, 1923--Lawton Arnold, James C. Burns, George B. Childress, and Morris Moore were elected ruling elders.

July 2, 1926--Mr. Otto Harris of Paris was contracted to build new concrete church steps at a price of $350.

October 2, 1931--Price McLean was elected to represent the church at the meeting of the Tennessee Synod to be held at Erwin, Tennessee.

October 8, 1939--Eloise Galloway was received into membership in the church.

May 29, 1940--After 30 years of service, R. J. Parnell resigned as clerk of sessions. Lawton Ward was elected as his replacement.

July 29, 1941--A house on Forrest Avenue was purchased as the new manse.

March 31, 1942--A report to the General Assembly, active membership was listed at 85, and active Sunday school membership was listed at 41.

January 16, 1944--Dr. George L. Johnson was elected pastor emeritus of the church.

April 9, 1950--Cynthia Summers, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Summers, was baptized.

June 17, 1951--Shiloh Presbyterian Church merged with First Presbyterian.

October 11, 1951--Property of the Shiloh Presbyterian Church was sold to the Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church.

November 8, 1951--Ben Surber and H. R. Hilliard nominated to the Board of Trustees.

July 3, 1968--Sessions voted to sell the old manse on Forrest Avenue and purchase a new one on Hazel Drive.

Friends of Faith

Friendly and outgoing, current Pastor Julius “Pratt” Hubbard said that his ties to McKenzie solidified when he traveled here to partake in Tennessee Homecoming ‘86 celebrations. Marrying the former Iris Brasher, sister to local businessman Ed Brashear, Hubbard purchased a home in town in 1989. Hubbard is also a member of Bethel’s adjunct faculty, where he teaches Success Program courses on campus.

Regarding his position as pastor, Hubbard states, “This is my first church to pastor.” He has served for three years as a temporary supply pastor to the 26-member congregation.

Though small, the church is large in friendship and a real desire to worship God within the community. Pratt said that the church desires to reach out to Bethel students, noting, “Ever so often, we have pizza parties at the church for the students, and some of them help in holding devotions. We want them to know that we are here for them.”
During a tour of the Sunday school rooms, kitchen, and dining area, Hubbard speaks of congregant Mrs. Mona Batchelor’s gift of creativity.

“She designs and creates many of the decorations we display at Christmas and Easter,” he says. “She does a really good job with all of it. We have other folks here who are also very creative and gifted as well”

Save the Stain

One of the many magnificent stained glass windows in the Church.

Speaking with the fervor of a man on a mission, Hubbard states that his main priority for the church facility is clear-- save the stained glass windows.

“We must take immediate action to perpetuate the windows’ existence so that future generations will be able to enjoy them. I believe that they are an asset to our community and should be saved,” he says, elaborating on plans to develop an “adopt-a-window” campaign.

He explains, “Many of the church’s stained glass windows bear the names of people in whom they were dedicated, and I truly hope that relatives and family friends of these people will come forward and contribute to the restoration process. We need the community’s involvement, too-- their helping us is crucial.”

He said he had petitioned advice from stained glass experts and professional installers regarding the restoration initiative. “I spoke with people who work in the field regarding the best way to repair and preserve the integrity of the glass. This process must be done correctly by people who know what they are doing,” he notes.

“Some of the window panes have exposed places where the lead has bucked, while others are experiencing problems with the wood casing due to weather damage. These problems must be addressed in a timely manner in order to save the windows.”

He says removal of the stained glass might be done “one window at a time or in blocks of windows. Either way, it just needs to be done right.”

Elaborating further on the cosmetic appearance of the church, Hubbard says that the building’s usage of arch embellishments and Great Greek Revival architecture provided a visual asset to the community.

“Unfortunately, the original arches that stood on the front porch of the church were removed when an argument arose regarding whether spacing gaps between the arches were wide enough to sufficiently carry funeral caskets between,” he says. “I don’t really know if they were wide enough or not, but the arches certainly were beautiful and added to the overall appeal.”

Holy Week

Hubbard states that the church will host Holy Week services in McKenzie on Wednesday, April 12, from 12 to one p.m., providing a short service and a light meal that day.

Sunday service is always open to the public. Says Hubbard, “We meet at 11 a.m. every Sunday and would be glad to have anyone who would like to visit.”

Future Plans

Long-time member Mrs. Mona Batchelor states that future plans for the church might involve an attempt to submit documentation for its placement on the National Historical Register (NHR).

Though tedious and time consuming, inclusion on the NHR would thwart any future plans for demolition of the church. Sadly, many irreplaceable icons are destroyed in our nation yearly, almost exclusively under the banner of progress.

In its 94 years, First Presbyterian Church U.S.A. serves not only as a testament to the vision and faith of parishioners long departed, but as light illuminating the path to eternity.