First Cumberland Presbyterian Celebrates Loan Retirement with Note-Burning Ceremony

McKENZIE (September 21, 2025) — The congregants at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in McKenzie celebrated a significant milestone on Sunday with the official note-burning ceremony, a worship service led by Bethel University’s Renaissance Choir, and Communion.
Reverend Rob Harris, pastor of the church, and Tracy Webb, chairman of the Nehemiah Building Committee, had the pleasure of burning the paid-off promissory note that funded the construction of the third and final phase of the building program. Congregants gathered outside the church to watch Mr. Webb take a propane-fueled torch to the paper document as Brother Harris held the document.
The retirement of the financial loan was made possible by the church family and a generous donation by the estate of Ruth and John Morris.
The first phase of construction was the Family Life Center, which is often used by the church family and community.
The second phase was the construction of the outer shell of the sanctuary.
The third phase was the completion of the sanctuary.
The church leadership was judicious in construction by only starting each new phase after each of the prior phases was paid.

History of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church-McKenzie
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in McKenzie, Tennessee was organized on July 17, 1867 with the Rev. J. M. Davies and 19 charter members, using the name “Bethlehem congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at McKenzie, Tennessee. In 1872 land was purchased from J. M. McKenzie on Stonewall Street for $400 (1-1/3 acres). The congregation did erect a frame building at the back of the property, but met building difficulties and actually worshiped at Bethel College for some years. In 1892, after a 5-year building program, the congregation moved into their new building with Gothic architecture, a high vaulted slate roof, tall steeple and memorial art-glass windows. The building still stands at 647 Stonewall Street and now houses Bethel University’s Bethel Performing Arts Center, where the Renaissance Theatre has performances.
In 1920, a seven-room brick manse was constructed on the northeast corner of the church property for $8,000 and was used as a pastor’s residence through the years. The original Educational Building with Fellowship Hall named after Fannye Baxter Moore, was built in 1960.
This building now houses Bethel University’s Nursing Program.
​In 1997, the congregation felt it was time to remodel and enlarge their facilities or build. After much research and with conflicting emotions, the session recommended that the congregation build a new church facility. Approximately 18 acres of land were purchased at 16835 Highland Drive in McKenzie, and a new church building was erected.
On February 2, 2002 (the birthday of the Cumberland Presbyterian Denomination founded in 1810), the congregation had their final worship service in the old church on Stonewall St. and carried the altar, pulpit, baptismal font, brass cross, candlesticks, altar cloths, offering plates and other items to the new church where everyone gathered for a Service of Communion and a potluck lunch. The stained glass windows were also moved to the new location.
​In 2013, the church family held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new 450-seat sanctuary. The exterior was completed in 2015. The people of the church decided to retire the debt for the cost of the exterior before finishing the interior. Construction of the interior commenced in 2020.
On January 10, 2021, the first service in the newly erected sanctuary was held. The stained glass windows from the original location as well as the pipe organ, are installed in the new building.