The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-05-19
Presbyterianism in Nashville.


From DIR. McFerrin's Centennial Sermon de-.
livered in the First Presbyterian church, April
25th, $780,
Nashville, situated as it is on the Cumberland
River, and being the capital of the great State
of Tennessee, and containing population of
some forty fifty thousand souls, and becoming
the grand centre of educational and Church in
huence, is city of Importance l speak not
now Of it as commercial point, or railroad
centre but a city of moral and religious
power. Nashville, or the French Lick" as il
was called attracted the early settlers because of
Its saline qualities and its beautiful and fertile
surroundings As early as 1779 James Robert
son, and others, planted corn on the west bank
of the Cumberland, in what is now known as
North Nashville. In 1880, one hundred wears
ago. the families of the pioneers and others fol-
lowed, and joined their husbands and brothers
in their new frontier home Settlements were
soon made, and the adventures began to be en-
couraged; but the Indians became hostile and
ferocious and the newcomers were compelled to
build forts and block -houses for their defence
and the protection of their families.
In 1855 the Rev. Thomas B. Craighead, a
native of North Carolina, came to Nashville,
ma Kentucky. He was Presbyterian minister,
and often preached in Nashville. He settled at
Spring Hill, six miles east of Nashville, where
he long lived and taught classical school. He
also built on his own premises a stone church
which, for many years, was place of worship
for all denominations who might choose to oc-
cupy 1t. Mr.. Craighead may be considered the
pioneer Presbyterian minister of Middle Ten
nessee. He was followed by others, some of
whom were distinguished Ur their pulpit elo-
quence The Rev. William Hume, alluded to
already, was Scotch Seceder and had charge
OF little congregation. They occupied small
brick church near where the Medical College
now stands. He came to Nashville in 1901,
and spent his long and useful life as a teacher.
lie was good man. and had the confidence of
all who knew him. About the year 1918 Mr..
Hume united with the Presbyterians, and fire.
quently preached for them.
The Rev. Gideon Blackburn, who lived and
fought school in Franklin-then the elite town
OF the West-visited Nashville occasionally. and
preached for the Presbyterians He was a verv
eloquent pulpit orator, and drew crowds to hear
him. In 1914 he organized the First Presbvte-
ran church in Nashville, and officiated as sup
ply Tor some time. church was erected on
the site where the First Presbyterian church now
stands and given to the Presbyterians
In 1920 the Rev. Allan D. Campbell, Scotch
man, became the pastor. He was succeeded by
the'Rev Obadiah Jennings, D. D., who died in
1852 DIR. Jennings was an able man and high
ly respected. After him came the Rev. John T
Edgar, D. D., who filled the pastorate till 1860.
lie was good man, an eloquent preacher and
was highly esteemed by the citizens generally
The last few years of his life he was aided bv
the Rev. Joseph Bardwell, who succeeded DR.
Edgar as full pastor. He remained few wears
and the Rev. R. F. Bunting was chosen as pas.
tor and he was followed by the Rev. DIR. T. V.
Moore; Dr. Moore by DR.. Vandyke, whose pas
torate was brief The present incumbent. the
Rev. L. a. Hoyt, D. D., was then installed
Occasionally the pulpit was filled by. the late
Rev Dr. Philip Lindsey, President of the Nash
vile University, who was long an honored cit
lzen. The Rev. DR.. A Lapsley, too. lived
many years in our midst, and was honored for
his talents and spotless character. He for a sea-
son had charge of the Second Presbyterian
church
The Presbyterians have always occupied a
prominent position in Nashville, and have pro-
crossed so that they now have several churches