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CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 3 1924 050 004 831 
 
pi Cornell University 
 P Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
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PRESBYTERIANISM 
 IN NASHVILLE 
 
 A COMPILATION OF 
 HISTORIC DATA 
 
 BY 
 
 Rev. William States Jacobs 
 
 Nashville, Tens. 
 
 THE CUMBERLAND PRESS 
 
 1904 
 
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PREFACE AND DEDICATION. 
 
 At the request of the Ministers' 
 Alliance of the Presbyterian Church 
 in Nashville, the undersigned has 
 undertaken to compile this sketch. 
 Thanks are due many of the min- 
 isters and laymen for their assist- 
 ance, notably Dr. Jas. H. McNeilly, 
 who is the author of the general 
 sketch in the beginning of the 
 book, and to whom this volume is 
 affectionately dedicated. 
 
 WM. STATES JACOBS. 
 
REV. GIDEON BLACKBURN, D.D. 
 
The Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tenn. 
 
 REV. JAS. II. M NEILLYj D.D. 
 
 Among; the forces which have moulded the moral and religious 
 character of the people of Tennessee, the Presbyterian Church 
 must be allowed a prominent place. The first settlers of the 
 State were largely of that hardy, earnest Scotch-Irish race, 
 upon which Presbyterianism has made the deepest impression. 
 Grave, serious, strenuous in devotion to duty, that race has been 
 in the forefront of the march of civilization in this country, be- 
 cause it recognized the sovereign purpose of God in the building 
 of our commonwealths. It is heir to those traditions of service 
 and sacrifice which have made the history of the Presbyterian 
 Church glorious in the land beyond the sea, where Covenanter 
 and Huguenot contended to the death for Christ's crown 
 rights as the only king in Zion. From the first settle- 
 ment of the State the Presbyterian Church has been zealous for 
 the church and the school, for religion and education as the 
 bulwarks of our government and of society. 
 
 While other denominations have won a more numerous mem- 
 bership, and have penetrated more deeply the destitute regions 
 of our country, vet it is true that the Presbvterian Church wields 
 an influence far beyond its mere numerical strength ; and the 
 other churches cheerfully acknowledge that much of their effect- 
 iveness is the result of that influence, and much of their best 
 membership comes from Presbyterian stock. Xo church has been 
 more successful and effective in developing a certain firmness of 
 moral fibre, strength of character, consistency of principle, sturdi- 
 ness of purpose, courage in action, which are the result of the 
 great doctrines which Presbyterianism emphasizes. And so the 
 conservatism, the steadiness for righteousness, the high ideals 
 of our church have been helpful far bevond its ecclesiastical limits. 
 
 In the city of Xashville, from its very foundation. Presbyterian- 
 ism has been one of the most powerful elements in the spiritual 
 life and growth of the city. It has been a prominent factor in 
 every good work. 
 
 Each of the great evangelical denominations of Christians has 
 been called in the providence of God to stand for some special 
 doctrine or principle of the Word of God ; and has done its work 
 under some distinct form of order. The Presbvterian Church 
 has been, more than any other in modern times, a witness for 
 the absolute sovereignty of God, and for the absolute dependence 
 
12 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 of man on sovereign grace for salvation. Its form of govern- 
 ment is a representative republic, by elders of the people, clerical 
 and lay, organized as church courts in which all presbyters are 
 equal. For more than one hundred years these doctrines have 
 been preached, and this form of church order has been exercised 
 in Nashville, and in the neighboring country, and they have 
 exercised an influence on the religious life of the people. 
 
 The beginnings of Presbyterianism in Nashville preceded by 
 several years the organization of any church. Among the 
 pioneers who settled the Cumberland country, or Middle Ten- 
 nessee, provision was made for the preaching of the gospel and 
 for the education of their children. Many of the families were 
 Presbyterians and the first minister of the gospel was the Rev. 
 Thomas B. Craighead, a man of learning, a graduate of Nassau 
 Hall, Princeton, N. J., an earnest, sincere Christian, an eloquent 
 preacher, and a strong character. He was ordained by the Pres- 
 byter)' of Orange in 1780. After preaching in North Carolina, 
 his native State, for some years, he removed to Kentucky. Thence 
 in 1785 he came to Tennessee, and fixed his residence at Hays- 
 boro, now Spring Hill, six or seven miles east of Nashville. 
 There a stone building 24x30 feet was erected for church and 
 school. There for thirty years he preached ; and there he taught 
 at first the "Davidson Academy," which was the cradle of the 
 University of Nashville. 
 
 Mr. Craighead preached frequently in Nashville until 1816. 
 His last years were saddened by his suspension from the ministry 
 on a charge of heresy. The sentence was rescinded before his 
 death in 1824 — at the age of seventy-one years. 
 
 About the close of the eighteenth century a congregation of 
 Scotch Seceders was gathered in Nashville, and in 1801 the Rev. 
 William Hume, of Scotland, was sent out by the Scotch Pres- 
 bytery of Kirkaldy, and was placed over them as pastor by Mr. 
 Armstrong and Mr. Fulton, of that Presbytery. Mr. Hume 
 preached in a small brick building near the site of the present 
 university buildings. His congregations were small, his salary 
 was meager, and with the removal of some of his flock, he was 
 left in very narrow circumstances. Yet he continued faithfully 
 his ministry to them until 1818. In that year he united with 
 the Presbyterian Church of the United States ; and soon most 
 of his old congregation followed him. For fifteen vears, until 
 his death in 1833, he served churches near Nashville; and he 
 frequently filled the pulpit of the First Church in the city. For 
 many years he was a distinguished teacher — Professor of Ancient 
 Languages in Cumberland College, then Principal of the Nash- 
 ville Female Academy. 
 
 The organizer of the Presbyterian churches in Middle Ten- 
 nessee was the Rev. Gideon Blackburn, who gathered large con- 
 gregations at several points, and organized churches within a 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 13 
 
 range of fifty miles from his home at Franklin, Term. In the 
 spring of 181 1 he preached in Nashville on his way to the Gen- 
 eral Assembly in Philadelphia. At the request of the citizens 
 he continued preaching, at first once in three months, then 
 monthly and semi-monthly. He preached on week days in Mr. 
 Hume's building, and on the Sabbath in the grove near the public 
 square. He was an orator of wonderful power and magnetism, 
 and he attracted very large congregations- Like most of the 
 Presbyterian preachers of that day. Dr. Blackburn engaged in 
 teaching, laying thus the foundations of church and school in the 
 wilderness. 
 
 REV. JNO. TODD EDGAR, D.D. 
 
 After some four years of occasional and stated preaching by 
 Dr. Blackburn, he organized "The Presbyterian Church of Nash- 
 ville," in November, 1814, probably on the 14th clay of the month. 
 He was assisted on that occasion by the Rev. Robert Hender- 
 son, D.D., of Murfreesboro, Tenn., a man of great influence in 
 the early history of Presbyterianism in the State. The original 
 membership of the church consisted of six ladies and Mr. Robert 
 Smile}', who was elected and installed ruling elder. During the 
 next four years Dr. Blackburn supplied the church ; though he 
 was never installed pastor. At the end of his service in 1818 
 
14 Presbyteeianism in Nashville. 
 
 there were forty-five members, of whom only two or three were 
 males. The ladies of the church were from the most influential 
 and cultured families, and they made up in zeal what they lacked 
 in numbers. They maintained a weekly meeting- for prayer 
 among themselves, and they were organized into a "Charitable 
 Society," to minister to the sick and the needy, and to distribute 
 Bibles and tracts. This was in 1816. These ladies were also 
 active in the establishment of the first Sabbath school in Nash- 
 ville, and though at first they met with indifference and even 
 opposition, they persevered until the} - saw the Sabbath school 
 one of the recognized and permanent agencies of all the churches. 
 The first school was union and was opened in 1820. In Novem- 
 ber, 1822, the churches began schools of their own, and that is 
 the date of the beginning of the Presbyterian Sunday schools in 
 the city of Nashville. 
 
 "The groves were God's first temples," and so our fathers at 
 first gathered for worship under the trees, where a stump served 
 for pulpit, and the fallen trees furnished seats for the congrega- 
 tion. When the weather was severe, the hospitable cabin of a 
 pioneer was utilized for the service, until better provision could 
 be made. In 1816 a building, 20x30 feet in size, was erected by 
 public subscription of $700 for the use of the ladies in their 
 meetings for prayer, and for their charitable work. This build- 
 ing was known as the "Society House." It was afterwards used 
 as part of the manse, being divided into two rooms, one of which 
 was the pastor's study. It was destroyed by the fire which con- 
 sumed the church in 1848. 
 
 The first church building for the Presbyterian Church in Nash- 
 ville occupied the site of the present First Church, on the corner 
 of Church (then Spring) and Summer streets. It was a neat 
 and substantial brick structure, 45x80 feet in size, with seating 
 capacity of four hundred. It was built by general subscription 
 of citizens, and when not in use by the Presbyterians, it was 
 open to other denominations. It was commenced in 1812; first 
 occupied by Dr. Blackburn in 1816, and completed in May, 1823; 
 when the property was deeded by Randall McGavock to the 
 trustees of the church "in consideration of $750, and for other 
 good considerations." This house fronted on Summer street, 
 with galleries around the inside, except over the pulpit. It was 
 destroyed by fire on Sabbath night, the 29th day of January, 1832, 
 a little more than two weeks after the death of the pastor, Dr. 
 Jennings. The congregation worshiped in the Masonic Hall 
 until the autumn of 1833, when, shortlv after Dr. Edgar began 
 his pastorate, a spacious and elegant church was dedicated on 
 the same site, with a capacity of one thousand sittings, at a cost 
 of $30,000. This building fronted on Church street sixtv-five 
 feet, and ran back on Summer one hundred and twenty feet, 
 with galleries around the sides and front walls. The basement 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 15 
 
 contained lecture room and study. This house was also burned 
 on the 14th day of September, 1848. It was replaced by the 
 present massive edifice. These were the building's which served 
 the uses of the Presbyterian Church in the city as long as it was 
 confined to one organization. The account of the other build- 
 ings, which were constructed for the worship of the new organi- 
 zations, as the churches increased in number, will be given in 
 the particular history of these various churches. 
 
 UFA". JOSEPH BARDWELL, D.D, 
 
 Until 1843 there was but one church of our faith and order 
 in Nashville, and that met the needs of the Presbyterian popula- 
 tion. The growth in numbers was slow at first. It had to con- 
 tend for quite a time with the hard conditions, the rough wavs, 
 the boisterous, often violent customs of frontier life. But as the 
 city grew in population, and circumstances became easier, the 
 fruits of the faithful preaching of the word became manifest. 
 Graduallv the able ministry of some of the early pastors in- 
 fluenced the prominent men of the community, professional men, 
 leaders of public opinion, and quite a number of them united 
 with the church and became active in its work. At the death of 
 
16 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 Dr. Jennings in 1832, the membership had grown to one hundred 
 and sixteen persons. 
 
 From 1833 to 1843, there were several noted revivals of re- 
 ligion in the Presbyterian Church, which added more than two 
 hundred members to its rolls. And in that time the Sabbath 
 school increased greatly in numbers and in efficiency. 
 
 It became evident that, to meet the spiritual needs of the in- 
 creasing population, other churches must be organized in other 
 parts of the city as the way was opened. 
 
 REV. R. F. BUNTING, D.D. 
 
 Before giving the general account of these other organizations 
 it may be well to mention more particularly those early laborers 
 who laid the foundations of our work in Nashville. 
 
 The Rev. Thomas B. Craighead was for nearly forty years 
 identified with the religious life of the earlv settlers of Davidson 
 County. He lived in the midst of the great revival from which 
 sprang the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was an op- 
 ponent of the new measures. He was a man of strong convic- 
 tions, of fervid oratory, and of saintly life, and it is probable 
 that the charge of heresv against him was founded on a mis- 
 understanding of his earnest sermons. He was a man of warm 
 feelings, of intense devotion to the word of God, a sincere 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 17 
 
 patriot, and a wise teacher of youth, and counsellor of others. 
 He impressed his character on the rising generation of that day. 
 The Rev. William Hume was a wise master builder. This 
 godly minister, known as the "Good Man," of Nashville, was 
 born in Scotland and educated at the University of Edinburgh. 
 Coming to Tennessee in 1801, he lived for nearly a third of a 
 century the life of a scholar, and of a self-sacrificing preacher 
 of the word of God in this community, winning the confidence 
 and the love of all classes. He was a man of broad and catholic 
 
 REV. T. V. MOORE, D.D. 
 
 spirit, an accomplished teacher, and a generous philanthropist, 
 bold for the truth yet gentle and humble in his life. 
 
 The Rev. Gideon Blackburn was the great orator of the earlier 
 day. A man of splendid physical appearance, of winning man- 
 ners, of great firmness and courage, of burning zeal, he was 
 listened to with delight and profit by thousands, not only of the 
 pioneers, but also of the cultured people of great cities. In 1823 
 he left Tennessee and was pastor of a church in Louisville. In 
 1827 he was chosen President of Centre College at Danville, Ky., 
 remaining there until 1830. For three years he was pastor at 
 Versailles, Ky., and agent for the Temperance Society of the 
 
i8 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 State. In 1833 he removed to Illinois, and engaged in raising 
 funds for a college and theological school, which, since his death, 
 is known by his name. He died in 1838, aged sixty-six years. 
 The Rev. Allan Ditchfield Campbell was the first pastor of the 
 Presbyterian Church in Nashville. He was an Englishman by 
 birth. He was born in 1791 , and at an early age brought to 
 Baltimore. His father was an elder of the Associate Reformed 
 Church. After his graduation at the University of Pennsylvania, 
 he studied theology with the celebrated Dr. John M. Mason. 
 He was ordained by the church in which he was brought up, but 
 
 REV. U. J. VAN DYKE, D.D. 
 
 subsequently united with the Presbyterian Church. He was in- 
 stalled as pastor in Nashville in the autumn of 1820, in which 
 relation he continued seven years. He labored under many dis- 
 couragements, yet the church grew under his ministry. Return- 
 ing to' Pennsylvania, on account of his feeble health, he became 
 one of the most useful ministers of the church in connection with 
 the founding of the Western Theological Seminary. He was a 
 preacher who presented truth so that the common people heard 
 him gladly, He was also abundant in labors in weak churches, 
 and was noted for his tenderness of heart and his liberality. He 
 died near Pittsburg; in 1861. 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 19 
 
 The next pastor was the Rev. Obadiah Jennings, D.D. He 
 was the son of a Presbyterian preacher of Xew Jersey. Being 
 thoroughly educated, he first gave himself to the study of law. 
 He was admitted to the bar in Washington, Pa., in 1800, in his 
 twenty-second year. He was very successful and popular in his 
 profession in both Ohio and Pennsylvania, where he practiced. 
 
 REV. D. C. RANKIN, D.D. 
 
 In 1810 he joined the church in Steubenville, Ohio, and was after- 
 wards made a ruling elder in the church of Washington, Pa., 
 whither he had removed. As the result of a serious illness he 
 was led to devote himself to the ministry of the gospel. In 1817 
 he was ordained and installed pastor of the church at Steuben- 
 ville, Ohio, where he labored for six years. He was then called 
 to Washington, Pa., in 1823, where he continued for five vears. 
 
20 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 In 1828 he was called to Nashville, taking' charge in April. Here 
 in spite of failing health he labored faithfully until his death, 
 January 12, 1832. He was a man of powerful intellect and of 
 thoroughly trained mind. And under him the male membership 
 increased notably. He was a great sufferer, and often had to sit 
 and preach, but he grew constantly in the love and respect of 
 the people. While in Nashville he was unexpectedly drawn into 
 a debate with Alexander Campbell. 
 
 The last of these foundation builders was the Rev. John Todd 
 Edgar, D.D. Born in Delaware in 1792, he was taken to Ken j 
 tucky in 1799, graduating from Princeton Seminary in 1816. 
 Ordained by the Presbytery of Ebenezer in 1817, he served vari- 
 ous churches in Kentucky until 1833, when he was called from 
 Frankfort to Nashville. Here for over twenty-seven years he 
 served the church, preaching with an eloquence and power rarely 
 equalled, ministering as a pastor with a tenderness and wisdom 
 which won the love of all classes, and living before the people 
 the life of an humble, sincere Christian, so that he commended 
 by his example the gospel he preached. He died November 13, 
 i860, honored, reverenced, loved by all. He was a man of mag- 
 nificent presence, with a voice that was music itself. With great 
 personal dignity he was gracious and cordial — his intellect well 
 balanced, his heart warm and affectionate. The church grew 
 under him to great influence. 
 
 The Presbyterian Church is not behind her sister denomina- 
 tions in the desire and the effort to carry the gospel to the masses. 
 Therefore, she seeks to plant her missions and organize her con- 
 gregations wherever the spiritual needs of the people can be thus 
 met and satisfied. As the city of Nashville grew, it became plain 
 that there was an enlarging field for evangelistic effort. The 
 method was to establish a Sunday school at some eligible point 
 for reaching the people ; thus giving the members of the church 
 opportunity for practical work in the service of the Lord. These 
 Sunday schools have opened the way for the establishment of 
 churches. 
 
 Thus the one church of an earlier day has expanded until now 
 the Presbyterian Church in this city and its immediate vicinity 
 numbers eleven organized congregations, besides two or three 
 missions, and the membership is nearly three thousand. The 
 churches now are First, Second, Woodland Street, Madison 
 (near the old Craighead home), Moore Memorial, McNeilly, 
 Westminster, Glen Leven, Cottage, Benavi, West Nashville. 
 
 In 1S43 the Second Church was organized in what was then 
 the northern part of the city, and for years it was a most effective 
 organization under able pastors. Passing through many vicissi- 
 tudes, results of the Civil War, and of the changed character of 
 the population around it, it was finallv removed farther to the 
 north, and combined with Edgar Church, and it is now flourish- 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 21 
 
 ing, vigorous and active under the pastorate of the Rev. J. C. 
 Cowan. 
 
 In 1858 the Woodland Street Church was organized under the 
 name of First Edgefield Presbyterian Church. It was a colony 
 
 REV. H. F. WILLIAMS, EDITOR OF "THE MISSIONARY." 
 
 from the First and Second Churches. Its effectiveness was 
 much hindered by the agitations and divisions of the Civil War. 
 But since that time its growth has been steady, and now under 
 the administration of Dr. W. S. Jacobs, it is the second in num- 
 bers of our churches. 
 
22 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 The Madison Church was a colony from the old First Edge- 
 field Church. It is the legitimate successor of the church estab- 
 lished by Dr. Craighead, and is within a mile of his old home. It 
 was organized in 1870. It has never been numerically strong, 
 because of the frequent removals of its members to the city. But 
 under the ministry of Rev. O. A. Price it is doing a good work. 
 
 In 1873 the Moore Memorial Church was organized by a colony 
 from the First Church. With a beautiful house of worship in 
 the western part of the city, it has from the first been most suc- 
 cessful in gathering in all classes, and now with a large member- 
 ship, with Dr. G. W. Bull as pastor, it is rapidly growing. 
 
 In 1875 the McNeilly Church was organized, as a colony from 
 the First Edgefield Church. It has an excellent house of worship, 
 and a comfortable manse. It has had many obstacles in its way, 
 but there is a field for usefulness open to it, and the Presbyterians 
 of Nashville are coming to its help. It is in the northeastern 
 section of the city. 
 
 The Westminster Church was organized in 1879, a colony 
 from the First Church. It has done an excellent work in the 
 face of many difficulties. With a beautiful house of worship, and 
 located in the thickly settled South Nashville, it should be one 
 of our most successful churches, and great as the discourage- 
 ments have been, doubtless the liberality and the help of the First 
 Church, so freely extended in the past, will yet enable it to over- 
 come every obstacle. 
 
 In 1890 the Glen Leven Church was organized in a southern 
 suburb, Waverly Place. It was from members of the First, 
 Moore Memorial and Westminster Churches. It has grown with 
 the growth of the suburb, and with its attractive church building, 
 and its equipment it has fine prospects of large growth. It is 
 under the ministry of Rev. Dr. J. H. McNeilly. 
 
 In 1891 the Cottage Church was organized. It was a colony 
 from the First Church. Located in the southern part of the city, 
 among a changing population, it has had a struggle to maintain 
 itself, yet it has done a good work. With the Rev. J. F. Lackey 
 as supply, it is seeking to bring the gospel to a neighborhood 
 which is lacking in church privileges. It has a substantial church 
 and a comfortable manse. 
 
 The Benavi Church was organized in 1893, and a plain but 
 comfortable house was built in the northwestern part of the city 
 to reach a population which was deeply attached to the Rev. 
 E. T. Brantley. Since the death of that godly minister, they have 
 had only occasional services of Presbyterian ministers. 
 
 The Presbyterian Church of West Nashville, a colony from the 
 First Church, is the most recent organization. In April, 1902, 
 the church was organized, and with a neat building and an earnest 
 membership under Rev. F. D. Daniel, its prospect for success 
 in the Lord's work is very encouraging. 
 
Presbyterianism ix Nashville, 
 
 23 
 
 The Presbyterians of Nashville have shown their faith in the 
 work they are doing by their contributions in money to the equip- 
 ment of their churches and institutions. They own property in 
 church edifices and manses worth nearly $250,000. Their con- 
 
 REV. S. H. CHESTER, D.D.j SECRETARY OF FOREIGN MISSIONS. 
 
 tributions in 1903 for religious purposes were 840,000. The of- 
 ficial school history of Tennessee states that "the dominant 
 element in the first settlement of the State was the 'Presbyterian 
 Covenanter.' Wherever this element might go there was certain 
 to be the 'preacher;' and wherever there was a 'preacher,' there 
 was certain to be a 'school.' " 
 
24 Presbyteeianism in Nashville. 
 
 The example of the Rev. Samuel Doak, the father of education 
 west of the Allegheny Mountains, was emulated by the founders 
 of Presbyterianism in Middle Tennessee. Blackburn, Craighead, 
 and Hume were teachers. The University of Nashville and the 
 Nashville Female Academy owed much to the latter two of these. 
 
 In 1865 the Rev. Dr. W. E. Ward, of the Cumberland Presby- 
 terian Church, founded Ward Seminary for the education of 
 girls, and made a success of it. In 1891 the institution came 
 under the control of the Nashville Presbyterians. Under the 
 wise and progressive administration of the president, Dr. J. D. 
 Blanton, it has attained the very highest standing. It has over 
 four hundred pupils. The property on North Spruce street is 
 worth $100,000. 
 
 The Presbyterians of Tennessee for years discussed in their 
 synods the need of a Presbyterian orphanage. At length Mrs. 
 Mary Harding, a member of the First Church, Nashville, gave 
 her beautiful home with its grounds, ten acres, to the synod for 
 the establishment of the "Monroe Harding Orphanage," in mem- 
 ory of her deceased husband, who was also> a member of that 
 church. Large additions have been made to the buildings, and 
 the institution is in successful operation under the faithful man- 
 agement of the Rev. H. H. Newman. The property is situated 
 in the northern part of the city and is estimated at $40,000. 
 
 The Committee of Foreign Missions of the Southern Presby- 
 terian Church is located in Nashville, with its secretary, Rev. 
 Dr. S. H. Chester, and his staff of assistants, and from this office 
 the funds, over $230,000 a year, are sent out. It may also be 
 mentioned as indicating the spirit of our people, that in 1872 an 
 attempt was made to bring the publication work of the Southern 
 Presbyterian Church to Nashville. The sum of $40,000 was 
 raised to erect suitable buildings, as a free gift to the church. 
 The effort was defeated by the promises on behalf of the city of 
 Richmond to retain it there. 
 
 Thus it will appear that our church in Nashville has had steady 
 and substantial growth from the first. While we have not made 
 the most of our opportunities, yet much has been done. For 
 one hundred and twenty years Presbyterianism has wrought in 
 work and endured in sacrifice for the salvation of the people ; and 
 God has owned and blessed the efforts of his servants. To his 
 name be the praise and the thanksgiving. 
 
 The detailed history of the separate churches, and of our insti- 
 tutions, will be given in the body of this book. 
 
Presbyteriaxism ix Xashyille. 
 
 FIRST CHURCH. 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 REV. WM. M. ANDERSON, D.D. 
 
Presbyterianism ix Nashville, 
 
 2 7 
 
 REV. JAS. I. VANCE, D.D. 
 
28 
 
 Presuyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 Sketch of First Church. 
 
 1785 — First preaching in the Cumberland settlements by Rev. 
 T. B. Craighead. 
 
 1801 — On December 2, Rev. William Hume, a Scotch Seceder, 
 came to Nashville. Out of the congregation gathered by him 
 came the first members of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 FIRST CHURCH MANSE. 
 
 1810-14 — Rev. Gideon Blackburn preached in the William 
 Hume Church on week days, and in the woods adjacent to the 
 Public Square on the Sabbath. 
 
 1814 — The First Presbyterian Church of Nashville was or- 
 ganized by Rev. Gideon Blackburn, with seven members — Mrs. 
 Andrew Ewing ; Mrs. Mary McNairy, wife of Frank McNairy, 
 Sr. ; Mrs. Josiah Nichol ; Mrs. Tom Talbot and daughter; Mrs. 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 29 
 
 Sophia Hall, wife of Elihu S. Hall ; Mrs. Margaret L. Ander- 
 son, wife of Colonel Patton Anderson, United States Army — 
 with Robert Smiley, who was elected ruling elder. Mr. Black- 
 burn supplied the church until 1818 or 1819. 
 
 1820 — Rev. Allan D. Campbell, D.D., the first pastor, was in- 
 stalled. He resigned in 1827, and died in 1861. 
 
 1828 — Rev. J. O. Jennings took charge of the church, and 
 died in the pastorate on January 12, 1832. 
 
 1832 — The first building, which was commenced in 181 2, and 
 occupied first for preaching in the fall of 1816, was destroyed by 
 
 REV. THOS. A. HOYT. 
 
 fire on Sunday night, January 29, 1832, while draped in mourn- 
 ing for its late lamented pastor, Dr. Jennings. The fire originated 
 in a box of ashes which the sexton had left under the stairway. 
 
 1833 — On August 4, Rev. John Todd Edgar, D.D., began his 
 pastorate, which continued until his death, on November 13, i860. 
 
 1843 — A colony was sent out and organized into the Second 
 Presbyterian Church. 
 
 1848 — The second edifice, which was built immediately after 
 the fire in 1832, and dedicated by Dr. Edgar in the fall of 1833, 
 was destroyed by fire on September 14, 1848. 
 
3° 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 185 i — The corner stone of the present edifice was laid on 
 April 28, 1849. O n Sunday, January 5, 1850, the congregation 
 worshiped in the lecture room for the first time, and the church 
 was completed in the following spring at a cost of $51,000, and 
 was dedicated on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1851. Its capacity,, 
 including the gallery, is 1,300 sittings. 
 
 <*»*,./., 
 
 REV. JERRE WITHERSPOON, D.D. 
 
 1855 — The building was wholly unroofed by a storm. 
 
 1858 — A second colony was organized into a Presbyterian 
 Church in Edg-efield (now the Woodland Street Church). 
 
 1859 — Rev. Joseph Bardwell became the associate pastor, and, 
 after the death of Dr. Edgar, was installed as pastor. The build- 
 ing was again almost wholly unroofed this year, and the audience 
 room was greatly damaged by rain. 
 
 1862 — Nashville having surrendered to the Federal Army on 
 February 16, Mr. Bardwell went South, and was not permitted 
 to return. 
 
 1862-1865 — The church was without a minister, and the United 
 States Government occupied the building as a hospital. Her 
 altar was desolate and her people were scattered and discouraged. 
 
 1865 — At the close of the war Rev. R. F. Hunting, D.D., was 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 3' 
 
 called, and began his labors, serving as stated supply until June, 
 1866, and as pastor from that date to November 15, 1868. 
 
 T g68 — Rev. T. V. Moore, D.D., of Richmond, Va., was called, 
 and entered on his duties as pastor in December, and continued 
 until his death, in August, 1871. 
 
 1871 — Rev. J. E. Wheeler, of Vicksburg, Miss., was engaged 
 as stated supply until a pastor could be secured. 
 
 REV. GEO. D. BOOTH, 
 Pastor's Assistant in Charge of Adams Mission. 
 
 1872 — Rev. Henry J. Van Dyke, of Brooklyn, X. Y., was called, 
 and entered upon his labors on February II, but, on account of 
 the severe illness of his wife, was compelled to take her to Europe, 
 lie preached only a few Sabbaths, and resigned on November 
 17. 1872. 
 
 1873 — Rev. T. A. Hovt, D.D., of New York, was called, and 
 entered upon his labors on February 1, and continued until 
 -May, 1883. 
 
 1873 — A third colony was sent out, and organized the Moore 
 Memorial Church, in West End, named in memory of Dr. T. V. 
 Moore. 
 
 1879 — A fourth colony was sent out, and organized the West- 
 minster Church. 
 
32 Presbyterianisii in Nashville. 
 
 1883 — During the year 1883 the pulpit was filled by various 
 ministers. A greater part of the time Rev. O. P. Fitzgerald, of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, preached. 
 
 1884 — Rev. Jerre Witherspoon, of Jackson, Term., was called 
 in January, and entered upon his labors on March 23, and con- 
 tinued until January I, 1894, when he resigned to accept a call 
 to Baltimore, Md. 
 
 1886 — A fifth colony was sent out, and organized the Edgar 
 Church, in North Nashville, named in memory of Rev. John 
 T. Edgar. 
 
 1888 — The A. G. Adams Mission Sunday school was estab- 
 lished on Clay street, named in honor of Elder A. G. Adams, 
 who contributed the necessary funds to erect the church building. 
 
 1891 — A sixth colony was sent out, and organized the Cottage 
 Church, on Bass street and Stevenson avenue. 
 
 1893 — Bi October, 1893, Rev. Jerre Witherspoon, D.D., having 
 accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Church of Baltimore, 
 Md., tendered his resignation as pastor, to take effect on January 
 1, 1894. 
 
 1894 — The pulpit was again vacant during the year, and was 
 filled by various ministers. Rev. Collins Denny, of Vanderbilt 
 University, preached the greater part of the time. 
 
 1895 — Rev. James I. Vance, of Norfolk, Va., having been 
 called, entered upon his labors on February 3. 
 
 1900 — Rev. James I. \ r ance, D.D., accepted a call to the Dutch 
 Reformed Church of Newark, N. J. 
 
 1901 — Rev. Wm. M. Anderson, D.D., of Dallas, Texas, was 
 called in March and entered upon his labors on May 1. In the 
 spring of the same year a church was built at West Nashville 
 (on the corner of Sixth street and Charlotte avenue), and a 
 Sunday school organized, on Sunday, May 19. 
 
 EVANGELISTS. 
 
 Rev. Thomas B. Craighead 1785- 1824 
 
 Rev. William Hume 1801-1833 
 
 PASTORS. 
 
 Rev. Gideon Blackburn, D.D 1814-1819 
 
 Rev. Allan D. Campbell, D.D 1S20-1827 
 
 Rev. Obadiah Jennings, D.D 1828-1832 
 
 Rev. John Todd Edgar, D.D 1833-1860 
 
 Rev. Joseph Bardwell 1861-1S64 
 
 Rev. R. F. Bunting, D.D 1865-1868 
 
 Rev. T. V. Moore, D.D 1868-1871 
 
 Rev. Henry T. Van Dyke, D.D 1872 
 
 Rev. T. A! Hoyt, D.D 1873-1883 
 
 Rev. Jerre Witherspoon, D.D 1S84-1893 
 
 Rev. James I. Vance, D.D 1895-1900 
 
 Rev. W. M. Anderson, D.D 1901 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 33 
 
 Second Presbyterian Church. 
 
 The Second Presbyterian Church was the result of a move- 
 ment begun during a revival held in the First Church by Rev. 
 Gideon Blackburn in the fall of 1841. 
 
 A number of young- and enthusiastic members began a Sab- 
 bath school in a warehouse furnished them by Colonel Andrew 
 Flvnes on Market street. The formal organization of the school 
 was effected May 22, 1842, by the election of Mr. II. G. Scovel, 
 superintendent ; Mr. Samuel Hill, assistant superintendent ; 
 Abram Stevens, secretary and treasurer, and Charles R. Thomp- 
 son, librarian. One hundred scholars were soon gathered into 
 the school. A prayer meeting was established and carried on by 
 Rev. John T. Edgar, D.D., pastor of First Church, who deserves 
 the credit of holding the first public service which resulted in 
 the formation of the church. 
 
 In the spring of 1843, by the exertions of Messrs. Alpha 
 Kingslev, A. G. Adams. Samuel Hill, and James Frwin, "The 
 Presbyterian Society" began its existence, and on the 24th of 
 May, Rev. R. A. Lapsley was elected pastor, but declined. 
 Rev. Alex Van Court served them two months. August 30 Rev. 
 R. A. Lapsley accepted a second call and labored in the field two 
 years. 
 
 November 12, 1843, the Second Church was organized by 
 Rev. Jno. R. Bain, by authority of the Presbvtery 01 Nashville, 
 in session at Smyrna, Tenn. Messrs. A. G Adams and James 
 M. Hamilton were ordained elders, and Samuel Hill, Abram 
 Stevens, Foster Williams and Jno. McCrae deacons. James 
 Frwin, Alpha Kingsley and Pleasant Smith were elected trustees. 
 
 On November 22, James Erwin presented the trustees a lot 
 on the corner of College and Gay streets. 
 
 April 15, 1844, the corner stone of the church was laid with 
 impressive ceremonies, Rev. Drs. Philip Lindslev and J. T. 
 Edgar delivering addresses. 
 
 November 1 the Sabbath school and public services were held 
 in the basement. 
 
 September 6, 1846, the church was formally dedicated by Dr. 
 Lapsley, after a sermon by Dr. Lindslev, said to have been one 
 of the most eloquent of his life. 
 
 The following are the charter members : Alpha Kingsley, 
 James Erwin, Phoebe Caldwell, Mary Kellev, Mary A. Earth- 
 man, Ann Wingfield, Janet McCrae, James B. Ferguson, Tames 
 M. Hamilton, Samuel Hill, Geo. T. Thompson, Chas. H. Pea- 
 body, Abram Stevens, Elizabeth Kingsley, Margaret Erwin, Har- 
 riet Rosser, Agnes Norvell, Lucy Wingfield, Nancy Peabody, 
 
34 
 
 Pkesbyterianisji in Nashville. 
 
 
 p 
 
 o 
 u 
 w 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 35 
 
 Elizabeth T. Clark, Foster Williams, H. G. Berry, Andrew J. 
 Smith, John McCrae, C. A. R. Thompson, Adam G. Adams, 
 Win, B. Shephard, Susan Haley, Martha Scott, Jane Brown, 
 Samuel Seay (ruling elder), Jane Seay, Louisa Hamilton, 
 Thomas Murrell, and W. H. Marquess (ruling elder). 
 
 The following are about the dates of the ministers who have 
 served Second Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tenn. : 
 
 REV. T. S. ARBUTHNOT, D.D. 
 
 Rev. Alex. Van Court, two months 1843 
 
 Rev. Robt. A. Lapsley, twelve vears 1843-1855 
 
 Rev. Richard H. Allen 1863-1866? 
 
 Rev. Wm. Campbell 1866-1868? 
 
 Rev. J. W. lloyt 1871-1875 
 
 Rev. Jno. S. Young 1875-1883 ? 
 
 Rev. Jno. S. Arbuthnot 1883-1885 
 
 Rev. Jno. A". Stagg i88<j to April 1892 
 
 Rev. S. H. Chester 1892-1893 
 
 Rev. Chas. E. Sullivan August, 181)4. to Dec, 1895 
 
 Rev. James Hardy Morrison 1896 to April, 1900 
 
 Rev. James Chalmers Cowan (present pastor) . .May, 1901 
 
36 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 During the Civil War the church was made a post chapel by 
 the Federal authorities and became connected with the General 
 Assembly, North, remaining so connected till the fall of 1871, 
 when, by unanimous vote, it was attached to Nashville Presby- 
 tery and Rev. J. W. Hoyt became pastor until his death. 
 
 Removals of the membership to distant parts of the city and 
 the encroachments of business rendered a change of locality 
 necessary. 
 
 Rev. J. W. Stagg and his officers agitated the question of 
 moving to North Nashville and made faithful efforts to accom- 
 plish this result; but the "way was not clear.'' All his successors 
 saw the necessity and made progress in the same direction. 
 
 In May, 1902, the College street property was sold and the 
 Cheatham property on Monroe street, North Nashville, bought 
 by the generous aid of the First Church. 
 
 In the meantime a union of the Edgar Presbyterian Church 
 on North Spruce street, with the Second Church was ratified by 
 Presbytery and the property transferred to the Building Fund of 
 the new church. 
 
 The united congregation occupied the Edgar Church from 
 June 1, 1902, to October I, 1904. 
 
 March 17, 1^03, the foundation of a new church was begun. 
 April 29 the corner stone was laid by the pastor and session in 
 the presence of a large concourse of members and friends, Dr. 
 Angus McDonald, of Moore Memorial Church, delivering the 
 address by request. Rev. Drs. J. H. McNeilly, W. M. Anderson, 
 W. S. Jacobs and J. S. Arbuthnot and W. C. Collier made re- 
 marks. 
 
 The Sabbath school room was occupied with regular services 
 October, 1904, and the main auditorium will be occupied for 
 Christmas services. 
 
 Total membership at present four hundred. 
 
Pkesbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 37 
 
 REV. J. CHALMERS COWAN. 
 
 Born, Jonesboro, Term., January 13, 1848. Reared, Leesburg, 
 Tenn. Educated, King College, 1867-70, A.B., A.M. ; Hampden- 
 Sidney, Va., 1871. Theological Course, Union Seminary, Vir- 
 ginia, 1871-74. Licensed by Holston Presbytery, June, 1873. 
 Ordained by Holston Presbytery, May, 1874. Served churches, 
 Ripley, Tenn., 1874-76; Rogersville, tenn., 1876-81; McKinney, 
 Texas, 1881-83; Johnson City, Tenn., 1887-94; Morristown, 
 Tenn., 1894-1901. Professor King College, 1883-88. 
 
38 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 WOODLAND STREET CHURCH. 
 
Presbyterianism in Nash\ 
 
 39 
 
 REV. \VM. STATES JACOBS. 
 
40 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 WOODLAND STREET MANSE. 
 
Fresbyterianism 
 
 in Nashville. 
 
 4i 
 
 Woodland Street Church. 
 
 About the year 1855 Mr. D. D. Dickey, an elder in the Second 
 Presbyterian Church, Nashville, purchased a lot near the corner 
 of Fourth and Fatherland streets, and built a house thereon for 
 the purpose of conducting a Sunday school. This school was 
 continued by him until May 8. 1858, at which time the First 
 Presbyterian Church of Edgefield was organized therein, and 
 the school came under its care. 
 
 REV. T. J. HENDRICKS, D.D. 
 
 The church was organized by Rev. J. T. Edgar, D.D., and 
 Rev. T. S. Havs, pastors respectively of the First and Second 
 Presbyterian Churches of Xashville, who had been appointed by 
 the Presbytery of Xashville for this purpose. 
 
 Ten members from the First Church and twenty members 
 
 from the Second Church presented regular letters of dismissal 
 
 from their churches, and the organization was completed by the 
 
 election of Nathaniel Cross, W. B. A. Ramsev, J. B. White and 
 
 3 
 
4^ 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 R. S. Hollins as elders, 
 and William H. Webb, 
 A. C. White and Jo- 
 siah Barton as deacons. 
 The church increased 
 in numbers so that a 
 larger house was soon 
 necessary to accommo- 
 date the congregation. 
 Mr. W. B. A. Ramsey 
 presented to the trus- 
 tees the lot upon which 
 the present house of 
 worship stands. The 
 "little brown school- 
 house" was sold by 
 Mr. Dickey, and the 
 proceeds contributed to 
 the building fund. 
 Subscriptions w ere 
 made, all of which 
 were paid in full, and 
 soon a church was 
 erected, at a cost of 
 
 
 
 SSP f* 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^fefc- 
 
 
 fc 
 
 ■W- 
 
 REV. E. O. FRIERSON, D.D. 
 
 REV. E. C. TRIMBLE, D.D. 
 
 $5,433.26, and dedicated 
 free of debt April 3, 1S59. 
 Rev. J. W. Lanius was 
 called as a stated supply 
 after the dedication and 
 continued in this relation 
 until his death on the 9th 
 of August, 1859. 
 
 October 27, i860, Rev. 
 T. J. Hendricks was in- 
 stalled pastor, and served 
 the church as such until 
 his death, which took 
 place .March 14, 18G3. For 
 over a year after the death 
 of Mr. Hendricks the 
 church was without a pas- 
 tor, owing to the unsettled 
 state of affairs incident to 
 the war, but services were 
 regularly held, either by 
 an elder or by some visit- 
 ing' minister. 
 
Peesbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 43 
 
 In October, 1864, Rev. E. C. Trimble was employed as a stated 
 supply and continued in this capacity until September 15. 1867. 
 
 November 7. 1867, the Rev. J. H. McNeilly was called to the 
 pastorate of the church and continued in this relation until March 
 11, 1877. when he resigned to accept the pastorate of a church 
 in Houston, Texas. 
 
 March 25, 1877, the Rev. E. O. Frierson was elected pastor, 
 and served as such until April 24, 18S2. 
 
 Again for a year the church was without a regular pastor, 
 but for a portion of that time was supplied by the Rev. C. R. 
 Hemphill, then a professor in the S. W. P. University. 
 
 REV. GEO 
 
 TRENHOLM, 
 
 A call was extended to Rev. George A. Trenholm, who ac- 
 cepted and was installed pastor Hay 2J, 1883, and served as 
 such until November 2, 1891, resigning to accept a call made by 
 the First Presbyterian Church at St. Joseph, Mo. 
 
 In August. 1 886. it was decided to build a new house of wor- 
 ship. Accordingly, the old church was taken down and the 
 building of the present handsome edifice commenced. The ladies 
 of the church were the moving spirits in the much needed work. 
 Dr. C. X. Ordway was Chairman of the Building; Committee. 
 
44 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 Mr. Geo. Thompson was employed as architect, and under his 
 supervision the work was pushed forward to completion in 
 November, 1887, at which time a report, presented to the con- 
 gregation by the Building Committee, showed that the building 
 had been completed and furnished at a cost of $17,110.88. In 
 April, 1887, the congregation occupied the basement of the new 
 building and worshiped there until the fourth Sabbath of Novem- 
 ber ; and on the first Sabbath of December, in the afternoon, the 
 new house of worship was dedicated to the service of God. 
 
 REV. R. C. REED, D.D. 
 
 During this pastorate, owing to the consolidation of Edgefield 
 with Nashville, it was deemed best to change the name of this 
 church. Application was therefore made and the charter amended, 
 changing the name to Woodland Street Presbyterian Church. 
 
 After the resignation of Rev. Dr. Trenholm the church had no 
 pastor until December 18, 1892, when Rev. Dr. R. C. Reed was 
 installed. He served as pastor until September 29, 1898, at which 
 time he resigned to accept a professorship in Columbia Theolog- 
 ical Seminary. For a greater part of the time that elapsed before 
 another pastor was called the pulpit was filled by Rev. J. E. 
 Fogartie, of the Southwestern University at Clarksville, Tenn. 
 
 November 12, 1899, Rev. Wm. States Jacobs, Ph.D., was in- 
 stalled pastor. 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 45 
 
 - . 
 
 KKV. GRIFFIN \V. BULL, PH.D. 
 
4 6 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 Sketch of Moore Memorial Church. 
 
 On October 22, 1871, a Sunday school, a mission of the First 
 Presbyterian Church, was opened in a small, frame building on 
 McNairy street, near McGavock street, with Mr. George G. 
 O'Bryan as superintendent, and fifteen scholars. 
 
 Two years later, on November 23, 1873, the church was organ- 
 ized, with a membership of forty-five, and named in memory of 
 Rev. Dr. T. Y. Moore, for many years the pastor of the First 
 
 ANGUS M DONALD. 
 
 Church. Ground was broken for the present building on August 
 5, 1871, the first anniversary of the death of Dr. Moore. 
 
 The church building was completed and dedicated on March 
 23, 1874. 
 
 The Sunday school room in the rear of the present main build- 
 ing was built in 1886. 
 
 The following ministers have served the church as pastor: 
 Rev. Frank Moore, January, 1874, to October, 1878; Rev. Jas. 
 H. McNeilly, September, 1879, to October, 1890; Rev. Angus 
 McDonald, July, 1891, to April, 1903; Rev. Griffin W. Bull, 
 December, 1903. 
 
Peesbyteeianism ix Nashville. 
 
 47 
 
 The present pastor. Rev. Griffin W. Bull, has been the pastor 
 for about one year, and during that time the church has taken 
 on new life. A number of young and vigorous officers have 
 been added to the efficient and experienced men who were al- 
 readv in office and the result is most gratifying. Dr. Bull came 
 
 ^ks'JiM •'&? 
 
 MOORE MEMORIAL CHURCH. 
 
 to Moore Memorial from Atlanta, Ga., where he served the West 
 End Church most acceptably for a number of years, and has 
 taken rank as one of the foremost Christian workers of Nash- 
 ville. Under his skillful management, the Moore Memorial 
 Church is growing rapidly. 
 
48 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 Sketch of McNcilly Church. 
 
 On the 24th day of January, 1875, this church was organized 
 from a mission Sunday school, which had been organized and 
 maintained by a number of the members of the Woodland Street 
 Presbyterian Church. Notable among those interested were Mr. 
 R. S. Hollins and wife, Jackson B. White and daughter, Miss 
 Sallie White. 
 
 On the date above mentioned, a commission appointed by 
 the Presbytery of Nashville, composed of the Rev. J. H. McNeilly, 
 chairman, who was at this time pastor of the Woodland Street 
 Presbyterian Church, and Elders J. B. White, R. S. Hollins and 
 D. P. Rankin, of above mentioned church, met and organized 
 the church, with twenty-five members, and ordained and installed 
 Mr. N. P. Powers and Geo. R. Brooks ruling elders, and Samuel 
 Fletcher and J. P. PTutchison deacons. 
 
 Phe name selected at this time was the Second Presbyterian 
 Church of Edgefield, but subsequently took the present name of 
 McNeilly Presbyterian Church, and stands as a memorial of the 
 long and unremitting labors of Dr. J. H. McNeilly, who has stood 
 for more than a quarter of a century as the leader in the Presby- 
 terian family of Nashville. 
 
 The church has had a succession of faithful elders and pas- 
 tors, and, while like the history of all churches and individuals it 
 lias had its reverses, still stands, and promises to be a Bethel 
 for God's people through the years to come. 
 
 The McNeilly Church is now in charge of Rev. Chas. E. Sul- 
 livan, under whose faithful and efficient ministry the congrega- 
 tion is showing a gradual but very encouraging growth. Mr. 
 Sullivan is a man of recognized ability and is doing what has 
 long been needed in the McNeilly field — enlisting the interest of 
 Presbvterians all over the city. 
 
Presbyterian ism in Nashville. 
 
 49 
 
 REV. CHAS. E. SULLIVAN. PASTOR M NEILLY CHURCH. 
 
5° 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 M NEILLY CHURCH. 
 
Presbyterian ism in Nashville. 
 
 5i 
 
 Sketch of Westminster Church. 
 
 Westminster Church was organized on March 7. 1879. The 
 commission appointed to perfect its organization were the Rev. 
 T. A. Hoyt, Rev. T. M. McConnell and Elders J. M, Hamilton 
 and R. T- Gordon. Twenty-six of the first members came from 
 the First Presbvterian Church. The first elders elected were 
 A. S. Duvall and J. H. Wilkes. The first deacons elected were 
 
 REV. J. L. BKOWNLEE, PASTOR. 
 
 C. F. Gray, J. M. Lindsley and Jno. L. Elder. The first pastor 
 was Rev. T. M. McConnell, who served the church about four 
 years, his salary being fixed at the first congregational meeting 
 at nine hundred dollars. The first and very efficient clerk of the 
 session was J. H. Wilkes, who is now a resident of our citv. 
 
 The first sessional records approved by presbyterv were signed 
 by "J. O. Frierson, moderator," and dated Clarksville, Term., 
 
Peesbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 WESTMINSTER CHURCH. 
 
 April 26, 1879. The old building that occupied the site where 
 the new and beautiful building now stands was purchased in 
 March, 1880, for seventeen hundred and fifty dollars, and one 
 hundred and ten dollars for the pavement and curbing on College 
 street. Its first trustees, J. M. Sinclair, Hon. W. A. Stewart, and 
 A. D. Armstrong, were elected April 11, 1880. Westminster 
 has from time to time had some as distinguished men as her 
 pastors as can be found in the bounds of the Southern Presby- 
 terian Church. The church struggled under the burden of a 
 heavy debt for a number of years, but through the generosity of 
 friends and by the grace of our God, has but a small debt now. 
 The present building and lot are worth about twenty thousand 
 dollars. 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 53 
 
 Sketch of Glen Leven Church. 
 
 Glen Leven Church is situated in Waverly Place, a southern 
 suburb of Nashville. It occupies an attractive house of worship 
 of Gothic architecture, on a beautiful and large lot, near the 
 Franklin Road, and on the Glendale electric car line. 
 
 In the spring of 1889, the session of Moore Memorial Church 
 started a Sunday school in this suburb, and employed Mr. R. A. 
 Haden, a theological student, to assist the pastor, Rev. J. H. 
 McXeilly, in carrying" on the work. As the school grew in num- 
 bers, several members of the First Church became very much 
 interested, and determined to enter into an organization with such 
 members of the Moore Memorial as lived in the neighborhood. 
 In October, 1889, the session appointed Mr. J. P. Wakely, one 
 of their deacons, superintendent. The suburb was growing 
 rapidly, and on the 4th of May, 1890, a church of twenty-four 
 members was organized, with Mr. John L. Dunlap, Colonel Bax- 
 ter Smith, Colonel John Overton and Mr. W. L. P. Lawrence 
 as elders, and Mr. Alex S. Coldwell and Mr. Robert L. Jones 
 as deacons. 
 
 The work began in an unfinished dwelling house belonging to 
 Air. W. S. Criddle, on Lawrence avenue, and was afterwards 
 transferred to the district schoolhouse nearbv. In the fall of 
 1889 the session of Moore Memorial had selected the lot on 
 which the church now stands, and it was given to Glen Leven 
 by Mr. and Airs. John Thompson. The name was selected by 
 the congregation, being the name of Air. Thompson's plantation 
 nearby. The house was dedicated the first Sabbath in April, 1891. 
 The Rev. James H. McXeilly was called to the pastorate, and 
 he took charge December 1, 1890. 
 
 The growth of the church has been sieady. On account of the 
 frequent removals of the members, the roll now has about one 
 hundred and sixty, although there have been over three hundred 
 received. 
 
 The Sunday school has been flourishing from the first. It has 
 over one hundred and fifty enrolled, and the attendance averages 
 nearlv one hundred. 
 
54 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 GLEN LEVEN CHURCH 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 55 
 
 Sketch of Life of Dr. J. H. McNeilly. 
 
 James Hugh McNeilly, pastor of Glen Leven Church, was 
 born in Dickson County, Tennessee, about thirty-five miles west 
 of Nashville, June 9, 1838. Educated at Tracy Academy, in 
 Charlotte, Term., and at Jackson College, Columbia, Term., he 
 graduated in June, 1856. 
 
 His father was a lawyer and clerk of the Circuit Court, and 
 from eleven years of age the son was much engaged with the 
 work of the office, being sworn in as deputy clerk at the age of 
 thirteen. After graduating he studied law with his father. In 
 1857, when nineteen vears old, he was converted, and united with 
 the New Bethel Church, in which his father was an elder. The 
 family were originally of the Associate Reformed or Seceder 
 Church — Scotch-Irish people, strict in the training of their chil- 
 dren, and with a high idea of the ministry of the gospel. From 
 childhood the impression on the mind of the boy v~as that if he 
 were converted he must preach. 
 
 So as soon as he joined the church everything was laid aside 
 for preparation for the ministry. Entering Danville Theological 
 Seminarv in the fall of 1858. he graduated in the spring of 1861. 
 Tin the 12th of April, i860, he was licensed to preach by the 
 Presbytery of Nashville at Shelbyville. Term., and spent the sum- 
 mer in mission work in the presbytery. In 1861 he was called to 
 be the co-pastor with the venerable Dr. Eagleton, at Murfrees- 
 boro, Term. But he declined the call, and engaged in missionary 
 work, at the same time helping to raise troops for the Con- 
 federate Army. He v~as at Fort Donelson in the fall of 1861, 
 on staff duty, and preaching to the soldiers. 
 
 At the beginning of i8<">2 he was called to a church in Louisiana 
 on the river just above Yicksburg. the call to go into effect at 
 the close of the war. He visited the church, and while there 
 Fort Donelson fell. So he remained in Louisiana, preaching to 
 the PAcan ( irove Church, with a white membership of fiftv, and 
 a negro membership of six or seven hundred. During this time 
 he also went to \ icksburg to assist in the defense of that citv, but 
 as no attack was then made he returned to his charge. In the 
 fall of 1862, his regiment v~as exchanged at Vicksburg, and he 
 was enrolled as a private in Company D. Forty-ninth Tennessee 
 Infantry. In a short time Colonel Bailev, of that regiment, who 
 was an elder in the church, detailed him as chaplain : and in the 
 course of a year or so he was regularly commissioned as chaplain 
 with the rank of captain in the Confederate Army. He served 
 through all the campaigns of the Arm}- of Tennessee and of 
 
S6 
 
 Preseyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 REV. JAS. H. M NEILLY, D.D. 
 
 Mississippi, until the close of the war, leading- the life of the 
 men ; with them in camp, on the march, on the field, until he was 
 paroled at Tuscaloosa, Ala., May 20, 1865. 
 
 After the war his first charge was Trenton, Tenn., with Hum- 
 boldt, and a country church, New Providence. He was ordained 
 by the Presbytery of Western District, February 4, 1866, at 
 Trenton. For two years he served these churches. In 1867 he 
 was called to the First Edgefield Church, now Woodland Street, 
 Nashville. He assumed the charge November 1, 1867, and con- 
 tinued until the last of March, 1877. In that time the church 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 57 
 
 grew from fifty members to two hundred and twenty-five, and 
 sent out two colonies — Madison and Second Edgefield (now 
 McNeilly) Church — and assisted them in building their houses 
 of worship. The church in that time raised over $65,000 for 
 various religious uses. 
 
 Also while pastor at Woodland Street, the First Church started 
 the work which resulted in Moore Memorial Church. Dr. Moore, 
 of the First Church, was in feeble health, so the session asked 
 Air. McNeilly to assist in organizing the work. He was in 
 frequent consultation with those who were to form the colony; 
 and in the fall of 1872, by direction of presbytery, he organized 
 them into the church, a memorial of the saintly Dr. T. V. Moore. 
 
 In 1877 Mr. McNeilly was called to the pastorate of the First 
 Presbvterian Church of Houston, Texas, which he assumed April 
 1 of that year. He continued in that work for two years and 
 a half, when, on account of the failing health of his family, he 
 resigned. He was called then to the Moore Memorial Church, 
 which had been for a considerable time without a pastor. He 
 began his work there October 1, 1879, with a membership of 
 about seventv-five. There, for over eleven vears, he continued 
 his labors, and the church grew as that part of the city, West 
 End, increased in population. In 1887 the beautiful and con- 
 venient Sunday school room was added to the church at a cost 
 of Sio.ooo, raised entirelv by the congregation. When he left 
 the church it numbered three hundred and twenty-five members. 
 
 In 1890 the Glen Leven Church, in Waverly Place, a suburb 
 south of Nashville, was organized. It was the result of a work 
 begun by the Moore Memorial. Air. McNeilly was called to the 
 new church, and assumed the pastorate December 1, 1890, being 
 regularly installed in the following- spring. The congregation 
 built a beautiful house of worship, which they now occupy. 
 Air. McNeilly continues as pastor of that church, which has re- 
 ceived over three hundred members, and now numbers about 
 one hundred and sixty on its roll, with a large Sunday school. 
 
 In 1880 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him 
 by Arkansas College. For fifteen years he administered the home 
 mission work of Nashville Presbytery. For fifteen vears he was 
 a member of the General Assembly's Executive Committee of 
 Foreign Missions, and eight years its chairman. For nearly 
 thirty-five vears he has been identified with the Presbvterian 
 Church in Nashville : and he has organized each of the churches 
 he has served, except Woodland Street. 
 
 In 1865 Mr. McNeilly was married in Memphis to Miss Mary 
 Weatherford, of Danville, Ky. They have four children, two 
 sons and two daughters : Mr. Edwin L. McNeilly, a lawver in 
 Nashville; Air. Robert II. McNeilly, a civil engineer; Airs. Dr. 
 J. S. White, of Kentucky, and Aliss Alargaret AIcNeillv. He 
 lives in a comfortable home near his church. 
 
c,8 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 Sketch of Cottage Church. 
 
 The Cottage Church Sabbath school was organized June 22, 
 1850, in St. Cloud Grove, corner of Ewing avenue and Bass 
 street, by Messrs. W. G. Hunter, Jas. Gould, A. W. Putnam, 
 H. H. McAlister, Alfred Hume, and others, of the First Presby- 
 terian Church. The first building was erected on the northeast 
 corner of Bass street and Stevenson avenue. Alfred Hume was 
 the first superintendent, and was succeeded, respectively, by A. 
 W. Putnam and H. H. McAlister. The building was taken by 
 the United States Army in 1862, and the school discontinued. 
 
 In 1865 the school was reorganized by H. H. McAlister, who 
 again became its superintendent. Bradford Nichol succeeded 
 him in 1879 and served until 1883, when Mr. McAlister again 
 took charge. Messrs. Baxter Smith, S. O. Merrill, W. S. Hill, 
 and Bradford Nichol served consecutively up to 1896, when the 
 present superintendent took charge. 
 
 The present building, located on the southeast corner of Bass 
 street and Stevenson avenue, was erected in 1881, chiefly through 
 the efforts of Mr. H. H. McAlister, Mr. Bradford Nichol. and 
 Mr. Byrd Douglas. Mrs. Ann Pope contributed $1,000 to the 
 Building Fund, and, at her death, gave the church enough money 
 to build the manse. 
 
 The following evangelists have served the church from its in- 
 ception as a mission in 1850 to its organization in 1893 — viz., 
 Revs. C. D. Elliott, J. W. Hoyt, Alex. Cowan, Mr. Yeargin, 
 T. C. Ragsdale, Chas. Hyde, and C. T. Blair. Rev. C. T. Blair 
 served as stated supply from organization to 1895 ; Rev. Robert 
 Hill, as pastor from 1895 to 1897. On May 31, 1897, the present 
 pastor, Rev. Harris E. Kirk, was called, and was ordained and 
 installed November 7, 1897. 
 
 Rev. W. Moore Scott was installed and served the church till 
 he was called to Memphis in 1902. 
 
 Rev. J. F. Lackey has supplied the church since January I, 1904. 
 
Pkesbyteriaxism IX Xashville. 
 
 59 
 
 
 -. 
 
 - 
 
 
 / 
 
 COTTAGE CHURCH. 
 
6o 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 REV. J. F. LACKEY, PASTOR COTTAGE CHURCH. 
 
Presbyteriaxism in Xashville. 
 
 61 
 
 Sketch of Bcnavi Church. 
 
 Benavi Sunday school was organized June 14, 1891, in a frame 
 dwelling corner of Florence and Wheless streets, by the Rev. 
 Erskine Brantly, of Waxahachie, Texas, but now at Antlers, 
 I. T. The name was coined for the school by the one who 
 organized it and is from the Hebrew, meaning son or child of 
 mv heart, or mv beloved. There were seventy-eight scholars 
 and eight officers and teachers present the first day. Alex. H. 
 Wright was made superintendent. 
 
 Benavi Church was organized June 11, 1893. in the new 
 church building on Alberta avenue, near Buchanan street. Com- 
 missioners from Xashville Presbytery were Rev. J. H. McXeilly. 
 D.D.; Rev. J. R. Hern don : Rev. Mark Kennedy, of Franklin, 
 and Elder J. H. Wilkes. The building cost, furnished, $2,000, 
 and was built and paid for through efforts of its own people. 
 It was organized with thirty-two members, twenty-one were re- 
 ceived on profession and eleven on certificate. A. H. Wright 
 and William Brantly were elected elders and the Rev. E. T. 
 Brantlv, the founder, was called to be the first pastor. 
 
 BENAVI CHURCH. 
 
62 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 REV. E. T. RRANTLY. 
 
Pkesbyteeianism in Nashville. 
 
 63 
 
 Sketch of West Nashville Church. 
 
 The West Nashville Church was organized April 27, 1902, by 
 a commission from Nashville Presbytery, consisting of Revs. 
 W. M. Anderson, D.D., Angus McDonald, D.D., J. C. Cowan, 
 D.D., and H. F. Williams, and Elders Byrd Douglass and R. E. 
 MaGill. 
 
 The church was supplied at first by Rev. Geo. D. Booth, who 
 was followed by Rev. T. E. P. Woods. The first pastor was 
 
 WEST NASHVILLE CHURCH. 
 
 Rev. F. D. G. Daniel, who took charge of the church on Novem- 
 ber 16, 1903, and was installed May 29, 1904. There were 
 twenty members who petitioned for the organization and the roll 
 has grown to fifty-four. The congregation is an earnest, enthusi- 
 astic one, and is engaged at the present time in trying to build a 
 church building, the lecture room of which was built some vears 
 ago, and which is being used now for both Sunday school and 
 church purposes. 
 
6 4 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 REV. F. D. DANIEL, PASTOR. 
 
Pkesbyteriaxism in Nashville. 
 
 St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. 
 
 St. Andrew's Church as a mission for the colored people began 
 under the Presbyterian League of Nashville, May 7, 1898. The 
 first meeting was held in the Boyd Building on Cedar street. 
 Immediately afterward the present quarters on the corner of 
 North Spruce and Gay street were rented for a term of three 
 Years. 
 
 REV. SI'EXCEK JACKS' >X. 
 
 Rev. Spencer Jackson, the pastor of Trinity Church, Anniston, 
 Ala., was engaged by the league to take charge of the work, and 
 arrange for the first meeting mentioned above. He is a graduate 
 of Stillman Institute and had been ordained about three years 
 when he took charge of this work. Dr. Angus McDonald, the 
 chairman of the Committee of Arrangements of the League, was 
 also chairman of the Presbyterial Committee of Colored Evang- 
 elistic 'Work. In October, i8q8, a commission of Nashville Pres- 
 
66 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 bytery organized the St. Andrew's Mission into a regular, fully 
 equipped church, with thirty-five members, and the name of St. 
 Andrew was chosen. Four elders and three deacons were elected, 
 ordained and installed. All the regular services of the church 
 were held from the beginning. The furnishings of the church 
 building such as pulpit, chairs, communion table, organ, pews, 
 hymn books, etc., were given by the friends of the work, principal 
 among whom were Mrs. Sue Bradford, Mr. Bradford Nichol, 
 Sr., the Woman's Guild of the First Church, the Moore Memorial 
 congregation, the Cottage congregation and the congregation of 
 the First Church. 
 
 In February, 1902, the present property, a house and lot, were 
 purchased at a cost of $1,000. In the fall of 1903, a brick manse 
 of six rooms was built on the lot at a cost of about $1,500, and is 
 now occupied by the pastor. The church has had a slow but 
 constant growth and is now in good condition, with a member- 
 ship of about seventy-five. 
 
 The following are the names of the officers and their dates of 
 service : 
 
 Pastor. — Rev. Spencer Jackson, began May, 1898, still acting. 
 
 Elders. — James Huckabee, November, 1898, still acting; W. 
 M. Flowers, November, 1898, still acting; Henry Bosworth, 
 May, 1899, still acting; Alonzo Grant, April, 1900, still acting; 
 Edward Frierson, October, ICJ04, still acting. 
 
 Deacons. — Jefferson Frierson, November, 1898, deceased ; 
 Richard Grant, April, 1901, still acting; Charles Handy, April, 
 1902, still acting; J. W. Jamison, October, 1902, still acting. 
 
Prescyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 67 
 
 Y. M. C. A. 
 
 The Presbyterians of Nashville have long been among the 
 leaders in interdenominational work of all kinds, notably the 
 Y. M. C. A. work. Several presidents of the board have been 
 Presbyterians and the state secretary. Rev. S. W. McGill, is a 
 member of Nashville Presbytery. Pie has done a splendid work 
 among the young men of Tennessee. 
 
68 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 Presbyterian Officers in Nashville. 
 
 The following is a list of the officers of the various churches 
 of Nashville as the boards are now constituted . 
 
 BENAVI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 Wm. Brantley, Officer. 
 
 COTTAGE CHU 
 
 Dr. f. F. Lackey 
 
 Elders. 
 
 W. S. Hill. 
 
 R. B. Jones. 
 
 W. T. Thompson, 
 
 Chas. Weimer. 
 
 FIRST CHUI 
 
 Rev. W. M. Anderson 
 
 Elders. 
 
 W. G. Adams, 
 A. G. Adams, 
 J. D. Blanton, 
 R. S. Cowan, 
 Byrd Dousdas, 
 Dr. P. F. Eve, 
 W. F. Foster, 
 Chas. B. Glenn. 
 Dr. J. D. Plunkett, 
 W. PI. Raymond, 
 Tos. H. Thompson. 
 R. G. Thorne, 
 C. B. Wallace. 
 
 Elders-elect. 
 
 Dr. Wm. Bailey, 
 Dr. M. G. Buckner, 
 Duncan McKay, 
 Frank Boensch, Sr., 
 W. T. Abernathv. 
 
 RCH. 
 
 , Pastor. 
 
 Deacons. 
 Henry Gwinner, 
 C. W. Tones. 
 
 X'TI. 
 
 D.D., Pastor. 
 
 Deacons. 
 
 Wm. C. Collier, 
 
 P. M, Foster, 
 
 E. W. Foster, 
 C. C. Foster, 
 J. B. Garrett. 
 T. C. Kennedy, 
 
 F. A. Myers, 
 J PI. McEwen, 
 Bradford Nichol, Sr., 
 Henry Sperry, 
 T. G. Tinslev, 
 W. D. Witherspoon. 
 
 Deacons-elect. 
 Tno. P. W. Brown, 
 Geo. M. White, 
 Thos. P. Kennedy, 
 Dr. D. R. Stubblefield, 
 Dr. Jno. A. Witherspoon, 
 Robt. T. Hopkins, 
 Bradford Nichol,' Jr., 
 
 Robert Pusk, 
 
 i. 1 larrv Howe, 
 
 : '. S. Caldwell, 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 69 
 
 glex leven church. 
 
 Rev. Jas. H. McNeilly, Pastor. 
 
 Elders. Deacons. 
 
 John F. Campbell, J. H. Bell, 
 
 A. S. Caldwell. C. C. Gilbert, 
 
 H. K. Northwav, Ed. LeSueur, 
 
 A. W. Stockell' G. S. Parrish, 
 
 Dr. W. A. Tanksley, 
 G. C. Terry, 
 J. A. Wemyss. 
 
 m'neilly church. 
 
 Rev. Chas. E. Sullivan, Pastor. 
 
 J. D. McGinnis, Elder. 
 
 MOORE MEMORIAL CHURCH. 
 
 Rev. G. W, Bull, Pastor. 
 
 Elders. Deacons. 
 
 K. F. Banks, C. R. Atchison. 
 
 A. M. Carroll. J. A. Bennie. 
 
 Tohn W. Childress, R. S. Bolles, 
 
 Tames Geddes, \V. H. Clarke. 
 
 L. W. Hall, W. E. K. Doak, 
 
 ? lien G. Hall. 7. H. Edwards, 
 
 John A. Hollins, K. C. Hardcastle, 
 
 Edgar Jones. S. K. Harwell. 
 
 Robert Moran, C. S. Kinkead, 
 
 Ceo. G. O'Bryan, T. II. Maney, 
 
 T. W. Weatherly, W. D. Mayo, 
 
 T. H. Wilkes. ' i. H. Orr, 
 
 B. H. Rice. 
 
 G M. Rose. 
 
 W. O. Tirrill. 
 
 W. D. Trabue. 
 
 WESTMINSTER CHURCH. 
 
 Rev. J. L. Brownlee, I'astor. 
 
 Elders. Deacons. 
 
 S. D. Butler. A. Tillman Jones, 
 
 G. A. Myers, Win. R. Payne, 
 
 T. B. Reese, Chas. Ridley, Jr. 
 L. A. Wood. 
 
70 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 SECOND CHURCH. 
 
 Rev. J. C. Cowan, Pastor. 
 
 Elders. 
 
 II. G. Diatikar, 
 ). M. Lowe, 
 Wm. J. Miller, 
 G. W. Hutchison, 
 Hugh McNoughton, 
 H. W. Sanhouse, 
 H. Taber. 
 
 Deacons. 
 Wm. Cassetty, 
 ]". T. Cassetty, 
 R. S. Dale, 
 T. H. Dunlap, 
 I. T. Hutchison, 
 H. G. Phelan, 
 Fred Schott, 
 <H. V. Wall. 
 
 WEST NASHVILLE CHURCH. 
 
 Rev. F. D. Daniel, Pastor. 
 
 Elders. 
 
 Mark S. Cockrill, 
 Chas. D. Marsh, 
 A. F. Marsh. 
 
 Deacons. 
 D. S. Goodrich, 
 J. A. Hammond, 
 Willard Marsh. 
 
 WOODLAND STREET CHURCH. 
 
 Rev. Wm. States Jacobs, Pastor. 
 
 Elders. 
 
 R. S. Hollins, St., 
 
 Samuel Orr, 
 
 G. W. Gifford, 
 
 Ceo. B. Guild, 
 
 N. T. Freeman, 
 
 S. S. McKay, 
 
 C. A. Graves, 
 
 N. P. LeSueur, 
 
 E. T. Hollins, 
 
 G. H. Baskett. 
 
 Dr. Nathaniel Gooch. 
 
 Deacons. 
 R. S. Webb, 
 W. E. Metzger, 
 T. J. Odil, 
 R. T. Creighton, 
 A. E. Baird, 
 John Langham, 
 Tohn Neelv, 
 E. L. Doak, 
 W. G. Sawrie, 
 W. R. Cornelius, 
 Leland Hume, 
 W. M. Hunt, 
 Frank Herbrick, 
 Chas. Waller, 
 >W. J. Law, 
 W. A. Archibald. 
 
Presbytekianism in Nashville. 
 
 7 1 
 
 Historic Sketch of Ward Seminary. 
 
 Nashville has for many years been noted as an educational 
 center. Before the war of 1861-5, the old Nashville Female 
 Academv was the largest school for girls in the South, and proba- 
 bly in the whole country. In 1861 it had five hundred and 
 seventv-five pupils of whom three hundred and twenty-five were 
 boarders from all over the Southern States. The Rev. Dr. (..'. D. 
 
 WARD SEMINARY. 
 
 Elliott was one of the most successful of the old-time school- 
 masters. But when the war closed, all the interests of the South 
 were in ruins ; and while the need of a first-class female school 
 in Nashville was manifest, the question was who should under- 
 take it, and where should the means be found ' 
 
 Under these circumstances, the Rev. Win. E. Ward, D.D., a 
 minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a man of fine 
 culture, of lovely character, and of strong faith determined to 
 open a private school for girls. The obstacles were many, and he 
 undertook it with serious misgivings. In the fall of iSW he 
 
72 
 
 Presbyterianism in Nashville. 
 
 GEN. GATES P. THRUSTON. 
 Chairman Board of Trustees of Ward Seminary. 
 
Presbyterianism ix Nashville. 73 
 
 rented the Kirkman residence, at the corner of Cedar and Cherry 
 streets, and with such help as he could secure, especially with the 
 assistance of his own family, he began the work. From the first 
 it was a pronounced success, and in a short time, the growth of 
 the school demanded larger quarters. So Dr. Ward purchased 
 the site and buildings now occupied by the Ward Seminary — and 
 as there was need he improved and added to them. For twenty- 
 two years he conducted the seminar}" as a private enterprise, and 
 he had a very large patronage from the Southern States. 
 
 After his death the property was bought by a stock company 
 and for several years the school was in charge of Professor J. B. 
 Hancock, with a large corps of teachers. 
 
 In (1891?) the Presbyterians of Nashville purchased the prop- 
 erty and have since conducted the school. The name was con- 
 sidered one of the most valuable assets of the institution, and 
 caused them to purchase that property, rather than to attempt 
 to build up a new school. 
 
 officers of instruction and government. 
 Session 1904-1905. 
 
 John Diell Blanton, LL.D President. 
 
 Bell J. Jennings Lady Principal, School Department. 
 
 Anna Hawes Blanton . . . Lady Principal, Home Department. 
 
 John Diell Blanton Pedagogy, Bible. 
 
 Bell J. Jennings Sacred and Secular History. 
 
 Elizabeth Chapman Literature, History of Art. 
 
 Helen Thach Latin, Greek. 
 
 Elizabeth Green Rhetoric, Composition. 
 
 Antoinette Fleury French. 
 
 Sarah Spurlock Science, Herman. 
 
 Laura Sheppe Mathematics. 
 
 Martha A. Hopkins Grammar, History, Arithmetic. 
 
 Eliza Mitchell Grammar, History, Arithmetic. 
 
 Musa McDonald Primary Department. 
 
 Hilda McClean Hunt Elocution. 
 
 Lajiira Goodwin Art. 
 
 Emil L. Winkler Piano, Harmony. 
 
 Lulie L. Randle Piano. 
 
 Elizabeth C. Caldwell Piano, History of Music. 
 
 *Sarah E. McIlwaine Piano. 
 
 Susan Cosgrove Piano. 
 
 Mary Faulkner Winkler Piano — Primary Grades. 
 
 Charles Wanzer Starr 1 'ocal Culture. 
 
 Martha Lanier Scruggs 1'oiee Culture. 
 
 Douglas Powell Voice Culture — Chorus Singing. 
 
 J. Hough Guest / 'iolin. 
 
 ^Away on ]pave of absence for a year. 
 4 
 
74 Presbyterian ism in Nashville. 
 
 DR. J. D. BLANTON. 
 President of Ward Seminary. 
 
Presbyterianism in Nashville. 75 
 
 Jessie Kilgore Waedlaw Physical Culture. 
 
 Grace Thomas Stenographer. 
 
 Mary P. Carter Matron. 
 
 Nettie B. Handley Housekeeper. 
 
 Lewis A. Sexton Bookkeeper. 
 
 Leon H. Vincent Lectures on Literature. 
 
 board of directors. 
 
 Gates P. Thruston Chairman. 
 
 W. C. Collier I 'ice Chairman. 
 
 L. G O'Bryan Secretary. 
 
 John H. DeWitt, Henry Sperry, 
 
 Walter H. Clarke, Clarence B. Wallace, 
 
 J. D. Blanton, J. D. Plunket, M.D., 
 
 J. H. Fall, Leland Hume. 
 
 executive committee. 
 
 Gates P. Thruston Chairman. 
 
 L. G. O'Bryan Secretary. 
 
 J. D. Blanton, Clarence B. Wallace, 
 
 W. C. Collier. 
 
7 6 
 
 pRESBYTERIANISM IN NASHVILLE. 
 
 Monroe Harding Orphanage. 
 
 MONROE HARDING ORPHANAGE. 
 
 The Monroe Harding Orphanage, which is the gift to the 
 cause of Christian philanthropy of Mrs. Monroe Harding, as a 
 memorial to her husband, whose name it bears, is situated in 
 North Nashville near the Jefferson street car line, on a spacious 
 lot affording- ample garden facilities, and combining the con- 
 veniences of the city with pure air and rural seclusion. Rev. 
 and Mrs. Newman, who preside over the institution, are specially 
 adapted to the important work of training the fatherless wards 
 of the church.