Probably the first church erected by the Cumberland Presbyterians was Walnut Grove Church, on White Oak Creek, built some time in the early twenties [1820s], of which Rev. John L. Smith, Rev. Dr. Cassett [sic Cossitt] and Rev. Uriah Smith were the ministers.
[Source: The Goodspeed Histories of Montgomery, Robertson, Humphreys, Stewart, Dickson, Cheatham, Houston Counties of Tennessee, Reprinted from Goodspeed's Hisstory of Tennessee, originally published 1886, Columbia, Tennessee: Woodward & Stinson Printing Co., 1972, page 893.]

The Cumberland Valley Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located in Houston County, Tennessee, on the White Oak Creek near the Humphreys County line.

The Cumberland Valley session minutes are not complete. One book is missing. The first available session minute was dated September, 1892.

Walnut Grove. The Cumberland Valley Cumberland Presbyterian Church was first organized in Humphreys County, Tennessee as the Walnut Grove Cumberland Presbyterian Church.(1) The Cumberland Presbyterians first organized in Humphreys County in 1814, and the first church erected in the county by the Cumberland Presbyterians was the Walnut Grove church some time in the early twenties.(2) Therefore, the church was organized sometime between those dates. It has not been determined who organized the church. The church was admitted into Charlotte Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.(3)

Although the first session book has been destroyed, a notation was made in the second book just before the "register of communicants" which reads as follows:

We the undersigned, living in the vicinity of White Oak Creek, Humphreys County, Tennessee, agree to form ourselves into a congregation to be known as the Walnut Grove congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; and having been received under the care of the Charlotte Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, we look to said presbytery for such supplies of the word and ordainances as God may enable them to afford us; We agreeing to support the gospel as God may prosper us.(4)

Following this notation, was a list of 187 names which gave neither the date of admission nor the date of their dismissal.

Cumberland Valley. The name of the Walnut Grove church was changed to "Cumberland Valley" on October 29, 1887. At this time, the church was moved up the creek about two miles to a new location which was in Houston County.(5)

First building. The Cumberland Valley church has had two buildings. The first one was located in Humphreys County, on the White Oak Creek. It was built some time in the early 1820's. It was a log building.(6)

Second building. The second building was built when the church changed its name from "Walnut Grove" to "Cumberland Valley" in 1887. This building was located in Houston County - two miles up the creek from the first building. It was a one room framed building.(7)

The following notation appeared in the second session book:

October 29, 1887

We the undersigned officers and members of the Walnut Grove Congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church do hereby agree to remove our place of worship to the new frame building, just erected for the worship of God, which will be called Cumberland Valley which stands on White Oak Creek about two miles above the old log house and near Esqr. J.W. Edward's Premises.

The following ministers have served the church: John L. Smith, Dr. Cassett [sic Cossitt], and Uriah Smith, all before 1886;(8) A. C. Stockard, 1890; H. N. Cooley, September, 1892; A. M. Taylor, 1896; F. M. Osborn, September, 1898; B. B. Larkins, July, 1900, A. F. Eddins, 1903-1904; B. B. Larkins, 1906-August, 1908; William A. Blades, 1909-1911; A. W. Clinard, April, 1912-October, 1913; Maston Powers, January 3, 1914-February, 1916; G. E. Danley, August, 1916-February, 1917; W. V. Whitworth, August, 1917-September, 1919; Albert Burns, 1920-1921; Bob Taylor, September, 1924; George H. Cole, March, 1927; D. A. Hatcher, February, 1928; C. E. Hasten, March, 1929; A. W. Clinard, August, 1934; C. P. Mayhew, August 30, 1935; Roscoe Alsobrooks, August, 1946-fall of 1937; Carl Davis, fall of 1937-1950; M.C. Powers, September, 1950; Lionel N. Garner, March, 1951, M. C. Powers, February, 1954-March, 1955; and J. David Hester since April 17, 1955.(9)

The Cumberland Valley church became a part of Clarksville Presbytery in 1899.(10) Since that time, Clarksville Presbytery has met with the Cumberland Valley congregation two times: September, 1917;(11) and September 26, 1939.(12)

1. Minutes of the Session of the Cumberland Valley Cumberland Presbyterian Church Book II, (pages not numbered.).

2. History of Tennessee (Nashville: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1886), pp. 892-893.

3. Minutes of the Session of the Cumberland Valley Cumberland Presbyterian Church Book II.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. History of Tennessee (Nashville: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1886), p. 893.

7. Minutes of the Session of the Cumberland Valley Cumberland Presbyterian Church Book II.

8. History of Tennessee (Nashville: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1886, p. 893.

9. Minutes of the Session of the Cumberland Valley Cumberland Presbyterian Church Books II-IV.

10. Minutes of the Synod of Tennessee of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church October 17-20, 1899, pp. 47-48.

11. Minutes of Clarksville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church March 12-14, 1918, p. 16.

12. Ibid., March 28-29, 1939, p. 7.

[Source: "A History of the Existing Churches of Clarksville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church." A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Cumberland Presbyterian Theological Seminary, McKenzie, Tennessee. In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Bachelor of Divinity by Ollie Newsome Harvey, May 1956.]