1885
A petition from the eldership of a new congregation organized at Dresden, Weakley county, was read, and on motion said congregation was received under the care of this Presbytery, and the name of its representative, A. J. Rooks, was enrolled.
On motion, Dresden was received as a mission point under the care of this Presbytery, and Rev. T. W.Cannon and W. A. Boon were appointed a committee to confer with Rev. H. L. Dickey in regard to his being the missionary for that point.
[Source: Minutes of Hopewell Presbytery, March 21-23, 1885, pages 4 & 8]

Congregations not represented: Dresden
The following representatives reported, and their names were enrolled: J. D. Thomison, from Dresden.
The roll was called and the following members found to be absent: ...with Elders... J. D. Thomison.
The Committee on Dresden Mission reported. Said report was concurred in. [Marked F.]
[F.] Your Committee on Dresden Mission, after conferring with the Rev. H. L. Dickey in reference to his connection with that work, would recommend to the Church that he be continued as the missionary in charge of that work, and that he be authorized to visit the congregations in your bounds and solicit funds to assist in building a church-house; and as your committee, we recommend him to the favorable consideration of the congregations within your bounds.
Respectfully submitted.
T. W. Cannon, W. A. Boon.
[Source: Minutes of Hopewell Presbytery, October 10-12, 1885, pages 2-3, 5, 7 & 11]

1886
Congregations not represented: Dresden (March 26, 1886, page 2)

Elders ... J. G. Thomason from Dresden ... appeared and their names were enrolled. (March 26, 1886, page 3)

On motion, Presbytery ratified contracts between ministers and congregations as follows:
H. L. Dickey, Dresden, 1/2 time, salary not stated. (March 26, 1886, page 4)

On motion, the funds collected on last night were given to the Dresden congregation to assist in building their church house, and the Treasurer, in whose hands it was placed, was instructed to pay the same when called for. (March 29, 1886, page 5)

Your Committee on State of Religion and Statistics would submit, as his annual report for the year ending March 31, 1886, the following:
You have on the roll 43 congregations. 27 of which have reported to your Stated Clerk. The following have failed to report... Dresden. (page 11)

Your committee has examined the following records, and find them correct: ... Dresden. (page 12)
[Source: Minutes of Hopewell Presbytery, March 27-29, 1886]

Congregations represented: Dresden - J. G. Thomason (October 9, 1886, page 2)

On motion, Dresden, Weakley county, Tenn., was selected as the place for the next meeting of this Presbytery. (October 9, 1886, page 4)

Rev. H. L. Dickey, the missionary in charge of the Dresden mission, made a verbal report, which was concurred in. (October 9, 1886, page 4)

Treasurer's Report
Dresden
Pay Mem. - 19
Dues 1886 - $1.90
Total Dr. - $1.90
Bal. Due. - $1.90 (page 17)
[Source: Minutes of Hopewell Presbytery, October 9-11, 1886]

1887
The Hopewell Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church met, pursuant to adjournment, at Dresden, Tenn., in the C.P Church, March 26th, 1887, at 11 o'clock a.m. (page 1)

Congregations represented: Dresden - J. G. Thomason (March 26, 1887, page 2)

The following was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That thanks of this Presbytery be, and they are hereby, tendered to the citizens of Dresden for their kindness in entertaining its members during the present meeting; also to the M.E. Church, South, for the use of their church building. (March 28, 1887, page 7)

Your committee on state of religion and statistics would submit as his annual report for the year ending March 31st, 1887, the following:
You have on roll forty-five congregations, twenty-six of which have reported to your stated clerk.
The following have made no report: ... Dresden. (page 8)

Your committee on Sessional Records would report:
We have examined the records of the following congregations--...Dresden. We find them all in good condition. Some failed, however, to show at times that their meetings were opened and closed with prayer. We think this should be done. (pages 13-14)
[Source: Minutes of Hopewell Presbytery, March 26-28, 1887]

1888
Congregations not represented--Dresden (October 5, 1888, page 2)
[Source: Minutes of Hopewell Presbytery, October 5-8, 1888]

1889
Congregations not represented: Dresden (March 22, 1889, page 2)
[Source: Minutes of Hopewell Presbytery, March 22-25, 1889]

Congregations not represented: Dresden (October 4, 1889, page 1)
[Source: Minutes of Hopewell Presbytery, October 4-7, 1889]

1890
Congregations not represented: Dresden (March 21, 1890, page 2)
[Source: Minutes of Hopewell Presbytery, March 21-22, 1890]

Congregations not represented: Dresden (October 3, 1890, page 2)

Congregations and Clerk of Sessions
Dresden - John McGlothlin - Dresden, Tennessee (page 20)
[Source: Minutes of Hopewell Presbytery, October 3-4, 1890]

1891
Congregations not represented: Dresden (March 20, 1891, page 3)

Your committee on Sunday Schools would report as follows:
You have in successful operation Sabbath Schools at the following churches: ... Dresden. (page 10)

Presbyterial Directory
Congregations--Clerks
Dresden - John McGlothlin, Dresden, Tenn. (page 19)
[Source: Minutes of Hopewell Presbytery, March 20-21, 1891]

In 1824, the organization of the first Presbytery was issued. It was called "Hopewell." The first log building was on Church Street at the south end of the Dresden Clinic. The two rows of trees, which had been removed, served as hitching posts in the horse and buggy days.

The local Cumberland Presbyterian Church began its existence in February 17, 1851, when Samuel A. Warner deeded Lot 88 to the church, which at the time of this writing is owned by Mrs. Herbert Tuck. The Dresden Masonic Lodge was given authority to use the second story of the building for lodge purposes. This location was operated as a mission. The official organization of the Church took place on January 4, 1885. In 1886, the session met in the home of J.G. Thomason at which ten members were added to the Church, and money was appropriated for hymnals. This place became later the home of Joe Maloan, grandson of Mr. Thomason.

In 1885, after a session meeting, which resulted in a called meeting of the congregation, it was decided to erect a frame house for the meeting place of the church at the present location, which is at the corner of Wilson Street at Nelson Street. The congregation finished the house within the year and held services on a regular basis until 1896.

For a lack of ministerial leadership, the church ceased to have regular preaching. Then it became reorganized in 1916. It was then that the church had a minister on a semi-monthly basis. In 1931, thirty-five members moved out of town or died in one year, after which the services were dropped and no church activities were held, with the exception of a few social and civic organizations meeting occasionally.

In 1950, the old building was remodeled and rededicated in a special service in October of that year. This was done under the leadership of Mr. Jack Freeman who became an ordained Elder of the Church. The building was modernized with a brick veneer siding exterior, an altered steeple, and had an educational annex added to it. During this same period, under the leadership of Mr. Freeman a manse was erected behind the Church on Nelson Street. It was a concrete based frame which within a few years became a brick veneer exterior, and finally a small carport was added to the east side of the building. The Reverend Doyle K. Richardson was the first pastor to occupy the manse. In 1980, the session approved a plan to remodel again, which resulted in the church office replacing the carport, with a half bath added. The former office of the church became a Sunday School room.

The following ministers have served the church since 1932:

Letie Clement
J. T. Buck, 1949
Doyle Richardson, 1950-1953
E. H. Denman, Jr., 1953
Charles Studdard, 1954
Jolly Freeman, 1955-1957
Lewis Walker, 1957
Forest Prosser, 1958-1961
John E. Gardner, 1961-1964
Dale Shelton, 1964-1967
Oren L. Stover, 1967-1973
Ben Barrus, 1973-1975
Wendell Ordway, 1975-1978
B. Keith Johnson, 1978
Steve Delashmit, 1979
Allen Jones, 1982-1984
Jim Birkhead, 1984-1986
Oren L. Stover, 1986-present

Session Records of the Dresden Cumberland Presbyterian Church housed in the Historical Library and Archives of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church:

Book One, 1885-1936
Book Two, 1936-1949
Book Three, 1947-1956