[From an excellent draft of the various transactions of the Edgefield Church, with reference to Arrington Street Church, made by W. A. Clendening, the clerk of the session, and from a long descriptive letter by the Rev. R. F. Patton, of Springfield, Tenn., together with personal reminiscences gathered from various sources, the following sketch is obtained.]

The growth of a church is of great interest, for it is like that of the individual, dependent upon the vitality within and the condition without. Arrington Street Church is in a good field, and the following narrative will prove that it has the necessary internal energy and vigor.

It was in the spring of 1886 that a few ladies connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, living in North Edgefield began holding prayer meetings at their homes, and soon afterwards a "Ladies Sewing Circle" was organized, with Mrs. R. F. Patton, President, and Miss Miriam Redding, Secretary and Treasurer. The members of the Sewing Circle, as well as now remembered, were Mrs. E. F. Davis, Miss S. E. Patton, Mrs. Barnum, Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Eaton and her sister, Miss Carlock, Mrs. Redding and her daughters, and Mrs. Spurrier. These ladies went to work and soon had funds sufficient by sewing to warrant their action in renting Wingrove's Hall, on First Street. On March 12, 1886, the Edgefield C. P. Church became aware of this activity and appointed a committee consisting of ruling elders T. M. Hurst, W. A. Clendening and G. W. Bliss to confer with the Cumberland Presbyterians in N.E. Nashville in regard to organizing a Mission Sunday school in that locality. This committee conferred with the members above mentioned and, through the committee appointed by the membership, of which J. N. Meroney was Chairman, concluded to start a Sunday school. The Sunday school was organized on June 14, 1886, with twenty-five members, and T. M. Hurst was elected Superintendent, J. N. Meroney, Assistant Superintendent, and T. O. Anderson, Secretary and Treasurer.

The prayer meeting was moved to Wingrove's Hall, and on Sunday afternoon at the close of the Sunday school, Rev. M. B. DeWitt, D.D., and other ministers, preached to the people. Early in 1887 the ladies employed Rev. A. W. Dumas, a student in the Seminary in Lebanon, to preach for them. In the meanwhile, they had bought an organ and two hundred chairs, besides paying rent for the Hall. The Sunday school continued to prosper until a membership of forty was enrolled. On June 19, 1887, G. W. Bliss resigned as a member of the Committee, and Elder John Frizzell was elected to take his place, and his interest in the Mission continued until his death. A little trouble in the church arose at this time on account of some of the members desiring a separate organization. A protest, together with the petition, was considered by the session of the Edgefield Church, and it was decided to be unwise to effect a separate organization, and the Mission was continued under the care of the Edgefield Church.

T. M. Hurst resigned as a member of the committee, and also as Superintendent of the Sunday school. J. N. Meroney was elected Superintendent, with Walter Anderson as Assistant. Dr. M. B. DeWitt was placed upon the committee.

On November 29, 1889, a "Lot and House Committee" was appointed by the session of the Edgefield Church, consisting of John Frizzell, W. A. Clendening, Rev. E. B. Crisman, and T. D. Kirkpatrick, together with the "Ladies' Aid Society," which had been organized by the Mission. January 1, 1890, T. M. Hurst was elected Superintendent of the Sunday school and T. O. Anderson, Assistant Superintendent. February 14, 1890, the "House and Lot Committee" reported that they had purchased a lot 60 by 195 feet, on which stood an old school house 24 by 60 feet, for the sum of $1,000, which was largely paid by the members of the Edgefield Church. The partition in the school house was removed, and a rude platform was constructed by two ladies, Mrs. Patton and Mrs. Sloan, and on the following Sunday the first sermon was preached by Dr. M. B. DeWitt. W. R. Cornelius, who has been a friend to this mission from beginning, furnished the carpet for the pulpit and T. J. Eaton made the stand. The ladies were untiring in their efforts to build up and sustain the cause of Christ. They added to the labors of the "Sewing Circle" by concerts and other entertainments, conducted by Miss Emma Davis, and by the help of the Mother Church, the Mission was started on its prosperous career. Dr. E. B. Crisman and other preachers kept up the Sunday services, and some of the best members of the church at the present, connected themselves at that time. On December 16, 1890, the committee heretofore in charge of the Edgefield Mission, was discharged and a committee from its own membership was appointed: W. C. Anderson, T. D. Kirkpatrick and J. W. McMurry. W. C. Anderson was elected Superintendent of the Sunday school and T. D. Kirkpatrick Assistant Superintendent.

August 9, 1891, the North Edgefield Mission was granted permission to employ a minister as supply, provided sufficient means could be procured to pay for the same. From August 31, 1891, to January 1, 1892, the members of the North Edgefield Mission contributed $106.00, and out of that amount Rev. W. J. Lackey, stated supply, received $94.06.

At 3 P.M., on February 7, 1892, the Second Edgefield Church was organized with sixty members, by Rev. R. W. Binkley, Pastor of the Edgefield Church, assisted by Revs. M. B. DeWitt, J. E. Clarke and W. J. Lackey. The organization was completed by the election of the following Elders and Deacons: Elders--T. D. Kirkpatrick, W. C. Anderson, J. W. McMurry, J. T. Waggoner and W. L. Stroud. Deacons--J. M. Chandler, J. B. Mitchell, T. D. Kirkpatrick was elected clerk of the session, which office he has filled with credit ever since. On July 16, 1892, Rev. D. E. Dortch was called as supply and preached a few months. During this time H. H. Smith was installed an Elder in this church.

October 17, 1892, Rev. F. Z. King was called as supply and served this church for a period of more than two years, and during this time Rev. N. D. Crawford held a very successful meeting by which twenty-six additions were made to the church. Walter King was made Elder, and W. C. Anderson and W. L. Stroud were alternately Superintendents of the Sunday school.

The Evangelist W. L. Walker held a meeting which resulted in fifteen additions to the church. The North Nashville Mission was started June 30, 1895. During the pastorate of F. Z. King, the church membership was more than doubled, and he is still held in loving remembrance for the work which he did at that place.

September 22, 1895, Rev. George O. Bachman began preaching for the church, and thus continued until November 17, when he was called as stated supply. On May 17, 1896, all the members in the North Nashville Mission were granted letters of dismission, in order to organize a separate church. J. B. Mitchell was made elder, and, by action of the session, the name was changed to Arrington Street Cumberland Presbyterian Church. December 30, 1895, the building Committee was appointed, consisting of J. B. Mitchell, T. D. Kirkpatrick, T. O. Anderson and W. T. Whitsitt. On April 21, 1896, work was begun on the new church, and in October the Sunday school room was opened with a very delightful service, Rev. M. B. DeWitt preached the sermon, and a special programme of music was rendered; the service being in charge of the pastor.

During the year 1897 the church was greatly strengthened, J. W. Jackson and Charles W. Shillcutt were ordained deacons, and quite a number of members received. On December 15, 1897, Rev. George Bachman was called as a permanent pastor, and on January 30, he was installed by a commission from Lebanon Presbytery. On March 30, 1898, the auditorium was opened by a special service, the pastor preaching both morning and night. Special music was rendered, and a large audience gathered to congratulate the membership on the completion of their new house.

The auditorium of the church is 40x40, and is very beautifully finished with solid oak pews, and all trimmings are finished in dark oak. The pulpit, which is a very beautiful one, together with the flower stands, are the gift of the "Junior Society" of this church. In all, more than one hundred out of a membership of one hundred and forty-four have contributed more or less to the success of the completion of the house. The Sunday school room is on the rear of the auditorium and can be made a portion of the auditorium in case it should be needed in an overflow meeting. It has one hexagonal side, around which are placed seven classrooms. which are draped in front by heavy curtains, thus giving quiet and privacy to each class when assembled in their work. There is also a spacious library and church office, which the pastor will use for the present as his study. The church is heated by a furnace; well lighted and ventilated. Altogether, it is one of the most modern church houses in the city, and proves a theory which the pastor has believed for many years, that the poorer churches, as well as the more wealthy, can, if they will, have houses adapted to modern church work at a small expense. The house when completed will cost in the neighborhood of five thousand dollars.

It is with gratitude to God, and the many friends of the church and the other congregations, that the pastor and people are planning for greater things in the future. Among those who might be especially mentioned in this connection are W. R. Cornelius, F. M. Hamilton and George R. Russell of the Edgefield Church; Rev. I. D. Steele and Joseph Allen of the First Church, W. T. Hardison of Grace Church and Hamilton Parks of Addison Avenue Church. Many others helped in money or material, and in all, one hundred and fifty persons outside of the membership of the church contributed to its support. It was the purpose of a pastor to furnish us with a cut of the church, but owing to the fact that the exterior is not yet completed, he was unable to do so.
[Source: Undated photocopy of article in vertical file]

1892
Second Edgefield Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: T. D. Kirkpatrick, Nashville, Tenn.
Pastor: W. J. Lackey
Total Membership: 65
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1892, page 252]

1893
Second Edgefield Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: T. D. Kirkpatrick, Nashville, Tenn.
Pastor: F. Z. King
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1893, page 252]

1894
Second Edgefield Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: T. D. Kirkpatrick, Nashville, Tenn.
Pastor: F. Z. King
Total Membership: 132
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1894, page 262]

1895
Second Edgefield Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: T. D. Kirkpatrick, Nashville, Tenn.
Pastor: F. Z. King
Total Membership: 139
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1895, page 272]

1896
Second Edgefield Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Clerk of the Session and Post-Office: T. J. Kirkpatrick, Nashville, Tenn.
Pastor: Geo. O. Bachman
Total Membership: 130
Lebanon Presbytery - Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1896, page 244]

1895
Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 25.--Rev. Geo. O. Bachman has been chosen pastor of the Second Edgefield Church and has accepted, condition being agreed upon that he may continue to hold institutes as may be necessary during the week days, preaching to his people on Sunday. The church has not thus far felt able to give him necessary financial support without this arrangement, and Mr. Bachman naturally finds much pleasure in his Sunday school work.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, November 28, 1895, page 309]

1896
The new building of the Second Edgefield congregation, Rev. G. O. Bachman, pastor, will be formally opened next Sunday the opening sermon being preached by M. B. DeWitt, D.D.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, November 12, 1896, page 623]