From its earliest beginnings as one of the three original churches established in Gurley in 1892, the Presbyterian church as played an integral role in the religious and educational development of the community. The original church site was on Church Street where the Doug Hereford home now stands.
During the early 1900's, as the Presbyterian reformation occurred across the country, members of the Gurley denomination were also discussing church government. Growing dissatisfaction, seemingly irreconcilable differences with the Presbyterian USA faction, and an injunction barring Cumberland Presbyterians from holding services in their present church site led to the decision to erect a new building.
The present building was built in 1912 on the "garden spot" property donated by Postmaster Cobb under the guidance of building committee members A. E. Smith, Henry Smith, J. D. Champion, and Dr. Graham. The church was dedicated May 4, 1919.
The Gurley Cumberland Presbyterian congregation in conjunction with the Robert Donnell Presbytery was instrumental in donating/deeding land to the State for the Madison County High School and in donating the land and building which facilitated establishment of a female college in Gurley.
We are all proud of the significant contributions made by the Gurley Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and take great pride in the outstanding leadership it has exhibited and in the beautiful example of architecture it represents.
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On November 4, 1987, the Gurley Cumberland Presbyterian Church was listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.
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