1850
October 26-27, 1850
Charlotte, Dickson County, Tennessee - Charlotte Presbytery
Representative - James Yeates - from Waverly
[Source: "Extracts of the Minutes of the Charlotte Presbytery," The Banner of Peace and Cumberland Presbyterian Advocate, December 27, 1850, page 1]

Waverly is well supplied with substantial churches, having three as handsome church edifices as can be found outside of the cities. In 1847 the citizens in general erected a common meeting-house, in which all denominations met for worship, and the Masonic lodge held their meetings in the upstairs. The building was of brick, and stood near the northeast corner of the public square, on the site of the present new Cumberland Presbyterian Church, now in course of erection. The old building stood until 1885, when it was torn away to give place to the above church. In 1878 the Old School Presbyterians began the erection of a brick church, which was completed and dedicated during the following year, Rev. J. W. Hoyt delivering the dedicatory sermon. The building is a handsome brick, built in a modern style of architecture, and is handsomely furnished, the whole costing about $5,000. The Methodist Episcopal Church is a large, handsome frame building, over which the different benevolent societies have their lodge room. This church was completed during the present year at a cost of about $2,000, and was dedicated by Rev. Dr. J. B. West, on Sunday, April 11, 1886. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church will be completed during the present summer. The building is a handsome frame, and when completed will be an ornament to the town. The colored people have but one church, that church being the African Methodist Episcopal denomination. The church building is a substantial frame, and sits on a hill overlooking the entire town.
[Source: The Goodspeed Histories of Montgomery, Robertson, Humphreys, Stewart, Dickson, Cheatham, Houston Counties of Tennessee. Reprinted from Goodspeed's History of Tennessee. Originally published 1886. Columbia, Tennessee: Woodward & Stinson Printing Co., 1972, page 887]

This congregation entered into existence in 1837, twenty [sic: twenty-seven] years after the birth of our denomination, therefore has just reached its 68th birthday. The Rev. William Guthrie has the ministerial credit of being its organizer as well as its faithful pastor. Owing to the loss by fire of the early records, important matters of history have passed from our control; but the following names of ministers who have served acceptably are recalled: David Marshall, John Dunlap, Wesley Williams, James Parrish, David Cooley, William Cooley, A. C. Stockard, T. E. Hudson, T. F. Bowman, W. D. Landis, W. W. Hendrix, A. H. Manly, and J. M. Webb. Among these names are found many well remembered brethren who have gone to their reward, others yet living, are doing effective work in other sections of the church. The present pastor, Rev. J. H. Thomas, has been in charge since 1903, serving faithfully this congregation and that of Bowen's Chapel, near Waverly, in "Big Bottom." The following comprises the able and substantial session, most of whom have given many years of faithful service and devotion to their duties: J. H. McAdoo, J. P. Cowen, J. C. Harris, C. W. Turner, J. E. Tubb, C. W. Cowen (Clk.)

The present comfortable and commodious house was built in 1886 while Rev. W. W. Hendrix was in charge. It occupies a corner lot on the street of churches, within a stone's throw of two other congregations. The interior furnishings are modern, conveniently arranged, good ventilation and lighted with electricity. The membership is entirely loyal, progressive and numbers about 100 souls, with live evergreen Sunday-schools under the care of able leaders.
Stated Clerk
[Source: Minutes of Clarksville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 21-23, 1905, (Presbytery met with the Waverly congregation) pages 3-4]

The Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located on the east side of Church Street, one-half block from Main Street, Waverly, Tennessee.

The oldest session minutes have not been found. Therefore, this history has been written from a very limited number of sources.

No information has been found of the first organization of the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church. However, on February 13, 1847, the church purchased a building lot. This has been the oldest date found relative to the Waverly church. ["Presbyterian Church in Waverly, Tennessee" written by the Presbyterian U.S.A. Church after 1906]

At the time of the attempted union in 1906, the Waverly church went with the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. ["Presbyterian Church in Waverly, Tennessee" written by the Presbyterian U.S.A. Church after 1906]. The church continued to be listed in the Cumberland Presbyterian General Assembly Minutes after 1906, but there was no indication of an active program at Waverly.

Action of Tennessee Synod.
The Committee of Missions offered the following report, which on motion, was concurred in and the recommendations were adopted.
. . . We have had referred to use the report of our Synodic Board of Missions which is very gratifying and encouraging. The board deserves the commendation of the Synod for the work they have planned, and we would call on this Synod to pledge their full and hearty support to the Board's endeavor to secure a full-time missionary and organize a church at Waverly, Tennessee, in the near future. [Minutes of the Tennessee Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, November 20-21, 1945, pp. 12-13.]

The Board of Missions of Tennessee Synod employed Rev. Smith Cunningham, of Richland Presbytery, as field worker, and he began his work at Waverly on March 1, 1946. [Minutes of the Tennessee Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, November 19-20, 1946, p. 18.]

Action of Clarksville Presbytery.
Rev. Smith Cunningham made a good report of the work started at Waverly, and asked to co-operation of the presbytery in his efforts there. Rev. A. L. Thomas and Rev. J. W. Elder made encouraging comments on the fine prospects at Waverly under the leadership of Rev. and Mrs. Cunningham. On motion, the moderator was instructed to appoint a commission to act with Brother Cunningham in the organization of a new church at Waverly. The following were appointed: Rev. A. L. Thomas, Rev. J. W. Elder, and James J. Broome. [Minutes of Clarksville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 24, 1946, p. 3.]

The organization. On May 12, 1946, a congregation of forty people met in the dining room of the Dixieland Hotel, Waverly, Tennessee, for the purpose of organizing a Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Rev. Smith Cunningham gave the history of the work at Waverly from March 1 to May 12, 1946. He introduced the commission appointed by Clarksville Presbytery to the congregation. [Minutes of the Session of the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 12, 1946.]

Rev. J. W. Elder presided as chairman of the commission and stated the purpose for which the commission was appointed. Rev. A. L. Thomas gave the devotional and prayer. Elder James J. Broome recorded the proceedings of the organization. [Minutes of the Session of the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 12, 1946.]

Twenty-eight people presented themselves as charter members of the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church: Mrs. I. G. Crockett, Miss Alice Link, Mrs. J. B. Link, Mrs. Metta Spann, Mrs. W. H. Askew, W. H. Askew, Delilah Wynn, Mrs. G. R. McKeel, Allie Rogers, Mrs. W. E. Baird, Biola McGee, Mrs. Madie Bowman, Mrs. R. A. Bryant, Mrs. Claudia Littleton, Mrs. Arthur J. Stewart, Mrs. C. S. Cunningham, Louise Littleton, Mrs. Anna Traylor, Mrs. Homer Adams, Mrs. I. H. Crocket, I. H. Crockett, Mrs. Dora Lee McGee, David T. Littleton, Jr., Mrs. Annie Trolinger, Mrs. Elsie T.Goodwin, Juanita Stewart, Dickie Stewart, and Mrs. G. E. Danley. [Minutes of the Session of the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 12, 1946.]

"Rev. Smith Cunningham propounded the usual questions, and after each had answered in the affirmative, pronounced and declared them a constituted congregation." The congregation elected H. W. Askew and Viola McGee as elders of the church, and Miss Allie Rogers as deaconess and treasurer. These officers were elected for a period of three years. Rev. J. W. Elder, Rev. A. L. Thomas, Rev. Smith Cunningham, Rev. C. P. Mayhew and Elder James J. Broome participated in the ordination of these officers by the laying on of hands. [Minutes of the Session of the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 12, 1946.]

Joined presbytery. On September 24, 1946, the special committee appointed to organize the Waverly church made a report of its action to Clarksville Presbytery. Also, the Waverly congregation applied for membership and was received as a member of the Clarksville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. [Minutes of Clarksville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 24, 1946, p. 13.]

The Waverly church has had two buildings.

First building. In 1847, the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge (No. 92) built a two story building on Church Street, Waverly, Tennessee.

In the Deed Record, Book II, page 418, Register's Office of Humphreys County, is recorded a deed to a town lot from William Richard to the trustees of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and trustees of Priestly Lodge, No. 92, F&AM, dated February 13, 1847. The lodge occupied the upper floor. The cornerstone bears the inscription: "A. 5847 AD1847." ["Presbyterian Church in Waverly, Tennessee" written by the Presbyterian U.S.A. Church after 1906]

This building was used by the Union soldiers during the Civil War. They did quite a bit of damage to the building. [Allie Rogers--This information was received by the authors in a personal interview on December 4, 1954.] The building was born down in 1885. [History of Tennessee. Nashville: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1886, p. 887.]

Second building.
In 1885-1886 a one story frame building with rock and brick pillars was erected on the same lot. It was dedicated June 20, 1886, Dr. M. B. DeWitt preached the dedicatory sermon. The Masons later sold their interest in the property.

The church, located on Church Street, is built on cathedral lines; the arched windows are genuine cathedral glass. A deep-toned, musical bell peals out the call to worship. ["Presbyterian Church in Waverly, Tennessee" written by the Presbyterian U.S.A. Church after 1906]

The manse. In 1897, the government paid the Waverly church for the damage that was done to the first building during the Civil War. The church took this money and bought a manse with it. [Allie Rogers--This information was received by the authors in a personal interview on December 4, 1954.]

The church bought a one-story frame manse in 1897. The deed is recorded in the Register's Office of Humphreys County in Deed Book 13, page 27. The manse is located on West Main Street. ["Presbyterian Church in Waverly, Tennessee" written by the Presbyterian U.S.A. Church after 1906]

At the time of the attempted union of 1906 the Cumberland Presbyterians lost all of their property, including the church and manse, to the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. [Allie Rogers--This information was received by the authors in a personal interview on December 4, 1954.]

Building purchased from Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.
On July 3, 1953, the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church bought the old church building which it had lost to the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. It was purchased from the trustees of the Nashville Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., for the sum of two thousand dollars. [Minutes of the Session of the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1953.]

In 1954, the old building was completely remodeled. An education annex consisting of seven class rooms, two halls, a church kitchen, and rest rooms was built. The sanctuary was completely remodeled, a gas heating system was installed, and the exterior of the building was painted. [Minutes of the Session of the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1954.]

The following ministers have served the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church: T. E. Hudson, 1889; Thomas F. Bowman, 1890; J. L. Stockard, 1892; Thomas Bowman, 1893-1894; W. D. Landis, 1895; A. H. Manley, 1896-1900; James M. Webb, 1901-1903; J. H. Thomas, 1904-1905; G. Martin, 1906; R. J. McCaslin, 1910; G. R. McMakin, 1914; J. J. Jones, 1917; [Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian General Assembly 1889-1917, (statistical tables).] Smith Cunningham, March 1, 1946-October 27, 1946; Fred W. Walker, November 15, 1946-November 9, 1947; Howard Haworth, November 13, 1947-February 29, 1948; S. O. McAdoo, August 1, 1948-January 31, 1953; and J. David Hester since March 1, 1953. [Minutes of the Session of the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1946-56.]

The church has contributed largely to the educational and spiritual life of Humphreys County. It sponsored outposts which later became self-sustaining, the members building a church. Many prominent citizens including many members of the bar, county judges, attorneys-general, speaker of State Senate, Congressman, men and women in services to their country in World Wars I and II, have been communicants of this church. ["Presbyterian Church in Waverly, Tennessee" written by the Presbyterian U.S.A. Church after 1906]

Entertained presbytery. It has not been determined what presbytery the Waverly church joined when it was first organized. However, it was a member of Charlotte Presbytery in 1853. Charlotte Presbytery met with the Waverly congregation on the following dates: Fall, 1953; March, 1876; September, 1882; October 7, 1887; [Minutes of the Session of the New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church Book I, pages not numbered] March, 1895; and March 2, 1896. [Minutes of the Session of the Cumberland Valley Cumberland Presbyterian Church Book I, pages not numbered]

The Waverly church became a part of Clarksville Presbytery in 1899. [Minutes of the Tennessee Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church October 17-20, 1899, pp. 47-48.] Since that time, Clarksville Presbytery has met with the Waverly congregation on the following dates: March 14-15, 1900; [Minutes of Clarksville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church March 14-15, 1900, p. 1.] March 21, 1905; [Minutes of Clarksville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church October 10-12, 1911, p. 25.] and March 29, 1955. [Minutes of Clarksville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church March 29, 1955, p. 5.]

[Source: Ollie Newsome Harvey. "A History of the Existing Churches of Clarksville Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church." B.D. Thesis. Cumberland Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 1956, pages 145-152]

The earliest available records indicate that on February 13, 1983, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Waverly, Tennessee, will have been serving the spiritual needs of this community and ministering to its people for 136 years. Its history is one filled with the struggle and sacrifices of beginning, the excitement and tragedy of the Civil War, the bitter disappointments of an attempted union between mother and child, the years of marking time, and the joy and warmth of reorganization. Here is the story:

On February 13, 1847, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge No. 92, purchased a lot on North Church Street from Mr. William Prichard. On this location was built, through the combined efforts of both the church and the lodge, a two-story frame building, the upper half occupied by the lodge and the lower story used as a place of worship by the people of the Church.

With the advent of the tragic War between the States, the residents of the community witnessed the blue uniforms of the Union in abundance throughout the duration of the war. The building belonging to the lodge and the church was used as quarters for the Union troops whose conduct during their residence was less than commendable. After the War, the building was not suitable for the use of the two institutions and after some indecision the Masonic Lodge No. 92 sold its interest in the property to the church, whereupon the building was razed and construction began on a new place of worship.

Finally, in 1886, the Cumberland Presbyterians could look to an edifice worthy of the efforts of any congregation. The church, built on cathedral lines stood on the very spot where the former building had rested. In its steeple pealed a bell of deep-toned, musical quality, summoning the people to worship. Its windows were of genuine cathedral glass, said to have come from Portugal. Its dedication took place on June 20 of that year with the Reverend M. B. DeWitt preaching the dedicatory sermon. Dr. DeWitt, a well known minister in the denomination, had served as a Chaplain in the Confederate Army. When the troops invaded the area near their home, it is said Mrs. DeWitt went to the camps. She remained near her husband through the end of the War.

In 1897, the Church on its way to being one of the most effective in the area received good news from Washington, D.C. The government reimbursed the church for the damage which the Union troops had done during the war. With these funds, about $1,000, the Church purchased a parsonage on West Main Street and happily moved their minister and his family the Reverend A. H. Manley, into the new residence.

Once again, however, the Church which had just barely recovered from the heavy blow of the War, received a set-back. In about the summer of 1903, a movement began in both the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church, USA, which advocated the union of the two bodies. By 1906, the issue came to a vote in the General Assemblies of both bodies and a majority of the presbyteries of both bodies, though not a majority of the church members, approved the attempt at merger. This obviously did not resolve the question. Each individual church had the right to approve or disapprove the decision, and all over the nation Presbyterian churches found themselves in the midst of a rather sordid situation. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as a denomination, lost through court decisions, approximately seventy-five percent of its holdings in the states as well as in the countries where it had formerly had mission work. A like percentage of persons were also lost to membership in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

The Church building on North Church Street and the manse on West Main Street both became the property of the Presbyterian Church, USA. The Cumberland Presbyterian people who had objected to the union of the two churches remained staunch and energetic practitioners of their faith. It was a dismal time--no church, no funds and little hope for either in the future.

On Sunday evening, December 14, 1906, the session of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the First Presbyterian Church met for "conference." The object of the meeting was "to harmonize plans for a union of the two churches, located on opposite sides of Church Street. They agreed that a "federation" would be tried for twelve months whereby the two Sunday Schools and Prayer Meetings would be combined and meet alternately at the two churches, beginning the first Sunday in January, 1907. At a session of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the First Church, Presbyterian, U.S.A. on September 29, 1907, it was "mutually agreed that the federation of the two congregations and the two Sunday Schools, which had very harmoniously existed since the first Sunday in January, be dissolved."

However, the little group of Cumberland Presbyterians did not give up so easily. They were able to retain an organized group which supported the work of a resident minister until 1917, at which time the Waverly Cumberland Presbyterian Church was officially declared as nonexistent. It seemed that so much had been done for so little cause.

With the passing of almost three decades, there came about a most important development in the history of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Waverly. The Board of Missions of Tennessee Synod offered this recommendation to the members of that body:

"We recommend that the Synod of Tennessee employ, in the near future a full-time, resident missionary for the purpose of the reorganization of a Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Waverly, Tennessee."

This was on October 14, 1945. The synod approved the recommendation and the following spring the Reverend Mr. Smith Cunningham was employed by the synod and began his ministry in the Waverly community on March 1, 1946. Twenty-nine years had passed since the last Cumberland Presbyterian minister had lived in Waverly, but in less than two months the work had progressed to such a degree, due both to the energy and skill of Mr. Cunningham, and his dedicated family, and the willing eagerness of the people of the community, that the Clarksville Presbytery appointed a commission for the purpose of officially organizing a Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Waverly.

It must have been quite an occasion. On May 12, 1946, a congregation of about forty persons gathered in the high-ceiling dining room of the Dixieland Hotel, on North Church Street, and the Presbyterial Commission, composed of the Reverends A.L. Thomas, J. W. Elder, and James J. Broome, began. Twenty-eight persons presented themselves as charter members of the church.

They were: Mrs. Homer Adams, Mr. W. H. Askew, Mrs. W. H. Askew, Mrs. W. E. Baird, Mrs. Madie Bowman, Mrs. R. A. Bryant, Mrs. I. T. Crockett, Mrs. Arthur Stewart, Miss Juanita Stewart, Mrs. Delilah Wynn, I. H. Crockett, Mrs. C. S. Cunningham, Mrs. G. E. Danley, Mrs. Hartwell Goodwin, Miss Alice Link, Mrs. J. B. Link, Mrs. Metta Spann, Mrs. Anna Traylor, Mrs. Claudia Littleton, David T. Littleton, Jr., Louise Littleton, Mrs. Walter McGee, Mrs. G. R. McKeel, Mrs. Dora Less McGee, Allie Rogers, Charles R. Stewart, Mrs. Annie Trollinger.

The congregation then elected Mr. W. H. Askew, and Mrs. Walter McGee as elders; and Miss Allie Rogers as a deaconess and the church treasurer, their terms to run for a period of three years. These persons were ordained to their offices by the Presbyterial Commission. The next step in the re-birth was the acceptance of the church as a member of Clarksville Presbytery, which came on September 24, 1946.

On July 3, 1953, the old church building constructed in 1885-1886, was purchased from the Presbytery of Nashville of the Presbyterian Church, USA, for the sum of $2,000. Certainly it does not appear that the presbytery was inclined to Christian charity in this case. They came into possession of the building without any cost to them...the court had awarded it to them...but Cumberlands had to buy their former building in order to be able to use it for worship. It is particularly strange in that the building had not been used for worship for sometime prior to this date.

In 1954, the building was completely remodeled. An educational annex was built. Gas-heating facilities were installed in place of two large pot-belly stoves. The annex provided five other with some significant effort five other class rooms and an assembly area were built under the church sanctuary. The construction of this portion of the church was one that called for much careful labor, since the congregation continued to use the sanctuary during the construction of the basement facility.

In the mid-seventies the church began more renovation of their building. A manse was purchased at 116 Cedar Hill Drive and the former manse located on Browning Street was sold. The pews, original equipment, were refinished and padded. The sanctuary was carpeted and the ceiling and walls redecorated. The wainscot, of tongue and groove pine, was restored to its natural finish. A large Hammond organ was purchased in memory of Mrs. Addie Carnell Turner, by members of her family. A room was added to the north side of the annex in 1979. This increased the space for class rooms and fellowship activities. The room was furnished with the antique furniture from the chancel of the former Bowen's Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the Plant community. On the street side of the room two stained glass windows from that church were installed. The windows bear the likeness of Mr. and Mrs. B. S Bowen. The Bowens were members of the church which bore their name. They willed a large farm to the church in 1899 and "the rents and profits of said land to be used for the purpose of paying pastors' salary and keeping the church house in repair so that a pastor may be emploid [sic] for all his time to serve said congregation..."

In 1983 a Schulmerich Magnebell carillon was installed in the church steeple. This instrument was given in memory of Clinard Mathes by friends and members of the church. Clinard, was a very active member of the church and at the time of his death was an elder, and chairman of the building committee.

Humphreys County has profited from the existence of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Waverly, for its influence made large contributions to the spiritual and cultural life of its surrounding area. The life of the church was given even to other small groups who were beginning in the identical fashion, and new churches were born as a result. Many prominent citizens have been communicants of the church including several members of the state legislature, city mayors, county judges, an attorney-general, the speaker of the state senate, congressmen--all have benefited from the ministry of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

The sons and daughters of the Church have served their country well all over the world in the Armed Forces.

The leadership which the Church has enjoyed from its ministers has, indeed, been exceptional. The following clergymen have served the Church since its earliest records.

Tennyson has observed that the past is only prologue to the future--and in the case of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Waverly, Tennessee, the application of this remark would mean that the years which lie ahead hold much promise and potential for this small part of the Kingdom of God.

[Prepared with materials passed down in the church, by Paul W. Allen for the Humphreys County Heritage Book, 1983]

[Source: Letter from Catherine Carter, March 3, 2005]

1978

1902