The Cumberland Presbyterians In Greeneville Formation

(The following is in part from Rev. Dobson's publication, The American Presbyterian).
The Knoxville Presbytery, organized in 1827, was responsible for the founding of the Cumberland Presbyterian churches in Greene County. The first church to be organized here was Pilot Knob on Gap Creek in 1834, followed by Mt. Pleasant at Cross Anchor in 1836, New Bethel in 1839, Greeneville in 1841, Bethesda in 1843, and Shiloh in 1844.

The Greeneville Church, organized in 1841, with an initial 30 members, was effected under the leaderships of Reverend Isaac S. Bonham, Lewis F. Self, Thomas Davis, and Thomas Lane. The group appointed three commissioners in order to find and buy an appropriate site for a church building: Ephyraim Link, Lewis P. Self, and Wilham West.

"On December 27, 1842, the commissioners purchased for the sum of $25 a tract of land on the corner of South Irish and McKee Streets. The land was purchased from Jane and Daniel Russell. This location served as the place of worship for the congregation until 1859. Rev. Bonham served as pastor until his death in 1849. Rev. John P. Holtsinger served as pastor until the property was sold. The congregation eventually moved to its current location on North Main Street, which was erected under the leadership of Pastor Holtsinger."

Father of Cumberland Presbyterianism in Greene County

Reverend Isaac S. Bonham could be called the "Father of Cumberland Presbyterianism in Greene County. He was responsible for the organization of Pilot Knob on Gap Creek, Mt. Pleasant at Cross Anchor, New Bethel, Greeneville, Bethesda, and Shiloh churches. Rev. Bonham acted as the pastor for the Mt. Pleasant, Greeneville, and Shiloh congregations until his death in 1849.

Cannonball Church?

During the Civil War, the Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church was used in various ways. The most notable uses was a stable for the horses of the Union cavalry and as a hospital during one of the skirmishes around Greeneville. It is traditionally believed that the cannon ball in the facade of the church was fired from College Hill on the day when General John H. Morgan died, September 4, 1864.

During the war the congregation was in a state of disarray over questions of slavery and secession, but most sympathized with the Union cause and belief.   

Reverend John P. Holtsinger and developing stronger Cumberland Presbyterianism

Rev. Holtsinger negotiated the purchase of the corner lot on North Main and Church Streets from Andrew Johnson (U.S. Senator) on July 20, 1860. The amount paid for the land was $1200, with $100 contributed by Andrew Johnson himself. By the beginning of the Civil War, the brick wall and the first story roof were completed. Due to the war though, construction was stopped. Pastor Holtsinger believed in the benefits of a diverse community. He was also an avid supporter of the Union cause.

At the beginning of the Civil War, Pastor Holtsinger had taken Andrew Johnson to the safety of the Cumberland Gap, in order to help Johnson get back to Washington and retain his seat in the Senate.

During the Civil War Holtsinger left the church and became the chaplain for the First Tennessee Cavalry of the Union Army. Holtsinger returned after the Civil War had ended and served as pastor until 1872.

During his service to the Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Pastor Holtsinger held the pastorate of the Mt. Pleasant Church and was active in education and politics as well as religion.

During the race for Congress in 1851, Holtsinger greatly opposed Andrew Johnson. Holtsinger was considered a hardened Haynes supporter during the race for Congress in 1851. In order to help Haynes become elected, Holtsinger returned to the Seventeenth Precinct of Greene County believing he had many friends and great influence in an area where he had preached and lived in before. Holtsinger did not realize that this area was heavily Democrat and full of eager Johnson supporters. By the time the war began, Johnson and Holtsinger had become great friends.

"Holtsinger died in 1875 before the completion of the Greeneville Church, and was subsequently buried in the cemetery of the Mt. Pleasant Church where a monument was erected in his memory by the First Tennessee Cavalry."

Reverend Joseph B. Dobson, D.D.

"A contemporary with Holtsinger, Rev. Dobson was born on April 17, 1812 in Blount County, Tennessee and died on December 5, 1891. Dobson received a liberal education at Greeneville College and was attracted to the founding of theological studies by the Knoxville Presbytery on October 20, 1834. He gained his license to preach on October 8, 1836, and was ordained in the ministry at Concord in Knox County on February 24, 1837." 

It is understood that Pastor Dobson built up churches and then turned them over to younger men and then went into new and destitute places and to build up others. Dobson firmly believed in placing a community within the hands of the youth in order for them to develop a name for their own congregations in their understanding of the culture and way of life during their times.

Click Here to see Rev. Dobson's publication, "The American Presbyterian"