What if I told you that this corner of N Dale Mabry and Holly Lane holds a story of faith and resilience? Christ Cumberland Presbyterian Church began here humbly. It started at a corner of N Dale Mabry and Holly Lane.
In the beginning, Christ Cumberland Presbyterian Church envisioned a new home. The small Presbyterian church acquired four acres of shaded land on N Dale Mabry Highway. Leaders hoped to move a doublewide trailer onto the property. Services were planned to begin in March. Over two to three years, the church aimed to erect three buildings. These buildings would total 15000 square feet. The location was at the northeast corner of Dale Mabry and Holly Lane.
Pastor Tim Davis noted Hillsborough County’s restriction. A 300-seat limit was imposed on the church’s sanctuary. Davis said they would be a small family-oriented church. The size restriction made it impossible to be big.
Christ Cumberland Presbyterian Church had 60 members. The mother church committed to assist. It would cover three years of operating expenses. Sid Swindle, a longtime member and church clerk, confirmed this.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church has a unique history. It is a small offshoot of the larger Presbyterian Church. The split occurred over theology in 1810. Over two centuries, differences diminished. The Cumberland church evolved. It became slightly more rural and occasionally more evangelical. Davis, ordained by both churches, explained this.
The Cumberland church faced struggles in Florida. At the time there were only three congregations. All were located in Hillsborough County. Davis had no official congregation then. His former church, North Tampa Cumberland Presbyterian Church, had dissolved. Swindle explained the University Heights neighborhood was changing. It was becoming predominantly black, unlike the mostly white church.
The church planned to sell its former building on 109th Avenue. The buyer was the Church of Christ Upon the Rock of the Apostolic Faith. Many of the church’s 60 members were temporarily attending another Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Davis had experience helping Cumberland churches relocate. He came from Pensacola, where he was a hospice administrator. He and other leaders searched for a site in a growing suburb. Swindle said they searched all over the north part of town. He believed the Lord led them to that piece of property.
They planned to capitalize on the visibility. Swindle mentioned plans for a sign on Dale Mabry. It would feature a picture of the future church.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church formed during the Great Revival of 1800. Disagreements arose within the Presbyterian Church (USA). These disagreements concerned the revival’s mechanics. They also involved allowances for securing ministers.
In Springfield and Cumberland Presbyteries, the pro-revival faction prevailed. These presbyteries felt the revival justified exceptions. These exceptions related to educational requirements for ordination. They also concerned the Westminster Confession of Faith.
Both Springfield and Cumberland Presbyteries belonged to Kentucky Synod. The anti-revival faction dominated Kentucky Synod. They took steps to limit the revival-oriented presbyteries. Springfield Presbytery withdrew in 1803. In 1804 Kentucky Synod dissolved Cumberland Presbytery.
On February 4 1810, Cumberland Presbytery was reorganized. Samuel McAdow, Finis Ewing, and Samuel King led the effort. It took place near present-day Dickson, Tennessee. These ministers did not intend to create a separate body. They believed an organized body would better resolve differences. It would also enable them to serve their congregations.
The Cumberland Presbyterian denomination grew quickly. Cumberland Presbyterians have a socially progressive history. They were among the first to admit women to educational institutions. They also accepted women in leadership roles. Louisa Woosley was the first woman ordained in the Presbyterian tradition in 1889. Cumberland Presbyterians ordained African Americans early too around 1830. The 1984 revision of their Confession of Faith was inclusive.
Christ Cumberland Presbyterian Church’s story reflects faith. It shows resilience and a commitment to inclusivity.