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The
first Organization of a church in the town, was June 21, 1840, when a small
band of Christians met and laid the
foundation of the First Presbyterian
Church.
The
original members are all dead, save the following, as far as can be ascertained
:
W.
W. Anderson
Robert
M. Hooke
Henry
and Elizabeth Jones
Lucy
A. McFarland
Caroline
L. Smith
Mary
L. Hooke
The
first minister was Rev.W. H. Cunningham, and the next, Rev. A. Blackburn.
The
building was erected on S. W. corner Third and Walnut Streets—was used for a while as church and school house, and subsequently
sold to some parties who removed it to a point between Seventh and Eighth Streets, on Georgia Avenue, and
there used for manufacturing sash,
doors, blinds, etc.
It
was subsequently sold to the Commissioners of Public Schools. The lot on which stood this first church
was exchanged for the present location
of the Church on Market Street.
The
contrast between the worship of God in early days, and the present, is
striking. Then, a small room with puncheon floor, and clap-board roof—now;
large brick edifices, handsomely finished and a host of members.
Then,
the old style of congregational
singing w;is in vogue—now, in many places, the choirs do all the singing for
the congregation.
From
this brief sketch it will be seen that the pioneers of Chattanooga were scarce . installed in their
log cabins when they commenced the organization of churches.
This
early religious work gave a moral and Christian tone to society in the then
village, which has "grown with its growth and strengthened with its
strength."
Now Chattanooga can boast about twenty
churches, and in the superior cultivation and moral and religious character of
her society is not surpassed by any city of America.
These
considerations are of importance to all who may desire to locate in a growing
city, where church privileges and educational advantages, as well as business
facilities, are offered them.
Chattanooga,
Tennessee; Hamilton County, and Lookout Mountain – Louis L. Parham - 1876
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