First Cumberland Presbyterian Church to celebrate 100 years on Broadway Street

[September 06, 2013]  The First Cumberland Presbyterian Church invites the community to come out and join them Sept. 28 and 29 in a centennial celebration of the current church building.

The church at 110 Broadway St. was completed in 1913. The church body was formed in 1857 and occupied multiple locations between that year and 1913, when they dedicated the new building that has served them for the past 100 years.

Below is a brief excerpt from the church history, showing the progression of the church from its formation to the completion of the current facility.

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A BRIEF HISTORY

The first Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Lincoln, Illinois, was organized Saturday, May 7, 1857, by the Rev. Thornton K. Hedges, in what was then known as Boren's Hall, on Pulaski Street. The following persons were charter members in the organization of the church: George W. Edgar, Mary W. Edgar, John Howser, Mrs. Litha J. Howser, Mrs. Mary J. Hedges, J. S. Metcalf, Mrs. Meldonnette Metcalf, John Crang, Mrs. Elizabeth Crang, Abraham Duff, Mrs. Sarah J. Duff, J. C. Horney, Mrs. Elizabeth Horney, James M. Duff and Sarah Duff. George W. Edgar, John S. Metcalf and John Howser composed the first official board.

Shortly after the organization the small, but courageous band erected a small wooden building on South McLean Street, in which they worshipped until 1866. That year they erected a brick edifice at the corner of Ottawa and Pekin Streets. In 1895 this building was razed to give place to one of larger and better accommodation, for the congregation had out grown the old building. This house was dedicated to the service of God on Sunday, May 17, 1896, and was the home of the congregation until 1906, when it was occupied by the Presbyterians. Being now without a church home, the members rented the W. C. T. U. tabernacle on North Logan Street and worship(ed) there until May 11, 1913, when they dedicated the building located at the corner of Broadway and Ottawa Streets, which is the place of worship for the congregation at the present.

In celebration of the 100th anniversary, the congregation will host a cookout on the church lawn on Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m., followed by a celebratory worship service. The guest speaker for Saturday evening will be the Rev. Eduardo Montoya, pastor of Ebenezer Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Chicago.

For the Sunday morning worship on Sept. 29, the preacher will be the Rev. George Estes. The service will be followed by an old-fashioned church potluck.

The community is invited to join the congregation in thanksgiving to God for his faithfulness through the years.

[LDN, with text from file received from the Rev. Steve Blaum]