The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America was founded in 1874 when African-American delegates to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church asked for and received assistance in forming a separate denomination.
At the 1869 General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a group of black delegates announced their intentions of forming a separate body for African-American members, allowing independence and self-reliance, to develop and ordain their own clergy, and to maintain their own church buildings.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church agreed to this, participating in the planning of the new denomination and offering financial assistance. Although a move to reunite the two Presbyterian bodies failed in the late 1980s, relations between the two denominations have remained cordial and cooperative.
Led by Moses T. Weir, a former slave, the black ministers formed what was first known as the Synod of Colored Cumberland Presbyterians in 1869. The first General Assembly of the Colored Cumberland Presbyterian Church was held in 1874. Later, it became the Second Cumberland Presbyterian Church, taking its current name in the late 1900s.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America and its parent body cooperated on the 1984 Confession of Faith, which is shared by both denominations, and its ministerial candidates are often trained at Cumberland Presbyterian Church College in McKenzie, Tennessee, and at the CPC seminary in Memphis. Leadership in both denominations have not given up attempts to reunite the two church bodies.
The CPCA adheres to a Presbyterian polity. Currently, it has four Synods: Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama, which is the largest. The denominational headquarters is in Huntsville, Alabama, and its membership is concentrated in Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas, but it is growing steadily in the Midwest.
The focus of this category is on the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America. Denominational websites, as well as those representing its Synods, Presbyteries, or affiliated agencies, organizations, and corporations. Those representing local congregations should be submitted to the geographically appropriate Local & Global category, however.
Recommended Resources
Located in Huntsville, Alabama, the congregation is a presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America. Its location, directions, a calendar of events, worship and study times, and a monthly newsletter from the church are featured. Leadership and administrative contacts are posted, with a photo gallery, sermon video, educational and employment opportunities, and information on becoming a Christian.
http://www.churchstcpca.org/
General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America
Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, the General Assembly is the national body for the CPCI denomination. The affirmation and vision of ministry for the General Assembly are stated, and the officers of the General Assembly are acknowledged. Featured are an organizational chart, a directory of member churches, and administrative contacts. A discussion of the unification efforts between the CPC and the CPCA is posted to the site.
http://www.cpcachurch.org/
The Alabama Synod of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America is headquartered in Harvest and has member Presbyteries in Carrollton, Ensley, Huntsville, Madison, Russellville, and Selma, Alabama. Addresses and contacts for each of these churches are posted online, along with auxiliary organizations. Downloadable documents include a summary of actions, the Synod constitution and bylaws, conference call information, and others.
http://thealabamasynodcpca.weebly.com/
Triana Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America
The church has served the Triana, Alabama community for almost a hundred and fifty years, first known as Triana Colored Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Its history is told, along with its programs, ministries, and discipleship and educational programs, weekly schedules of activities, a calendar of events, photo gallery, and an introduction to the church’s pastor and the church and denomination. Announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.trianacpca.com/
Union Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America
The Huntsville, Alabama CPCA congregation was begun in 1911 on a site now owned by Redstone Arsenal and Marshall Space Flight Center and is currently located on Nevel Drive Northwest. A map shows the location of the church, and a calendar of events, office hours, administrative contacts and church officers are posted to the site. Its history, age-specific programs, discipleship training programs, and announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.unionhillcpca.com/
