Zion Presbyterian Church (Tennessee)
Encyclopedia
Zion Presbyterian Church is a historic church in Maury County, Tennessee
constructed in Greek Revival
style. The original building was constructed in 1807. Although the original building has been replaced, the original site remains the home of the oldest active congegration in Maury County. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1972.
families from South Carolina
moved to Maury County. In 1807, they organized and built a log church
on five thousand acres (20 km²) of land purchased from heirs of the 25,000 acre (100 km²) land grant of American Revolutionary War
General Nathanael Greene
. The log church was replaced with a small brick structure in 1813.
In 1847, the present-day church was constructed in Greek Revival style by church members and slaves using brick, limestone, and timber. The architectural styling features stepped gables
and a recessed open vestibule
. A slave gallery was provided for the African-American members of the congregation. In 1880, stained glass
produced by Tiffany
was added to the church.
of Zion Presbyterian Church is also of historical significance. In addition to many of the church's founding members, soldiers from the American Revolutionary War
, the War of 1812
, and the American Civil War
are interred there. The cemetery contains a monument to "Daddy Ben," a slave who survived three hanging attempts by the British for refusing to reveal the hiding place of his master.
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
constructed in Greek Revival
Greek Revival architecture
The Greek Revival was an architectural movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in Northern Europe and the United States. A product of Hellenism, it may be looked upon as the last phase in the development of Neoclassical architecture...
style. The original building was constructed in 1807. Although the original building has been replaced, the original site remains the home of the oldest active congegration in Maury County. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1972.
History
In the early 19th century, a group of Scots-IrishScots-Irish American
Scotch-Irish Americans are an estimated 250,000 Presbyterian and other Protestant dissenters from the Irish province of Ulster who immigrated to North America primarily during the colonial era and their descendants. Some scholars also include the 150,000 Ulster Protestants who immigrated to...
families from South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
moved to Maury County. In 1807, they organized and built a log church
Log cabin
A log cabin is a house built from logs. It is a fairly simple type of log house. A distinction should be drawn between the traditional meanings of "log cabin" and "log house." Historically most "Log cabins" were a simple one- or 1½-story structures, somewhat impermanent, and less finished or less...
on five thousand acres (20 km²) of land purchased from heirs of the 25,000 acre (100 km²) land grant of American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
General Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. When the war began, Greene was a militia private, the lowest rank possible; he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer. Many places in the United...
. The log church was replaced with a small brick structure in 1813.
In 1847, the present-day church was constructed in Greek Revival style by church members and slaves using brick, limestone, and timber. The architectural styling features stepped gables
Gable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...
and a recessed open vestibule
Vestibule (architecture)
A vestibule is a lobby, entrance hall, or passage between the entrance and the interior of a building.The same term can apply to structures in modern or ancient roman architecture. In modern architecture vestibule typically refers to a small room or hall between an entrance and the interior of...
. A slave gallery was provided for the African-American members of the congregation. In 1880, stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
produced by Tiffany
Louis Comfort Tiffany
Louis Comfort Tiffany was an American artist and designer who worked in the decorative arts and is best known for his work in stained glass. He is the American artist most associated with the Art Nouveau and Aesthetic movements...
was added to the church.
Cemetery
Containing over 1500 graves, the cemeteryCemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
of Zion Presbyterian Church is also of historical significance. In addition to many of the church's founding members, soldiers from the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, and the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
are interred there. The cemetery contains a monument to "Daddy Ben," a slave who survived three hanging attempts by the British for refusing to reveal the hiding place of his master.