Cumberland Presbytery - Cumberland Presbytery, PC(USA) 1802-1806

Cumberland Presbytery, PC(USA) 1802-1806

Transylvania Presbytery PC(USA), as it was established in 1786 from part of Abingdon Presbytery, encompassed all of Kentucky, settlements on the Cumberland River in Tennessee, and later the settlements on the Big and Little Miami Rivers in Ohio. The presbytery grew rapidly and in 1799 was divided into three smaller presbyteries. Transylvania Presbytery retained the area to the south and west of the Kentucky River in central Kentucky. West Lexington Presbytery covered the area of Kentucky between the Kentucky River and the Licking River. Washington Presbytery comprised the area northeast of the Licking River and north of the Ohio River. In 1802, these three presbyteries were formed into the Kentucky Synod, separate from the Synod of Virginia. One of the first actions of the Kentucky Synod was to form Cumberland Presbytery from the portion of Transylvania Presbytery south of the Salt River.

Cumberland Presbytery was the heart of the Second Great Awakening. Although ministers in support of the Great Revival of 1800 generally dominated the presbytery, the anti-revival faction dominated Kentucky Synod PC(USA). In 1806, differences between the presbytery and the synod over the revival, ordination standards for ministers, and the literal interpretation of the Westminster Confession of Faith resulted in Cumberland Presbytery being dissolved back into Transylvania Presbytery. The former members of Cumberland Presbytery fought for their position for a number of years in the hope that Kentucky Synod would reconsider. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), while stating that Kentucky Synod had made an error of judgement, took no action to reinstate Cumberland Presbytery. In 1810, the former members of Cumberland Presbytery reformed the presbytery as the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.