For more than a century, Cumberland Association of Primitive Baptist has served to: 1) promote fellowship among the churches of the same belief; 2) foster church development, education and spiritual growth; 3) maintain the doctrine and fundamental beliefs of Primitive Baptists; and, 4) establish policies, precedents, procedures, and directives agreeable to membership churches.
On Saturday, April 19, Moderator Richard Lloyd, Pastor of Green Grove Primitive Baptist Church, Nolensville, Tennessee, Vice Moderator James Duke, Pastor of St. Paul Primitive Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee, and members of Cumberland Association of Primitive Baptist will dedicate Cumberland’s newly renovated tabernacle headquartered at 232 Whitsett Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee. (The current location – originally known as “the Flat Rock” – was purchased in 1941 for $3,500 and was deeded to the Trustees of the Cumberland Association of the Regular Primitive Baptist and their Successors.)
The organization’s 134 year milestone celebration will begin at 9 a.m. with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Dedication Worship Service.
According to the records of this religious organization, Cumberland Association of the Regular Primitive Baptist (now known as Cumberland Association of Primitive Baptist) was organized in 1880 by the Lynn Creek Association of the Regular Primitive Baptist. It is believed that Cumberland Association of Primitive Baptist was given the name “Cumberland” because of the Cumberland River. The late Elder Luke Mason who came from the Lynn Creek Association was the first moderator and possibly a founder or one of the founders of Cumberland Association of the Regular Primitive Baptist.
In addition to Elder Mason who was moderator from 1880 – 1915, seven moderators have served the organization. They are: the late Elder A. M. Bedford (1915 – 1920; 1921 – 1923); the late Elder D. A. Kimbro (1920 – 1921); the Late Elder Z.W. Hill (1921 – 1960); the Late Elder Washington Green (1960 – 1986); Elder Dr. J.L. Fitzgerald, Pastor of Ephesian Primitive Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee (1986 – 2000); Elder Hewitt Sawyers, Pastor of West Harpeth Primitive Baptist Church, Franklin, Tennessee (2000 – 2010); and Elder Richard Lloyd (2010 – present).
Presently, Cumberland Association has a membership of approximately 5,000, representing churches in eight Middle Tennessee counties (Davidson, Giles, Marshall, Maury, Rutherford, White, Williamson, and Wilson) and is a denominational member of the National Primitive Baptist Convention, USA. (At one time, Cumberland Association of Primitive Baptist had churches in the states of Kentucky and Indiana but those churches are now a part of two associations – Chicago River and Kentuckiana – that were organized by Cumberland Association.)
The entire history of this association will certainly not be told this side of eternity, but it is certain that God’s grace and Christ’s guiding presence have led Cumberland Association of Primitive Baptists.
A Luncheon will follow the Ribbon Cutting/Dedication Ceremony and Worship Service.
The public is invited to attend.
Information adapted from the Minutes of Cumberland Association of Primitive Baptist One Hundred Thirty Second Annual Session and Samuels, Thomas, W. God Has Kept Us, A Brief History of the National Primitive Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., National Primitive Baptist Convention, 2008.
