 |
         |
|
The History of Cowan Fellowship ChurchBy L. Jarod Pearson
Cowan Fellowship Church is a federated congregation of the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA). Cowan Methodist Church was founded in 1947 and located in a historic facility on Poplar Street known as the "Old Army Chapel". Cowan Presbyterian Church was founded in 1907 and was located in a historic brick church on East Cowan Street. In 1962, both congregations were struggling to stay viable as Cowan's population started a long, slow decline. A feasability study was initiated by members of both churches to see if the two could come together as a federated church with shared leadership and resources. On June 17, 1962, at the conclusion of the study, both congregations voted overwhelmingly to unify. The proposal was taken before the Executive of Nashville Presbytery as well as the Bishop and Superintendent of the Methodist Conference. All parties agreed that a federated church was a workable idea as long as both congregations could maintain their unique affiliation and identity. The name Cowan Fellowship was suggested by the Methodist Bishop and was ultimately adopted. The federated congregation met in the Presbyterian church while using the Methodist building for youth activities. In 1966, the Presbyterian building was sold to a Church of God congregation. A building committee, formed in 1967, raised funds and put together plans to build a modern new facility on East Cumberland Street on a property donated by Mr. Glenn Hines. In 1969 Cowan Fellowship moved into the new facility and remains there today. The efficiently-designed building feautures a 200-seat sanctuary, an education unit that doubles as a fellowship hall (with kitchen), two choir rooms that double as classrooms, an infant room and an pastor's study. The church was paid in full only a few years after being built.
Cowan Fellowship is one of only two federated Presbyterian/Methodist in the United States and is a model for cooperative ministry in a small town setting.
Information for this article was gathered from the writings of Jim and Jenny Lou Brock, Emeline Gist, and Mrs. Violet Wakeland. Also read:
|
|
