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By Ernie Smothers
smothers@mckenziebanner.com |
The former Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, now home to Bethel Colleges Renaissance
Performing Arts Center.
In a region graced with beautifully designed
and ornately crafted residential homes and businesses,
Carroll County holds the distinction of having three of
its structures listed in the National Historical
Register.
The town of McKenzie is home to two of the structures:
the former First Cumberland Presbyterian Church Building
and the McKenzie Railroad Depot. The third structure of
significance is the Hillsman-Woodson House located near
Trezevant.
First Cumberland Presbyterian Church
According to information provided by church member Mrs.
J. T. Lindsey, First Cumberland Presbyterian Church was
organized during a meeting held July 17, 1867. The
original charter was signed by Reverend J. M. Davis and
19 charter members.
Two years later on August 2, 1869, a committee composed
of church elders B. P. Gilbert, Sidney Mebane and H. B.
Thomas was appointed and directed to purchase property
for the purpose of constructing a church. On September
10 of the same year, the committee recommended the
purchase of a one and one-half acre parcel of land
located on Stonewall Street. The committee’s suggestion
was adopted, and the land was purchased for $400.
Construction of the church began on February 5, 1887.
Designed by engineering firm McDonald Brothers, the
structure was built over a five-year period at a cost of
$8,000. Church records state that member John Granade
helped to make the brick used in the building.
Architectural styled in Greek Revival, the building
featured tall cathedral ceilings, high vaulted slate
roof, magnificently crafted woodwork, colorful memorial
art-glass windows and a towering steeple.
Once completed, the church was occupied by congregants
in 1892.
Lindsey informed that the structure remained in service
until the last meeting was held there on February 3.
2002.
She recalled, “Our last day at the former church was
special and memorable. We held our regular morning
services there, and then all of the members traveled to
the new church for communion. I’ll never forget that
day.”
The new 24,000 plus square-foot First Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, located at Highland Street, the
structure was built at an estimated cost of $1.8- to $2
million.
The former church structure, purchased by Bethel College
on January 1, 2005, is home to the school’s Renaissance
Performing Arts Center.
She said, "Bethel has done a lot of work to the interior
of the building since purchasing it. They removed the
carpeting in the sanctuary to reveal beautiful wood
flooring, and replaced the pulpit with a large
performing stage. In addition, they have enhanced many
existing features that made the building worthy of
inclusion to the National Historical Register. It is so
beautiful in there-they’ve done a wonderful job."
McKenzie Depot
The former McKenzie Depot
Marty Marshall, owner of the McKenzie Depot located on
East Bruce Street and leased by ManPower West Tennessee
Employment Services, stated that the present structure
was built in 1927. He noted that the present structure
was built to replace a similarly-shaped brick depot that
had previously stood at the site. He added that the
original McKenzie Depot, a wooden frame style building,
was constructed in 1861 on a plat of land donated to the
railroad by settler James Monroe McKenzie.
Marshall said that the depot was constructed in a
vernacular, “L-shape” design to allow for the station’s
master to oversee intersecting Nashville, Chattanooga,
and St.Louis and Louisville and Nashville and Louisville
rail lines from his post located in the ticketmaster
office.
From inception, the depot served as a major hub for
commerce and passenger transportation for the rapidly
developing community and region.
The Depot maintained a significant role in the daily
function of the town until the Louisville and Nashville
Railroad ceased providing daily passenger train service
in the late 1940s.
Marshall stated that his decision to purchase the depot
resulted from his interest of railroading and
rail-related historical items.
He stated that his efforts to restore and preserve the
depot have led him to research and purchase items from
as far away as Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“The depot’s original roofing tiles were purchased by
the railroad from the Ludivicki Manufacturing Company
located in southeast Ohio. The company has long since
ceased operation. Fortunately, while visiting my son in
Albuquerque, I located a store there that sold the same
style of roof tile originally used on the depot.”
He continued, “It is amazing how many companies exist
nationwide that produce and sell specialty items for
railroad enthusiasts. The antique and memorabilia market
for rail-related items is huge.”
Regarding the Depot, Marshall noted, “To purchase for
and maintain a building like the McKenzie Depot is truly
a labor of love.”
Marshall stated that the Depot would be highlighted
during the town’s upcoming Christmas celebration.
He said, “I, along with building leaser employees from
ManPower West Tennessee Employment Services, will dress
in early 1900s period clothing during the Depot’s
open-house on December 1 and 2. The Shriner’s train will
take on customers at the depot, and Chestnuts and cider
will be available for purchase. We want to enhance the
memories of the Depot, and invite everyone to join us.”
The Hillsman-Woodson House
Hillsman House.
The Hillsman-Woodson House is located ten miles
southwest of McKenzie, two miles north of the town of
Trezevant.
Major John (Jack) Hinde Hillsman, a retired confederate
captain of Company G, 55th Regiment of Tennessee, built
the Greek architecturally styled home at the conclusion
of the civil war in the in 1869.
 Prior to erecting the magnificent structure, Hillsman
joined the Confederate Army at the age of 43 on October
25, 1861. Making Captain, Hillsman was promoted to major
and served the confederacy in military divisions based
in Tennessee and Mississippi.
Hillsman's father, Reddick Hillsman from North Carolina,
helped organize Carroll County in 1821.
Three generations of Hillsmans, all farmers, lived in
the Hillsman House.
Author Thomas W. Hillsman, born in the home, informed in
his book “The Hil(l)sman Family" that all
weather-boarding and interior lumber utilized to
construct the two-story dwelling had been planed by
hand.
Mr. James Marshall informed that the Hillsman Home was
owned by Thomas Hillsman, a county agent for Madison
County. The Nazer Marshall family lived on the property
beginning in the early 1930s. His family consisted of
sons Edwin, Joe, Gardner, Clarence, Ray, and one
daughter Thelma. Edwin married Nell Jones in 1934 and
lived in another house on the property. Sons James and
Billy were born in 1936 and 1939 respectively. The
Marshall families, after moving away for two years,
returned to the home. Mr. and Mrs. Nazer Marshall and
children lived downs tairs, while Mr. and Mrs. Edwin
Marshall and children lived in the upstairs section.
James Marshall now lives in Atwood and serves the town
as City Recorder. A long time Chief of the Atwood Fire
Department, he also serves on the Carroll County Chamber
of Commerce. His brother Billy owns a gas pump company
in Batesville, Mississippi.
Marshall stated that the home was later owned by Jack
Jones and Trezevant doctor Robertson.
Bennett Haywood Hillsman, son of Bennett Thomas Hillsman,
was born in Carroll County on May 24, 1861 and married
Lillian Love on November 26, 1891.Moving to Trezevant;
the couple reared their family and established the
Hillsman Drug Store. The popular store, last operated by
Mrs. Katie Hillsman, closed in 1994. |
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