[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 6, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1177-E1178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF MT. SHARON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GILCHRIST 
                       COMMUNITY, ADAMSVILLE, TN

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 6, 2016

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, for generations, Mt. Sharon Presbyterian 
Church has

[[Page E1178]]

served as a focal point for community life near Adamsville. Just like 
its congregation, it has grown over the years to better serve its 
membership.
  One hundred and fifty years ago, on September 15, 1866, Reverend 
Robert Young and approximately 70 people came together to organize the 
Mt. Sharon Society, Gilchrist Community of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church. Originally a log structure, the Church was located southwest of 
Snake Creek on land of Cornelius Gilchrist. Brother T. F. Wilson, 
Brother Cornelius Gilchrist and Brother John L. Groves were chosen as 
ruling elders.
  In the 1890's the log structure was replaced by one made of lumber 
that included a bell tower and in 1957, a new brick structure was 
completed. The following year, the Church added a porch, and in 1959, a 
steeple.
  At a dedication service in September 1959, the morning bulletin read, 
``Let us remember that the job was completed only through time, talents 
and love of over 300 people and gifts from Presbyterian churches from 
Tennessee, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Lansing Michigan and far beyond.''
  Forty years later, in 1989, the Church added additional dining space 
which still exists today and an outdoor basketball court was completed. 
Three years later, the Church purchased a manse with 4.5 acres.
  The Church celebrates its anniversary on the third Sunday in 
September.

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