The History of Highland Church

Highland Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized November 7, 1874 by the Rev. R. J. McCleskey with 13 charter members. Current total membership is 184, with an average Sunday morning attendance of 74.

During the first three years of the church's existence, a brush arbor provided shelter on a wooded tract of land donated by G. A. Morrison. On the same location in 1877 a frame building was constructed and stood until 1965 when it was replaced by a modem brick sanctuary. The educational annex was constructed in the mid 1950's. A new sanctuary was built in 1990 and through the generosity of the Jean Rouse Warr Estate; the Outreach Center was erected in 2000.

The church began a full time program of ministry in October, 1934. Following this move forward, a manse was constructed in the early 1940's. It has since been relocated to another residence.

The first elders of Highland were W. A, Lilly, A. J. Griffin, J. A. Morrison, G. A. Morrison and W. J. Agnew. Presently serving as elders are Brenda Dodd, Roddy Johnson, Velva Mullen, Johnny Overton, Jeff Parker, and Buddy Rushing.

In the beginning Highland became associated with the nearest Presbytery which was in Obion County, TN. Later membership was in the Mayfield Presbytery and Kentucky Synod. Currently the church is a member of Covenant Presbytery and the Synod of the Midwest.

The Morrison family also set aside a portion of land on the Lovelaceville Road for a cemetery. Several of Highland's early fathers have been laid to rest there.

Five young men from the Highland church family have entered the full time ministry. They are: Glen Moore, L. E. Moore, Jr., Claire Albright, and Glen Finley, all now deceased, and Terry Maynard, whose pastorate is in Mississippi.

In 1874 the community where the new church began was strictly a rural area. During the course of its ministry, the community has changed into an urban society, requiring the church to adapt to new needs and expanded ministries.

It is impossible to name all those who have served as elders in the Highland Church, but some of those who have served include:

Ron Alexander	Terrell Richardson
C. Palmer Brannon	David Robinson
Wes Cossiboom	Bob Rushing
Mark Cunningham	Roy Rushing
Reed Finley	Stanley Phipps
Jimmy Finnell	Paul Sargent
Guy S. Newton	C. C. Watkins
Newt Phipps	Ernest Yarbrough
Hardy Stanley

Click HERE to see a list of thirty-five pastors who have served Highland Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The list includes the present pastor, Rev. Brent Ballow, who was called to preach at Highland in 2009.

Five pastors have served more than one time:

D. W. Fooks, two terms
Eugene Lindsey, two terms
R. T. Mitchell, two terms
Curtis Prewitt, two terms
A. D. Rudolph, three terms

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