traditional Worship.  mission minded.  strong roots.   

We are glad that you found our church website. Take your time and explore our website, but more importantly, we want you to come and explore First Cumberland first-hand.  We are a family of imperfect people serving a perfect God!


We want you to experience the love of Jesus. 

Whether you have never really had an experience with Jesus and his love or you have known his love for decades, our first priority is experiencing and responding to Jesus’ love for everyone. An iconic phrase in the Cumberland Presbyterian church is "whosoever will may come" and that means you! 


We want to serve you. 

At some point in our lives, everyone has needs beyond their ability to meet, everyone hurts, and everyone has questions. We want to serve you. We don’t want you to be in need or to hurt or to question alone. Serving you doesn’t bother us. It is why we are here.


We want you to make a difference. 

Everyone has something to offer our world. A life well-lived is a life lived making a difference. We want to help you hear how God is asking you to make a difference and then give you what you need to get out there and do it!


We already like you and want to get to know you. 

How can we like someone we have never met? That is the beauty of Jesus’ love. We already know that Jesus likes you. In fact, he once said, “No longer do I call you servants, now I call you my friends.” Anyone who Jesus considers a friend is a friend of ours!  We often describe church as a family. That’s what you'll find at First Cumberland. For your convenience we have a "What to Expect on Sunday Morning" section below in hopes of making your first visit more comfortable. 


Meet our pastor

Listen to a sermon

              what to expect on sunday morning



What time does worship start?

Sunday School BEGINS AT 9:45 a.m.   

Worship  BEGINS AT 11 a.m.


where do I park/enter?

Our Main Parking lot is behind the church.  VISITOR PARKING SPOTS ARE  LABELED WITH BLUE SIGNS.  please enter at the door labeled WITH A BLUE  "office" SIGN. 


what do I wear?

TYPICAL Dress falls between business casual and sunday best. 


What do you offer for my school aged children?

K-5TH AND YOUTH (6TH-12TH) SUNDAY SCHOOL begins at 9:45 a.m.  K-5TH SUNDAY SCHOOL IS IN THE ROOM LABELED "THE DOCK" AND YOUTH IS IN THE ROOM LABELED "THE PIER."   SUNDAY SCHOOL ROOMS FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH CAN BE HARD TO FIND-  A GREETER WILL MEET YOU JUST INSIDE THE "OFFICE" ENTRANCE AND HELP YOU FIND THESE CLASSROOMS IF YOU'D LIKE. 


during worship your K-5TH child may participate in the children's moment at the front of the sanctuary (THE CHILDREN'S MOMENT IS NOTED IN THE BULLETIN)  which then leads to children's church. [we leave the sanctuary from the pulpit side exit to "the dock" room where you can pick up your child after the service]  children of any age may remain in the service with you if you prefer.


where is the nursery?

Greeters are available at each entrance to lead you to the nursery.  PLEASE SEE THE "FAITH FOR ALL AGES" TAB FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR NURSERY. 


How do I know what to do/sing during the service?

Bulletins are available at every entrance either from an usher or on the table as you enter.  The bulletin tells you the order of worship, hymn numbers and other information SUCH AS WHEN TO STAND.


what is the music going to be like?

You will hear the Pipe organ, THE CHANCEL choir, and EVEN special music (SOLOISTS/ INSTRUMENTS) on occasion.  Participants in worship are welcome to sing the hymns if you would like.  SINGING IS NOT REQUIRED. 


can anyone take communion?

COMMUNION IS TYPICALLY DONE ON THE 1ST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH.  THIS IS A TIME FOR CHRISTIANS TO REMEMBER THE SACRIFICE THAT JESUS CHRIST MADE FOR EACH OF US.  Communion is available to all who wish to partake.


Do I have to give money?

An offering time is part of every sunday worship where the offering plate is passed through the congregation.  Visitors are welcome to contribute but this is not required of you. 


Do i have to announce that I am a visitor?

Pick a seat and enjoy worship.  We won't ask you to stand or identify yourself as a visitor other than in our red folders located at the end of each pew.  we want to know you were here so be sure to fill it out.


what happens after the church service?

Following the service our pastor typically visits with others in the sanctuary.  Feel free to say "hello" and ask any questions you may have.



what Do Cumberland Presbyterians Believe?

Cumberland Presbyterians believe in redemption through Jesus Christ and seek to further His Kingdom.   


We believe in the Apostle's Creed listed below which outlines our beliefs:


I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen


Interested in learning more?  Click here to read our Confession of Faith.

our logo

Our logo says a lot about who and whose we are!  In the center of the logo is the Cumberland Presbyterian Denomination’s logo – a Celtic Cross formed by four people holding hands.  The Celtic Cross has long been associated with Presbyterians.  It is a cross with a sun behind it.  The sunrise each morning reminds us of the resurrection of Christ which brings light into the world.  The four people holding hands remind us that the church is our family and that we are to be the hands and feet of Christ as symbolized by the cross.  The water drops remind us where we are and how we got here!  We are located in “River City” known for the Tennessee river as well as creeks, lakes, and waterfalls.  One of the things our church is known for is our Olympic-sized swimming pool and the many ministries associated with it.  Christians enter the church through water baptism.  The water on the logo reminds us of the living water that Jesus gives us and of Chattanooga which is our primary mission field.