There was a spirit-filled old fashioned boiler-style revival at Murfreesboro's First Presbyterian Church around 10:00 o'clock Wednesday (4/11/2018) morning.
Dr. John A. Hinkle, Jr., pastor, assured NewsRadio WGNS that it was all carried out in keeping with the Book of Order.
The entire operation was quite ingenius. A black vinyl paint sheet was taped over the stairwell that led to the administrative and sanctuary level, plus the fire doors leading to areas downstars were closed.
Joe Rich, now known affectionately as birdman, ushered the enthusiastic feathered friends out to the sunny spring day.
Rich explained, "Evidently the birds have found a way to get into the boiler room and the place was wild with excitement."
In fact, as this reporter gathered facts and photos, around 40 to 50 winged beauties exited through the Spring Street door that was bravely held open by Charlotte Lynn, who looked intrigued at first--but that changed to a less enthusiastic expression with time.
The entire experience was spurred-on by shouts and cheers from Pat Cox, Josh Dale and Rev. Joyce Merritt--who secured the downstairs area around the boiler room door.
Thinking we were onto something, historians chuckled and assured us that the April 11, 2018 First Presbyterian bird revival will never even come close to rivaling the late County Executive John Mankin's pigeon extravaganza that occurred around the historic Rutherford County Courthouse back in the late 8o's.
The church boiler-room revival for the feathered-flock, was however--a day to be remembered!
The Real Story
After it was over, Rev. Hinkle prepared his thoughts, possibly to lock them away in the dusty Historical Journals of First Presbyterian Church.
Speaking of history, the church is believed to be the city's oldest church as well as Murfreesboro's first brick structure. It was on Vine Street in the corner of the old city cemetery. Records show the congregation founded the church April 10, 1812 in a log cabin near Murphy Spring, where the Discovery Center is now located.
Wait--that's spooky, this event happened just one day after the church's 206th anniversary of its founding. County Historian Greg Tucker, that has to be good for something? Tune-in to next Monday's TRUMAN JONES RADIO SHOW on WGNS (9-10AM) for more details.
In fact, Murfreesboro was the state capitol of Tennessee from 1818 to 1826. The legislature was meeting in the courthouse on the square when that structure was heavily damaged by fire in 1822. The First Presbyterian congregation allowed the legislature to use their church as a meeting place, as long as religious services were not being held.
It was at that time, Murfreesboro First Presbyterian became the first church in U.S. history to also be a state capitol building.
While we're talking history, at the end of the Civil War--the invading troops decided to dismantle the church, brick by brick, and use the bricks to construct Fortress Rosecrans.
