Second Presbyterian Church Sabbath School Minute Book, 1863-1880.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

Condition notes: Volume is very fragile and has some pre-existing damage. Approximately 10-12 sheets have been cut out from the front of the volume. The volume begins with the entry for June 8, 1863. Some items, especially treasurer's reports, have been pasted in. Some of these reports are on legal-size paper which has been folded and requires care when handling. The lower half-page is torn from Aug. 12, 1879. Occasionally, a loose note, report, or sheet is inserted.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: The minute book includes information about the operation of the Second Presbyterian Church Sabbath School, apparently a school operated under church auspices, but not directly related to church services or Sunday schools. Some of the kinds of information appearing in the minutes include: fundraising and offerings for the school; operations of the school library; financial reports; committee reports; the annual picnic; the number of teachers, classes, and students enrolled; social activities; election and resignation of officers; and a variety of other subjects.

Although the minutes begin in 1863, very little is mentioned about the Civil War. Two passages blame the "unsettled conditions" and the use of the church as a hospital for the loss of library books. In 1866, there was concern that "few of our school show any outward evidence of seeking the Kingdom of Christ." The majority of the entries date from the 1870s. In addition to the routine business of the school, entries show financial difficulties of the school in 1873, and a tribute to John R. Turner, a teacher at the school who died on Dec. 15, 1879.

Individuals mentioned frequently as officers in the organization include D.D. Dickey, superintendent, and secretaries Horace C. Smith; Charles W. Smith; N.T. Freeman; and James T. Hutchison.

Cite as: Second Presbyterian Church Sabbath School Minute Book, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library.

No photocopies due to fragile nature of materials.

Source of acquisition unknown;,Acc. RT-100.

The Second Presbyterian Church began as a mission Sunday School from the First Presbyterian Church in 1842 and was formally organized as a church in Nov. 1843. The first building was dedicated Sept. 6, 1846 at the corner of College (Third Avenue North) and Gay Street. During the Civil War it was used by Federal troops. In 1902 it moved to Ninth Avenue North and Monroe Street. In 1941 a new location was dedicated on Belmont Boulevard with a donation of land from Monroe Harding. The church was devastated by a fire in 2003, and rebuilt immediately.

The Sabbath School was an endeavor to bring religious education to members of the community, regardless of their direct affiliation with the church. It was not a Sunday School, but rather a more involved and perhaps broader educational effort. It is unclear when it began or ended.

In English.

Unknown provenance.

Rehouse;,2006;,Linda Barnickel.

No further accruals are expected.