History
The Old Village Cumberland Presbyterian church was organized September 22, 1819 and is located five miles southeast of Norris City, Illinois. It is recognized by the Illinois State Historical Society as the oldest Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Illinois. In the early days, several families settled in a vicinity and it became customary to call their settlement “The Village.” The church is situated on a little knoll near the old graveyard which contains the remains of many of the old pioneer settlers.
The first minister was Rev. David Macklin from Tennessee. Camp meetings were held regularly for 52 consecutive years, until 1874 when, for a year or so, no service was held. Many of the members had joined Mt. Olive Church as well as other societies that were organized as the country became more populous.
The current building was built in 1894, with a debt of $300 which was paid off by Mr. Elvis Campbell, Mr. Alex Edwards, and Mr. Obed Welch. Rev. W. J. Sneed was the minister and a tireless worker; it is in great measure due to his perseverance that the present building was completed. The original pulpit was refinished a few years ago, and the original paint was milk paint. It was in use until Elder Ernie Morris made the furniture that is now in use. He made the altar, the pulpit, the communion table, and three chairs. From this pulpit, our current stated supply, Mason Scroggins, preaches the word.
Theology
Christ-Centered
It’s all about Jesus. Whenever the Word of God is preached, practiced, and portrayed it is through the lens of Christ. We believe that Christ Jesus is the centerpiece of human history. Because that is so, we look to Him as supreme in all things and call ourselves “Christians.”
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” - Colossians 1:15–18
Reformed
When the magisterial reformers sought to reform the Roman Catholic Church they heralded five pillars of the church which are now known as the “Five Solas”.
The authority of scripture: Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone)
The basis of salvation: Sola Gratia (Grace alone)
The means of salvation: Sola Fide (Faith alone)
The merit of salvation: Solus Christus (Christ alone)
The glory of salvation: Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone)
These five fundamentals undergird all that we do and think as a community of faith.