It all started when…

On March 29, 1990, the merging committees for Fairview and Reconciliation Presbyterian Churches met and reported that the congregations of both churches had passed motions to pursue a merger. After several months of diligent work both Churches voted unanimously to petition the Presbytery of East Tennessee to merge the two congregations on August 26, 1990; and on May 5, 1991, a special worship service was held at the Church of Reconciliation for the purpose of officially merging the two congregations per the polity of the Presbyterian Church (USA) by the Presbytery of East Tennessee. The worship service was led by members of both churches and the sermon was delivered by Rev. Rob Williams, pastor, at the time, of Northminster Presbyterian Church. Immediately following the worship service, Rev. Frank Jump presided over the election of the first elders for the newly merged church. They were Andre' Boaz, Nan Lindsey, Ruth Blackshear, Neil Prigmore, Carson Bobo, Steve Riggs, Portia Earls, Juana Roberts and James Fields. A reception immediately followed the worship service. On June 9, 1991, the congregation adopted the name Renaissance Presbyterian Church and Harry W. Cooper Jr. was called as the first pastor of Renaissance Presbyterian Church in May of 1993.