The church was formed in 1837 and, throughout its years, has witnessed a great deal of history and has even been a part of creating it. One reported story from the Knox News in 2008 states that mysterious lights can be seen that are supposedly from the lantern of a Confederate soldier who had an arm and a leg amputated at the church during the Civil War, when it was used as a hospital.
At the time the article was written, the Rev. Dr. Joe Tanner of First Presbyterian Church stated, In 1863, there was a brigade from Kentucky, called the Orphan Brigade. From what we could gather, this young fellow was wounded at Chickamauga. The troops came through the Cleveland area up to Knoxville, and that might be when he was brought here.”
It was more than likely the Battle of Murfreesboro, but the soldier didn’t perish at the church from his wounds and lived into his 80s.
But legend says that every fall, the soldier returns carrying a lantern, looking for his arm and leg.
Reportedly, the lights haven’t been seen since 1999, when a new addition was added to the church, which blocked the window from where people had seen the light.
Written By John G. Clark Jr.