Big Cove Presbyterian Church, USA
A Brief History
The Big Cove Presbyterian Church (USA) was established as a Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the mid 1800's. The original building served a dual purpose, with the first floor used for worship services and the second floor for public school.
Big Cove remained a Cumberland Church until 1906, when the session voted to unite with the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America which invited all Presbyterians to reunite. The present sanctuary was built in 1911, just across the road from the original location of the old church.
In 1950 Big Cove joined with eight other churches to form the Madison-Limestone Larger Parish, with church services twice monthly. In 1963, the Madison Larger Parish, consisting of the Big Cove, Madison Cross Roads, and New Market United Presbyterian Churches was established. The Rev. Washio Ishii served as pastor to all three churches. In 1978, the parish divided, and New Market Church called its own pastor.
In 1983, the Northern Presbyterian Churches (United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America) and the Southern Presbyterian Churches (Presbyterian Church in the United States) united to form the current denomination, The Presbyterian Church (USA), of which Big Cove is a member. There are currently 2.5 million members of the PC(USA) Church which has its headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. Big Cove Church is also a member of the North Alabama Presbytery and the Synod of Living Waters.
Thirty-five churches in the upper-third of the state of Alabama make up the presbytery. North Alabama Presbytery is one of several in the Synod of Living Waters, which consists of presbyteries in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. The synod is one of sixteen that make up the Presbyterian Church (USA).In 1985, Big Cove and Madison Cross Roads took a big step of faith when they became independent, self-supporting churches, which they remain today. The Rev. Washio Ishii retired from Big Cove Church in 1989 and the Rev. Skip Babcock answered a call to serve as supply pastor. He retired in July, 2002. Today, Big Cove Church is served by Rosemary McMahan, a Commissioned Lay Pastor (CLP) of the North Alabama Presbytery.
The congregation of Big Cove Church is a unique gathering of life-long residents of the Big Cove area, of new families who have moved into the area, of farmers, engineers, accountants, retirees, single, divorced, and married couples. Mostly, it is an all-inclusive community where its members strive to live in the light and love of Jesus Christ. Its goal is to serve Christ in the Cove, and its hope is to continue to invite new members to grow in love and witness to our Lord. Everyone has a place at Big Cove Church.