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Cumberland Presbyterian Church This church is back in the top ten because of rumors of CVS pharmacy wanting the site for a parking lot. It had previously been taken off because a new congregation moved in after the First Alliance Church moved out.
It didn’t take much research to discover that this building is far more historically significant then originally thought. The first church on this site was known as the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, built in 1859. The basement of this church was used as a hospital during the Civil War. With the crossing of the two railroads in town, Mattoon was an exchange point for soldiers on their way to and from the war front. Many injured and sick passed through town and a hospital was needed to care for them. In 1863, the basement Presbyterian Church was fitted to serve as a hospital.
Not only did the building serve as a hospital during the war, but also a jail. 26 prisoners known as “copperheads” (a northerner sympathetic to the southern cause) from the famous Charleston riot were held at the church for several days until they were transferred into federal custody.
The original building was replaced in 1895, but elements from that building were used for the new one. There have been several alterations to the building over the years, including an addition on the south side that covers one of the stained glass windows. Since you can see the top of the window, I believe the window is still intact.
This picture was taken before the addition was made to the front of the building. |
