02/16/2026
Whatās on my mind today? Well, it has to do with my grandfather (Rev. A. C. Stribling), antique pump organs, Alan Jackson, and Bear Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church near Columbia, Tennessee.
Hereās the backstory.
A couple of years ago, while researching the history of McLeodās Chapel Churchāthe church of my youth in BrooksvilleāI discovered that my grandfather was the last minister of Bear Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church near Columbia, TN. That same church later became the backdrop for the cover of Alan Jacksonās 2017 CD, Precious Memories.
Naturally, I started digging. To my amazement, I even found a photograph of my grandfather in my grandmotherās photo albumāstanding in front of that very church. From that moment on, I knew I had to go see it for myself.
I finally made my way to the Bear Creek area last fall, located in the community of Mooresville (yesāMooresville! Can you believe that?). The Bear Creek congregation dates back to 1814, but this historical brick building wasnāt completed until 1898.
The current owner of the church and property, Mary Lynn Orr, graciously met me there and shared its history. As I was getting ready to leave, she casually said,
āBy the way, I have the original organ from the church at my house across the roadāand it still works. Would you like to see it?ā
Of course, I said yes.
We went across the road, she told me what to do, and sure enough, I was able to play through What A Friend We Have In Jesus. It was one of those goosebump moments for meā history, family, and music all coming together.
Many of you who stop by my booth at Southern Relics know I currently have an antique pump organ for sale. It doesnāt work, but it does have all of its internal parts. As weāve visited, lots of you have shared memories of hearing pump organs played in churches āback in the day.ā I donāt remember ever seeing or hearing one played beforeāuntil now.
If youāre curious, take a look at my next post, where Iāve shared a short video of me playing the pump organ at Mary Lynn Orrās home in Mooresville. (Facebook wouldnāt let me post photos and video together.)
And yesājust like many of you had told me, the trick to playing a pump organ is keeping those pedals going!