St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church
St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church had humble beginnings, being a place of community gathering, a place of education, and of course, a place of worship.
Reverend John Archibald Deal began St. Cyprian’s in the 1880s after taking an interest in the Black community in Franklin. A couple of years later, the structure of the initial church was created and an ad was sent out for assistance. 1
A young Black minister, named James T. Kennedy answered the ad for a church worker on January 1, 1887. At the age of 21, he left Columbia, South Carolina to help educate members of the Black community. He went to work right away, holding classes in a tannery. 2 He taught writing, reading, and arithmetic. He was very strict, particularly about manners and grammar, which left a strong impression on his students. One former student, Carrie Stewart, remembered “You didn’t pass anything halfway with him.” 3 He was also an accomplished craftsman, having built the church’s lectern and other pieces.
He would remain at St. Cyprian’s until 1911, when he went to St. Matthia’s in Asheville, NC. His legacy still remains in the importance of education that he instilled in his students and that was passed down to their descendants.
Today, the church’s congregation has merged with St. Agnes Episcopal Church. Together, they are known as the All Saints Episcopal Church.