Idlewild Presbyterian Church

A series of prayer meetings organized by James S. Davant in 1890 resulted in a Presbyterian Church organized in the suburb of Idlewild. From Peabody Avenue the congregation moved to the southwest corner of Union Avenue and McLean Boulevard, then in 1926 to the present building, known as "the South's Cathedral of Presbyterianism” and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Clergy and members of the church have been leaders in the denomination, the neighborhood, and the wider community, including the founding of the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association. Architect George Awsumb designed the Gothic Revival sanctuary, including stone figures on the tower representing workers for God, wood carvings in the sanctuary representing figure of the Protestant Reformation, and various Christian symbols in the windows. A 1960s addition including education and recreation facilities was designed by his sons, Wells and Richard Awsumb. The Trippeer Chapel, consecrated in 1961, features modern faceted stained glass. The carillon of 48 bells was added in 1982.