Ryder Memorial Presbyterian Church

Ryder Memorial Presbyterian Church We are a fellowship of persons committed to Jesus Christ and His Church.

1024 Ryder Church Rd., Bluff City, TN 37618

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We are instructed and guided by Scripture, as God's word to us. We serve the Lord with our time, talents and treasures. We love to laugh together and are willing to stand by each other in time of trouble and grief. We believe that all our members have a ministry and can m

ake a difference in God's world and our community. We welcome persons from all walks of life who are searching for the presence of God in their lives.



Hugh Ash, a Northern Presbyterian Church pastor, visited a mountain Sunday school meeting in the home of Arthur and Ida Glover in Sullivan County, Tennessee. He asked if they would like to start a Presbyterian Church, and told them about Mrs. Jeanetta Moore of Columbia, N.J. who wanted to donate money for a church in memory of her daughter, Edna Jeanetta Ryder. Edna planned to be a missionary but died at the age of 18. The people accepted, and Mrs. Moore donated money for the essential items. In the summer of 1932, Edward & Mable Stevens, and John & Bonnie Buchanan donated land for the church. Timber and trees were cut by men of the community. Sampson & Edward Cox pulled logs out of the mountains with horses. Brownlow & Jake Fritz hewed the logs, and William Hopkins scored them. William Combs did the inside finish work. Most men of the community helped in some way, led by William Hopkins. The first service in the new church was held in April 1934 and it was organized in July as the Edna Jeannetta Ryder Memorial Presbyterian Church, although it functioned as only a Sunday school for quite some time. It is now known as Ryder Memorial Presbyterian Church. Preson P. Phillips, Jr. was the first pastor. After he suffered a stroke, Rev. Leonard Allred of Greensboro, NC served as supply pastor. In the spring of 1958, James Hoff, a student at Graham Bible College, agreed to serve as a student supply pastor with Ted Noe appointed by Presbytery to serve as Moderator. The church was pastored for thirty-eight years by Rev. Martin C. Freeland, beginning in the early 60's. It is now pastored by his son-in-law, Rev. Garry Z. Cole, who was installed as pastor on May 15, 1998.

09/07/2026

Sunday was a hard day. We really appreciate the understanding and support from those of you who were there. Thank you.

Tim and Jackie did a masterful job of decorating the church for Homecoming--thanks so much! Please join us on Sunday fo...
08/26/2026

Tim and Jackie did a masterful job of decorating the church for Homecoming--thanks so much! Please join us on Sunday for worship service at 11:00 a.m. and dinner at Noon.

Thank you to Frank Fallacara, Dennis Lewis and Jerry Booher for working hard to clean the gutters on the fellowship hall...
08/26/2026

Thank you to Frank Fallacara, Dennis Lewis and Jerry Booher for working hard to clean the gutters on the fellowship hall. It hadn't been done in a couple of years, so it was a very hard job.

Thank you Tim Carrier, for keeping our church looking beautiful.
08/08/2026

Thank you Tim Carrier, for keeping our church looking beautiful.

Homecoming Sunday, August 30, 2026
07/22/2026

Homecoming Sunday, August 30, 2026

Be sure and join us Sunday for our Independence Weekend worship service and fellowship dinner. Worship Service at 11:00...
07/03/2026

Be sure and join us Sunday for our Independence Weekend worship service and fellowship dinner. Worship Service at 11:00 a.m. and fellowship dinner at Noon. Visitors are welcome!

Worship Service at 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Dinner at Noon.
06/17/2026

Worship Service at 11:00 a.m. Fellowship Dinner at Noon.

04/24/2026

Pastor Cole had an outpatient procedure to deal with a foot ulcer this week, and because there was infection and swelling, he needs to stay off his feet as much as possible for now. Kevin Carver will be filling in on Sunday and we appreciate his help.

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A big thank you to Tim & Jackie for the beautiful Easter lilies and a giant basket of Easter candy for our dinner next S...
03/28/2026

A big thank you to Tim & Jackie for the beautiful Easter lilies and a giant basket of Easter candy for our dinner next Sunday!!

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1024 Ryder Church Road
Bluff City, TN
37618

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