Church Index

ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH

Location

1014 Antioch Road, Johnson City, TN

History

October 3, 1875, eighteen people from the First Baptist Church in Jonesborough, Tennessee met in Bell's School, Washington County, Tennessee, on what is now Mayfield Drive, Johnson City, Tennessee, for the purpose of organizing a new church. They were: David W. Leach, William Vines, Nancy W.E. Vines, William C. Carr, Oadarial T. Lee, John Killy, Eliza Killy, Landon S. Leach, Louisa C. Leach, Sarafine Leach, Mary E. Killy, Mary Cassanda, Jacob T. Carr, Sarah L. Carr, Emaline Carr, Mary D. Huffine, George W. Fine and Elizabeth R. Bayless.

The meeting time was set for the first Saturday night for business and the first Sunday for regular worship service each month. By January 1, 1876, the Bell's Schoolhouse had burned and the church moved to Mayes' School, which was located near what is now Eden Methodist Church in Greenwood Community. April 1889, a "comity" of seven was appointed to find a location to build a church. A new location was found on the Henry Price property. May 1892, a deed was made to the trustees of the church. The property contained one acre. This is the property where Antioch is now located. Over the years the boundaries were expanded in April 1943, July 1959, and May 1983.

The records do not indicate when the building was completed but it is assumed in 1892. In April 1893, money was collected to buy a bell for the church. This same bell is in the church today. August 30, 1942, Antioch dedicated a new brick church building. In 1953, Antioch needed a larger building and another building program was begun. The old brick building was torn down and services were held in the Bernard School on West Walnut Street. The present building was completed in September 1954. A new family life center was added in 1984.

Pastors for the first 125 years

E.D. Silver, Nov. 1875 - Dec. 1877 T.H. Crouch, Dec. 1877 - Sept. 1882 J.C. Davidson, Oct. 1882 - Nov. 1884 E.P. White, Dec. 1884 - Oct. 1892 T.F. Roberts, Nov. 1892 - Aug. 1893 E.P. White, Sept. 1893 - Sept. 1894 W.S. Harvey, Oct. 1894 - Jan. 1895 T.L. Hale, Sept. 1895 - Dec. 1895 E.P. White, Jan. 1896 - Mar. 1897 W.C. Patton, Mar. 1897 - Mar. 1898 James Case, May 1899 - Jul. 1901 E.D. Cox, Jul. 1901 - Sept. 1902 E.P. White, Apr. 1903 - Mar. 1904 James Cox, May 1899 - Jul. 1901 T.L. Hale, June 1905 - Sept. 1910 J.M. Whitaker, Nov. 1911 - Nov. 1922 E.M. Johnson, Jan. 1923 - Jun. 1924 J.M. Whitaker, Jan. 1926 - Dec. 1929

Harry G. Brockus, Mar. 1930 - Apr. 1924 R.R. Carrier, Apr. 1934 - May 1934 George Combs, May 1934 - Feb. 1935 A.E. Carder (Assistant), Jun. 1934 - Nov. 1934 Aden Childress, Feb. 1935 - Jun. 1938 A.A. Carlton, Jul. 1938 - Oct. 1938 H.W. Farris, Oct. 1938 - Apr. 1940 Roy Burgner, May 1940 - May 1945 Harold Polk (Assistant), May 1942 - May 1945 Harold Polk, May 1945 - Aug. 1946 C.W. Jones, Sept. 1946 - Dec. 1951 E.W. Barnes, Jan. 1952 - Aug. 1962 Phillip Fletcher (Interim), Sept. 1962 - Feb. 1963 J.L. Shoun, Feb. 1963 - Jan. 1965 J.T. Pardue (Interim), Feb.1965 - Sept. 1965 James Allen, Oct. 1965 - Aug. 1968 Earl Hopson (Interim), Oct. 1968 - Jun. 1969 Phil Gass, Nov. 1969 - Aug. 1972

C.W. Jones, Oct. 1972 - Oct. 1975 E.J. Hall (interim), Oct. 1975 - Dec. 1975 Clifford West, Jan. 1976 - Jun. 1977 Robert Cutshaw, Aug. 1977 - May 1978 Phil Hoskins, Jul. 1978 - Oct. 1979 Jerry Hall (Interim), Oct. 1979 - Nov. 1979 Kenneth Kyker, Nov. 1979 - Feb. 1990 Richard Long, Aug. 1990 - Jul. 1991 Joe Frazier (Associate Pastor), Jul. 1991 - Apr. 1995 Pete Tackett (Associate Pastor), Jul. 1991 - May 1996 Allen Farris, June 1992 - Jul. 1997 Jerry Hall (Interim), Aug. 1997 - Jan. 1998 Allen Roberts, Jr., Jun. 1998 - 2000

Source: History of Antioch Baptist Church: Celebrating 125 Years of Ministry. Posted 12 Nov 2005

Church records are being posted at this website:

    http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~antiochbcjcrecords/antiochbcjcrecords.htm

BOONES CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH

Location 304 Picken's Bridge Road, Gray, TN   History Boones Creek Baptist Church was organized April 30, 1881, at the Hodge's School House by a presbytery composed of J.C. Davidson, Thomas H. Crouch and George P. Faw. The church was originally called Mt. Hermon, and there were 58 charter members. The original church building was a wood-frame construction, located where the current brick church building is standing. This was replaced in 1941 by a new brick church and the congregation met in the Hale Store on Flourville Road during this time and was called Flourville Baptist Church.  There is a church cemetery located behind the church, and names of early families buried in the cemetery include:  Hale, Hodges, Crouch, Dellingham, McFall, Durham, Brown, Bashor, Bailey and Kirpatrick.   Pastors

G.P. Faw Eli Ratcliff Asa Routh D.H. Jesse E.H. Hicks O.C.Peyton W.K. Cox J.A. Davis S.W. Tisndell

C.A. Ladd J.N. Monore J.L. Shin H.B. Cole W.N. Rose J.A. McCaleb J.C. Davis J.M. Whitaker M.A. Adams

J.T. Pope M.B. Upchurch E.B. Booth W.E. Wanford E.W. Roach R.C. Campbell Gillis Partain W.R. Rigell Loyce Franklin

Lacy Basham Paul W. Lilly J.C. Cartee James W. Smith George Nave Fred Strouth Arnold "Bud" Pate Richard Ratliff Kenneth W. Kyker

Cemetery

The cemetery is located at 304 Pickens Bridge Road, Gray, TN in the Boones Creek Community. A list of burials may be found in the cemetery section.

Source: In the Footsteps of Faith:  a Tour of 14 of Johnson City's Century-old Churches, September 2005. Posted 8 Oct 2005

BUFFALO RIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH

History

Many of the earliest Baptist in Washington County came from Sandy Creek Baptist Association in North Carolina. Many came to the Holston and Watauga Settlements after the Battle of Alamance in May 1771, when there was a mass migration of settlers from central North Carolina to the frontier regions. During this period, Sandy Creek was reduced from 606 to 14 members. One group of Baptist moved to Boone's Creek in Washington County. In 1779, under the leadership of Tidence Lane, they established the Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church, located eight miles north of Jonesborough. Often referred to as the first Baptist church in Tennessee, Buffalo Ridge is acknowledged by most secular historians as Tennessee's first permanent church. According to Paul M. Fink, Buffalo Ridge was the first meeting house (church building) to be constructed in Washington County. In 1785, Jonathan Mulkey succeeded Lane as pastor, serving until his death in 1826.

The first church was constructed of logs with a clapboard roof. A single window provided the light for the pastor to read his text and "line off" his hymns. There was a large fireplace, one window placed high in the end of the building out of the range of Indian gunfire, and a heavy wooden door. The seats were of split logs and had no backs.

By 1817 the church had a membership of 300, but for many reasons, membership declined over the next several years. Around 1815 some preachers began preaching what they called a "Reformation". This change in doctrine caused a division in the church and a loss of many members. It came at an unfortunate time. The church was without a pastor after the death of Jonathan Mulkey in 1826 and without a leader, membership declined to 23 in 1828. Better times returned to the church with the selection of Rees Bayless as pastor. Membership increased over 300 percent during his pastorate.

Several newly organized Baptist churches sprang up over the next few years, including Limestone and Union. Some members left Buffalo Ridge to join these churches, causing another drop in membership. In the1854 epidemic of cholera, Buffalo Ridge lost 19 members and the association reported 168 deaths overall.

On top of Buffalo Ridge in the Buffalo Ridge Cemetery is a marker telling all who visit there that they are standing on very historical and memorable ground. This marker is inscribed: "Here stood Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church 1778 First Baptist Church in Tenn. Pastors Tidence Land, organizer 1778-1785, Johnathan Mulkey 1785-1826. Baptist Historical Society & E. Tenn. W.M.U. Golden Jubilee memorial 1938."

By 1848 a new building was needed and a committee was appointed. Church minutes record that "Reverend Martin Kitzmiller preached the first sermon that ever was preached in the New Brick Church, March 22, 1851." The debt on the new brick church was settled in July 1858.

During the late 1800's and early 1900's, Buffalo Ridge slowly lost membership due to population shifts and the isolated location of the church. By 1915 the church had only 77 members and closed due to a lack of support. For nearly ten years, the only time the church doors were opened was for an occasional funeral service.

The church was revived by Missionary S.W. Tindell in the early 1920's. On October 1, 1922, the membership decided to relocate at Gray's Station (now Gray, TN), about one mile from the original site. The first services in the new location were held in the upper room of Maden & Saunders Store. After a time, the congregation moved to the "upper room of the canning factory", then to the high school building. For a while, meetings were even held under a tent. In 1927 the new church building was completed. Buffalo Ridge became 'independent in doctrine and practice' and withdrew from the Holston Association in 1973.

Source: Watauga Association of Genealogists - Upper East Tennessee. History of Washington County Tennessee 1988. Walsworth Press, 1988.

Tindell, A.B., A.M., Samuel W. The Baptists of Tennessee, Volume One. Kingsport: Southern Publishers, Inc., 1930.

Location 143 Mayberry Road, Jonesborough, TN History Some of the early settlers began to meet for worship services and formed the Cherokee Creek Meeting House. Although the exact date of organization is not known, some historians believe this Baptist church was started circa 1780 or earlier. The first recorded meeting took place April 2, 1783, when the Reverend William Murphy was installed as pastor. By September 4, 1783, the members of Cherokee Creek Meeting House had pledged that "we do not look upon ourselves (as) infallible (but) we still look to be further taught by the word and spirit of God. . ." On the fourth Sunday in October 1786, Holston Baptist Association was organized at Cherokee Church, with Tidence Lane, moderator and William Murphy, clerk. Six other churches were also represented at this meeting. This was the first Baptist Association in Tennessee. Cherokee Baptist Church is the oldest continuously operating Baptist church in the Tennessee Baptist Convention. The church has its original records for documentation. Cherokee has mothered at least seven churches -Indian Creek (now First Baptist Church of Erwin), First Baptist of Jonesborough, Asbury Baptist, Union (now Union Church of Christ), New Victory, Mount Zion, and Second Baptist of Limestone. Although the church has had three names - Cherokee Creek Meeting House, Baptist Church of Christ at Cherokee, and Cherokee Baptist Church and has been located in three states - North Carolina, the State of Franklin and Tennessee, it has been located on the same site since being organized. Samuel Bayless (1751-1825) owned the land on which Cherokee Baptist Church stands. In his will, he gave his daughter, Hannah Bayless Hoss (1784-1859) "a certain tract of land out of which is excepted one and one-fourth acres more or less for the (Cherokee) meeting house and burial ground." In 1840, Hannah deeded this land to the church.

Cherokee Baptist Church, 1999

The original church building was a log structure that was later weatherboarded. This building served both as a community school and a church. In 1890, a frame church building was constructed to replace the log church. The present-day, colonial brick church that was built in 1973 replaced the frame church.

Ministers

Some of the known pastors of Cherokee from the first recorded meeting to the present are: William Murphy, James Keel, Reese Bayless, William Cate, Elisha Martin, William A. Keen, J.H. Hyder, J.B. Stone, R.B. Bayless, N.W.G. Baxter, J.H. Moore, A.J.L. Hyder, S.H. Harrod, T.L. Hale, E.D. Cox, F.W. DeVault, H.L. Riddle, R.C. Campbell, A.J. Watkins, R.E. Corum, R.N. Rose, James A. McCaleb, J.M. Whitaker, J.R. Hodges, James Stout, B.M. Canup, H.G. Brockus, Aden Childress, Dwight Lyons, James Cambron, James Archer, Charles Hobbs, James Lewis, Bill Duncan, C.W. Hedgecoth, Clay Austin, Ron Anderson, Johnnie Widnr, Mike McCloud, Phil Gass, and the current pastor, Kelvin Mullins.

Courtesy of Geraldine Greenwell.

From the 1999 Cherokee Baptist Church Directory. Posted 29 May 2005

Location

201 E. Main Street, Jonesborough, TN

History

The Jonesborough Baptist Church was organized on 2 April 1842. It was preceded by the founding of the Buffalo Ridge Baptist, 1779; Cherokee Baptist, abt 1780; and Fall Branch Baptist Church, 1827.

The first pastor of the church was William Cate (1842-1860). Other early organizers were Reece Bayless, and Jesse Riggs. The first deacons were John Drain, William H. Prichett, and John B. Estes.

Some members transferred by letter from Cherokee Baptist to help start the church - John B. Estes, Rebecca Estes, Brester Deaderick, Clary Stuart, John C. Estes (a shoemaker), Wilson Bayless, Linia, black woman. Other charter members were: Wilton, Atkinson (a silversmith in Jonesboro), J. Pritchett (Singleton Pritchett family from MD; son, William Hiter Pritchett, a carpenter and early deacon), C. Hill, A. Brown, Isaac Murray (farmer, sawmill owner, Z.L. Burson (son of a Baptist minister in Bedford Co. VA; a farmer, drygoods merchant and ordained minister), Daniel Ellis, and Baxter Bean. Atkinson's sons-in-law, John Drain and A.C. Collins were early members.

In the summer of 1842 a shed was erected for worship near the "Mechanic's Spring" while the church was being built on the SE corner of Jonesboro on Spring Street opposite the first Baptist Church. The first church building was a small brick house built in 1842 or 1843. It was occupied by the church until completion of the second building and converted into a private residence.

On 13 Dec 1847 the corner lot on E. Main Street at the Blountville Rd. was deeded to trustees, Isaac Murray, Z.L. Burson and William T.M. Outlaw. They paid $400 for the property. In 1849 they deeded the property to the trustees of the church. Most of the timbers for the second meeting house were sawed by Isaac Murray and his son, Ephraim.

See link for an early photograph of the church.

The Bell

Early on there was a desire to hang a "Troy bell" in the steeple of the new church. Troy bells were noted for fine sound and effectiveness in calling the people to worship. The Presbyterians had bought a 1100 lb. "Troy bell" for their new church in 1847. The new Methodist Church was soliciting subscriptions to purchase a suitable bell for their church. Z.L. Burson finally donated the bell. It served the church and community for over a hundred years. The bell was made by the Menelly Bell foundry of West Troy, NY. On 27 Sep 1852 William H. Pritchett ordered the lumber so he could make the bench and wheel by the time the bell arrived. The church was dedicated in late 1852.

Holston Baptist Female Institute

In 1853 the Holston Association recommended the founding of a high school for girls - Holston Baptist Female Institute (HBFI). The Fall Branch Seminary was recommended for men.

First board of trustees of the HBFI included: W. Cate, W.C. Newell, M.V. Kitzmiller, J.A. Davis, W.A. Keen, E. Martin, J.H. Crouch, J. White, W.H. Humphreys, J. West, M.C. Hunter, R.P. Murray, J. Bayless, S.H. Smith, C. Hoss, J.D. Gibson, A. Brown and J. Spurgeon

The school building was a large brick building at what is now 233 E. Main St.. The school was never very prosperous. In 1856 it suffered from "exaggerated reports of scarlet fever and smallpox in the vicinity of Jonesborough." During much of the Civil War the doors were closed. At the close of the war the school was deeply in debt to Z.L. Burson. Rev. J.D. Tadlock was permitted to move his school for boys from the Presbyterian Church to the Baptist school house. In 1867 Col. Robert H. Dungan, brother-in-law of Burson and an ex-officer of the Confederate Army purchased the school and established the successful Holston Male Academy.

The War Years

Differences which brought about the Civil War also gave rise to differences within the churches. Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian churches divided into northern and southern branches. Many Baptists were strongly opposed to slavery. It as customary for the few slaves to attend services with their masters. They were often received into membership (Linia --black woman who came by letter from the Cherokee Baptist Church in 1842). A small slave gallery was incorporated in the second house of worship and remained until the church was remodeled in 1892. After the Civil War most of the Negro members withdrew to form churches of their own. A separation took place in Jonesboro sometime between the association meeting of 1864 when 12 colored members were reported and 1866 when no colored members were reported.

Some members joined the Confederate army - D.W.F. Peoples, Mark Montgomery and William Hiter Pritchett. Others fought for the Union - sons of Wilton Atkinson and S.H. Smith. The town of Jonesboro was held by Southern sympathizers until the collapse of the Confederacy.

After the war Union sympathizers asserted themselves in Jonesboro, driving out many, such as Z.L. Burson who moved to Goodson (Bristol) VA. Col. Thomas H. Reeves, an officer in the Union Army from Fall Branch, became a leader in the Jonesboro Baptist Church. Col. R.R. Dungan, a former Confederate officer from VA, also joined the Church in 1867. Membership grew from 65 in 1865 to 129 in 1872

Cholera

Cholera reached Jonesboro in June 1873, brought to town by two Greeneville refugees who were nursed in the home of member A.C. Collins. The epidemic became severe during July and citizens were advised to flee. Rev. Thrasher remained devoted to his duties. Among the 30 odd victims were both A.C. Collins and his wife, Rev. Thrasher and other members of the Baptist Church. The epidemic ran its course by September, but the recovery of the church was slow.

The Changing Years

The middle years of the church brought about additions and improvements to the church itself. An effort was made to secure housing for the pastor. The first pastors of the church had owned or rented their homes. In 1904 the church purchased the Young Bayless residence on E. Main St. between the church and the Armstrong home at 139 E. Main St.. In 1924 a new parsonage was built on the opposite side of the street. W.E. Wauford was the first pastor to live in the parsonage at 212 E. Main St.

In 1892 the church was remodeled with many changes made to the interior, particularly to accommodate the growth in Sunday School.

While John R. Chiles (1906-1909) was pastor, the rear wall of the church began to bulge and had to be torn down and rebuilt. In 1918-1919, John D. Cox was responsible for remodeling and enlarging the church .

The Organ

The musical program of the church blossomed during the middle years of the church. Before the Civil War, a reed organ was used in the worship service. This organ was traded in 1886 for an improved New England model that cost $100. Among those who played the New England reed organ were:

Adelia Crouch (Smith) Kate Deaderick (Bartlett) Ida Reeves

Phyllis Deaderick (Weem) Bess Peoples (Musick) Anna Thomas (Chambers)

Grace Thomas (Price) Lena Colley (Rothwell) Lena Hale (Mrs. W.E. May)

Lula Martin Ann Poteat (Childress) Ethel Ramsay Corum (McAmis)

Choir members included:

Justus T. Whitlock, Mr. And Mrs. W.A. Cooper and several of their children, John D. and Virginia Cox (Roach), Adelyn Deaderick, Laura Bruner (Dosser), Hansel Peoples, F.B. Poteat and others.

Pastors

William Cate Caswell Cobb Tipton M.V. Noffsinger W.A. Keen, missionary pastor of Jonesboro and Johnson's Station	1842-1860 1860-1861 1866-1870 1870-1871	J.H. Sharp O.C. Peyton John R. Chiles C.A. Ladd J.L. Shinn H.B. Cole	1901-1902 1902-1905 1906-1909 1901-1913 1914-1916 1916-1917
G.C. Thrasher, of Montgomery Co. VA N.W.G. Baxter	1871-1873   1874-1876	W.N. Rose J.A. McCaleb (Assoc)	1919-1922 1921-1922
John S. Thomas J.F.B. Mayes W.A. Therrell G.W. Griffin J.W. Whitlock E. Allison W.H. Osborne M.A. Adams W.J. Howell Spencer Tunnell I.N. Kimbrough A.L. Davis	1877-1879 1879-1880 1880-1881 1881-1883 1884-1886 1886-1888 1888-1891 1892-1893 1893-1894 1894-1895 1896-1897 1897-1901	I.G. Murray W. Clay Wilson Sibley Burnett James W. Jones W.E. Wauford E.W. Roach Robert A. Godfrey Joe M. Strother W.L. Baker James A. Smith	1922-1923 1923-1924 1925 1925-1926 1927-1929 1929-1939 1939-1940 941-1942 1943-1949 1949-1954

Source: The History of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, Tennessee by James F. Thomas, 1955, ETSU Thesis. Posted 29 May 2005

MIDWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

Location 3414 W. Walnut St., Johnson City, TN 37604 History The Midway Mission was organized by Central Baptist Church in April 1941. The building used by the Mission for a house of worship was once a house and store combination. In June 1947, it was voted that the Mission become an independent church, and in May 1947 the Central Church confirmed this decision. On August 3, 1947, the organization of the Mission into an independent church was completed with seventeen charter members present. The organizing council was composed of pastors and members of the following Baptist churches: Central, Unaka Avenue, Boones Creek, Roan Hill, Southside, Temple, Pinecrest, Erwin Calvary and Jonesboro First. After the adjournment of the Council, the Church met in its first business session and elected Rev. Haven C. Lowe, pastor and the following other officers: Zaleen Lowe, Clerk; F.N. Sims, Treasurer; Mrs. Howard Strickland, music director; Miss Betty Lowe, pianist; Lewis Sims, custodian; E.H. Lowe, Sunday School superintendent; Mrs. Howard Strickland, Training Union director; and F.N. Sims and Howard Strickland, deacons.

The some of the early ministers to the Mission, listed in the order of their service, were: Lester Burnette, Robert E. Lee, and Haven C. Lowe. In due time the church erected a new house of worship. On Sunday December 12, 1948, the cornerstone for the new building was laid. As the work progressed, many problems and difficulties arose. These obstacles were overcome with the work of members and some non-members. On the first Sunday of April 1949, the new building was dedicated.

Posted 10 Sep 2005

NEW SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH

Location About three miles southwest of Washington College on Lester Snapp Rd. The church is nestled upon a hill in the vicinity of the old village of Browsnboro. History New Salem was first established on April 21, 1845, making it in the top three of oldest churches in the Holston Baptist Association. By 1848 the church had grown to sixty-four members, but the names of the thirty-four charter members are not available due to a fire at the Carson-Newman Library, which destroyed the church's record books. The books had been taken there to be rebound. Official worship services began within the New Salem church building on March 18, 1850. Cemetery Section A is beside the church. Section B, the oldest part, is behind the church. Source: Jonesborough Herald & Tribune, Wednesday, August 23, 1995, page 1-B. Posted 24 Sep 2005

SNOW MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH

(formerly Snow Chapel Baptist Church)

1892 To Present

Location

2201 Knob Creek Rd. Johnson City, TN.

History

Its beginnings was April 6, 1892 when the Johnson City Baptist Church, in regular session, authorized the following: "The members of this church living near Oak Grove school house, to properly organize themselves to carry forward the interest of the church and maintain worship."

On the first Sunday of the following May (1892) a Sunday School was organized in the Oak Grove schoolhouse. David Saylor was chosen superintendent; W.W. Carroll assistant superintendent, and George W. Edens secretary-treasurer. The classes were organized and teachers elected.

On May 14, 1892, a number of interested church members met to form an organization which would be know as an arm of the Johnson City Baptist Church. After a devotional service, Rev. J.H. Snow from the Johnson City Church was elected moderator and A.R. Johnson, clerk.

The following 14 names were enrolled: Jessee Duncan, David Saylor, James Ellis, J.H. Duncan, Hannah Saylor, Mary Edens, Mary Range, Jane Ellis, Rachel Duncan, Manerva Duncan, Susan E. Kelley, Sarah Duncan, J.P. Kelley, and W.S. Poarch. A motion was made and carried that the members whose names were enrolled, organize themselves into the arm of the Johnson City Baptist Church. After prayer and remarks by some of the brethren, the organization was declared ready for business.

An opportunity was extended for new members. Five presented themselves, coming with letters from the Antioch Church. This made the membership of 19.

Saturday before the third Sunday of each month was the day chosen for the meeting. Rev. J.H. Snow was elected pastor and George W. Edens church clerk.

Some months later, so many were attending the services, it was evident that a more suitable place of worship was needed. J.J. Adams from the Johnson City Church, attended a called meeting, September 17, 1892, and made the motion for the organization to proceed to build a house of worship. J.P. Kelley and wife, Susan Kelly donated a 1 1/2 acres for the new building. A new house of worship was built and ready for occupancy August 19, 1893. R.R. Bayles presented the following resolution:

"As appreciation of the service rendered by Bro. J.H. Snow and wife, in establishing the Master's cause at this place ñ Resolved that his place be known by the name "Snow Chapel" in honor of Brother and Sister Snow."

This name was unanimously adopted.

Four years later, the Snow Chapel Church met, July 17, 1897, for the purpose of severing connections with the Johnson City Baptist Church and organizing an independent church. After a sermon by Rev. E.B. Booth, a presbytery was organized consisting of Rev. J.H. Moore of Cherokee Church, Rev. D.A. Glenn of Johnson City and Rev. E.B. Booth of Bluff City. The following names were enrolled as charter members: S.J. Hyder, A.R. Feathers, David Saylor, Winum Carathers, Lizzie Hyder, Alice Young, Callie Carathers, W.J. Edens, Z.T. Lee, Charley Stout, J.N. Duncan, Cora Jones, Hannah Saylor, Mahala Feathers, Eliza Ellis, Sallie Stout, Minerva Duncan, Ella Stout, Rachel Duncan, Julia Broyles, Ada Ellis and Robert R. Bayles.

Services were held in the first church building form 1893 to 1959. This building was torn down during the first week in March 1959 and replaced with a modern structure.The first electric lights were installed Sept. 17, 1933. The new Snow Chapel Baptist Church was dedicated 1 Nov 1959. In October 1973, the church name was changed from Snow Chapel to Snow Memorial Baptist Church.

There were no recorded minutes from 1916-1930.

Pastors

J.H. Snow W.M. Vines J.A. Denton F.W. Barnett D.A. Glen Geo. Edens W.K. Cox S.H. Johnson

M.B. Upchurch F.W. Devault R.W. King T.G. Davis R.M. Devault J.M. Good J.W. Setzer* R.E. Grimsley*

A.J. Walkins* O.E. Sams* B.M. Canup Oscar Nelson J.M. Morgan C.P. Holland Frank Cox Stewart Thompson

C.B. Peoples Warner Sizemore Farrell Brown Fred Strouth Clarence Carder M.H. Carder Paul Strickler Dean Smith

Everett Lerch Ron Pelfrey C.W. Jones Huey Brock Albert Bentely John Perkins George T. (Ted) Williams *Not in minutes

Source: A Summary of the Minutes of Snow Chapel Baptist Church and Snow Memorial Baptist Church, compiled by Margaret Holley, 15 Aug 1993. Posted 13 Mar 2005.

See Snow Memorial Baptist Cemetery 

THANKFUL BAPTIST CHURH

Location 1501 East Watauga Avenue, Johnson City, TN History The year 2007 will mark the one hundred thirty-fifth anniversary of the founding of Thankful Baptist Church. Prior to 1872 a log house, located in the area known as Roan Hill, served as a worship place for those of the Baptist faith, AME Zion, the Christian Church and other denominations. Each denomination was allowed one Sunday per month for worship service. In 1872, the Rev. Horace Leftwich and five others (William Jobe, Jacon Hoskins, Lizzie Hoskins, Frederick Adams and George Phillips) established Thankful Baptist Church.

Under the leadership of the eleventh pastor, the Rev. A.H. Wilson, a brick structure was erected at 104 Water Street in 1912. There, for the next 63 years, Thankful experienced tremendous growth in membership and spirituality. It was also considered one of the leading churches in the area. During Rev. John Birchette's tenure (1951-1982) a Johnson City Urban Renewal program initially included the site on which Thankful was located. The plan was later revised, but Thankful was already committed to a new site. February 3, 1974, ground was broken for a new sanctuary on the present site, 1501 East Watauga Avenue. The building was completed in 1975. The mortgage was burned in 1979.

Pastors

Horace Leftwich A.H. Wilson Rev. Campbell L.R. Womack

Rev. McClendon S.L. Spear Sloan S. Hodges John F. Birchette

Michael Dyson Jesse Blackshear Harold Adams Matthew Machen

John Goah Eric Ramey Danny Johnson

Source: In the Footsteps of Faith:  a Tour of 14 of Johnson City's Century-old Churches, September 2005. Posted 8 Oct 2005

 

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