Faith - Cocke County Church Directory

Faithg

Cocke County Church Directory

The Newport Plain Talk

WHAT’S Inside g

BASINGER CHAPEL

1148 Baysinger Road • Newport, TN 37821

On Dec. 19, 1949, some members of the Liberty Hill Church assisted Brother Tllman Holt in the purchase of the one-room Basinger School located in Basinger Hollow from the Cocke County Board of Education for the sum of $1. Tilman Holt was the first pastor of the church and named the church Basinger Chapel and served in that capacity for 16 years. Six others have since served as pastors. In October 1990 Franklin Wine became pastor and is still serving as pastor of the Basinger Chapel Church. Through the years there have been Sunday School rooms, bathrooms and other things done that have made Basinger Chapel a very special and beautiful country church with a pastor and congregation that loves the Lord and each other. Everyone who enters is welcomed with love and kindness.

BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH

695 S. Highway 340 • Parrotsville, TN 37843

Bethel Baptist Church, located two miles southeast of Parrottsville, was organized on Friday, April 28, 1906, in another church building on Nettie’s Mountain. Thirteen charter members joined the newly organized church that day. Church members adopted the Church Covenant and selected the name Bethel. Rev. McGhee was elected as the first pastor. Services were held once a month.

In 1911, Bethel moved to its present location onto land donated by James Freshour. Residents donated trees for lumber. W.H. Runnion came from the Home Mission Board to oversee construction. The new location provided Bethel with a more central location to serve its congregation. A new church building was completed in 1937. To pay for the new building, which cost $800, the pastor at the time suggested one-tenth of their tobacco money be set aside and they sell their “Sunday eggs.” This brought in $183.38 by January 1938.

After World War II, Bethel Baptist Church began to plan for the future. New pews were discussed. The members pondered ways to improve the Sunday School program, starting a BTU (Baptist Training Union), and a Women’s Missionary Society. In April of 1950, white oak trees were donated for the pews. The BTU began in February of 1951.

October of 1951 Rev. Billy Fox was elected as the church’s first full-time

PASTOR: Franklin Wine

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 6 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10:15 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

PASTOR: Chad Webb

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m, 6:30 p.m. • Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

pastor at a salary of $30 per month. Prayer meetings were to be held each Wednesday night. Beginning in January of 1952, the push for new Sunday School rooms began. On May 16, 1954, extra offerings were taken to pay off the debt on the new Sunday School rooms.

In 1976, members voted in favor of a new building. On May 8, 1977, the church voted to have the structure built for $150,000. The first services were held in the new church on Jan.1, 1978. The sanctuary seats 300 people.

BRIAR THICKET BAPTIST CHURCH

Briar Thicket Baptist Church is an old established church in the Bybee community. We have Sunday morning service at 10:30 am. Come as you are and enjoy our special singing and preaching every Sunday. Everyone is welcome. Thanks for considering our little church.

PASTOR: Mike Watkins

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

BRIDGEPORT FREE WILL BAPTIST

The goal for Bridgeport Church is to do our part to fill the great commission. We support works in the area of Home Missions along with Foreign Missions. Here at home, we broadcast our Sunday morning worship service live on WLIK radio at 10 a.m. For the last three years, we have set up at the Cocke County Fair and the Newport Harvest Street Festival to hand out Gospel Tracts and give away free bottles of water. During the weekend of the festival, we hold our Sunday morning service under the big white tent at 10 a.m.

We have an outreach to the homeless along with helping local kids with school supplies. We love to hold services with those who are homebound and not able to get out and go to church. We are praying for God to open more doors for us to be able to reach more people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ before He comes.

PASTOR: Tim Carson

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10 a.m., 5 p.m. • Wednesday 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

BROWNS CHAPEL CHURCH

1049 Browns Chapel Road • Parrottsville TN 37843

Nestled on the back roads of northeastern Cocke County since the late 1800s and in view of Meadow Creek Mountain, Browns Chapel Church has served the citizens there for well over a century. More than 100 years ago, Preacher William Kent organized a body of disciples a few miles from the present church and called it Solitude. In the late 1920s, William and Stella Brown donated a portion of the present grounds for constructing a new building originally called Pleasant Hill Church. After a few years, the name was changed to Browns Chapel Church in tribute to the Brown family’s contributions.

The new building was typical of those of the era, with two small classrooms, a pot-bellied stove and outdoor toilets. In the early 1980s, the building was remodeled to include bigger classrooms and indoor plumbing. In 1982, Stella Brown donated land to establish Browns Chapel Cemetery.

On July 15, 1990, the congregation dedicated a new building with larger classrooms and a seating capacity of 140 on additional land donated by Hazel Partin. However, the congregation’s joy in their new setting was short-lived. Six months later, a fire destroyed the new complex. The church met in the St. James Community Center until July 1991, while the present building was under construction. The present building, complete with a baptistery, was dedicated to the Lord on May 2, 1993.

Pastor Paul Jennings led services at the church for over 30 years until his death on Sept. 25, 2016. On Aug. 20, 2017, Rev. Randall Frisbee was elected pastor and serves to date. On March 24, 2024, the congregation dedicated a new adjacent fellowship hall with a

seating capacity of 100, a full modern kitchen, two bathrooms, and a storage room.

Youth are encouraged to participate during the year and in presenting Christmas programs. Each November, the Ladies Aide hosts widows and widowers for a meal and fellowship.

Today, Browns Chapel Church continues its open-door policy, welcoming those who wish to take up the cross and follow Christ. The church encourages acknowledgment of God the Father, Christ as Savior, baptism, active church membership and discipleship through guidance from the Holy Spirit. Rev. Frisbee and the congregation welcome all to join them in worship.

PASTOR: Rev. Randall Frisbee

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10 a.m., 6 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

BRUNERS GROVE CHURCH

2416 Knob Creek Road • Bybee, TN 37713

The Bruners Grove Church began as a log house in the fork of the road below the present location. Known as the “meadows school house,” it was used for both church and school. Later, a box house was erected further up the hill where Rev. Bruner preached. After this house was destroyed by fire, a new one was erected in 1870 and another in 1907.

In 1894 John F. Holt deeded the property to the “Methodist Episcopal Church” trustees. Another important date in the church’s history is Dec. 16, 1902, when church trustees signed a document in which they proposed to build the present church. Construction on the new church began in 1903 and was named for Rev. Bruner.

The earliest church records have disappeared, but obviously, the congregation’s history began long before the 1906 dedication date. One story handed down claims that during the Civil War, those backing the Union worshiped at Bruners Grove, while those favoring the Confederate cause gathered at Fowler’s Grove. The original official name of the church was Brumers Grove Methodist Episcopal Church as this aligned with the Northern Methodist Church while parishioners of the Methodist Episcopal South were more commonly referred to as the Southern Methodist Church. In 1939, the Methodist Episcopal, North and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South merged into the United Methodist Church. In 2023, the church disaffiliated from the United Methodist organization to become Bruners Grove Church, now nondenominational. A few graves are located immediately next to the church. The first person to be buried there was Gladys Holt in 1908. The primary cemetery is directly across the

road from the church where Susan Fox is recorded to be the first person to be buried there.

In 1958, the church began hosting a Lord’s Acre Sale which has become an annual event. What once was held by auctioning items from wagons in the parking lot in front of the church, is now held in the fellowship hall built in more recent years located beside the church.

The members of Bruners Grove Church feel the Lord continues to bless them and welcomes everyone to join them in worship.

PASTOR: Paul Barrett

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m.

CALVARY BAPTIST TABERNACLE

845 W. Highway 25/70 • Newport, TN 37821

Calvary Baptist

Tabernacle was founded in January 1960. The congregation soon built a church building on Beech Street and occupied that location until 2003. In 1995 Calvary Baptist

Tabernacle bought the former Pioneer Buick Car dealership, which was unoccupied. They chose to pay off the property before doing any renovations. After major renovations to the building were completed, the first service was held in the new location on Mother’s Day, 2003.

The church also has a radio broadcast that can be heard on WLIK Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30 a.m. Live services are broadcast on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m.

PASTOR: Jeff Ledbetter

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:30 a.m.

WILL BAPTIST CHURCH

564 Centerview Street • Newport, TN 37821

Centerview Free Will Baptist Church was established in 1948. Through the years the Lord has surely blessed us. We are a country church in the city. Lots of singing, shouting and old time preaching. Jeremiah 6:16 “Thus saith the Lord. Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk there in and ye shall find rest for your souls.”

PASTOR: Eddie Crum

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 9:45 a.m., 5 p.m. • Wednesday 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 a.m.

CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS

127 Western Plaza Way • Newport, TN 37821

Our denomination has had a rich history in the area, all the way back to at least the 1940s. Our congregation has had many meeting houses over the years, moving around Cocke and Hamblen Counties. We settled at our current location in June of 2021, shortly after the end of the pandemic. We love being a part of the community here and are so excited to see what the future has in store for us.

We believe in God, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. We know that God still loves and cares for His children on Earth today as he did in past times. In following the example of the Savior we also believe in the power of loving and serving all those around us. We know that families can be together forever through God’s plan. All are welcome to visit with us and learn more!

PASTOR: Bishop Brent Ford

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 11 a.m.

CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

The first mass was offered in 1907 at the home of Peter and Rose Frawley by Fr. Emmanuel Callahan. Once we were established as the Church of the Good Shepherd, the first official mass in Newport was offered in 1967. Next, six acres were purchased for $120,000 on Cosby Highway. Groundbreaking began in June of 2004 at our present site and Fr. Dan Whitman from Holy Trinity ministered to this Mission Church.

The bishop of Knoxville appointed Fr. Bob Hofstetter (2008) as a full-time pastor of Good Shepherd. Dennis H. Bible, a charter member of the parish, served as parish coordinator for 25 years until his death in August 2010.

Two carvings, one of the Blessed Mother and the other of St. Joseph were donated by Deacon Otto Preske.

We are a family parish that enjoys many visitors from all over due to our proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Our parish

is very active and enjoys many occasions to come together and celebrate our faith in God.

We have two amazing priests who serve our parish. Missionary priests Fr. Pontian from Uganda and Fr. Emmanuel from Tanzania have been with us since July 2023. All are welcome to join us.

PASTOR: Father Pontian and Father Emmanuel

CHURCH SERVICES: Saturday 9:30 a.m. Spanish Mass; Sunday Mass 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday Mass 7 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday Mass 10 a.m.

COSBY CHURCH OF CHRIST

The congregation of the Church of Christ that meets in Cosby was started by Creed Spurgeon about 1950 in a small structure with only a dirt floor. From that beginning, the church is now meeting in a new building.

We believe our purpose for being here is to preach the gospel of Christ without any deviation. Our motto is, “We speak where the Bible speaks. We’re silent where the Bible is silent. We believe we’re to do Bible things in Bible ways, and call Bible things by Bible names.”

If you want to find a church that follows that motto, we cordially invite you to visit us. Everyone is welcome.

PASTOR: Olie Williamson

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m., 5 p.m. • Wednesday 6 p.m.

Started in 2005 by a small group of people, Crossroads Community Church is founded on Psalm 115:1 which reads: “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name be the glory because of Your love and faithfulness.”

We are a group of imperfect people following a perfect Savior, Jesus Christ.

We gather every Sunday for three services (a short Prayer and Praise Service at 9 a.m., and two identical worship services at 9:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.) to worship God, make known Jesus Christ’s name and become serious followers of Jesus — no need to dress up. Come just as you are! We will be happy to see you!

Here at Crossroads, we want to make sure your children are cared for and biblical truths are instilled by our volunteers. Each child is important to God and us. We use The Gospel Project curriculum from Lifeway. Crossroads students meet each Wednesday at 5:45 pm at Crossroads Community Church.

For more information about our church and ways to connect, please check out our website at www.crossroadsnewport.com.

PASTOR: Rick Clevenger, Harley Timmons, Dennis Walker

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 9:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m.

Wednesday Children, youth and adult groups 5:45 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: During both services. • Vacation Bible School offered

DUTCH BOTTOMS BAPTIST CHURCH

1084 Highway 25 E • Newport, TN 37821

Dutch Bottoms Baptist Church was organized and dedicated in August 1921 by the Rev. Will Weaver. The first revival was in August 1921. The first baptismal service was in the fall of 1921. Dutch Bottoms Baptist Church hosted the East Tennessee Baptist Association in August 1927. The first wedding at the Dutch Bottoms Baptist Church was Pearl Brooks and Clyde Ragan on December 24, 1937.

Our second building was built in 1943 because the Douglas Dam was constructed on the French Broad River, which flooded the area. Land to build our second building cost $250. Despite being in the midst of World War II, the new building was completed in three months, when building materials were scarce. The building was dedicated in 1943 by the Rev. L. F. Fielden. Rev. Jim Stump was elected the first full-time pastor in 1968. He stayed for 17 years.

Our third and current building was dedicated in 1972 by the Rev. Jim Stump. He was the first pastor in this building. In 1975, Sunday School

EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH

1005 Ebenezer Way • Del Rio TN 37727

Ebenezer Baptist Church is the original church schoolhouse, established around 1892 by the Presbyterians as a mission school in the Old First Community in Del Rio. In 1945 the building was dismantled and moved to its present site, beside Mt. Zion (Sandhill) Cemetery.

Mrs. Opal Myers, a local teacher, taught Sunday School on Sundays at 2 p.m., and the women and children kept the church open for years. In 1969 the Presbyterians voted to sell all their outlying churches to build a new Presbyterian Church in Newport. Frank E. Turner Sr., along with donations from others, purchased the building and the property. On July 20, 1969, Rev. Bill Webb, Turner Sr., Mitchell L. Turner, Herman Rowland and Opal Myers became the first trustees.

Through the years many renovations have taken place at the church. Ebenezer now has three classrooms, a fellowship hall with

rooms were added to the building. In 1985, the new lighted steeple was added. In 1987 the pavilion was added. The church started the Training Union in 1984. The live nativity pageant was first presented in 1989 with Bobby Parker as the director. Our homecoming is every year on the first Sunday in September.

PASTOR: Rev. Michael Strange

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:30 a.m, 6 p.m. • Wednesday 7 p.m

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m.

a large covered patio, two covered wheelchair access ramps and four bathrooms.

Rev. Jerry Sutton is the present pastor. We are dedicated to God’s work and welcome you to help.

PASTOR: Rev. Jerry Sutton

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10:45 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

EDGEMONT CHURCH OF GOD

202 Clevenger Cut Off Rd. • Newport, TN 37821

Fannie Barnes from Knoxville, with relatives in the Carson Springs area, arranged for Knoxville evangelist, Rev. L.G. Rouse to hold a revival in Carson Springs. It was held in a church known as “The Patch,” constructed of wooden planks with handmade wooden pews, open windows (with wooden shutters to keep the bad weather out), lighted by kerosene lamps and heated by a potbelly stove in the wintertime. The successful revival encouraged the evangelist to stay and organize the Carson Springs Church of God with seven members. Rev. Rouse led the church for six months until the first official pastor, Rev. G.S. Walker, was sent to lead the group. Rev. Walker lived near Morristown, had to travel by horse and buggy, and drew a salary consisting of tithes the members paid, which usually consisted of garden vegetables or a chicken now and then.

The church grew slowly and steadily at “The Patch” for about five years. Elizabeth Barnes donated land to build a new church. A building of somewhat better construction than the first was erected and came to be known as “The Little Green Church.”

By 1934 the church had outgrown this small church and another church member, Roy Barnes, donated land. A bigger, wood-frame church was built at the present site. In 1960 the old wooden church was torn down and the present stucco building was erected. In the late 1960s, an education complex was added and a new parsonage was built. In 1971 the name of the church was changed to Edgemont Church of God.

PASTOR: Tim Owen

ENGLISH CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH

2161 Bogard Road • Newport, TN 37821

The church began as a mission sponsored by the First Baptist Church in 1952. As early as 1949, the missions committee at the First Baptist Church in Newport sponsored a tent revival next to the Joe Kyke store building in the English Creek Community. Rev. Jess Johnson was the evangelist. Rev. C.O. Brinkley, an associational missionary, helped the English Creek Community in a survey to see if it would be feasible to organize a Baptist Mission. As a result of the first revival, another revival led by Rev. Lowell Milburn from the First Baptist Church was held in the store building. On the closing night of this revival, Oct. 14, 1952, a mission was established.

After the English Creek Mission was established, Rev. Carl Ogle, then a ministerial student at Carson Newman College, was called as the first pastor on Oct. 14, 1952. He led the church to become self-supporting, instead of a mission of First Baptist.

Joe Kyker furnished the old store building with seats and a piano and repaired the building for the congregation. He deeded the store building and adjacent lot to the church “for as long as a Missionary Baptist Church remains on the property with remaining interest in the Southern Baptist Foundation.”

On Aug. 20, 1953, the church became self-supporting with 25 charter members and became a member of the East Tennessee Baptist Association. The church voted to build the present auditorium, which was completed in 1954.

This building has been added on with a new fellowship hall, baptistry and classrooms. The sanctuary has been updated with new lights, stained glass windows, new carpet, and new padded seats. The old store building is still used for Children’s Church.

PASTOR: Rev. Kris Brady

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m., 6 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION

304 Cosby Highway • Newport, TN 37821

The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation in Newport was founded in 1967 as a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee. For the first few years, we shared office and worship space with the Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd. In 1981 we purchased our current building, formerly Andy’s Restaurant. On Holy Cross Day, Sept. 14, 1981, the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation was dedicated by Bishop William Sanders. Major renovations were made to the building in 1989 and 1992 to make it more suitable for use as a church. In 2003, we doubled our total square footage by adding a parish hall and office space.

Our longest-serving priest was the beloved Rev. David Garrett, who faithfully led Annunciation from 1978 until his retirement in 2016. The church survived the pandemic years with several faithful part-time clergy persons and the dedication and skill of our members. Then in February 2024 the vestry

FAITH, HOPE & LOVE CHURCH

unanimously voted to call the Rev. Dr. Brian Austin to be our new priest. We look forward with excitement to the years ahead under Fr. Austin’s leadership. We invite all of our neighbors in Newport and surrounding communities to come and experience the joyful work of Christ taking place at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation.

466 E. Plaza Shopping Center • Newport, TN 37821

On Jan. 17, 2017, God began working out a vision through a few people to plant a church in Newport, TN. Jonathan Walton, while on a mission trip to Shell, Ecuador, had been praying for guidance and direction and was given the vision of a church that taught people to have authentic FAITH in Jesus, provide HOPE to the community, and show the LOVE of Jesus to as many people as possible. Upon Walton’s return, God led him to reach out to a few families who had been praying with him. These families were the first core team members who made up Faith, Hope, and Love Family Church.

On Feb.16, 2017, eight people met in a living room to pray and discuss what kind of church God was leading them to plant. It was overwhelming but incredibly exciting. Faith, Hope, and Love Family Church held its first official service on October 1, 2017. Our mission statement: To be a biblically sound, outreaching group of Christ followers who honor Jesus and impact the community

by teaching everyone how to have a saving, growing faith in Jesus, provide hope through his name, and show everyone the LOVE that can only come from Jesus and being a part of God’s family.

PASTOR: Jon Walton

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:30 a.m. • Sunday School: 10:30 a.m.

YOUTH GROUP: Wednesday 6 p.m.

Celebrate Recovery Thursday 6 p.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

PASTOR: Rev. Dr. Brian Austin

FELLOWSHIP PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, PCA

2331 Early Road • Newport, TN 37822

Fellowship Presbyterian is the only Newport church belonging within the Presbyterian Church of America. The PCA is a denomination strongly committed to the full teachings of God’s Word. Anyone who knows of Pastor R.C. Sproul, Francis Schaeffer, D. Jame Kennedy, or James Boice will also know our teaching and the teaching of the PCA.

Although a small congregation, Fellowship is actively building an exciting new work. We are strongly committed to praising our Creator, singing of His grace and steadfast love, hearing His word, and living in obedience to His will.

Our beliefs and teachings are founded upon following the Bible of God’s Word to man. We strongly believe it is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and we accept God’s Word as our infallible authority for all choices of faith and daily living.

We firmly believe that salvation from God’s justified wrath comes only through the work of the Holy Spirit as he calls men and women to save faith in person and work of Jesus.

We seek all who wish to join with us in loving and serving Our Lord Jesus in full accord with scriptural teaching.

PASTOR: Rev. David Dupee

FIRST BAPTIST NEWPORT

First Baptist Newport was founded in 1876.

After meeting in the “Old Pisgah Church,” located at the current location of Broadway and Cosby Highway for a year, the first sanctuary was completed downtown in 1877.

As the church grew, a larger brick building was completed in 1907 and it added an education annex in 1918.

After a surge in membership in the late 1940s, a new sanctuary was constructed in 1955, and a three-story education building and chapel were completed in 1963. Due to a lack of access and an aging building, the difficult decision was made to relocate. The construction of our new facility at 599 Amanda Circle was completed in the fall of 2022.

First Baptist has always desired to share the Gospel and equip others to impact the community. It demonstrated this longing by founding mission churches at English Creek, Riverview, Northport and Southside. We are thankful for God’s vision and for the families who were sent out to form these congregations, which are all thriving as selfsupporting churches in the community.

We have also always had a heart for children and families. In 1974, we established our Early Education School to prepare young children for Kindergarten. This fall, we will enroll our 50th class of students. We have active children’s and youth programs with activities throughout the year.

We are truly thankful for all that God has allowed us to do. We look forward to many more years of service and worship and celebrating our 150th anniversary in 2026!

PASTOR: Dr. Rich Lloyd

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:30 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

382 East Broadway • Newport, TN 37821

First Christian Church was established in 1921. We are an independent Christian Church that preaches the bible and stands on the word of God. We are a warm and friendly family who love to worship and serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and we would love to have you worship with us anytime. If you are seeking a church home, please come and join us each Sunday at 10:45 am.

FIRST FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH

188 Jimtown Road • Newport, TN 37821

First Freewill Baptist Church commands an impressive site in the Northport community, standing high on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside.

The church’s history dates to Feb. 8, 1931, with the organization of Gregg’s Chapel Church by Rev. H. C. Peak of Asheville, North Carolina, who served as its first pastor.

On June 26, 1957, a group of members voted to build a new church and on Feb.12, 1958, purchased five acres of land for $30,000. At that time, it was unanimously voted to name the new church Northport Freewill Baptist Church, a name that would later be changed. On the last Wednesday in July of 1958, a groundbreaking ceremony was held. On Dec. 20, 1959, the congregation voted to build a parsonage.

On April 3, 1960, the church borrowed $6,000 to apply to the erection of a parsonage. On Oct. 21, 1962, the church adopted building plans secured from Piedmont Church for the building of a new church. On June 12, 1963, the church borrowed $30,000 for this undertaking.

Members moved into the new church building in the fall of 1965. On Nov. 23, 1966, the church purchased property adjoining the church at a cost of $3,300. On Jan. 22, 1967, the church voted to change its name to First Freewill Baptist Church of Newport.

The church sold the old building in 1967 for $1,000. Of this money, it gave

PASTOR: Martin Stump

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:45 am.

$500 to the Freewill Baptist Bible College, sent $400 to missions (or, if needed, to be applied to “the Ellison baby’s surgery”) and sent the remaining $100 to the Freewill Baptist Home for Children.

In 1970, the church voted to build Sunday school rooms in the basement as well as a nursery. That July, the church voted to convert the coal burning furnace to natural gas.

In March of 1971, more improvements were made when the church had the parking lot paved and added air-conditioning.

PASTOR: Paul Moore

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday Bible Study 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NEWPORT

The roots of the First United Methodist Church go back to 1813 when a society of Methodists was organized in Old Newport on the French Broad River.

In 1814 they erected a frame church which was visited by Bishop Asbury on one of his last visits to the Holston Conference of the United Methodist church. When Methodism was divided in 1844, the Newport congregation was affiliated with the Southern branch. There was not a congregation of the Methodist Episcopal (ME) Church, sometimes called the “Northern” church, in Newport until after the Civil War.

The county seat of Cocke County moved from the French Broad to the Pigeon River, and a new town was established, retaining the name Newport. Both branches of Methodism had services on alternating Sundays in the Presbyterian Church until the South ME Church built a church in 1885. Both congregations used that building until the ME Church built their church in 1892 a half block up the street.

The branches of Methodism united in 1939 and the two Newport congregations merged in 1941, using the South ME church building. The present church building was erected in 1957.

PASTOR: Rev. David Woody

CHURCH SERVICES: Chapel Communion Sunday at 8:45 am, Sanctuary Service Sunday at 10:45 am

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 a.m

1181 Fugate Road • Del Rio, TN 37727

PASTOR: James Sutton

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m. • Wednesday 6 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 a.m.

GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

526 Highway 73 •Newport, TN 37821

www.graceinthesmokies.com

Grace Baptist Church was established on May 1, 1977, and for the past 47 years has been proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ in the Smokies. At Grace Baptist Church we firmly hold God’s Word as our only rule for faith and practice. We have a two-fold goal of reaching our community with the Gospel and teaching the Word of God to the believer.

PASTOR: Vince Keeton CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:30 a.m., 6

• Wednesday 7 p.m. SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:30 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

GREGGS CHAPEL CHURCH

661 Warford Road • Newport, TN 37821

In approximately 1928 a community came together and felt the need for a church. George Gregg donated the land for the building of the church. Timber for this new church, Greggs Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, was sawed by Earl and Cecil Lindsey, co-owners of the local sawmill. Brother Clyde Peak was the first pastor. A memorial plaque has been placed in the church sanctuary of the present building naming each pastor who has served the church since its beginning.

In 1976 members decided to build a new church. Two members asked Brother Goodson Gregg and his wife, Sister Mary to donate land for the building of a new church. Out of love, this was done, and the new church was constructed and ready for occupancy in July of 1977. Pastor Fred Gregg preached the first service in the new building on Sunday, July 31, 1977. He continued to serve the church until Jan. 9, 1982.

Paul Gregg was elected to serve the church on Jan. 30, 1982. He continued until his death in July 1983. Assistant Pastor Brother Frank Wine, was elected on Aug. 10, 1983, as the new pastor. Later he accepted duties at Baysinger Chapel. Four pastors served Greggs Chapel until Brother Fred Gregg returned in November 1993.

Our church expanded again with the addition of a beautiful fellowship building that we use for various church functions.

Since the death of Brother Fred Gregg in December of 2018, two men have been called to serve as church pastors including the current pastor, Brother Kalum Hensley.

PASTOR: Kalum Hensley

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

HILLTOP BAPTIST CHURCH

PASTOR: Ben Watts

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m.

HOLDERS GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST

CHURCH

4001 Holders Grove Road • Cosby, TN 37722

Holders Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Cosby dates to shortly after the Civil War. It is located at the junction of Jones Cove Road (Hwy 339) and Holders Grove Road. The church was established Dec. 1, 1874, and was to be known as White Baptist Church of Christ. The building was used by both Baptist and Methodist congregations in its earliest years. Later the Methodists established themselves as White Chapel Methodist Church and later evolved into Large’s Chapel Methodist Church. Oral tradition in the McMahan-Holder family says that the White Church building was destroyed by a severe storm, and the members held their services in Chavis School on property owned by John Holder and his wife, Jane (Dennis) Holder.

The first meeting in the newly named Holders Grove Baptist Church occurred on March 1, 1913, and a dedication service followed on May 3. In earlier years, the church bell was 30 minutes before services began. Today the bell is rung at the beginning of each service. Long ago the church bell tolled to alert the community of a death by hitting the side of the bell with the clapper. The number of tolls indicated the age of the deceased. If the bell was rung at times other than church services, it was an indication that something was wrong in the community and people hurried to the church to learn what was amiss.

Throughout the years, women have taught Sunday School, played the piano, sung special musical numbers and directed Vacation Bible School. In recent years, they have begun holding annual Ladies Retreats where ladies from neighboring churches come to fellowship and worship together.

All are invited to worship at Holders Grove.

PASTOR: Deacon Don Mathis

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:45 a.m., 7 p.m. •Wednesday 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

LAUREL SPRINGS

CHRISTIAN CHURCH

4848 Hooper Highway • Cosby, TN 37722

Laurel Springs Christian Church, located on Hooper Highway in Cosby, dates to Oct. 5, 1877, when founders adopted the original church covenant, stating “We the disciples of Christ assembled at Laurel Springs October 5, 1877, do covenant and agree to take the Bible and it alone for our only rule of faith and practice.” Lawson Maddron and Jesse Baxter helped establish the Church and served as its first elders. The group erected a log structure about half a mile southwest of the church’s present location and used it as their place of worship until 1897. Early records are scant, but it appears that approximately 50-60 people formed the original congregation. In 1885, membership stood at 136, and in 1886 the number was listed as 122. Maddron died in 1896. His tombstone says that he baptized 2,000 people.

It was during this period that W.L. Valentine married Rachel Baxter, the daughter of Elder Willis Baxter. He served as song leader for 60 years. It was his efforts and devotion that kept the congregation together when times were bad. On Oct. 8, 1897, William Moore deeded three-fourths of an acre to the Church of Christ at Laurel Springs also known as Maddron’s Grove. Laurel Springs School shared the same building, a frame structure that served the congregation well. At times the number of worshipers was so great that they were “hanging out the windows.” By 1924, the need for a new building became apparent, but the Great Depression and World War II postponed those plans.

LIBERTY CHURCH OF COSBY

3541 Cosby Highway • Cosby, TN 37722

Liberty Church of Cosby began in the 1920s by L.L. Brown from Pennsylvania. The ministry met at Liberty School on Liberty Road not far from what would soon become the Smoky Mountain National Park.

O.W. Harer was the next pastor who ministered for 40 years. He preached at various other mountain churches and taught the Bible in local school assemblies. Smoky Mountain Day Camp began at Liberty Church under the ministry of Don Adams who pastored from 1982 to 1989. Rick Mehaffey pastored next for 14 years, driving to Liberty each weekend from Waynesville, NC. In 2016 the church moved to its current location across from Carver’s Apple Orchard. Liberty Church has been an integral part of community life in Cosby, supporting our local firefighters, teachers, and students.

The church has had a great heritage of Bible preaching

With the return of peace in 1945, Laurel Springs Christian Church began to grow and strengthen. New members joined at an average of 11 baptisms each year from 1953-1955. Tragedy struck on July 26, 1960, when lightning ignited a fire that destroyed the church.

On July 31, 1960, the congregation and Minister Carl King met to plan the construction of a new church building. On Feb. 5, 1961, just six months and 10 days after the fire, the Laurel Springs Christian Church held its first service in the new building with 91 in attendance.

Since that time, Laurel Springs Christian Church has continued to serve the community, welcoming visitors from many states who are in the area on vacation.

PASTOR: Howard Scott

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m., 6:30 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m.

and community outreach, rooted in a simple faith. Our goal is to consistently preach the scriptures verse-by-verse with clarity and grace, and to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

PASTOR: John Rush

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m. SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Smoky Mountain Day Camp

LINCOLN AVENUE BAPTIST

234 Lincoln Avenue • Newport, TN 37821

Lincoln Avenue Baptist was established in 1921 from a Sunday School class that met at a nearby school. The group was composed of members of several area churches who saw a need for another Baptist church in the “town area” of Newport. The church was first known as Second Baptist Church.

On Thursday, April 7, 1921, representatives from these local churches met at Tannery School in Newport to organize the new Baptist church. During this meeting, what would become Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church was born.

On Sunday, April 10, 1921, the Articles of Faith and the Covenant, as printed by the American Baptist publication, were adopted, and plans were made to build a church on a donated piece of property at the corner of Second and Filbert Street. The congregation quickly grew. On this Sunday, baptisms for members throughout the association were held later in the afternoon in a creek near the French Broad River (near the O’Dell house at Oldtown), with 35 people being immersed.

In 1953, Lincoln Avenue bought three lots on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Fourth Streets and built a new church, selling its older one to Newport First Church of the Nazarene. It was at this time, the church’s name changed from Second Baptist Church to Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church.

In 1985, a new educational wing and family life center were completed. More recently a boom in membership led to the building of a new multi-million dollar complex with a new sanctuary featuring the latest in technology. Randy Runions is the senior pastor today

PASTOR: Randy Runions

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

LINCOLN AVENUE CHURCH OF GOD

356 Lincoln Avenue • Newport, TN 37821

Lincoln Avenue Church of God was established in the 1900s. The first pastor was Hance Webb.

The church is about love and compassion of people.

Lincoln Avenue Church of God is more of an independent church. We truly and compassionately love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the head of the church.

We believe in the King James version of the Bible only and our pastor only baptizes in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost.

We welcome everyone and love all. Please come and worship our Lord and Savior. Our church is built on love and compassion.

PASTOR: Bryan Dotson

Sunday 6 p.m. • Wednesday 6 p.m.

LONG CREEK CHRISTIAN CHURCH

3310 Sane Road •Parrottsville, TN 37843

longcreekchristianchurch.org

Long Creek Christian Church is located in Cocke County, 10 miles north of Newport, TN. Robert Forrester held a revival in 1920 at the old Long Creek School. In 1925 Eugene Murray began holding church services at an old store building near the current church site. During the spring of 1926 Henry Wilds and Howard Sane and their wives envisioned the need for a local place of worship. Mr. Sane donated the land to build the church. The timber used to build the church was donated and transported by horse to Bridgeport for milling. The church building was finished and dedicated in May 1927.

During the early years of the church, students from Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, served as pastors. They traveled by Greyhound bus to a well-known large chestnut tree off Asheville Highway to meet members for a ride to the church. Some of them received pay as little as $1.05 for their service.

In 1961 the first parsonage, a mobile home, was purchased. The first pastor to live in the parsonage was Ron Savits. Ruby Weller later donated the land to build a house to serve as the parsonage. That house was completed in 1970. Early baptisms were performed in a creek beside the church until 1965 when the first baptistery was installed.

The property adjacent to the church was purchased in November 2004 which

included a barn. Church members added a porch and raised a floor to the barn for hosting summer

gospel singings. The schedule for the singings can be found on the church website. A new fellowship hall was finished in summer 2024, adjacent to the barn.

Currently, Long Creek Christian Church provides financial support to a food bank and four missionaries. The church maintains a website, Facebook page, and weekly sermons are broadcast on Friday mornings at 9:30 am on WLIK 97.9 FM / 1270 AM.

LUTHER MEMORIAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

1865 Luther Memorial Road • Parrottsville, TN 37843

Luther Memorial’s beginning dates back to a time when congregations at St. James and Salem Lutheran Churches were thriving and the need for a third Lutheran church for those who had to travel a great distance increased. After thoughtful consideration and prayer, 54 members withdrew from those two churches to form a new congregation.

In 1909, the fledgling group erected a house of worship on donated property and it was officially dedicated in 1911. That church building served the congregation until 1925 when the walls gave way and the church had to be rebuilt.

Since then there have been several improvements and upgrades and by 1959 it was determined that there was a need for a better building.

Construction on the new building was completed at a cost of $47,000 and the cornerstone was set on June 4, 1961. The

building was officially dedicated on Nov. 19, 1961, with Rev. J. Luther Maunery, president of the Lutheran Synod of Missouri officiating. The new church was built about 100 feet from the former building.

PASTOR: Norman Deal

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 9:15 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10:15 a.m.

PASTOR: Joe R. Green CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:30 a.m.

MACEDONIA MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

The original name of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church was the Colored Baptist Church. Most evidence supports the claim that the church began in a home around 1892 or 1893, but there was no official record to support the church’s beginning until 1986. The first building was completed in 1898. It seems that in 1910, Macedonia recorded its first affiliation with the Bethel District Association. In the early 1920s membership and stewardship began to flourish. At that time several Black Americans moved from Del Rio to Newport and united with Macedonia.

In 1946 the first indoor plumbing, baptistery and coal stove were put in the church. In 1977 Macedonia moved into a new building under the leadership of Rev. C.J. Mize, who served as pastor from 1958 to 1993. In 1990 an education wing and fellowship hall were added to the church building. The church has had 13 different pastors. The current pastor is Rev. Clifton D. Jackson Sr.

PASTOR: Rev. Clifton D. Jackson Sr.

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:45 a.m.

Our church is a fairly new congregation of believers. On October 24, 2010, a group of local believers felt called to start their own church. We met at the Old Memorial Building in town on our first Sunday. We were only there one Sunday after learning the building was condemned. Our first Sunday as a new congregation at the Memorial building would be where we got our church name, Memorial Baptist Church.

After the Memorial building was condemned, we searched for a place for our brand new church to meet and the Lord led us to the Chapel at Camp Carson. Pastor Emeritus Alvin Watts preached the first sermon that Sunday in October, but this would be our only Sunday at Camp Carson’s Chapel.

We moved to the banquet hall of a local restaurant, the Fox & Hounds, from November 2010 to February 2011. During this time we elected our interim pastor, Harold Ball, to be the first pastor of Memorial Baptist Church.

In February of 2011, we began to share a space with Newport Presbyterian Church. While in Sunday School, they would have morning worship and then we would switch. MBC would not be here if it wasn’t for the generosity of the Presbyterian Church. We shared this building until Easter Sunday of 2015.

On Easter Sunday of 2015, we had Sunday School at Newport Presbyterian Church and then traveled to the recently finished building we now call home. Before renovations, our building used to be a used Chevrolet car dealership. Yet, God provided a way when there seemed no way, we were able to purchase this property, our building, and our new home. We’re blessed that our church could work and worship in this building. We appreciate everyone who gave their time, money and prayers to make Memorial Baptist Church what it is today.

PASTOR: Dr. Bob Brown

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m.

Wednesday 6:15 p.m. (no Wednesday service during summer)

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:30 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

InvestmentPlanning

MIDDLE CREEK CHURCH OF GOD

1205 Sunset Gap Road •Cosby, TN 37722

Middle Creek Church of God was started in 1937 with a small group of believers who loved God and wanted to reach a community and the world. The wonderful ladies of the church banded together and prepared chicken dinners that were sold to raise funds to build at the current location of the corner of Sunset Gap Road and Bogard Road in Cosby.

Many changes have taken place through the years, and many families and pastors have been a part of its growth and outreach.

Now in our 87th year of ministry Middle Creek continues to be a permanent fixture in the Bogard community, with multiple yearly outreach events, and weekly ministry to hearts and souls to be fed with the Spirit and Word of God. We have multiple student studies weekly and classes to help enable our students and adults alike to be prepared to share the love of Christ.

MULBERRY GAP

1600 Blue Mill Road • Del Rio, TN 37727

Mulberry Gap Methodist Church’s history dates to the pre-Civil War days in the Blue Mill section of Del Rio.

Mulberry Gap United Methodist Episcopal Church, South became Mulberry Gap Methodist Church in 1939. In the late 1960s, it became Mulberry Gap United Methodist Church.

The church buildings were, over the years, used for both church and school purposes until 1945. The first buildings were constructed of logs and lumber. The present building is a masonrytype building built in 1951. This building was dedicated on Sunday, Oct. 25, 1953 by Bishop Roy Short.

It is interesting to note from existing papers that Rhyne and Helm Lumber Companies sold blocks for 19 cents each. The electrical inspection cost $2.50 and eight windows were $48.

Since before the Civil War in the early 1860s, Mulberry Gap has been a place for its people to worship their Creator. It has been a lighthouse on a hill for old-fashioned Bible teaching and preaching.

PASTOR: Jimmy Day CHURCH

May we always have the fortitude of those who came before to follow in their footsteps as they followed the God of Heaven throughout their lives in both good times and bad.

PASTOR: Anthony Stokely

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 9:45 a.m, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 11 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

NEW LIFE BAPTIST CHURCH

322 East Main Street, Newport, TN 37821

Our church was started in the fall of 2006 after Pastor Eddie Gray answered the call to start a new church in Newport. On the first Sunday of December, Eddie and his wife Gail opened their home to hold the first service with family and close friends. A few weeks later, a storefront building became available on Broadway Street in downtown Newport. After many prayers and thoughts the name, New Life Baptist Church, was decided upon because we believe a “New Life” is possible through Christ. We have grown since that first service and continue to be blessed. We have changed locations a couple of times and are currently at 322 E. Main Street (formerly Costner Funeral Home Chapel). We believe accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is the only way to Heaven and we teach the virgin birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and study out of the King James Version of the Holy Bible. All are welcome to come and worship with us.

PASTOR: Eddie Gray

PASTOR: Alfred Ball, Sam Walls, Hubert Barret, Steve Lewis

NEW LIFE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH

707 Baysinger Road • Newport, TN 37821

New Life Freewill Baptist Church, located on Baysinger Hollow Road, began life as New Bethel Freewill Baptist Church in the 1940s.

On July 29, 1948, Henry and Ruby Valentine donated land for a church. Local citizens built the structure and many of them attended the church. Dewey Kirk was the first pastor.

In 1977, Chlora Rea donated a church bell in memory of Deputy Billy Smith, who was killed in the line of duty in 1974 in an automobile crash. Smith is buried in the adjacent cemetery. James Munsey erected the steeple.

As the years passed, the congregation opted to build a new church alongside Highway 160 and keep the name New Bethel. If the original church were to be sold or torn down and the land ceased to be used for religious purposes, the property would revert to the Valentine heirs. The Valentine heirs and other interested parties wanted the church to continue serving the community as a religious house.

The church’s name was changed to New Life Freewill Baptist and in 2023 changed to New Life Pentecostal.

Because everything in the church had been taken out of the building, other churches and citizens came to the rescue and donated pews, lights and pulpit. A donation helped pay for the heat pump and water became available to the church again.

NEWPORT CHURCH OF GOD

407 Old Knoxville Highway • Newport, TN 37821

newportchurchofgod.net

On July 19, 1939, the church was organized in Irish Cut, known as Cherry Hill Church of God with Rev. I. H Brabson, the District Overseer under Leadership and Covering of the Church of God International in Cleveland, Tennessee.

The Church began with 19 members, consisting of six new members and 13 transfers from the Carson Springs Church of God. The pastor was Rev. Robert Sifford.

On Oct. 3, 1943, the church moved into a new facility in Newport on the corner of Park and White Oak Street. The name was changed to the Newport Church of God. The church remained there until 1956, when land was purchased on Old Knoxville Highway.

In 1970, the original church building on Old Knoxville Highway was torn down and the present facilities were constructed under the supervision of Rev. R. Douglas Jacobs, pastor.

Among the early members was Rose Lovell, who recalled her father serving as a deacon at the original church until he died in 1966. “We were raised in church there,” said Lovell. “A lot of special memories are special to me about that church. I’m glad the Lord provided a way for it to continue to be a church.” According to Lovell, the Valentine family moved to Ohio in 1953.

PASTOR: Brother Tommy Smith

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m.

Newport Church of God offers children’s classes and also has a youth group.

PASTOR: Andy Turner

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m. • Wednesday 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: Commentary class 10 a.m.

NEWPORT CHURCH

NEWPORT FIRST APOSTOLIC CHURCH

The Church of the Nazarene was founded in 1908. A local congregation has existed in Newport for 75 years. The church bonds together individuals who have made Jesus Christ Lord of their lives, sharing in Christian fellowship, and seeking to strengthen each other in faith development through worship, preaching, training and service to others. We strive to express the compassion of Jesus Christ to all persons along with our commitment to Christlike living. While the primary motive of the church is to glorify God, we are also called to actively participate in His mission - reconciling the world to Himself.

We are united with all believers in proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We believe that in divine love God offers to all people forgiveness of sins and restored relationships. In being reconciled to God, we believe we are also to be reconciled to one another, loving each other as we have been loved by God and forgiving each other as we have been forgiven by God. We believe our life together is to exemplify the character of Christ. We look to scripture as the primary source of spiritual truth confirmed by reason, tradition, and experience. Our church welcomes like-minded people of all ages, children, teens and adults.

PASTOR: Rev. John Hale

The church was founded in 2007 in a storefront in downtown Newport. In approximately 2010 the church moved to 631 HIghway 411 in another rented building. The blessings of the Lord allowed us to move to and purchase our present location at 171 Carson Springs Road.

We have been blessed to experience the power of God through miraculous salvation experiences including baptism in Jesus’ name and the spirit of the Holy Ghost.

We are an old-fashioned Apostolic Pentecostal church where we worship God in spirit and truth as designated in the King James Bible. Everyone is welcome and we invite you to come and experience the power of God with us!

PASTOR: Stephen H. Thornbury

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:30 a.m. • Wednesday 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 11:15 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

NEWPORT FIRST CHURCH OF GOD

331 Woodson Road • Newport, TN 37821

PASTOR: Tonya Shelton

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

NEWPORT

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

399 Hedrick Drive • Newport, TN 37821

www.newportpresbyterian.org

The Newport Presbyterian Church was founded in 1823 and has continued to serve the community for the past two centuries. It has done so from its Hedrick Drive location up on the hill for over 50 years. The church has always been a place for people to come, just as they are, to learn more about the Lord and experience his saving grace and mercy through the resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ.

The church recognizes that as humans we are all flawed and encourage everyone to come build a relationship with God in a place that will welcome them and help them find their strength in Him. The church ministers to the community by helping many of the area’s charities and having weekly Sunday services starting at 9:30 a.m., followed by Sunday School and hosting a mid-week

Bible study that meets both in person and virtually for those who cannot physically attend.

For more information about our service times or to find out about our Bible Study session please contact us via Facebook.

PASTOR: Darryl Lindsey

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: After morning worship

MID-WEEK SERVICE: See Facebook for Bible Study times

NORTHPORT BAPTIST CHURCH

488 Duncan Street • Newport, TN 37821

Northport Baptist Church was planted by First Baptist Church, Newport, in the heart of the Northport community in April 1956. The small congregation began meeting in homes in the community and later moved into a tent on the current grounds of the church. In 1957, the ground floor of Northport was complete and the congregation had its first permanent meeting location. In 1961, the church’s first sanctuary and classrooms were complete, with more educational space added in 1965. From the church’s humble beginnings until today, the members of Northport Baptist have always sought to honor God and to be a shining light in the church’s community. The Northport family is always looking for new ways to minister to others, advance the mission of Jesus Christ, and live lives that testify to the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. Even during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Northport members faithfully loved and served one another, found ways to serve their community, and advanced the message of the gospel locally and across the world. We are just normal people with a great love for God and an overwhelming desire to bring Him glory through ministry and mission.

We believe our brightest days are still ahead, and because we believe this, we are fiercely forwardfocused. Though our purpose is the same as it has always been, to make and grow disciples of Christ, we are nonetheless a church in transformation. We are changing as a body of believers to become what Christ wants us to be. We invite you to come and be part of that change! Most importantly, we look forward to the day when Christ will triumphantly return, and we want as many people as possible to be ready for that day. We truly believe that abundant and eternal life is only found in Him.

PASTOR: Dr. Wayne Whitaker

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:30 a.m.,

OLD TIME GOSPEL

MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

445 Beech Street • Newport, TN 37821

Old Time Gospel Missionary Baptist Church was organized on Aug. 19, 2001, at 209 West Broadway in Newport with approximately 15 original members. Rev. Doug Messer usually did the preaching and served as moderator for most meetings. He was elected as Pastor in July 2002.

The church began growing in number and members and in March 2003 the church voted to purchase the church and property at 445 Beech Street in Newport from Calvary Baptist Church, which had moved to another address. Services began at the Beech Street location in May 2003.

Rev. Messer served as pastor until October 2006. Rev. Glenn Ball was elected as pastor in November 2006 and continues serving today. Sunday school begins at 10 a.m. each Sunday with preaching service at 11 a.m. Sunday night services begin at 6 p.m. and Wednesday night services begin at 7 p.m. Special singing services are held on the fifth Sunday of the month having five Sundays. Bible school is held each summer with classes for all ages. Homecoming is celebrated on the third Sunday in September of each year with lunch and special singing.

Old Time Gospel uses the King James Version Bible for study and guidance. All visitors are welcome.

PASTOR: Glenn Ball

OVEN CREEK METHODIST CHURCH

1454 N. Highway 340 • Parrottsville, TN 37843

Oven Creek Methodist Church was founded around 1818 and was a circuit-riding station. The original church was a log structure which burned down around 1880. The church was soon rebuilt on the site where it still stands today.

In 1968 Oven Creek joined the United Methodist Conference. In March 2023 the decision was made by the members, by unanimous vote, to disaffiliate from the United Conference. Oven Creek then joined the Association of Independent Methodists (AIM) in June of 2023.

The president of AIM, Rev. Hal Daigre, visited Oven Creek and saw what bad need of repair the church was in. He knew the small congregation was struggling since most of its funds went to pay its way out of the United Methodist Conference. Work was started in July on the needed repairs through “Work Loving God” in

PIGEON VALLEY CHURCH

3229 Big Creek Road • Hartford, TN 37753

Pigeon Valley Baptist Church was organized in October 1889 at the community school building in Hartford, TN. It was decided that services would be held here until a church building could be built. The services were held on the third Saturday and Sunday of each month. It would be 21 years before the church building was completed. It had two rows of seats and four windows on each side.

The Rev. James B. Cogdill was the first pastor of the church. There were 10 pastors through the years with the last being Rev. Ransom Hall, who came in as “supply pastor” in 1996 and served until his death in March 2022.

The first church was replaced in 1969, with a new building. The land for the new church was donated by loyal member Miss Justine Clark. The dedication of the new building was held on Sept. 21, 1969.

The Rev. William “Tinker” Clark was elected pastor on June 12, 2022, and continues to serve. The church continues to grow under his leadership.

During the past two years, the church has gone through some major remodeling. The sanctuary has been painted, and new lights, new carpet and new windows have been installed. The church sign out front has been

association with AIM. All repairs were done through volunteer work and donations.

PASTOR: Rev. Steve Ryman

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10:45 a.m.

refurbished.

It is the vision of the church to make an impact for God in the community. We desire to help people understand the eternal hope that is given through Jesus Christ.

We invite you to join us at Pigeon Valley at any time. Come as you are! You will be made welcome at any of our services.

PASTOR: William “Tinker” Clank

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m., 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m.

PINEY GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

1200 Punkton Road • Del Rio, TN 37727

Piney Grove Baptist Church was organized in 1880 in the community of Punkton located in Del Rio. According to available records, the present building is the fifth facility the church has occupied. The first service in the present building was held on Jan. 20, 2008, and the congregation was debt-free for this beautiful facility.

Down through the years, the Lord has provided many wonderful pastors for Piney Grove Baptist Church. According to available records, approximately 25 different men have pastored the congregation of Piney Grove with some serving two or three different times. The longest pastorate was held for 39 years by Rev. Bill Murr. The Lord has continued to provide God-fearing men to Piney Grove. The current pastor, Rev. Fred Cagle loves the Lord and the people in the community of Del Rio. He is very involved in many events held in the community and is always ready to share the good news of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

The congregation of Piney Grove Baptist Church still worships traditionally with singing from the Church Hymnals and teaching and preaching from the King James version of the Holy Bible. Sunday School classes are provided for every age group and classes are provided on Wednesday nights for the children and youth along with Bible study for the adults.

The church holds Vacation Bible School every year in July and usually has an average attendance of over 150. There is a class for all ages, including adults, at this event.

Bro. Fred Cagle and some of the church members are involved in the school program, Life’s Choices at Del Rio Elementary School. Every Tuesday morning

they are allowed to go to the school and have a short Bible lesson with some of the children before they start their day. Please pray that the Lord will keep this door open and that these children will accept Jesus as their savior.

We pray that the Lord will continue to bless Piney Grove Baptist Church and that we can be a light to others in our community. We invite you to come and be with us anytime you can and may the Lord richly bless you in your lives.

PASTOR: Rev. Fred Cagle

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:30 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:30 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

POINT PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH

3330 Point Pleasant Road • Newport, TN 37821

Located in northwest Cocke County about a mile from the Nolichucky River, Point Pleasant Baptist Church was founded in 1848 on property deeded to the church by the Talley family. The first meeting house was a small log building located in what is now the cemetery. The current sanctuary was constructed by members of the church in 1888 from lumber likely logged and sawn from the church property by the Fowler family.

The church has seen many changes through the years, including the installment of a large bell just after the beginning of the 20th century. The bell not only rang to begin services but also to announce the death of many saints and sinners through the years. Its rich tones could be heard throughout the community, tolling once for each year of a person’s life. Being a small community, it was often possible to know who had passed by counting the peals of the bell. The ringing bell was also a call for the men to gather to dig a grave for the deceased. It is still used to announce the beginning of services. Anyone who visited Point Pleasant during the mid-20th century would also have taken note of the array of very large oak and hickory trees scattered around the property. The trees provided cooling for summer services dinner on the grounds, and homecomings. Unfortunately, those wonderful trees have now disappeared due to old age and death.

PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH

2263 Cosby Highway • Newport, TN

37821

Providence Baptist Church began as a Bible study that met at the old Holiday Inn in Newport in 2003. The Lord continued to bless and add to that Bible study until it was suggested by the late Pearl Gray that the Bible study be organized into a church. Having led the Bible study from its inception, Pastor Scott Gorrell accepted the call to become the founding pastor of the church. The church was founded with 17 charter members.

Under Pastor Gorrell’s leadership, the church purchased its property on Cosby Highway in 2004. The church’s first building with an auditorium, nursery and small fellowship hall was completed and dedicated in September 2006. The church has had numerous additions over the years including Sunday school classrooms, a youth room, an office wing and a beautiful children’s ministry area. Understanding the importance of reaching young people and their families, the church called Stephen Neal to lead the youth ministry and be the assistant pastor in September 2020.

After 21 years of faithful service as the senior pastor of the church, Pastor Gorrell announced in June 2024 that he would be stepping down from that role, though he would continue to be active in serving in the

Church records tell of many revival services held over the years. One was held for two weeks in February of 1899 with 78 souls saved and many repenting. Another began spontaneously during the afternoon service of a Homecoming in the mid-1960s with 35 professions of faith. The greatest legacy of Point Pleasant Baptist Church is without a doubt the hundreds of men and women, boys and girls who have found salvation here at the heart of the community.

Our pastors have challenged us to “make Jesus famous” here in the community, Cocke County, Tennessee, and beyond as we go forward for the next 176 years. We the members hope to do just that as we continue to serve God by being a light to the community.

PASTOR: Rev. Gary Elmore CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m.

church and reaching folks with the gospel. The church voted unanimously to extend the call of senior pastor to Neal in July 2024. The Providence Baptist Church has been blessed with a rich heritage and is excited about what God is doing and will do in the days ahead.

PASTOR: Stephen Neal

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:45 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

RIDGE CREST BIBLE CHURCH

RidgeCrest Bible Church began in 2021 with a group of Christian friends from this area. We met weekly to study God’s Word and pray together. Our pastor, Don Adams, works with an international mission (Be One Together) and is involved in several area ministries. These include children’s school programs called Lifewise, conducting VBS ministries, Day Camps, ministers to the migrant farm workers in East Tennessee, and a nursing home ministry. We have been blessed and everyone is welcome to visit us.

PASTOR: Don Adams

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10 a.m. SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9 a.m.

BAPTIST CHURCH

644 River Road • Newport, TN 37821

On a hot summer day in 1953, the custodian of First Baptist Church in downtown Newport walked into the church office and asked for help. His name was Porter Beason and a neighbor friend of his was dying and needed prayer. Two people went with him down to the River Street community and they soon realized that this neighborhood had a great many residents who were not being reached by any church in Newport.

Porter Beason suggested a Sunday School and offered his own home as a meeting place for the many youngsters living on and around River Street. By October of 1952, there were 35 enrolled with an average attendance of 20 each Sunday at 3 p.m. It was then that First Baptist Church decided to rent a two-room house next door to Porter’s for the ever-increasing number of children of all ages, coming to Sunday School at the mission.

Fall and winter programs were planned for the children. The River Street children took care of the cleaning houses. Volunteers from First Baptist Church kept the wood stoves burning. Mothers and fathers began to come with their children.

Up until this time, the volunteers felt that it was going to be difficult for this start-up mission to ever become a real church. It was then that the guiding hand of God could be seen, blessing them with the ability to acquire property in March 1957. Work began on the permanent building where we worship today in October 1957. The Riverview Missionary Baptist Church was officially dedicated on Sunday, April 20, 1958.

An anonymous donor purchased a Van Bergen Church Bell and had it shipped from Holland and installed during the winter of 1959 and 1960. This was given in memory of Porter Beason and dedicated to the church.

PASTOR: Tim Grooms

SUNDAY SERVICES: 11 a.m. SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY: Wednesday 6:30 p.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

Hours: SUN-TUES : 11AM-9PM WED-THURS 11AM-10PM

I- SAT: 11AM-11PM

ROUND MOUNTAIN

MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

135 Ground Squirrel Road • Del Rio, TN 37727

Located in Del Rio at the base of Round Mountain sits a small, white church, Round Mountain Missionary Baptist Church. It was established in 1951 and the first service was on October 7. The first pastor was Rev. Carroll Self.

Down through the years, 19 pastors have served the church. In February 2018 Rev. David Grindstaff became the 20th and current pastor.

PASTOR: Rev. David Grindstaff

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 5 p.m. • Wednesday 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

SALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH

3001 Salem Road • Parrottsville, TN 37843

By the time the Civil War erupted, Salem Lutheran Church members had worshiped together for 16 years. The church, located in northern Parrottsville, near the county line, is a descendant of St. James Lutheran Church, located in Greene County, which recently celebrated its 200th anniversary.

The Rev. A. J. Fox, then St. James’ pastor, had for several months conducted services in the home of Michael and Elizabeth (Winter) Ottinger. As more and more people moved into the area and families grew in number, the need for a church in their community of Salem intensified. Salem Lutheran Church’s congregation first worshiped in a small frame structure that stood at the foot of the hill below the cemetery. The site is marked by a beautiful triple-based memorial stone. The first building was remodeled and enlarged in 1874. In 1905 plans were made to construct a new sanctuary on the hill above the cemetery. On Oct. 7, 1906, this modern wooden structure was dedicated and served Salem’s worshipers until May 30, 1948, when the last service was held.

For the next 11 months, members worshiped in the Parrottsville Elementary School auditorium while the current brick sanctuary and education building was built. The first parsonage and farm were purchased on Aug. 5, 1920. Over 25 pastors have served Salem Lutheran Church.

PASTOR: Norman Deal

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:45 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:45 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

The church was founded around 1945 and originally located at 1001 Old 15th Road, Del Rio, TN. We have recently moved to a new address. The church’s pastor is Tommy Ball, who has been at our church since 1996. Before that time, the pastor was Johnny Shelton for approximately 20 years.

PASTORS: Tommy and Tracy Ball

SERVICES: Sunday 10:45 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

SCHOOL: 10 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

SHADY GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH

1165 Sweetwater Road • Newport, TN 37821

Shady Grove Baptist Church was organized on Sept. 10, 1902, in a one-room schoolhouse located on the Elias Mantooth farm, farther up the road from the present church and near the home of Jimmy and Sue Townsend. Rev. M. R. Free was the first pastor.

At the organizational meeting in 1902, Rev. W. S. Price, from Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Grassy Fork, and Rev. W. M. Hall from North Carolina, assisted, as did Rev. Burrell B. Brooks, pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

The fledgling congregation quickly recognized the need for a permanent home, and a site on property owned by Ben Wood was selected. The first sermon in the new church was preached on Dec. 2, 1905. That original structure remains the central portion of today’s building. The debt on the new church was paid by 1910 when the church was formally dedicated.

Early baptisms were held in a nearby pond, in the Pigeon River, or at the Sycamore Hole in Cosby Creek.

In 1925, Melvin Webb’s revelation of his desire to become a preacher made church history. That November, the church “met in conference” to discuss Webb’s request. Rev. R. L. Crawley of First Baptist Church and Rev. Will Weaver of Second Baptist Church assisted Shady Grove pastor Rev. W. M. Hall with the ordination service in January of 1926.

SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH

232 Southside Circle • Newport, TN 37821

Southside Baptist Church’s establishment dates back to 1970 when First Baptist Church of Newport adopted the project of founding their fourth mission church, following English Creek, Northport, and Riverview.

Roy Proffitt and Charlie Creasey co-chaired the project, which was the inspiration for the Adult II Men’s Sunday School Class at First Baptist. After much prayer, planning, and visitation, these men, affectionately called “The Dirty Dozen,” determined such an effort was part of God’s purpose.

Composing this class were Frank Gorman, Sr., George Gregory, Don Meredith, Charlie Creasey, Roy Proffitt, Richard Williams, W. C. Vinson, Jr., Jim Masters, Charles S. Runnion, Jr., Claude Balch, Howard Gandy, and Bob Edwards.

The first Sunday School class of Southside Baptist Mission was held in the Jones Administration Building of Newport Housing Authority on Jan. 4, 1970.

Meanwhile “The Dirty Dozen” located property and purchased a lot in English Hills for $3,500 in July of 1970 and presented it to First Baptist Church. Mrs. Horace Burnett aided the men in this purpose with a non-interest-bearing loan, which they repaid in 22 months.

Soon afterward, First Baptist Church purchased adjoining land in Indian Hills. Six years would pass before the construction of the church began. During this time, more than 200

In February of 1930, members discussed an annual budget. The proposed amount of $100 would pay a pastor’s salary with the “rest for church expenses.” In April of that year, church members agreed to pay their pastor $75 per year.

In 1935 the church dedicated a new tower and bell. In 1950, a Young People’s Class was organized. That year, the church property was valued at $1,600.

PASTOR: Jackie Swanger

CHURCH SERVICES:

people would be touched by the ministry through Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and other special church activities.

The total cost of the new structure was $129,974. Ground was broken on May 6, 1973. Church members celebrated the first service in their new building on Dec. 12, 1976. A formal dedication was held Jan. 30, 1977.

Of momentous importance in the church’s history is Jan. 8, 1984, when the project graduated from Southside Baptist Mission to Southside Baptist Church. Members celebrated a note burning on Sept. 25, 1985.

During the COVID epidemic members were thrilled to add a steeple to its already beautiful building. The project was led by Richard Harwood with Jimmy Stokely aiding in the design. Southside Baptist Church members warmly welcome all who will join them in worship and fellowship.

PASTOR: Dr. Don Smith

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10:45 a.m. • 6 p.m. Bible study

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:30 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

SPIRIT AND TRUTH HOUSE OF PRAYER

Our church was established in 2007. We were founded by our Pastor Matthew Parton, Bro. Liston Pack, Bro. Carl Parton and Bro. Shawn Stuart. We are a Pentecostal-based church that loves the Lord and loves furthering the kingdom. We welcome everyone. You are welcome to join us regardless of your background. We are a place where everybody is somebody.

PASTOR: Matthew Parton

Stokely’s Chapel Baptist Church, standing alongside Industrial Road, began life in an old abandoned schoolhouse with Rev. Artie Ray Chapman as pastor. Chapman, whose conversion occurred in 1955, was called to preach in 1958. A series of cottage prayer meetings soon led to the need for more room.

The discovery of the abandoned Alexander School, then owned by Ben D. and James R. Stokely, came next. The Stokely brothers leased the building to the church for $1 per year (and later deeded the property to the church.) The new church was named in honor of the brothers.

As an arm of Fairview Bible Baptist Church in Morristown (Rev. Chapman’s home church), Stokely’s Chapel Baptist Church was organized on May 24, 1959, with seven members. By September 1959, membership had grown to 36 and classrooms were added to the building.

By 1962, membership stood at 101. That year the Stokely brothers deeded the old Tooney Scott home to the church for use as a parsonage. (This building has since been razed.)

A new entrance, running water, and more classrooms came next. On Nov. 16, 1961, Rev. Chapman resigned from his job as foreman to become a full-time minister.

The mid-1960s brought phenomenal growth to Stokely Chapel. The auditorium’s size was doubled and additions included four more classrooms, a pastor’s study, a nursery, and a library.

By 1971 the church owned seven buses that traveled to neighboring counties to bring worshipers to Stokely Chapel.

The church became known as the church “Where Everybody Is Somebody.”

A huge building program was adopted in 1971. With less than $40 in their building fund, church members set out to build a new auditorium that seated 992 people. At the time it was thought to be the largest church auditorium in Cocke County.

A bus garage was constructed in 1979 and 1981, the church purchased an adjacent 7.5 acres for a cemetery. In 1982, a new Fellowship Hall was constructed.

By early 1984, membership stood at over 900 with nearly 300 people attending services every Sunday. On July 4, 1997, Rev. Chapman, who had continued as pastor at the church, died in a tragic accident.

R.V. Maynard was recently named the current pastor of Stokely Chapel Baptist Church.

Stokely’s Chapel Baptist Church celebrated its 65th Homecoming on June 30, 2024 as it continues to welcome worshipers today.

PASTOR: RV Maynard

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

TRUE LIGHT F. B. H. HOLINESS

453 Rock City Road • Newport, TN 37821

True Light F.B.H. Church’s origin year was in 1953 by the late Rev. C.C. Hately of Knoxville. There have been approximately 16 pastors. The church started with 30 members. We are down to 14 with so many deaths. Most of our pastors were out of Knoxville. The present pastor, Rev. Leon HIll, is from out of town but now lives in Newport, TN. We have church every Sunday morning and sometimes in the afternoon. Everyone is welcome! We love to worship and praise the Lord.

PASTOR: Rev. Leon Hill

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11:30 a.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m.

UNION BAPTIST CHURCH

470 Lower Bogard Road • Newport, TN 37821

Union Baptist Church is one of the oldest churches in Cocke County. The first service was held Nov. 16, 1844, in a log building called the Butler Meeting House. This building also served as the school for the Bogard community. One year after it was established, there were 26 members enrolled.

Sunday school was introduced as part of the worship service in 1854. During the Civil War, there were no services from April 1863 through July 1865. Once the war ended, regular services resumed and the church and community began to grow and prosper.

There have been four different church buildings since Union Baptist Church was organized. There was an electrical fire in the present building in 1987. This fire caused considerable damage. During the six months of construction, worship services were held at Webb’s Baptist Church during the afternoon. In the late spring of 1988, the members returned to Union for regular services.

Union Baptist Church has had a total of 54 pastors to date. Since its beginning in 1844, there have been many revivals, numerous souls saved and hundreds of members who have dedicated their lives to reaching the lost while striving to strengthen their daily walk with the Lord.

May we always remember the following verse: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14

PASTOR: Lynn Hartsell

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 10 a.m., 6 p.m., 5 p.m. during winter months

VALLEY VIEW BAPTIST CHURCH

1945 Old 15th Road, • Hartford, TN 37753

Our church began in 1962 with several families in the community donating land and lumber to build the building. We later built a picnic pavilion and an indoor fellowship hall. We have had several pastors with our current pastor, Rev. Adam Wilson, elected as our pastor in November 2017. God has blessed us and we’re thankful that we can help families in need in our community through our Thanksgiving food drive.

We love telling people about our Jesus, especially during Vacation Bible School. Our Sunday School teacher, Charlie Grooms, has faithfully taught book by book and verse by verse for many years and his daughter Gracie Grooms has taught our youth department for the past two years. We still use the Old King James version of the Bible in our preaching and teaching. We also still use the Red Book Church Hymnal. Down through the years, pastors have changed and faces in the congregation have changed at times, but we are so thankful that the Word of God will never change, but it can change lives.

WEBB BAPTIST CHURCH

335 Wilton Springs Road • Newport, TN 37821

Quite possibly, worshipers at Webb Baptist Church are the only people in Cocke County who can say they have gathered together in the Lord’s name in a barn.

In the early 1960s, the need for a church in the Wilton Springs community intensified, and in September of 1963, people began meeting in one another’s homes for church services.

On Dec. 7, 1963, the congregation met to constitute a new church, with Rev. Glenn Ford, pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church serving as moderator. Rev. Dave Smith was clerk with Rev. James Wilson and Rev. Frank Bell assisting. The group voted to name their congregation Webb Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Bell was called as pastor.

Twenty-four men, women and youth constituted the charter members.

Crawford Williams and Walter Layman donated stands of timber to be cut for logs for the building program. Men worked on Saturdays to cut the trees. During the construction of their building, the new congregation held services in a dairy barn owned by Dewey and Tildy Webb. The couple also donated land for the construction of a church building in 1964. Tillet Brothers, a company working on constructing Interstate 40, spent a day clearing the hill and preparing the building site. Their only charge to the group was their men’s wages.

Boyd Hunnicutt, a Knoxville architect, drew the building plans for free but finally accepted a half gallon of molasses for his work. Roland Dykes, Sr. did the exterior brickwork of the uniquely designed building. During this time, Rev. Bell said, “You get to know the people, and they get to know you have feet of clay.”

Webb Baptist Church members entered their new building on Easter Sunday in 1965. In 1969, they were received into membership by the East Tennessee Baptist Association, the same year the building was dedicated.

Rev. Bell preached without pay until August of 1965 when he began receiving the third Sunday’s offering as his salary. He also taught at Cosby High School during this time to support his family.

In 1974 the church celebrated its freedom from indebtedness with a note-burning ceremony. Daniel Bell is the current pastor.

PASTOR: Daniel M. Bell

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 6 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

WEST END BAPTIST CHURCH

116 West End Street • Newport, TN 37821

The present-day West End Baptist Church was begun in 1933 with several “Cottage Prayer Meetings” in the area then known as “Westport.” Its first home was a tabernacle located approximately halfway between the First Baptist (downtown) and Wilsonville Baptist Churches.

The church facility is now located approximately a block away in its permanent building; and quickly became known for its revival meetings, powerful preaching and great singing.

In 1952 its pastor, Brother Bob Bevington, led the church to establish a radio broadcast of its Sunday Morning Service over a station in Knoxville and to make great use of newspaper and print outreaches. When WLIK came to Newport in 1952, West End was in line to begin broadcasting “The Little Country Church Hour.” Seventy years later, the church is still broadcasting its service live. Down through the years, the property has been enlarged and several

new and remodeled building projects have been accomplished. In the early 1980s, it became necessary to build again and the church took the official step of voting to remain at its current location, purchased the available property and constructed an auditorium to seat over 700, Sunday School classrooms, a choir rehearsal room, a nursery suite and a large multipurpose audio, video, lighting, recording and broadcast control room.

PASTOR: Tom Mooty

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m., Chapel 6 p.m. • Wednesday 6 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

WILSONVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH

120 New Cave Church Road • Newport, TN 37821

The exact date of the organization of Wilsonville Baptist Church was unfortunately lost along with the original records. The earliest record concerning the date of organization comes from the Association Minutes of 1891, which indicate the church was established in 1870.

All records prior to 1917 were destroyed in a fire, along with the church building. Over the years, several other dates of organization have been mentioned: 1886, 1889, and 1875, for example.

In 1891, the church experienced phenomenal growth, with 50 or more additions made to the church roll, 20 of which were by baptism. Twenty-six members came by letter, while four became members in other ways. In 1939, 68 members are recorded in the church book.

On March 6, 1940, tragedy struck when fire destroyed the church. The earliest church records burned in the flames.

World War II took many young men from the church. According to Association minutes, in 1940 membership at Wilsonville stood at 66, a figure that remained constant for some time. During this time, the practice of recording both resident and non-resident members was adopted.

In 1950, two revivals were held, and in 1955 the first January Bible Study was organized.

In 1975, on the first Sunday in November, members of Wilsonville Baptist Church held services in their new building, located across Hwy. 25/70 from their old building. (The older structure still stands and serves as a union hall.) On Oct. 10, 1976, the church held a dedication service for their new structure.

The current Wilsonville Baptist Church is located on New Cave Church Road and was built at a cost of approximately $80,000. The new building features a sanctuary, baptistry, kitchen, office, nursery, fellowship hall, classrooms and paved parking lot.

PASTOR: Gary Vaughn

CHURCH SERVICES: Sunday 11 a.m., 6 p.m. • Wednesday 7 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10 a.m. • Vacation Bible School offered

TOM