Location
305 Christian Church Road, Gray, TN.
History
Boones Creek Christian Church had its beginning in the baptism of Mrs. Fanny Renfro, which took place shortly before November 14, 1824. Jerial Dodge baptized her, and the Baptist Association decided on April 16, 1825, that the baptism was not agreeable to gospel order practiced by the Baptist churches. At this meeting, James Miller asked for and received his letter of dismissal from the Baptist Church. This meeting was the first to reference an organized congregation in the Boones Creek area that was a Christian Church.
This time marked the beginning of the great revival on Boones Creek, referred to as the "Great Meeting," which probably began in the summer of 1825. James Miller and Jerial Dodge played important parts in the meeting. The Baptist churches in the area were greatly affected by the meeting, as Boones Creek Baptist Church came over almost as an entire group. Miller's meeting also divided Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church as reported by Baptist historians. J.J. Bennett states that Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church was reduced from 350 to 14 members by "Asian heresy as taught by Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell." The Christian Messenger of August 1830 reported that the first Annual meeting (a convention held by a Stonite Christian Church) at Boones Creek Christian Church occurred on August 17, 1829.
The earliest membership record, in 1824, lists a membership of 134. Men and women of "colour" were listed beginning in 1842. There was no discrimination by race, but there was segregation by sex. Men and women were listed separately in the membership role and came through separate doors and sat on separate sides in the new building, built around 1850 and referred to as the Brick Church. The Brick Church was used until 1952, when a new church was built on the same foundation. Several additions have followed and the church has an average attendance of about 600.
Source: In the Footsteps of Faith: A Tour of 14 of Johnson City's Century-old Churches, 2005. Posted 22 Oct 2005
Location
335 East Main Street, Johnson City, TN
History
The history of the Christian Church in downtown Johnson City dates form November 12, 1871, when a small group met in the home of William Hyder Young. Since 1871, several congregations have grown from the original effort.
From 1872 until 1879, the church met in Science Hill School. The first Christian Church building, established near the present site at 124 East Main Street, opened for regular worship services in 1879. In 1905 the building was destroyed by fire, and the church bell disappeared, never to return. Following the fire, the congregation met in the Jobe Opera House until it was condemned, then they met in a temporary chapel on the corner of Main and Roan Streets. In 1906 a new building was dedicated on the present site. The building still stands as part of the current facility, housing the Historical Room, the Hospitality Room and the Chapel.
In 1951 the current sanctuary and gymnasium facility was dedicated. In 1972 a part of the congregation moved to north Johnson City as First Christian Church. Those choosing to continue meeting at the Main Street location became known as the Downtown Christian Church.
Pastors
Jack Bliffen, Jul. 7, 1975
Lee Olmsttead, Mar. 7, 1975 &endash; Jun 27, 1976
Henry Emerson Hill, Jul 4, 1976 &endash; Jul 26, 1988
Thomas Craig Van Meter, Oct. 2, 1988 &endash; Apr. 1991
Michael Thurston Dunn, Mar. 28, 1992 &endash; Aug. 2, 2000
Jess W. Johnson, Aug. 20, 2000 &endash; Jun. 3, 2001
W. Edward Fine, Jun. 3, 2001 to present (2005)
Source: In the Footsteps of Faith: A Tour of 14 of Johnson City's Century-old Churches, 2005. Posted 22 Oct 2005
Location
200 East Mountcastle Dr., Johnson City, TN
History
The First Christian Church was organized November 12, 1871 at the home of W.H. Young, near Cedar Street, in what is now called the Southwest Addition. This small organization continued to meet until June 24, 1872, when on account of Mr. Young's sickness, they ceased to meet. Shortly after Mr. Young's death the meetings were resumed. This little band was the outgrowth mainly of the Christian Churches on Boone's Creek and on Buffalo Creek (now Milligan College.)
In addition to the preaching brethren, who had charge of the earliest meetings, should be mentioned W.H. Young and J.C. Hardin, who took leading parts in the worship, which consisted of fellowship, reading God's word, breaking of bread and prayers. The first service began with the reading of the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. As early as 1873 a Union Bible School was carried on at the Science Hill School building until church buildings were erected. A building committee appointed by the congregation on March 20, 1874, to make plans for the erection of the church building on Main Street on lot fifty feet by ninety feet, given by James Miller and wife Elizabeth Miller. Largely through the efforts of these brethren, the house of worship, a brick building fifty by thirty feet and eighteen feet high was erected. This building was dedicated December 4, 1879, by Dexter Snow of Wytheville, Virginia.
The Bible School of First Christian Church was organized December 4, 1879, with J.C. Hardin, Superintendent. Following Mr. Hardin the following have served as Superintendents: J.M. Gaunt, Robert L. Crouch, W.P. Crouch, J.W. Millard, R.K. Williams, J. Lem Keevil, S.W. Price, W.S. Buchanan, J.E. Crouch, S.A. Gervin, O.M. Fair, J.W. Williams, C.S. Bowers, W.E. Sweeney, Frank D. Han nah , J. Clyde Smith, D. Emmett Snyder, W.H. MacDonald, T.T. Travis, Howard McCorkle, Joe McCormick, Stanley Head, Pembrook Cox.
On December 5, 1886, snow three feet on a level, covered this section, The count at the Bible School showed 6 present. On December 20, 1917, with the temperature 26 degrees below zero, the Bible School registered an attendance of 91.
On May 2, 1905, the church building burned resulting in a complete loss. Fore more than a year after the fire, services were held in the old Jobe's Opera House, corner of Main and Spring Streets, and later in a wooden tabernacle, corner of Main and Roan Streets.
In November 1946, First Church celebrated its "75th Anniversary." Under the guidance of Dr. J.H. Dampier, pastor since July 6, 1941, the church debt was paid off and the notes and mortgages burned. For the first time in its history the church was free from debt. A fair sized building fund had been raised for the creation of a Fifth Church in the city and for improvements of the old building. In 1941 the church supported and maintained three living link missionaries &endash; Franklin Smith in Alaska, Luke Elliott in Jamaica, and Mrs. Chase in Japan.
The old lot was sold and the lot on which the present church is located was purchased. A building was erected thereon which still stands. It was dedicated June 10, 1906. Between 1910-1912, a basement was made under the entire church building and the addition on the east side of the church.
During the pastorate of Wm. E. Sweeney, beginning June 1920, First Church assisted in the establishing of Second (now East Unaka Church of Christ) and Third Church and Fourth Church (now Virginia Street Church of Christ). During this time the Bible School Annex was erected to First Church and dedicated in January 1923. First Church helped to send Wm. Burleigh to Kingsport, Tennessee, with the view of organizing a church there, and they purchased a lot and erected a temporary building.
To the right ,the photo of the church is from a postcard of the 1930s.
Between December 1937 and December 1940 the basement was remodeled and the pipe organ rebuilt. The Carnegie Foundation contributed one-half the original cost of the pipe organ and in 1983 the organ was rebuilt.
The western wing housing the new sanctuary and Fellowship Hall was dedicated October 14, 1951.
- From Greater Johnson City: a Pictorial History by Ray Stahl, c1983, p.54:
- "In 1972 the First Christian Church moved to a new location on Sherwood Drive (across from the Appalachian Christian Village). Some members of First Christian, who desired to remain downtown, purchased the Main Street Property and organized the Downtown Christian Church."
Ministers
The following ministers served the church from its organization: Wm. C. Maupin, S.H. Millard, W.F. Rucker, F.F. Bullard, P.B. Hall, C.L. Maddox, J. Hopwood, S.T. William, A.M. Ferguson, D.T. Buck, E.C. Buck, E. P. Grow, S.H. Millard, W.P. Crouch, G.C. Stocker, G.W. Thompson, A.A. Ferguson, J. Lem Keevil, John T. Brown, W.S. Buchanan, R.R. Hamlin, J.N. Jessup, Louis D. Riddell, Wm. E. Sweeney, J.J. Whitehouse, George Mark Elliott, Earl H. Fife, Joseph H. Dampier, and Jess W. Johnson.
William C. Maupin preached more or less regularly for the congregation until the autumn of 1879. Occasional preaching by ministers of the Christian Church was done by John Wright, W.G. Barker, J.M. Beckett, James Miller, Brother Abel, J.R. Scott and others. John Wright, an elder and minister in the Christian Church, was the first superintendent. He was a veteran of the war of 1812 and also a Confederate veteran, and an early member of the Buffalo Christian Church.
Dr. Clyde W. Smith was ad interim pastor for ten months prior to the arrival of Dr. Jess W. Johnson in July 1959 from St. Johns Christian Church, Portland, Oregon.
Source: First Christian Church, Johnson City, Tennessee Directory, Summer, 1960, pp. 2-7. Posted 24 Sep 2005.
Location
1913 Lone Oak Rd., Johnson City, TN
History
Lone Oak Church was organized at the old Green Meadow School in 1879. Worship services were held in the school for seventeen (17) years. Green Meadow School was located on the corner of Cherokee and Horse Cove Roads across from the present Cherokee Elementary School on what is now called the Joe Huffine property.
The land on which Lone Oak stands was donated by Mr. & Mrs. Dave Slagle (charter members). The church was built in 1896. Thomas Price and a brother supplied the lumber for the church. Thomas Slagle, a cousin of the Price brothers, and a carpenter, supervised the work of construction, The work was done by the men of the church. The church was dedicated in 1896. The dedication sermonwas preached by Mr. James Bass, Lone Oak's first minister. The first worship services were held in the church before its completion. Approximately 25 people were present for the first worship service.
- The first church officials at Lone Oak were:
- Elders--J. M. Slagle and Tom Price
- Deacons--Tom Slagle and Charlie Price
- Card Class Teacher--Miss Cordie Price
- Bible Class Teacher--Mr. J. M. Slagle.
The first person to be baptised at Lone Oak was Mrs. Bessie Feathers White. Mrs. White's last known address was Milligan.
Mr. Harry A. Cole (retired minister) came to Lone Oak as the minister in February, 1947 while still a student at Milligan College.
Families of Charter Members
Descendants of the charter members who are presently members of the congregation today include:
- Descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Dave Slagle (charter member) who donated the ground on which the church is built.
- Mrs. Winnie Slagle Tittle France, granddaughter
- Mr. & Mrs. Sam Slagle, grandson
- Mary Ruth Slagle Brown Tipton and Mrs. Lorena Slagle Campbell, g-granddaughters
- Bobby, Roger and Teddy Brown; James and Herbert Campbell; Winfred Tittle, g-g-grandsons
- Kay Brown Watts, Teresa and Patti Campbell, g-g-grandaughters
- Gerald and James Tittle, g-g-grandsons
- Robert Todd Watts and Bobby "Peanut" Brown, g-g-g grandsons
- Descendants of Mr. & Mrs. James M. Slagle (charter member).
- Mrs. Jessie Slagle Barnett, daughter.
- Nell Barnett Andes, Roselle Saylor Barnett, and Pauline Saylor Hall, granddaughters
- Phyllis Andes Hill, Judy Andes Cole, and Patsy Hall Wood. g-granddaughters
- Caroline, Joy, and Jeannie Hill; Vickie Ailene Wood and Karen Cole, g-g-granddaughters
- Scott and David Hill; Keven Cole; and Michael Wood, g-g-grandsons
Families of Long-Standing membership - 1979
60 years - Mrs. Roselle Barnett, Mrs. Pauline Hall, and Mrs. Floyd Johnson.
30 years - Mr. & Mrs. Wade Edmisten, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Cole (retired minister), Mr. & Mrs. Everette Cole, Mrs. Norma Nolan, and Mrs. Etta Boring --Mrs. Boring is the mother of Harry, Everette, and Norma.
25-35 yrs - Joe Hall - Has been with us since he was almost to small to be seen and we aren't sure just how long that's been
25 years - Mrs. Velma Greene and children
20 years - Marilyn Campbell Hall and Carolyn Campbell Lecka.
Ministers of Lone Oak
- James Bass
- Mr. Maupin
- Steve Morton
- Simon Peter Miller
- Mr. Ellis
- Archie Gray
- John Shepherd
- Grant Laws
- Dr. James Caswell Coggins
Ministers during the past 30 years
- Harry Cole (retired)
- John Macdonald
- Clark Scott
- David Roberts
Location
246 W. West Main Street, Johnson City, TN. West Main Street Christian Church sits on the corner of West Main and Whitney Streets, its home since 1869.
History
The church was established by Dr. Hezekiah B. Hankal, a leader in the Black community. Of Black and Dutch descent, he was reared in the Dutch home of James and Nancy Hankal until he was 16. He spoke both Dutch and English. Dr. Hankal, a teacher and physician, was ordained to the ministry by the Boones Creek Christian Church.
The building, first wooden, was later bricked by 1955, starting a tradition of meeting on Thanksgiving morning to give thanks and praise to God for its existence.
In the early 1970's, a fire in the sanctuary resulted in smoke damage. A united effort from faculty of Milligan College, Emmanuel School of Religion and members of the community helped to raise funds to replace and repair the inside of the building. At this time the basement, which had been flooded, was remodeled and made useable again, and a kitchen area was added.
Langston High School, for Black students, had its beginning in the basement of the church before being built on the corner of Myrtle and Elm Streets in 1892.
From the small kitchen in the basement and the kitchens of many area churches, the Loaves and Fishes Saturday meals program began. The meals were served in the annexed Fellowship Hall. This property, an old radiator shop, was acquired, remodeled and connected to the original church building. The church later bought the property behind the church for parking and added the present kitchen, storage room and bathroom.
The building is well used in service for what the congregation believes in God's plan for the building and 30 members who attend this church.
This building is on the National Historical Registry.
Ordained by Boones Creek Christian Church in 1866, Dr. Hezekiah B. Hankal established five churches in the region. A physician, his medical practice was confined to the African-American and the Cherokee-Dutch communities until the 1873 cholera epidemic desegregated his practice. Certified to teach in the public schools by the State of Tennessee in 1873, he served as one of the supervisors of "colored schools." In 1887 he was elected as an alterman for Johnson City. Dr. Hankal was one of the 1893 founders of Langston Normal School. His house was located on the corner of Market and Montgomery Streets. He is buried in West Lawn Cemetery.
Source: In the Footsteps of Faith: a Tour of 14 of Johnson City's Century-Old Churches, 2005. Posted 22 Oct 2005
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