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A History of
Knoxville First Church of the Nazarene
In the winter of 1925 Rev. Rueben
Morsch of Illinois was invited by the president of
the Home Missions Board to start a work in the city
during the coming summer. Rev. Morsch answered the
call and began having tent revivals in the Park City
section of Knoxville. A three-week tent revival was
held at the corner of Magnolia Ave and Mary Street.
The tent was moved to E. Glenwood
and Benard Streets. L.D. Shelton came from Nashville
to lead the singing and a "gracious revival was
experienced." Many of the people that were saved
joined different churches in their communities. Rev.
Morsch and his group of Nazarenes made many friends
among other denominations. When the weather became
too cool to worship in the tent Ms. Laura Hayes
invited Rev. Morsch to use her Methodist Mission,
known as Hayes Chapel, locates at 1520 Jefferson
Ave, for services.
On December 28, 1926 Knoxville
First Church of the Nazarene was officially
organized. The meeting was opened by singing "There
shall be Showers of Blessings", "Old Time Power","At
Battle's Front", and "Higher Ground." "A season of
prayer" was offered to the Lord, thanking Him for
his past blessings and seeking guidance in further
proceedings. Rev. Morsch and brothers Shelton,
Williams and Buchanan offered prayer.
Rev. Morsch read the Scripture
lesson from Philippians 2:11-19 and expressed his
joy and thankfulness for all that God was doing in
Knoxville. "A Characteristic Nazarene Praise Service
Followed." A letter was read from newly elected
District Superintendent Rev. C.B. Jernigan, who had
been unavoidably detained from coming; urging Rev.
Morsch to distribute and collect membership cards
and administered to L.D. Shelton, Epsey Buchanan,
Mrs. Maggie Buchanan, Charles Holcomb, Mrs. Jessie
Philips, and Mrs. Charles Gritton. After singing
"Down at the Cross" Brother Shelton closed the
service with prayer.
A few months later, the church
purchased an existing church building at the corner
of Anderson and Cornelia Avenues. (This was formally
a Christian Church building.) The congregation later
moved to the corner of Atlantic Ave and McMurray, to
a building originally built by Grace Church of the
Nazarene. This property was sold and the church met
at West Hills Elementary School while the present
facility at 538 Vanosdale Rd was being built. Our
current church building was dedicated on August 1,
1976. In 1983 a multi purpose Family Life Center was
built, and dedicated in honor of Pastor Charles
Patton.
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