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.