First Baptist Church (Knoxville, Tennessee)
First Baptist Church is a historic church located at 510 Main Street in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
First Baptist Church | |
Location | 510 Main Ave., Knoxville, Tennessee |
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Coordinates | 35°57′37″N 83°55′7″W |
Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
Built | 1923 |
Built by | Worsham Bros. |
Architect | Dougherty & Gardner |
Architectural style | Classical Revival, Octagon, Other |
MPS | Knoxville and Knox County MPS |
NRHP reference No. | 97000223[1] |
Added to NRHP | March 8, 1997 |
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Baptists |
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Background |
Organizations
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The congregation was organized in 1843 by James and John Moses. After its first baptismal service in nearby First Creek, the church had 46 members, including 20 African-Americans. The church organized its first Sunday School in 1845. The first building was constructed on Gay Street in 1844. The second building was built at the same location in 1887.[2] The third (and present) building was completed in 1923 at the Main Street location, three years after Dr. Frederick Fernando Brown became pastor. This architecturally-significant structure, noteworthy for its Neoclassical design and octagonal sanctuary, was designed by Dougherty & Gardner of Nashville, Tennessee, and is modeled on St Martin-in-the-Fields of London. The exterior of the church sanctuary is sheathed in marble, although the adjoining education space is brick.[2] The congregation is moderate,[3] and is member of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, [4] a mainline denomination in the South.
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- Ann K. Bennett (October 1996). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: First Baptist Church". National Park Service. Retrieved February 5, 2016. Accompanying 24 photos.
- "What We Believe". fbcknox.org. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
- "Partner Ministries". fbcknox.org. Retrieved 28 June 2020.