History of First Baptist Church of Dandridge

in Celebration of the 175th Anniversary:  1786-1961

Transcribed from the original mimeographed booklet, published by the Chuch in 1961, by Doris Kinser Fountain.

The Church of Christ on the French Broad River was constituted March 25, 1786, three miles northeast of Dandridge in Coon's School House by Jonathan Mulkey and Isaac Barton with twelve members as follows:

The First Saturday and the Sabbath following in each month was time voted to have church services.

July, 1786: Grievances of the Church against members for negligence in attendance or for members moving away disorderly without taking their church letters were tried before the church. Also, grievence (sic) between two members was laid before the church and tried according to the case, resulting sometimes in excommunication of one or more members.

October, 1786: Delegates appointed to Holston Association. Being organized at the Buffalo Ridge Church. (The church has never failed to send delegates to the Association.)

1787: Fall through. Two present (bad weather).

1793: Dandridge was organized as a town.

April, 1894 (sic): The first mention of taking a collection for use of the Church was eight shillings and six pence.

May, 1795: Extended as arm to constitute Dumplin Church.

August, 1796: The Church agreed to furnish papers to make a church book. Also agreed that the Church covenant be read before receiving a member by letter or by experience.

August, 1797: Complete minutes of Association read and approved. There were delegates from twenty churches. A collection was taken, amounting to four pound, ten shellings (sic) to bear his expenses to the Kentucky Association.

August, 1798: The Holston Association, covering a large territory, met in three days session at Sevierville.

January 1804, 2^nd Saturday: Black Dinah was received as a member. (Colored people were received as members until June 18, 1871, when the number of the colored members ask for letters of dismission to join a colored Baptist Church to be organized here in Dandridge.) This church afterwards bore the burial expenses of colored members.

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February, 1906: The Church decided to observe the Lord's Supper twice a year, in April and September. A collection was always taken at the same time. At the time the Lord's Supper was to be observed, the meeting always began on Friday continuing thru Saturday and Sunday.

June, 1813: An arm extended to constitute Antioch Church.

January, 1820: The church ordered the deed for meeting house, and land on which it stands, should be given to Samuel Carson for safe keeping.

1824: The second Sunday in each month was used for prayer meeting.

1833: Baptisms were on Sunday following the Saturday meeting when the candidate was received by the Church but at this time the Baptism of one member was postponed until relatives could come to see it.

January 23, 1843: With Elder Isaac Kimbrough, Moderator James H. Carson made a motion that this church move from this place and locate in Dandridge. This the members decided to do, provided they could obtain a suitable site and provided they could build a suitable building. Five Trustees were appointed to superintend the interest of this Church in the matter of locating in Dandridge. Said five Trustees or majority of them and their successors shall constitute a board to transact any business at anytime which the Church has hereby confided or may hereafter confide in their care. The Church reserves to herself the power of filling any vacancy that may take place any time in the Board of Trustees by death, resignation or otherwise. (October 16, 1869 with Tennessee Legislature in session and our Church Clerk, James H. Carson being a member of said legislature, our Church approved a recommendation that the Church ask Legislature for a Charter to incorporate by law the Board of Trustees of this Church making their secular transactions legal.)

January, 1844: The Church members signed a subscription by which the Church was to provide for the necessities of their aged pastor, Elder Duke Kimbrough and his family.

July 27, 1844: Elder James Kennon was called as assistant Associate and acting pastor with Elder Duke Kimbrough. (He was with this church for four years, 1843-1847; as one historian says, "Preaching to lawyers, judges and other educated men.").

January 25, 1845: Brother Samuel Carson made a motion that we as a church move from this place to the new Baptist Church House in Dandridge, which was built principally by our said brother and presented by him to this church for their special use and benefit to be the property of this church and that we hold our first meeting in the new church house on the Fourth Saturday and Sunday of February next. That the house be changed to the Dandridge Baptish (sic) Church. The next item recorded is the articles of Faith and Covenant of the Dandridge Baptist Church signed then and continued by two hundred and fifty-three members. (Bro. Samuel Carson brought to the Church, a large arm chair for his own personal use.)

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February 22, 1845: Elder James Kennon preached the dedication Sermon in the new church using first verse of 84^th Psalm: "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts." Colonel Joseph Hamilton gave the land upon which our church is situated. (Oak Grove).

May 23, 1845: In correspondence with the pastors of the Presbyterian and the Methodist Churches of Dandridge, our church ask to arrange for the Baptist Church to have their preaching on Sundays after the Fourth Saturday of each month so that each church could attend the services of the other churches. Following this correspondence, the churches of the town agreed that hereafter no church would have services at some hour another church was in church services. This agreement was kept until March, 1949, when our Church went on a full-time program. (The Presbyterians had two Sundays for service because they had two pastors. The Cumberland Presbyterian and the Presbyterians of the U.S.)

May 8, 1845: The former church property, land and house, was sold at public auction on the premises to Samuel Carson, highest bidder for $30,000.

July 26, 1845: Political speeches barred from our Church.

October 25, 1845: Gideon Bowers hired as janitor for the sum of $8.00 a year with the understanding that he would quit if some one else would do it as well as for less money.

March 18, 1846: On recommendation of the Tennessee Association, the Church opened a subscription to raise funds to aid the home Mission Cause in the bounds of said Association.

May, 22, 1846: A large Polyglott Bible and a hymn book of Watt and Rippon's selectin were presented to the Church. The Bible by Dr. James Carson and the hymnal by Joseph Hamilton.

March 20, 1847: The church appointed a committee to confer with officials of the town of Dandridge to call a public meeting adopting measures for aiding starving Ireland.

May 16, 1847: A collection was taken for the Southern Bible-Foreign Missions Society.

April 22, 1848: The public collection and subscription of the church and congreagatin was for Home Missions. The church voted to organize a Sunday School.

June 26, 1848: Pastor, William Rogers was asked in church session to preach a sermon or deliver lecture on the importance and duty of Church members attending regularly their church meetings with faithfulness and punctuality; also, later to preach on Church Government and discipline.

September 23, 1848: Voted to have a Church Library.

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October 27, 1848: A committee was appointed to inquire into the expediency and practibility (sic0 of organizing a Sabbath School of this church for the purpose of religiously instructing colored people who may be willing to come to the same in an orderly becoming manner and with the consent and approbiation (sic) of their owners expressly that they be taught to read the word of God.

November 28, 1848: Approved to have colored Sabbath School in this church. To open the third Sunday in December with Elder William Rogers, Superintendent. Continued several years.

December 23, 1848: The Treasurer made his annual report which showed on hand or church funds an amount of $5.73-¾.

Monday, March 5, 1849: A voluntary Association of Baptist Brethern talked of an institution of learning under Baptist control; then on March 24, 1849, in regular church session, this church voted to set Friday, April 13^th, as a convention meeting of Baptists be held here in this Church for the purpose of consulting the expediency and practibility of uniting in an effort to build up an institution of learning in our near Dandridge under the patronage and control of the Baptist Denomination. This was the beginning of Carson Newman College.

November 24, 1851: Elder Duke Kimbrough died, age 84 years, seven months, and twenty-one days. This church bought a tombstone for its old pastor's grave. He was pastor of this church for over fifty years.

During Elder William Roger's pastorage, a Sunday School was organized, a Sunday School Library obtained, an afternoon Sunday School for the colored. Elder Rogers left our church to become the first President of Carson College but died in November after the opening of the first year.

March 27, 1852: The church provided Baptismal robes for the minister and also for those to be baptized. James H. Carson presented to the Church the bill for having them made. The church charged certain members, who had moved away without asking for their church letters, with neglecting to attend the meetings of this church and of moving away as disorderly members and were later excluded from the church.

1852: Along about this time on several occasions, regular church service of this church were held at the Oakland Schoolhouse. At these services, members were received and baptized there. Some wanted their letters to establish a church there but this was discouraged since Oakland is only four miles from Dandridge. Some were received into the church who had been baptized by ministers riding as missionaries.

January 29, 1854: A collection was taken to aid Bro. J. Lewis Shuck, a missionary to the Chinese in California. Followed April 1, 1855, by a collection to the Southern Baptist Board at Nashville to aid in furnishing the Chinese in China and California New Testaments printed in the Chinese language.

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1853: At the Tennessee Association our delegates subscribed in behalf of this church $25.00 for the purpose of aiding and establishing a Baptist Book Agency at Knoxville for circulation of the Bible and Baptist books.

1858: The church voted to build a saddle house. This building was used later for a plant to furnish carbide lights for the church.

March 28, 1859: The Sunday School was reorganized with James H. Carson Superintendent and Temple Harris secretary and Librarian.

November 23, 1862; thru May 23, 1863: Pastor resigned, William Carson called as pastor June 14, 1862, but declined the invitation December 1862, Treasurer made treasurer's report though there was no present but himself. For eight months up to June 6, 1864, due to the Civil War, no one except the clerk, Bro. James H. Carson went to the Church. From June, 1864, to December, 1964, (sic), Michael Cate preached regularly. December, 1864, treasurer's report recorded. January 28, 1865, two brethren, Bro. William Eckel and James Harvey Carson were the only members present. They read a portion of the scripture, sang and prayed. Then only one present for the February meeting and again April 1^st, Brothers Eckel and Carson were present. Preaching from April to October by Michael Cate. It was at the October 1865 meeting that William Carson declined the call to be pastor.

May 5, 1866: Sunday school started again.

1869: Since the pastor called could not be with the church but one Saturday and Sunday each month and extra evangelistic minister was asked to preach once a month.

August 21, 1869: The church approved recommendation of a committee inquiring into the Board of Trustees, that Trustees should at all times be appointed from the male members.

October 16, 1869: With Tennessee Legislature in session, our church approved a recommendation that the church ask Legislature for a Charter to incorporate by law the Board of Trustees of this church making their secular transactions legal. (Our church clerk, Bros. James H. Carson was a member of that Legislature.)

December 9, 1870: At the close of a revival on this date, fifty-three were added to the church. Forty-five baptized, nine by letter, two restored.

February 18, 1871: Mrs. Eliza R. Fain presented to this church a large beautiful gilt edged Bible.

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June 18, 1871: A number of our colored members ask for letters of dismission to join a colored Baptist Church about to be organized here in Dandridge. Though some colored members remained members until death. The church often times having to buy their caskets and burial robes.

May 23, 1874: From the beginning of the church until this date, evening services were held by candle light. On this date, they changed to lamp light.

January 27, 1877: This business meeting followed a party at the home of Bro. A. R. Swann. At this party the rugs were rolled back and the crowd danced. Most of our young men and girls who danced that night came voluntarily and asked forgiveness with the promise that they would never dance again and would rededicate themselves to Christ. Brother Swann acknowledged his error of permitting the dance at his house and asked forgiveness and promised by the grace of God to do so no more. Each and every one that came voluntarily were forgiven but others were excommunicated.

May 25, 1878: With Elder William A. Montgomery, a former pastor present with an appeal for State Missions. A collection of $26.50 was taken up. This was the largest collection ever taken to this date. The general rule for taking collections was twice a year on the Sabbath. The Lord's Supper was observed. These collections were for wine for the Lord's Supper, candles, later lamp oil, janitor services and the Associations. The General Associations of Tennessee Baptist receiving the greatest amount. The Pastor's salary was secured by subscription.

December 27, 1879: Bro. James H. Carson gave to this church a piece of ground for a burying place for members of this church. It is to be kept in proper condition during the existence of this church by the Trustees. The title, as in the case of our church house, being vested in our trustees.

March 27, 1880: Began plans for making a Baptismal pool, having heretofore Baptized in the French Broad River.

May 25, 1880: Bro. James H. Carson died. He joined this church, October 24, 1842. Was appointed church clerk and treasurer March, 1844, which office held until death, a period of thirty-six years. His faithful interest in Carson College (now Carson-Newman College) from the day he met with the Brethern in this church and began the interprise (sic) and of his magnificent endowment of that Institution is known to all. The outcome of his devotions to this church is manifest in his settling a fund on it for the purpose of keeping it perpetually insured.

August 24, 1880: Alex Hynds was elected clerk and served until death, 1916, 36 years. Robert Rankin was elected Treasurer, and J. C. Henderson was appointed Trustee. These three offices being made vacant by the death of Bro. James H. Carson.

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December 25, 1880: Church adopted a plan to take collections each month for missions.

February 25, 1883: The collection taken on this occasion was given to Brother J. T. Lightfoot for a suit for himself. He preached that day and on several other occasions when the pastor was absent. About the middle of the 80's, it began to appear that Church members moved away and then later called for their church letters.

December 4, 1886: "Owing to the most severe and heavy snow fall since midnight of Friday last our Pastor failed to reach us today: The snow fell constantly all day today and measured seventeen inches. About dark on Sunday, thirty inches of snow, the greatest fall ever seen in our town up to this date."
(The above is a copy of an entry made in our Church record of that date.)

February 26, 1887: Twenty-two members were granted letters of dismission to organize the French Broad Church. We usually speak of this as the Oak Grove Church.

February 27, 1887: The Church voted to observe its one hundredth Anniversary with a centenniel (sic) sermon suitable for the occasion which was carried out March 27, 1887.

May 21, 1887: A collection was taken to aid W. A. Atchley, a worthy ministerial student of Carson College. Brother Atchley made a worthy and able minister, whom many of us have known.

June 23, 1888: An overall remodeling of the church and necessary repairs were recommended. This was not carried out in full until 1892.

May 25, 1889: Church decided to grant letters for four months. If member holding letter of dismission was not received into another church by that time the letters became void.

September 21, 1889: On motion and vote by the church the clerk was ordered to purchase a suitable record book and transcribe into it the records contained in record books one and two since these books were fast falling apart.

June 25, 1892: The church purchased pulpit furniture consisting of three chairs, also song books.

November 26, 1892: No assembling for church service because of the extensive remodeling.

May 23, 1896: The new baptistery built inside the church behind the pulpit was used for the first time. Eighteen were baptized. (One of that number is still a faithful and regular member.)

April, 1897: The pastor's salary was set at $150.00 for preaching one Saturday and morning and night on Sunday.

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December 25, 1898: The church is without a pastor but plan to go half time when a pastor is available at a salary of $300.00.

October 12, 1911: It was learned by the Board of Trustees that almost half of the Carson fund was lost. The Chairman of the Board who had charge of the fund to loan on real estate could not show trust deeds covering the shortage nor anything with which to secure the shortage it was considered a total loss.

March 17, 1913: During the Sunday School hour it was discovered that the church was on fire from an overheated furnace that had been installed during the fall before.

On Wednesday following the fire the Church had a very touching letter of sympathy in our loss from Rev. R. A. Owens, pastor of the M. E. Church South saying for us to use their brick church building until we could build our church back which we did. (Remarks: The Trustees met and agreed that on collection of $2500.00 insurance, steps would be taken to rebuild. The church voted to name the Trustees as a building committee. Mr. Hynds, church clerk, made a motion that Mr. Hal S. Harris, though not member of this church, be ask to served on this building committee. Mr. Harris accepted and was made chairman and to him we are due much credit for this nice commodious building. The church was finished and dedicated free of debt the first Sunday in June of 1914, with Dr. J. M. Anderson preaching the dedication sermon. Using all available interest on the Carson Fund, the church was insured for $4,000.00. At this time, what monies were left from subscription after all building expenses were paid, were turned over to our thee mission Boards, Home Foreign and State. The Saturday services and business meeting were resumed.

May 18, 1916: Miss Flora Lyle gave to the church an elegant, Individual Communion Service.

November 19, 1916: Mr. Hal S. Harris was again asked to serve our church on a committee to buy a piano.

March 13, 1918: A committee of three were appointed to have the church wired and install electric lights.

July 5, 1919: On suggestion of the pastor, a motion was made to buy a Church bell.

July 4, 1926: The new furnace was used for the first time.

New Year, 1928: Zero weather. The pastor's salary was raised to $450.00 for half time.

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February 5, 1928: A committee on improvement of grounds received donations of $66.00 for shrubs and hedge, and over and above that amount, Miss Flora Lyle gave $25.00 for grass seed, labor, etc.

April 3, 1928: As a result of work of a committee on getting a road opened all the way around by the M. E. Church South and work of Mr. And Mrs. J. E. Bettis, property owners along said road to be opened, the incorporation of Dandridge with personal donations began the opening of this road on this date.

June 15, 1928: Our pastor, Dr. J. M. Anderson sailed for three months tour of the holy Land. He arrived back in the United States, September 15, 1928. This church had the pleasure of contributing $900.00 or three-fourths of the expense of this trip for its beloved pastor.

November 11, 1928: Armistice Day was Baptist Honor Day. Shall we redeem our Honor? All funds not used for buying shrubs, hedge and seed were appled on the Carnes Case.

December 29, 1928: Zero weather and an epidemic of flu.

January 6, 1929: Zero weather continued. Church services adjourned until the First Sunday in February.

March 6, 1932: Dr. J. R. Johnson was called as Pastor. The church put a bus on the "up the river" route to enable several families who were members of the church to attend Sunday School and morning services.

November 3, 1933: A proposed plan for making an addition to the church building for Sunday School rooms was approved.

December 3, 1933: All electric service through out this territory being out of commission our church members and congregation attended evening services carrying candles, lamps, and lanterns.

March 10, 1935: Blue prints of the Sunday School rooms to be added to the church building were shown. The improvement committee was ordered to proceed and the church treasurer to handle all money. Nine hundred dollars was borrowed from the Carson Fund.

January 5, 1936: The addition of the church has been finished and opened for use as Sunday School classroom sand Sunday School auditorium. The total cost of $1617.59 with 106 labor hours donated also donation of $6.00 haul bill and donation of truck for 11 days. A separate furnace for new addition was installed in the fall of 1936.

1937: Song book racks were placed on the back of the benches.

May 7, 1939: Dr. J. R. Johnson resigned due to illness.

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November 5, 1939: Dr. E. C. Masden was called as pastor and served until October 31, 1944, at which time Dr. Masden resigned to accept a teaching position at Carson Newman College. Dr. Masden supplied as Pastor of the Church from November 1944 until May, 1945.

1943: City water was installed in the Church.

June 3, 1945: The Rev. T. C. Christmas was called as Pastor. He served from this date until October 17, 1948, at which time he resigned to accept the call to the Calvary Baptist Church in Alcoa, Tennessee.

1946: The Church approved the observance of the Lord's Supper quarterly.

March 6, 1949: The Church went on a full-time program, with Rev. Frank Waters as the first full-time pastor. At this time the Pastorium was purchased.

March 26, 1950: The Church observed its 164^th Anniversary. An all day service was enjoyed by the large crowd attending including several former pastors and members of the church.

June 11, 1950: Rev. Frank Waters resigned as pastor to accept the call to the Churchwell Avenue Baptist Church of Knoxville, Tennessee. Dr. J. H. Broome of Carson Springs served as supply Pastor until the Church could secure a new pastor.

October 22, 1950: The Chruch called Rev. Jack P. Lowndes of Grays, Kentucky, as Pastor. He assumed duties on November 12.

January 24, 1951: Brother Earl Northern, a very active church member and chairman of the Board of Deacons, told the church that he surrendered to the call of God to preach the Gospel and asked the Church to license him to preach The Church licensed Brother Northern and on a later date, March 29, 1952, ordained him.

October 11, 1951: During a revival, Brother Jimmy Corbett, a very active young man in the church, surrendered to the call of the ministry. On December 5, 1951, the church licensed him to preach.

June 4, 1952: The Church voted to have the Baptistry remodeled, which was soon completed and the beautiful painting put on the back wall.

December 1953: The organ was purchased for the sanctuary.

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January 10, 1954: The Rev. Jack P. Lowndes resigned as pastor to accept the call of the Erlanger Baptist Church, Erlanger, Kentucky. Rev. Lowndes had served this Church as pastor for three and one-fourth years.

April 18, 1954: The Church called the Rev. T. C. Christmas of Charlotte, North Carolina, as Pastor to be effective June 6, 1954. Brother Christmas led the Church in a very wonderful way for the second time as Pastor. The first time he was the pastor, the church was only half-time with preaching services two Sundays out of the month. This time it was full time, and Brother Christmas lived on the Church field.

March 27, 1955: Brother Christmas offered his resignation to be effective the last of April, to become Pastor of the Mt Lebanon Baptist Church of Maryville, Tennessee.

May 22, 1955: The Church called the Rev John W. Lucas of Louisville, Kentucky, as Pastor to be effective June 19, 1955.

At various times over a period of years discussions were had toward plans for a Building Program which would provide additional and adequate space for the young people of the Church. A Building Fund has been previously set up. And on

September 7, 1955: The Board of Deacons recommended the following Committee Chairmen to begin plans for the New Educational Building.

General Chairman ----------------------------Ernest Frye
Plans Committee Chairman------------------Jack Rimmer
Finance Chairman-----------------------------David Swann
Equipment Committee Chairman------------A. B. Strand

March 11, 1956: The Church voted to buy the lot in back of the present Church owned by Mrs. Nina Swann on which to construct the new building and parking lot.

June 1956: Our Pastor John W. Lucas was married to Miss Nancy Broome, the granddaughter of Dr. J. H. Broome, in her Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Our Church had never before had a single Pastor and the congregation was delighted to see the Pastor happily married.

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December 9, 1956: The Church was called into special business session to discuss the Educational Building Program. It was voted to accept the recommendation made by the Committee to build the $30,000 Educational Building. We had on hand approximately eight thousand dollars. It was believed that seven thousand dollars more could be raised by the time construction was started and the other fifteen thousand dollars could be financed. The building was started in the summer of 1957. September 29 to October 13 the Church Incorporated and sold Church Bonds through the American Bonding Company, to raise money to complete the new building. Fifteen thousand ($15,0000.00) dollars worth of bonds were sold, to be paid off in a period of thirteen years. Practically all bonds were sold to members of the Church within one day after the sale began.

March 5, 1958: Bro. W. F. Dawn and Mr. and Mrs. N. R. Sullivan expressed their desire to purchase new pulpit furniture in memory of Mrs. Dawn. The Chruch gratefully accepted.

One of the chairs that sets by the Communion Table was given by Mr. O. M. Hart and family in memory of Mrs. Hart. The flower stand was also given in memory of Mrs. Hart by her grandson and his wife, Mr. And Mrs. James E. Frazier.

The other chair and a communion service was given by the Philathea Sunday School Class and Mrs. William Bacon in memory of Mrs. Nell Rimmer.

During this year the Church received approximately $3500.00 by will from the Estate of Mrs. Fannie Rankin, one of the faithful members who died May 9, 1956.

Also about $200.00 was received from the estate of Mrs. W. L. Newman, another faithful member who died October 26, 1956. She also had already given her piano to be used in the Educational Building.

Mrs. T. R. French, a very faithful member until her death December 1, 1959, gave her piano to be used in the Educational Building.

April 1958: At the regular business meeting the Church voted to change the name "Dandridge Baptist Church" to the "First Baptist Church of Dandridge," since our church is the oldest Baptist Church in the vicinity and the only one in Dandridge.

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October 1958: The Church adopted the Forward Program of Church Finance, which was very successful. It was voted to continue this program each year.

January 19, 1959: Pastor John W. Lucas resigned to accept a call to the Cliffside Baptist Church of Cliffside, North Carolina, to be effective February 15, 1959.

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