EARLY KNOX COUNTY CHURCHES

Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee (1887)

LUTHERAN:

The first Evangelical Lutheran congregation organized in Knox County was Zion, established on May 18, 1823, seven and one-half miles south of Knoxville on the “Picken’s Gap Road”, by Rev. George EASTERLY.  The original members were:

• George HOUSER

• Peter LONG and Henry Long, together with their wives, to whom were added upon the day of organization by confirmation

• Jacob and Frank LONG

• Sarah and Lydia HOUSER

• Joseph SANE

• William BAKER and wife, the latter of whom is still living.

The first building erected was a log structure, which was occupied until 1859, when the present frame was completed at a cost of $1,200. The pastors of this church have been

• George EASTERLY

• Jacob M. SCHAFFER

• J.K. HANCHER

• J.C. BART

• J. CLONINGER

• George H. COX

A second congregation was organized about seven miles northeast of Knoxville, about 1829, by Rev. Adam MILLER, who became its first pastor.  Since his incumbency, this church has been supplied by the same pastors as Zion church. 

In August 1873, a congregation, known as Bethel, was organized about four miles southwest of Knoxville on the Maryville road, by Rev. George H. COX, who has since continued as its pastor.  The original members were

• L.E. WILLIAMS and wife

• A.A. RUDDER and wife

• Alexander HENSON and wife

• Mrs. S. MAXEY

• N.B. WILLIAMS

In 1869, at the request of Dr. PASSAVANT, a benevolent gentleman of Philadelphia, Rev. John HECKLE came to Knoxville and organized an Evangelical Lutheran Church, among the incorporators of which were Peter KERN, C. STURN and John AURIN.  A frame house, 31x50 feet, was soon after erected and dedicated.  At that time there was a debt outstanding and held by members amounting to $2,700.  This was promptly and generously canceled by the creditors.  Mr. HECKLE continued in charge of the church over four years, and after an interval of about eighteen months was succeeded by the present pastor, J. George SCHAIDT, a graduate of the Philadelphia Theological Seminary.  Under his pastorate the church was greatly prospered, and now has a membership of about 180.

  Go to First Evangelical Lutheran Church Yearbook (1919)

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