EARLY KNOX COUNTY CHURCHES

Goodspeed’s History of Tennessee (1887)

WELSH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH:

The Welsh Congregational church, of Knoxville, was the first church of the kind organized in the county. Many Welsh people came to the city from Pennsylvania in April 1866, and were the leading managers and workmen in the rolling mill.  Many of them were pious and faithful Christians, and for about three years united themselves with the Second Presbyterian Church, assembling for Divine worship in their lecture room, but in June they resolved to organize a congregation of their own, and to build a church edifice on Atkin Street, in Mechanicsville, now the Ninth Ward.  Accordingly, a neat frame house, capable of seating about 250 persons, was erected at a cost of $3,000, to which $1,000 for improvements and repairs have since been added.  These amounts were paid by the free contributions of the Welsh people, assisted by the liberal donations of the citizens of Knoxville and other places.  The first trustees and deacons were:

On February 12, 1870, Rev. Thomas THOMAS was installed as pastor and continued until the close of 1871.  In September 1872, Rev. Robert D. THOMAS (Lorthyn Gwynedd) commenced his ministry, and labored successfully for three years.  In July 1877, he returned and continued, as pastor until June 1882, when he resigned and in November 1883, was succeeded by Rev. D.D. DAVIS.  The latter remained until December 1885, since which time Mr. THOMAS has served the congregation.  A good Sabbath-school, a Band of Hope and a temperance society are also maintained.  The present officers are:

For more information - see the Knoxville Welsh Society website

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