In an act of faith, on June 15, 1913, a group of people met at Fair Garden School to consider establishing a Baptist church in Burlington.  The church was established as a mission of Bell Avenue, with Roscoe Smith as its first pastor.  The first Sunday School was held June 29, 1913, with 81 in attendance.

     The Burlington Baptist Church was born on the ninth of November, 1913, with 38 charter members, five deacons, and five trustees.  Five charter members are still living.  Rev. J. E. Wickham was called as pastor.

     In January, 1914, the average weekly offering was less than two dollars.

     In March, the church voted to buy six dozen songbooks and to secure a janitor for $5 a month.  A piano was rented for the Spring Revival, in which 32 people were added.  In June, 1914, two more deacons were elected, making a total of seven.

     The church was very mission-minded.  On the first Sunday of each month, the loose offering was given to missions.  In November, 1914, A. P. Van Dusen was elected as pastor for one year.

     Rev. George Eden served as pastor from 1915 to 1917.  His sister, Olive Eden, served as a missionary to Africa.

     Even in 1916, the church experienced financial difficulties because not enough people agreed to tithe.

     Rev. J. H. Ponder became pastor in 1917 after the death of Brother Eden.  In 1918, J. E. Wickham returned as pastor and served until 1922.  In the year 1919, enough money was budgeted to send the Baptist and Reflector to every church family.  In April 1920, the congregation requested that the pastor preach on tithing!

     Rev. H. B. Woodard served as pastor from 1922 to 1924.  Rev. A. N. Hollis was called as pastor in 1925 and served until 1930.

     In 1925 lots were secured on which to park cars during the East Tennessee Fair.  During that year, the church gained 44 members and had a total offering of over $5,000.  W. L. Warters challenged the members of the church to try God in the matter of tithing.

     Rev. T. C. Wyatt served as pastor from 1931-1944.  He served longer than any pastor the church has had.

     In 1931, Miss Ruth Eden was hired as first church secretary at a salary of $6 a week.  Shortly thereafter, Miss Helen Underwood became our church secretary.

     In November 1931, the church voted to set aside 10% of the total offering for benevolence and for the unemployed of the church.  During this same month, 132 people united with the church during the revival, 85 of whom came by profession of faith.

     In 1932 the tabernacle next to the church was built by the unemployed men of the church and community for about $12,000.

     At Christmastime in 1932, 60 baskets of food were filled for the needy.

     For a time during the war, the ladies of the church met weekly to make surgical dressings for the men in the Armed Services.  Many times during the war members of the church met for special prayer, earnestly seeking God's care for their loved ones and for the war's end.

     During the Second World War our Servicemen's Roll included 291 names.  These were ministered to by the Young People's department through the unique ministry of Miss Agatha Smith, teacher of the young men's class.

     In 1944, Rev. Wyatt left McCalla to become Chaplain of East Tennessee Baptist Hospital.

     Rev. C. C. Bowles was pastor from 1945 until 1949.

     In 1946 the church set up its first bus ministry.  Two church buses went through the community and brought the people to church.

     In November, 1946, dedication services of the Grandview Mission of McCalla were held.  R. V. Brock, Sr., was ordained as pastor of the mission, which had 204 charter members.  The name was changed to Skyline Drive Church and later to Oakland Street Baptist Church.

     On November 9, 1949, E. Warren Rust became pastor.  Under his leadership, Timothy Street Mission was established in 1950.  In 1951, a building program was instituted for our present sanctuary.  In 1955 we adopted the slogan "The Church with a Heart -- in the Heart of Burlington!"

     In 1956, the new building was dedicated.

     Rev. Alastair C. Walker served as pastor from 1959 until 1962.  Timothy Street Mission became a church in 1960.  In 1961, the new education building was constructed.

     Rev. Raymond Smith served as pastor from 1962 until 1968.  In November, 1963, the church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary.

     In 1969, our present pastor, John Buell, came to McCalla.  A Sunday evening radio broadcast was recently begun.  Our church has purchased a bus to be used primarily in special missions emphases.

     Only a few names have been mentioned.  Unnamed however, are hundreds of faithful workers who have loved our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and have served Him willingly in this church.  Without them, our church would not be what it is today.

     In the early years, McCalla Avenue was a community church.  As time has gone by, many of our people are scattered throughout the area and people come from many miles to enjoy our church fellowship.

     Because of this fellowship, we continue to support our church and pray and work together to bring glory to our Lord.

     The love of our people for Christ and for one another has been, is, and will always be a mighty moving influence in the church.

     Yes, in the power of Almighty God, we have come this far.  Our church was built with Christ as the Cornerstone, and has grown through the years as His people -- the members of McCalla Avenue Baptist Church -- have served the Lord with Faith, Stewardship, Commitment, Prayer, Missions, Praise, and Love.  But wherein lies our Hope?

     J. N. Evans was the first person from our church to receive a call from God to enter the ministry.

     The following people were "called out" from our church into full-time Christian service as pastors or missionaries:

*Deceased