Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-12-01
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCEs.
The Cause Of God In Knoxvilie-Ahe
Workings of Our Churches.
NO. 1v-FIRsT N. E. CHURCH, SOUTH.

nave DPpH hepl, IICJ nave OieHNA
ed or lost at least we arc unable to trace them.
In this article, therefore, up to the commence
ment of the war, we will have to rely entirely
on the memory of some of the Oldest citizens.
Mr.. Henry Ault, for instance, has kindly con-
sented to assist US in this, rather difficult I'M
dertaking.
The first Society must have been organized
in the early part of the present century, from
the fact that the first Methodist Church was
built in the year 1915, sometime after the or
ganization of the Society. The Church was
built on Methodist HILL and was then the
second church building in the city, 1.-THE First
PRESBYTERIAN being the frst) Rev. John
Haynie. we'll remembered by some of cur Older
citizens, was mainly instrumental IN lis beng
built The lot was donated by the late Hon.
Hugh l.. White, and in the ground surrounding
the spot where the building formerly stood, re-
pose the ashes of many of its early members
and friends, among themi being several of Mr.
Hayniss children. Mr.. Haynie, who was q
local preacher" was, it is thought, the first
minister who addressed a congregation in this
edifce, but it is not remembered by any one
who was the first travelling preacher that minis
tered at its alter Among the first circuit
preachers that are remembered are Revs. JAS
Axley. Thomas WiIkerson, Mr.. Eakin, James
Dixon John Kelley, George Atkin and 7. B.
Harwell. The latter is still living near King
ston, Roane county, we believe, at least we
heard him there deliver some powerful sermons
only few years since, and although very aged,
yet his intellect was then unimpaired, and for
logical power unsurpassed. The remainder, so
far as is known, have all long since passed to
their reward in Heaven. Later in the history
of the church, the following list of ministers
served the congregation at successive periods !:
Revs John Hennegar, James Cumming, Z: L.
Lewis, = Saul Patten, = Murphy, and 9TH
ers whose names memory refuses at this mo-
ment to recall. all of whom now rest from their
labors, but their works do follow them"
Among the earliest leading and official lay mem.
bers, was DR.. John Sutherland, a deVout and
active man, who removed about the year 1925
together with Mr.. Haynie, to North Alabama
and afterwards to Texas, where they both died,
not many years since, quite advanced in age.
About forty or fifty years ago some OF the
leading members of the Society were Jozadak
Crew, Frederick Ault and at q little later period
were DR.. Jas. King, DIR. w. r. Trig, G. w.
Churchwell, II. II. Gaines, Geo. G. Graves and
others Bishops McKendree, Roberts and
Soule, and, it is, thought Bishop Asbury and
George also ministered from time 10 time in
this church. y
The average membership of the church dur
ing its continuance on Methodist Hill' was 1t
is thought, about one hundred COMMITMENTS.
In the year 1884 new church, the one which
is now known as the "Old Methodist Church
on Church street, was commenced, and complet-
ed in the year 1896, and was then thought to be
quite q fine church. 1t was dedicated in the
month of July, 1886, by Rev. Thomas Wilker-
son and during that month the great railroad
convention was held in it, and ever after from
hut inf nH
trary to the wishes of many of the members, it
has been much used for secular purposes.
The society, together with the congregation,
usually worshiping on old Methodist Hill"
on the completion of their new church, on
Church street, in 1886, commenced to worship
in that building, and the official members of
"Old Methodist Hill Church. continued to hold
their position for some time after the removal
1t j. impossible from the memory of the old
citizens Ito give full list Of the minister's who
from year to year were appointed to labor with
this charge, nor is it remembered who were the
first, but among them were Revs. L. Sulllns
and John NJ. Kelley, who are we'll remembered
for the good they accomplished at their respect
i've terms. The entire number OF members that
have been admitted to this church from its or
ganization up to the commencement of the war,
it is impossible to ascertain without records,
but according to the memorypf our informant
the average membership was one hundred at
the Methodist Hilr Church, and two hundred
at the Church Street Church.
In 1874, the Methodist Church split on the
rock of slavery and under the peculiar circum-
stances of the times, no organization of the NJ
E. Church could exist IL the Southern country,
and continue in making war against slavery.
The consequence was, that the organization We
have above referred to-, together with the
church property, went under the control Of the
Church South.
During the war services were klpt up until
about the year 1868, with varied success after
which no more regular services took place I'M
til after the close of the war;
In November 1866, the society was reorganiZ-
ed and the old church on Church street having
been taken in possession of by the III. Z. Church,
history of which was given in former article,
and which property Is now under litigation, this
society commenced to worship in the basement
of the First Presbyterian Church, and contlnu-
ed there until their present new and pretty
church was completed in the year 1865. Rev.
c. 7. Carroll wa the first minister the church
had after its organization, and he reports amenl-
bership at his first Quarterly Conference ofabout
60 communicates. During the second quarter
of his conference year he exchanged places with
Rev w. H. Bates who was then stationed at
Bristol. Mr. Bates went to work with will,
and the result was that nine members were
added to the church during that year, Rev.
George Stewart was the first Presiding Elder.
In the Fall of 1867, Mr. Bates was returned
as preacher in charge, and also the former Pre-
siding Elder. Mr.. Bates again entered upon
his labors with devout esrnestness, and the
result was that 81 members were added to the
church during that Conference year. &
In the Fall of 1868, Rev. w. H. Bates was
appointed as Presiding Elder of this district,
and Rev. q. Taylor, as preacher in charge
This was glorious year for Zion, and this
branch of Gods church prospcred, there being
about Sc accessions to the church.
In October, 1859, j. NJ. McTeer was appoint
ed as Presiding Elder, and G. Taylor was re-
turned as pastor. This year also was a success
full enc and 90 member were added to the
church. Also the Ladies Home Mission was
organized during that Conference year. in July,
1870.
In the Fall of 1870, Rev. Mr.. McTecr was
continued as Presiding Elder and Rev. Z. L.
Hoss was appointed pastor. How faithfully he
filled the position Of religious instructor, and
with what fervor he held up to the minds Of the
people Christ and Him crucifed, is shown by
| the fact that ct the I'd Quarterly Conference he
reported 101 additions to the church. and at the
4th Quarterly Conference % more, making
total of 123 souls that found their way through
| the portals of the church during that years