Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-11-24
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES.
The Cause of God in knoxVilie-i"e
~ Workings of Our Churches. -,7-
No 1.-THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

This Church seems to have had an extraordl-
nary origin in Knoxville, as appears from Its
historical records. Two unconverted young
men, brothers, James c. and John l.. Moses,
sons of Deacon John F. Moses, of Exeter, New
Hampshire, came to Knoxville, Tennessee,
about the year 1910, and cast in their lots with
its citizens. They found no Baptist Church
here and though unconverted, yet being raised
up in that belief. they felt DESTROYS that one
should be established, and where there is a will,
there is generally way.
Having conceived plan by which a church
might be planted here, they made it known to
Rev. DR.. Howell, paster OF the First Baptist
Church at Nashville, and received his endorse
ment. The plan was 10 write to the Home Mis-
sion Board of New Y ork, and request them to
send out a minister to organize church at
Knoxville That Board saw the Importance of
the undertaking, and accordingly sent out the
Rev. j. A. Bullard. On arriving here, and
finding few Baptists in the city and surround.
ing country he Immediately called together
council of Baptist ministers to organize church.
This Council consisted of Revs. J., A. Billiard,
= Kimbrough, = Kennon, = Milligan,
- Billue, J. s. Coram and - Rhea, 1--WE are
forced to omit Ethe initials of some of the min
listers as the church record fails to give them.)
They assembled in the court house. Jan. q,
1843 and then and there organized Baptist
Church. consisting of twenty-six white and
twenty colored members.
Rev. J. A Billiard was the first pastor this
Society had, and labored faithfully with them
for one year. At the first meeting of the church
after its organization, one of the young men
referred to at the beginning of this article
Mr.. j. G. Moses, who had shortly before pro-
fessed conversion, united with the little band,
and during period of nearly thirty years was
an honored and efficient memb Der of the church
as we'll as prominent citizen of this commu
nifty. Some two years since he passed from
earth, and, doubtless, is now member of the
| church triumphant. His brother, Mr.
| ton, became member of the church, is still
with the Society, godly man and useful
citizen. Rev. Mr.. Billiards ministry was sue
cessful one, and 81 members were added to the
church during that year. During one revival
held by him in the Presbyterian and Methodist
houses of worship, commencing on the 9th of
May, 1913, there were 70 aeeesslons to the
church.
In the year 1871 Mr., Bullard, retiring from
the Knoxville charge, Rev. Homer Sears be-
came pastor, and held that position for years.
During the period of his ministry the present
neat ediice on Gay street land no doubt the
finest in the city at that time) was erected, Good
results also attended his labors with the people,
and about 80 souls were added to the church.
He closed his labors in this city in the year
1850 and here appears on the records, period
of two years. that the society had no regular
pastor, and the Baptist pulpit was only OCCASION
ally filed by visiting ministers. Yet the MEM
bers, with commendable zeal, kept the church
alive keeping up their regular prayer meetings,
while some of the most prominent among them
frequently read sermons to the congregation.
In September, 1852, Rev. Mathew HillsInan,
D. D., in answer to unanimous call from the
church, accepted the pastorship, and faithfully
discharged the duties of a beloved and pious
pastor for the period of years. His labors met
with glorions success, and the cause of God III
this branch Of Christ Church prospered, many
souls being converted at the two great revivals
held by him, and about 120 souls were added to
the church during his MINISTRY.
In the spring of 1859, Rev. G. W.. Griffin be-
came pastor, AMI remained in that position for
and few names were added to the member
ship. At the close of his ministry the church
was again without regular pastor for over one
year.
In July, 1862, Rev. L. 3. Voolfolk bacame pas
tor and held that position for nearly two years.
His ministry accomplished good and was IA
vorably received by the congregation. At the
close Of the year 1863, he returned to Kentucky,
and soon afterwards this church was occupied
as hospital for Federal soldiers and no more
close of the year 1866. Religious worship was
then resumed in that church, Rev. S. III. Smith
acting as pastor. During the short period of
of his ministry more than twenty persons were
added to the church. 49,.
In the early part of the year 1868 Rev. d. N.
Breaker d. d., began his pastoral labors and
closed them in the spring of 1869. He accom-
plishd great good in gathering together the
members of the church, and generally reEiving
the cause of religion among them. About 80
no. mo nfo fill "a
ship during his labors, at the close of which the
Baptist flock was again without regular
shepherd Yet their spiritualwelfare was looked
after and DR.. S. III. Smith and Rev. f. johnson
supplied the pulpit. During this time an occa-
sional member was received into the fellowship
of the church. FFT g
REV. j. L. LLOYD, a'ss-a
the present pastor, entered upon his labors as
their minister on the 1st day ofFebruary, 1870.
His church administration has beana most pros
porous one in every respect Their place of
worship has been made comfortable and attrac
tive. The seats were cushioned, the pulpit re-
modelled and chandeliers and pulpit lights were
purchased. Spiritually the church has also
prospered, and at two reviyals held by him 70
souls were added to the church. Altogether,
during his, not quite three years, ministry about
200 members have been added to the church |
His congregations at the regular services are
generally large and attentive, and his labors |
seem to be, as they should, appreciated by his |
flock. We are also informed that he has been
instrumental in inducing number who had |
gone off from the church and formeda Second |
Baptist Church, to return to their former place
of worship. 4 te ..,-,.-.Ir-' + |
Prominent in the history of the church, and |
acting as Deacons, are such men as John Smith, |
j. L. Moses, j. G. Moses, DR.. Montgomery, A. |
L. Maxwell, w. w Walker, j. II. Walker,
John w Cruze, W. W. Woodruff, W. Martin,
John Cruze, T. L. Moses, and John Mccoy. |
The exact total number of members that this |
church has had is rather difficulty to obtain, in
fact cannot be accurately obtained, owing to the
fact that the minutes at times were kept in rath
er a careless manner AS near as we can give |
there is from 517 to 500. A number of these |
died and others removed until now the mem
bership consists of 260 to go COMMITMENTS.
The present eo ono Of the church is flour
ing on the good work in evangelizing this por-
ton of Christs moral yinyard. Yet much re-