Asbury United Methodist Church,

 originally Highland Park Methodist Episcopal Church, is a historic church on Bailey Avenue.

The congregation was organized in 1889 as the Highland Park Methodist Episcopal Church. The congregation soon moved into a new frame church that it used for about 20 years before completing the current building. The current church building is a brick structure in a Gothic design created by architect Reuben Harrison Hunt. It was completed in 1909, dedicated in 1911, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Highland Park Methodist Episcopal Church changed its name to Asbury Methodist Church in 1938, when the Methodist Episcopal Church and Methodist Episcopal Church, South, merged. It later added "United" to its name when the United Methodist Church was formed. Another local congregation with a similar name, Highland Park Methodist Episcopal Church, South, became St. Andrew's Methodist Church and later St. Andrew's United Methodist Church.  Asbury United Methodist Church closed on July 1, 1984. Its congregation merged with Brainerd United Methodist Church and the church property was sold to Highland Park Baptist Church, which renamed the former Asbury Methodist building as the "Asbury Chapel". St. Andrew's closed in 2004.When Highland Park Baptist Church relocated to Harrison, Tennessee, in 2013, it sold Asbury Chapel and six other buildings in the Highland Park neighborhood to Redemption Point Church, a Church of God congregation based in Ooltewah.

Bartlebaugh Baptist Church
Bartlebaugh Baptist Church - 1940

     Bartlebaugh Baptist Church has a rich past and a glorious future.  This "hallowed ground" stands as a monument to the vision of a preacher and people who lived many years ago.  Here Reverend John Bartlebaugh labored, and grateful people gave his name to the church and community.  Within eight miles of Chattanooga, Chickamauga Lake now covers most of what was once Bartlebaugh.

The present building site and cemetery belonged to the Champion family.  The United Brethren began a mission in which both Methodists and Baptists took turns holding services.  The Baptists acquired the site and building in 1926.  In 1964 the church bought nearly four acres of land directly across Old Harrison Pike.  The first building, now over 100 years old, is presently bricked into the sanctuary.  Around 1952 an education annex was built.  In November, 1969, ground was broken for the children's building which was completed in March of 1970.

With many of the descendants of people who once lived in Tennessee River bottom lands and new members from growing subdivisions, the membership aims to carry on the work of Christ begun by it's first preacher and pastor.

Submitted by Susan Kendall  SusieQ11

East Brainerd Church of Christ  
    The first worship service at East Brainerd Church of Christ was on December 8, 1946, at the East Brainerd Elementary School. Thirty-five people were present for the worship; twenty six attended the Bible study. Shortly before this a gospel meeting was held in a tent at the corner of Graysville and East Brainerd Roads.

Late in the year 1947 a lot on Graysville Road was purchased. A frame structure, 30 feet by 50 feet, was built there, providing an auditorium, two classrooms, and two restrooms. In 1962  A new building was constructed and an open house was held on December 16, 1962.

To facilitate future growth, the church purchased 22.96 acres at 7745 East Brainerd Road, where the present facility was completed in 1972. Additions to this facility occurred in 1985, 1987 and the Family Life Center was added in 1994.

Serving now as our ministers are Glen Gray, involvement minister; Tom Norvell, minister of family & youth; Dave Mellor, evangelism minister.

In January 2000, the East Brainerd congregation had approximately 550 members. In the year 2002 we have approximately 670. Average attendance for Sunday morning worship services in 2001 was 632.

Submitted by June Cooper

Greenwood Baptist Church

     The Church located on Snow Hill Road and Greenwood Road, was organized in 1910.  It was originally called Padgett's Chapel.  The first pastor was the Rev. F. J. Hoge.  The original frame building was erected in 1922 on land purchased from Homer Shirley.  Early ministers were  Robert Talley, L. H. Sylar, Warren L. Scoggins, and Lewis Sylar. A new building was completed in 1982 and the old bell tower was kept, and it is now located on the property. 

Greenwood Baptist Church is celebrating its centennial this year. In the year 1908, Rev. Flauvious J. Hoge, a Baptist minister, came to the little frame building known as Padgett’s Chapel.

This building was also nicknamed “Trickum” and had been donated to the community by Dr. Benjamin Padgett for school and church purposes. The Methodist and the United Brethren previously had churches at this same building.

     In the year 1908, Rev. F.J. Hoge, assisted by Rev. Curtain, held a two-week revival with great results. Many souls were saved. At the close of the revival, Rev. Hoge baptized a number into Crossroads Baptist Church with the understanding that they would be members of the new church when it was organized. In the fall of 1909, the new church was organized with approximately 35 members. One acre of ground was purchased from Mr. Homer Shirley. Timber was cut and residents of the community gave their time building the new church.

     The church consisted of an auditorium with curtains separating four classrooms. Rev. Jerome Cofelt preached the doctrinal sermon and on the day of organization the new church was named Greenwood Baptist Church. Rev. F.J. Hoge filled the pulpit until a pastor was elected.

Brother Owen Smith was later elected and served as pastor until 1913. The church was accepted in the Ocoee Association (which is now the Hamilton County Association). During Brother Smith’s pastorate, J.H. Scoggins was ordained as deacon in the summer of 1912. Later Brother Smith resigned, and the church was without a pastor until 1914 when Brother Robert Tally was elected and served as pastor until the fall of 1915.

     In 1915, Brother Lewis H. Sylar served as pastor for about a year. In 1917, Brother Tally was called back for a short time. Brother W.L. Scoggins was ordained as a Baptist minister, and he pastored the church for about a year until in 1919 Brother A.P. Galiheir was called as pastor and served for about two years. In the fall of 1921, Rev. William Hamic from Avondale Baptist Church erected a tent on the site where the church now stands. He held a four-week revival and there were over a hundred souls saved and rededicated. At the end of the revival, Brother Hamic baptized 50 souls into the church. Rev. Hamic was called as pastor and soon thereafter land was purchased for a new church.

The church was built in 1921 and 1922 with public donations and labor. The members and friends of the church furnished the timber. Rev. Hamic served as pastor until 1923.

     Next Brother Joe Reed was called as pastor and served until 1925. From this time the list of pastors is as follows: Rev. S.N. Hamic (1925-1927), Rev. Fred Lane (1927-1930), Rev. Ed Shadwick (1930-1933), Rev. Lewis H. Sylar (1933-1941), Rev.W.A. Wilhoit (1941-1942), Rev. Lewis H. Sylar (1942-1946), Rev. Tom Shield (1946-48), Rev. S.M. Hamic (1948-1949), Rev. Henry Burns (1949-1953), Rev. Lewis Smartt (1953-1954), Rev. E.M. Rackley (1954-1962).

Brother Rackley was pastor when Sunday school rooms were added to the church. In 1962, Rev. Ira Bishop was elected pastor and served until 1963. Brother Henry Burns was called back as pastor and served from 1963-1967. In 1967, Brother Virgil became pastor and served until 1971. The Rev. Raymond Kelly was elected as pastor in 1971 and served until 1974.

     In 1974, Rev. James Vaughn was called to the church and faithfully served as pastor for 26 1/2 years. Under his leadership, a large fellowship building was built adjacent to the church in 1977. The building was built debt-free with help from the members. This fellowship building was dedicated in memory of Brother Harold Smith who was a deacon of the church and a faithful worker on the building. Brother Smith died from injuries caused by a logging accident in 1978.

In April of 1982, construction was started on the present church. The construction was finished in October of 1982 and the new church was dedicated on October 17, 1982.

On October 12, 1983, three acres surrounding the church was purchased. It is presently in the process of being developed for a children’s playground.

In March of 1992, a 7200-square foot recreational building was built. Six more Sunday school rooms were completed in June of 1992. When Brother Vaughn resigned in 2001, the recreational facility (gym) was renamed James Vaughn Family Life Center.

     Presently, the church has an approximate membership of 600 members.

Brother Darrell Broome served as pastor from 2002 until 2004, then Rev. David McNabb served as pastor from 2005-2007. In 2007, the current pastor, Rev. Toby Brogden was called to serve as pastor. Church officials said, "Under his leadership, our hope for the future is bright and we look with great expectancy for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Mr. Brogden said, "In the eight years of serving at Greenwood Baptist Church, it has been easy for me to discover how God has used this church to be a light in this community for 100 years."

Molly Marie Evans has been a member of GBC for 74 years.

In celebration of the church's Centennial, Greenwood Baptist Church will be hosting a dinner. Ticket prices are $12. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. on Oct. 10 in the gym. Entertainment begins immediately following the dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are only required for the dinner. No tickets required for the singing.

James H. Vaughn will be holding the service on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Information submitted by Phebe Morgan  phebem@comcast.net

Hicks Chapel

An early Methodist group organized Hicks Chapel in 1849.  The church and its adjoining graveyard were located on Morrison Springs Road near present Red Bank.  The early log structure, built by the cooperative efforts of those who worshipped there, stood on land donated by Alfred Rogers and William Gray, principal real estate owners in that section.  Edward E. Wylie, Thomas and John Hartman, John Walker, James C. Connor, John Brown, and Monroe Lusk worked faithfully during the early years.

(Source: History of Hamilton Co, Tn. Page 55)

Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church

Patten Chapel Interdenominational Church

 Patten Chapel Interdenominational Church was established in 1905. Many pastors served the church part time through the years. However, the first full time pastor to serve the church in 1936 was Assistant Pastor of Chattanooga First Presbyterian Church, Reverend Willard Alexander Peek. There is not much known about the early years of the church, because the original church was almost destroyed by fire in the mid-1930s, and all the church documents were destroyed in the fire. In 1939, the church congregation purchased the old Patten Chapel Grammar School for $1000.00 for Sunday school classes. Later the church remodeled the school building, and this became the second home of the church. The original church building was sold for $450.00; it was dismantled and hauled away. On March 31, 1946, the congregation of the church after a long discussion with the old Knoxville Presbytery formed the Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church. Reverend Willard Peek officially became the first pastor of Lookout Valley Presbyterian and served it for another twenty-eight years. Because of the rapid growth the church experienced, in nine years groundbreaking of a new church building was to hold on May 22, 1955. On March 25, 1956, the new church building was completed and used for its first Sunday services.

In 1992, a major split in Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church occurred for theological differences. As a result of this split, many members established, Mountain View Presbyterian which is in the Presbyterian Church in America denomination. Mountain View Presbyterian Church is located on Brown’s Ferry Road.

Today Lookout Valley Presbyterian Church is still an active Presbyterian church. However, it is now in the Southeast Presbytery that serves the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and is still in its original location on Patten Chapel Road.

Submitted by Alex McKeel  richardamc

Lookout Valley
Primitive Baptist Church
1800 - 1975

"The Little White Church at The Top of the Hill Down in the Valley"

1136 Brown's Ferry Road Route 8 Chattanooga, Tennessee 37409

Written by and used with the permission of
Joyce Nell Beck TruittTexas1933@aol.com

    Prior to 1800, several citizens of the lower, or north end of Lookout Valley, Hamilton County, Tenn. attended church at Good Hope Primitive Baptist Church on Mountain Creek, near the place now the property of the Cement Plant. The land at that time belonged to the Sivley family.

    Good Hope Church was across Tennessee River from the northern end of Lookout Valley, thus these faithful members had to cross Tennessee River at William's Island to attend church.

    Good Hope Church "extended an arm" to lower Lookout Valley so church services could be held in that area. These first services were held in an old "Slave House," the property of one Thomas Boydston. This was a log house with a "mud and stick" chimney and fireplace. It stood at the foot of "Simpson Hill" on the little Sanders Creek.

    Therefore, on April 24, 1800, the members met at the Church and constituted the Lookout Valley Primitive Baptist Church. Thomas Boydston acted as "agent" for the Services to be held at this old house.

    This Church was duly constituted by Elders and Deacons from Providence Primitive Baptist Church of Bledsoe County; Good Hope Primitive Baptist Church of Hamilton County; and Union Primitive Baptist Church of Marion County, Tennessee.

     In 1829 the members erected a new log house in which services were held until it was burned by soldiers during the Civil War. Lookout Valley is west of Chattanooga, and Cameron Hill. South of Signal Mountain; and north of Lookout Mountain. Thus, she stood in line with Civil War signals from Signal, Lookout, and Raccoon Mountains, as well as from Cameron Hill, across Moccasin Bend from the Church.

    On the low ridges just east of the Church, soldiers dug breast works that are still there. Thus, the little church was also on the Brown's Ferry Road that led into North Chattanooga from Wauhatchie and northern Georgia. Soldiers built a pontoon bridge at Brown's Ferry and also one across the Tennessee River near Cameron Hill, for the great Moccasin Bend makes its great loop just east of Lookout Valley Primitive Baptist Church.

    War skirmishes were held along the old roadway, as both Federal and Confederate soldiers tried to by-pass Lookout Mountain in order to get into Chattanooga and Chickamauga beyond. Therefore, several skirmishes were held in and around the church, and in these skirmishes, the church was burned. Battle of Wauhatchie and skirmishes were Oct. 28-29, 1863, around the front of the church.

The only time services were not held at the Church, was at this critical period of the Civil War.

    On April 15, 1871, after church services had been held in the homes of the members, the membership decided to build another church house. Consequently, a member Cavenaugh Boydston, deeded a tract of land to the Lookout Valley Primitive Baptist Church. This deed was witnessed by David Tittle and J. M. Cox, both members of the Church.

    The new house was finished in 1877. It was constructed of logs that had been salvaged from logs of rafts that had been wrecked in the Tennessee River on William's Island. These logs, having been lashed together by 2-inch wooden pegs that had been driven through a "strap" to hold them were hewn by hand with broad axes and adz. The two-inch holes some two feet from each end of the logs that had held the raft together, were left in the logs. They were conservative, and dared not lose four feet of each log, so the holes remained. Some logs were split and hewn and then used to make the floor, and the two-inch holes remained. Pews were also made of the split logs, and then school was also held in the same building.

    As the holes were so predominate in the new structure, it became known locally as "The Auger Hole Church" or the "Auger Hole School."

    However, this old church erected in 1877 with its quaint fireplace, burned in 1909. The old fireplace had been "logged in" and a large wood heater installed, with the flue extending up and out of the roof. The fire that destroyed the building started in this flue while services were being held on Saturday afternoon. Elder H. L. Gholston was the pastor at that time.

    Everything was saved, and church services were held in a tenant house on the R. J. Massey farm until the new Church could be built.

Clearing away the rubble, the new house was finished in the fall of 1909. This house stood until it also was leveled from sparks from a brush fire in 1956.

Services were moved then to the home of Brother Mack Brown and wife until the new edifice was completed and dedicated on September 29, 1957.

It would be well to mention that most of the descendants of the members of this little Church have moved to other areas, and that the village of Tiftonia has grown until now the area in and about the little Church has many fine dwellings and has recently been annexed to the city of Chattanooga.

    The children and grandchildren and great grandchildren of the former members of the little Church, under the leadership of the late Elder L. L. Lewis, rebuilt the Church. They also had the help of many citizens of the community.

In 1869 Lookout Valley Primitive Baptist Church "extended an arm" to Aetna Mountain, near the village of Whiteside. Another to Bennett's Cove In Marion County in 1874. Another in 1877 to New Union in Marion County, and another to Moccasin Bend in 1895, and also an arm was extended to Kelly's Ferry in 1909.

    From these "arms" many new members were added to the Lookout Valley Primitive Baptist Church. Sister Churches during the early period were Suck Port, Stanley, New Hope, and New Union.

    In later years, the Church became a member of the Sequatchie Valley Association of Churches until about 1945. Since that time, the Church has not been affiliated with any association, but has diligently kept herself in fellowship with the brethren.

    At present "the little white Church at the top of the hill, down in the valley" has services each first and third Lord's Day, monthly at 10:30 a. m. Eastern Daylight Time.

    From about 1877 to 1914 some thirty persons were buried in the little cemetery just behind the church. A diligent search was made to determine their names, as only crude, un-carved stones had been set up to mark each grave.

    Inquiry and the search of records was of no avail, so the Church secured a suitable marker in 1973 for all who are buried there. It reads as follows:

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE UNKNOWN WHO REST HERE AWAITING THE SECOND COMING OF OUR LORD

Lookout Valley Primitive Baptist Church

    In 1974 a suitable scroll was prepared and placed in the church. This scroll contains the names of all former and present members; the names of former and present ministers; and the names of former and present deacons.

    The Memorial Marker and the Scroll were unveiled by the great grandsons of two of the founding members of the little Church.

    As one looks back over the long history of this little church, such an one will find that she has come safely through many wars, lost her place of worship many times, and yet has come from a "slave house" to a beautiful structure. The founders used candles and torches, and an open fireplace with a "mud and stick" chimney, while today there are rest rooms, electric heat, glass windows, paved roads, and yet the same fellowship that warmed the hearts of those who constituted the little Church one hundred and seventy- five years ago, still warms the hearts of each worshipper.

    May our Lord bless those who may read these pages and instill in their hearts a desire to try to "keep house for the Lord" for another long, long period, or until our Lord returns.
Joyce Nell Beck Truitt 1996

LOOKOUT VALLEY PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCH

St. Elmo, Tennessee

August 26, 1963

Dear Christian Friend:

Over 150 years ago the earliest settlers of the Valley planted a little church on a trail that led from Brown’s Ferry out of the Valley by way of Kelly’s Ferry. This little log house served as a “meeting place” and was cared for by a circuit-riding minister.

Pioneer life was hard, but the early citizens toiled and on the Lord’s Day they turned their stock to pasture; laid down their primitive tools and walked to the “Little Church” to worship God. Their worship was a simple, but impressive one, as they humbled themselves before God.

When the terrible Civil War came, services had to be discontinued, as the battle guns roared in the Valley; soldiers marched; and even used the Church house for protection from the cold winters, and to also worship God.  The hill tops in the Valley still bear the marks of the trenches to this day.  The blood of Federalist and Confederate soldiers was shed in the old church yard.

When the war ended, the former soldiers not only laid down their arms, for they also laid down any malice or hatred, and sat side by side in the Little Church to worship God.  Those stalwart men put the worship of God above everything else in the world.  What an example for us!

Mail routes, school buses, schools, roads, telephones, and churches are brought forth to fender service to people.   The old ferry boat is not used at Brown’s Ferry any longer, for residents of the valley found another way to get to town.  Because of this disuse, it was cut from its moorings and floated down the river to be forgotten!

Flood waters at Sander’s Creek near the church used to hinder folks who wanted to get to church.  They gave land for a new road on which you may now reside, that they might get to church and worship God.

Twice the church was destroyed by fire, and once by soldiers – but still in your day “the little church at the top of the hill” still stands and welcomes you and your family to come and worship.

The little church could have “been cut loose from her moorings” and let go to be forgotten.  Her members could have given up to floods; fire; and war – but they had stamina! They feared God, and desired to “show their faith by their works.”

So after all of the trials and tribulations, this little church invites you to come and worship at the hilltop where once the guns of battle roared and spilled the blood of her members.

We are not indebted to the church or the edifice – but we are indebted to the God who cared for her all these perilous years. The sincerity of her worship is yours to enjoy this coming Lord’s Day.  Try to come!

Lookout Valley Primitive Baptist Church     Elder Rufus J. Masse 

The Methodist Episcopal Church

The Methodist Episcopal Church was active in the county at an early date.  A church was organized at Dallas, then the county seat, and this church has a continuous record for more than a hundred years.

Service was first held in a small log cabin; this was succeeded by a more commodious log cabin which was later replaced by the present substantial structure.  The church was called “Jackson’s Chapel” in honor of an early trustee.  When the division of the Methodist denomination into branches, known as the Northern and Southern churches, occurred, Jackson’s Chapel went with the South and it is now Jackson’s Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

George Sawyer gave a half-acre to the organization Oct. 31, 1831, and the present church stand on this half acre.  The trustees were Burwell Smith, Houston Hixon, John Bradfield and George Sawyer.  John Bradfield was pastor.

Asahel Rawlings followed the gift of church ground by presenting a quarter acre lot for a burying ground, which is called Jackson’s Cemetery.  The Dallas Road runs between the church and the cemetery.  Asahel Jackson (a nephew of Asahel Rawlings), George Sawyer and John Bradfield, were trustees for both properties for many years.

Elisha Kirklin increased the holdings of the church by giving a five-acre tract on North Chickamauga Creek, for a camp meeting ground in 1848.  The trustees for the campground were George Sawyer, John Bradfield, Ephraim Hixon, and Houston Hixon.

Col. James A Whitside, who may be called the godfather of church organizations in Chattanooga and Hamilton County, presented a lot in 1848 to the Methodist Episcopal Church South.  The lot included two and a half acres.  The trustees were Henry Rogers, Preston Gann, and Asahel Jackson.

(Source: History of Hamilton County Churches, page 239)

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church

Located in Northeastern Catoosa County, Georgia

 Copyright by J.W. Henson 1997

Mt. Vernon Baptist Church was organized in 1895 with 18 charter members.  The church was originally known as “The Baptist Church of Christ at Mt. Vernon".  Prior to 1895 a non-denominational group was worshiping in the Liberty Hill School House, and from there the church was organized.  In December 1936 the church burned, and a new building was begun within three months.  Standing trees were donated by the members for the purpose of building.  In 1949 the building was raised, and a basement added for Sunday School classes.  1956 saw the completion of a six-room pastorium next to the church, and around 1960 the sanctuary was remodeled.  The first section of the education building was completed in 1970 under the direction of Pastor E. Don Laird.  During the pastorate of Tom Crews the second sanctuary was built, the second part of the educational building was erected, and the parking lot paved.

Pastors of the church with the year they came to the pulpit: From 1895 to 1902 Isaac Watkins, and John London; G.J. Lewis 1902; W.E. Dawn 1903; W.C. Tallant 1904; W.B. Watkins 1908; J.T. Nichols 1912; W.J. Darnell 1914; J.W. Curtis 1920; H.A. Winstead 1922; Rev. Wilhoit 1929; I.W. Smith 1930; J.D. Bethune 1932; W.H. Stewart 1932; Cecil Clonts 1933; Rev. Huffaker 1936; W.H. Stewart 1938; Jake Barton 1939; A.M. Thomas 1942; M.F. Caldwell 1945; Ben Dawn 1949; Duane Highlander 1951; Claude Thomas 1953; James Brock 1956; J.B. Keith 1959; Clay Boss 1963; C.E. Reese 1964; E. Don Laird 1969; Jack Price 1971; Tom Crews 1972; E. Don Laird 1987 to present (1997).

Submitted by John W. Henson III  henson3@chattanooga.net

Prairie Springs Meeting House / Jackson’s Chapel

The earliest Methodist church, first known as Prairie Springs Meeting House, was a log structure on Prairie Creek near Dallas.  Asabel and Phoebe Thurman Rawlings moved to this section from Washington about 1820 when he became clerk of the court.  Tradition has it that Rawlings was instrumental in founding this church about this time, although the deed for the donated property was not recorded until 1832.  John Bradfield, easily recognized by the great shawl he always wore instead of a coat, served as an early minister; later a nephew of Asabel Rawlings named Asabel Jackson became minister, and the church’s name was changed to Jackson’s Chapel.  The original name now survives only in the designation of Prairie Peninsula, where the old cemetery is located across the road from where the old chapel stood.

The property of the church was increased by five acres donated by Elisha Kirklin for a camp meeting site on North Chickamauga Creek.

(Source: History of Hamilton Co, Tn. Page 55)

Salem Baptist Church

Member of the Catoosa Baptist Association

Located in Northeastern Catoosa County, Georgia

Copyright by J.W. Henson 1997

The young Salem “Peace” Church’s History points back to 1840 when a group of believers were meeting in the home of Brittian Williams who owned the property where the present Church now stands in northeast Catoosa County.  Official organization was recorded in 1847, and in 1852 two Shaw brothers started erecting a church, finishing it the next year.  On March 11, 1854, Brittian Williams deeded the land to the Church.  He pastored the Church until the Civil War started in 1861.  During the war and reconstruction era it is unknown if the congregation was active, as there are no records for that period.  Record keeping resumed in 1880.  At this time the Church met every fourth Saturday afternoon for business meetings, and a regular monthly preaching every fourth Sunday.  School was held in the Church until a two roomed schoolhouse was built to the north of and adjacent to the Church.  The original building was torn down in 1905 and a larger church built.

Enlargements and renovations occurred regularly.  In 1925 wings were added the either side of the building.  Electricity was first used on August 9, 1936.  In 1948 a basement was dug for a heating system.  Three classrooms were added to the back lower level in 1951.  Above this a choir loft with a classroom one either side was added.  On the front an open vestibule was erected.  The pulpit and mourner’s bench were made by Rev. Edward Wittler.   Additional cemetery space was purchased in 1954.  1957 brought renovation to the interior of the Church along with stained glass windows.  A Hammond organ was installed in 1963, and four years later a Hammond piano purchased.  A pastorium was started in 1968, and dedicated at 2:30 pm May 4, 1969, siding, and in July of that year Mr. and Ms. George Watts donated the Ronald Watts Memorial Building in memory of their son.  It was built adjacent to the south side of the Church.

A list of the pastors with the approximate year that they came to the Salem Church follows:  Brittian Williams pre-Civil War; William Haddock 1882; Huffaker 1884; Martin Clonts 1885; Parrot 1887; Henry Neal 1889; Tom Hardin 1890; W.H. Boyd 1897.

William McNabb 1900; J.M. Cash 1903; J.H. Blaylock 1903; W.E. Davis 1904: W.C. Tallant 1905: Dan Quinn 1907: W.C. Tallant 1907: W.B. Watkms 1908: J.B Fuller 1911: A.M. Stancel 1914: W.J. Darnell 1915; H.A. Winstead 1917; J. Pruette 1920: E.C. Harris 1921; J.N. Padgett 1923: W.C. Howard 1925; S.W. Lord 1926; S.R. Stansbury 1928; W.C. Tallant 1929; A.F. Smith 1930: S.W. Lord 1931; Hiram Ward 1933; Cecil Clonts 1934; J.L. Marlow 1938; P.S. Woody 1939; A.M. Thomas 1941; Frank Harper 1943: F.A. Nelms 1947; Edward Wittier 1952; Carl Gilreath 1953; George Godfrey 1956; R.W. Nicholson 1957; Reece Knight 1959; L.A. Lowery 1961; Ramon Clark 1964; B.C. Bowman 1968; J.R. Kilgore 1969; Willie Kinsey 1971; John Smith 1973; Ray Warren 1974; Steve Tingle 1979: Ruel Fincher 1985; Michael Deems 1986; C.E. Blevins 1989; John Parker 1990; Herman Kapherr 1996. Dates are unknown for these pastors: John London, Charles London, Press Longley, and A.L. Stulce.

Submitted by John W. Henson III  henson3@chattanooga.net
 

On August 31, 1889, St. Elmo Presbyterian Church was organized with 33 members as a mission church of the First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga. The organizing pastor was Dr. Robert W. Carter. Dr. Jonathan Bachman preached the first sermon and Rev. T.H. McCallie presided over the first communion service and the installation of officers on September 1, 1889. On April 7, 1889, the Chattanooga Times reported that "a large force of hands" was at work constructing "one of the fanciest church edifices in the Chattanooga area." The architecture demonstrates decorative elements borrowed from the Queen Anne and Eastlake styles and is considered the "most outstanding Eastlake building in Chattanooga" (from the nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places - St. Elmo Historic District). Architectural elements of note include the irregular asymmetrical appearance, gabled roof with finials and elaborate and varied exterior wood trim treatments with surface ornamentation. In 1997 the church received from Cornerstones, Inc. a preservation award for its work toward preserving this important building.
 

Baptist, Missionary St. Elmo Church, 1866--. 4500 St. Elmo Avenue. Members and Deaths, 2 vols., in custody of Alonzo P Stephenson, Clerk, 4303 Michigan Avenue. Register: (1926--.)

South St. Elmo Church, 1934--. Fifty-sixth Street and Tennessee Avenue. Baptisms, Members, and Deaths (in Church Minutes, 1934--, 1 vol.) in custody of William Cant, Clerk, 5610 Tennessee Avenue. Register: (1934--.)

Baptist, Missionary (Col.)St. Elmo Church, 1890--. 810 West Thirty-seventh Street. Baptisms, Members, and Deaths (in Church Minutes, 1936--, 3 vols.) in custody of Haywood White, 1712 East Third Street. Register: (1936--.)

St. James Church, 1932--. 130 West Forty-fifth Street. Baptisms, Marriages, and Deaths (in Church Minutes, 1935--, 3 vols.) in custody of Rev. John Henry Sparks, 56 West Twenty-fourth Street. Register: (1935--.)

Baptist, Primitive (Col.)St. Cephas Church, 1918--. 3411 George Street. Baptisms, Marriages, Members, and Deaths (in Church Minutes, 1927-31, 1935--, 3 vols.) in custody of Rev. E D Thomas, 2436 Fort Street. Register: (1927-31, 1935--.)

Church of Christ St. Elmo Church, 1913--. Forty-eighth Street and St. Elmo Avenue. Members, 1 file box, in custody of Elder D D Woody, 4711 St. Elmo Avenue. Register: (1923--.)

Methodist St. Elmo Church, 1883--. 4624 St. Elmo Avenue. Baptisms, Members, and Deaths, 1 vol., in custody of Mrs. Lundy E Beatey, 4310 St. Elmo Avenue. Register: (1921--.)

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Patten Memorial Church, 1886--. 3817 Church Street. Baptisms, Members, and Deaths (in Church Minutes, 1923--, 3 vols.) in custody of Rev. J S Davenport, 1726 West Thirty-ninth Street. Register: (1923--.)

Presbyterian, US Brick Store Mission, 1930--. 3405 St. Elmo Avenue. Baptisms and Members, 1 vol., in custody of Miss Mildred Collins, Secretary, Lookout Mountain Church, 3405 St. Elmo Avenue. Register: (1930--.)

St. Elmo Church, 1889--. 4400 St. Elmo Avenue. Members and Deaths, 3 vols., in custody of Arthur J Hitchcock, Clerk, 4612 Florida Avenue. Register: (1904--.)

Protestant Episcopal Thankful Memorial Church, 1905--. Alabama Avenue and Thankful Place. Baptisms, Marriages, Members, and Deaths, 1 vol., in custody of Rev. Thomas P Simpson, 1607 West Forty-third Street. Register: (1905--.)