Saturday July 12, 2014...I took a One Day road trip from Nashville with my hubby Tony and daughter…read moreNoel and we opted to head towards KNOXVILLE..our goal is too see as much of the city as possible on our ONE DAY mini vacation ...on a budget...My goal was a family of 3 to have fun on $150 or less...so the drive from Nashville took us 3 hrs one way.. So, we parked in the Locust Street parking lot. On Weekends and after 6pm during the week, you can park in them for FREE...that is awesome!! So, Tony, Noel and I went Urban Hiking and we trekked past this gorgeous large First Baptist Church in Knoxville on Main Street. This church is gorgeous. I tried to go inside but the doors were locked. I am not used to the doors being locked. But, I guess because of the homeless issues and crime issues, they have to lock the doors...I just find that hard to understand..the world...don't get me started..!!! But, I wish I could have gone inside. There was some lovely blooming bushes on the grounds. History of the church I found online: First Baptist Church is a historic church located at 510 Main Street in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. The congregation was founded in 1843 when a small group of Baptists led by James and John Moses met in the courthouse to adopt Articles of Faith and organize a church. It was affiliated with the Tennessee Association of Baptists, but became a member of the Southern Baptist Convention when that body was organized in 1845. After its first baptismal service in nearby First Creek, the church had 46 members, including 20 African-Americans. The church is believed to have organized its first Sunday School in 1845. The first building was constructed on Gay Street in 1850. The second building was constructed in 1888. The third (and present) building was completed in 1924 at the Main Street location, three years after Dr. Frederick Fernando Brown became pastor. This architecturally-significant structure, noteworthy for its Neoclassical design and octagonal sanctuary, was designed by Dougherty & Gardner of Nashville, Tennessee, and is modeled on St Martin-in-the-Fields of London. The exterior of the church sanctuary is sheathed in marble, although the adjoining education space is brick. The church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship..When young James C. Moses came to Knoxville in 1838 to work as a printer for the semi-weekly newspaper, The Times, he attended First Presbyterian Church, and for a while directed the choir. When his brother, John, joined him in Knoxville, the young men began to wish for a Baptist church, Neither James nor John had been baptized, but they came from a solid Baptist background in Exeter, New Hampshire. In 1842 there was no Baptist church in Knoxville. There were Methodist and Presbyterian congregations in this village of about 2,000 people, and out in the country several small Baptist churches met monthly on different farms. Through their friends in New Hampshire, the two young men approached the American Baptist Home Mission Society, and a missionary, Rev. J.A. Bullard, was sent to Knoxville in the fall of 1842. On January 15, 1843, James and John Moses, with three young ladies and some "borrowed" Baptists from the rural churches, met in a room at the court house to adopt the Articles of Faith and organize a Baptist church. These "borrowed" Baptists agreed to come to town till the new church got started, and then they would go back to their own churches, primarily Third Creek, Beaver Dam and Beaver Ridge churches. Seven days later, January 22, the Baptist Church of Knoxville was constituted and met to hold the first church service. Six days after that, January 28, they had their first baptismal service in the cold Tennessee River near the mouth of First Creek. First Creek at that time ran along in front of where the Coliseum is now and entered the river down behind Blount Mansion. It has all been covered over by highway now. In a report to the Mission Society, Rev. Bullard wrote: "Thousands of people witnessed the ceremony as they had probably never seen it before. They took positions on the elevated banks of the river, on the tops of homes, and in boats on the river. Three of the persons baptized were students at the East Tennessee University and one was a publisher." James Moses was baptized that day and John, the following May More at the website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Baptist_Church_(Knoxville,_Tennessee) If you are in the Knoxville area you must walk by this church and go inside if you can. Add it to your must see and do in Knoxville list..and it is FREE...always enjoy sharing the FREE things you can do with your family or alone.

I love this church. I always feel so welcomed. if you are looking for a kind group of people to…read moreworship with and an uplifting sermon, this is the Church! always Welcome! :)

Friendly people, warm, loving and caring. The minute you walk in, people notice you are new and…read morecome to welcome you. The church gives plenty to the community including caring the Appalachian Outreach. Pastors Russ Weekley and Glenda Hollinghead are so personal when you meet them. The church family is real. Nothing fake. Lots of possibilities to meet others through fellowship.

It was a very nice mass. I wish I could have joined in on the Latin prayers; there were a few. The…read morepriest did an amazing job. Beautiful church and the mass was well attended; almost full. That's a rare sight.

If you are Catholic, it's perfect. If you're not, you are still welcome. Come learn about the…read moreCatholic Faith.

Beautiful church, perfect location and 2 morning masses, couldn't have asked for more!read more

Beautiful and homey church we attend when we are in the area…read more The music was amazing. The locals are very welcoming!

By far, the friendliest church I have ever been a member of. The worship team is awesome (but they…read morereally need a drummer since the old one left for college). The teaching pastor has more biblical principles and knowledge than that of any other church I have ever attended.

Good old fashioned church where the preacher leaves politics out of the pulpit, unlike most Baptist…read morechurches now days.

Wonderful Episcopal church in Boyd's Creek in Seymour, TN. Everyone is so welcoming and warm. Feels…read morelike you're part of a family!!

These people love others! They are kind and have been caring for the greater Knoxville area for…read moreover seventy years. You will be blessed to attend and hear God's Word.

I believe that this is one of the most caring churches in Knoxville. They seem to love people…read more(there were people from all walks of life and people of various color) as God does. A sound Bible message.