HISTORY OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA, TENNESSEE, AS WRITTEN AND PRESENTED BY EVELYN WALLER EVERETT AT
HOMECOMING 1986, JUNE 8, 1986.
How many of you were members here when I joined in October, 1926? Now you see why I was asked to give the history of our church. I am history!
We are living in an age when everyone seems interested in their roots - who they are, where they came from and who and what helped to shape their destiny.
Perhaps all, or at least most of us here have some roots in Philadelphia. For some these roots run deep into history, for others they are of just a few years. But whether deep or shallow, I imagine each in our own way has been influenced by the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, Tennessee.
The early devout members of our church were evidently more concerned with the salvation of souls than with keeping records for the benefit of posterity and for that reason it is hard to gather very much information about the early years of Philadelphia Baptist Church. We do know that not many years after the town was laid out in plats (1821-1822) churches were organized, and as soon as possible houses of worship were erected.
Since the Loudon County Association of Baptists, then known as Providence Association, met at Philadelphia in 1875, it is safe to assume the date of organizing and building would have been in the 1850's. There were 7 charter members with J. E. John-on as pastor. Among the early members were Mr. & Mrs. J. T. Barnhill (1897), Mr. W. E. Edwards (1902) and Mr. S. C. Peoples (1899). Mr. Peoples, father of Mary Peoples Tillery, was later ordained as a minister and served as pastor for some 5 years. These were all life time Pastors, and are noted for their long years of service.
The old church building, possibly not the first, was built in or near 1860, mostly by Jackson Carter, great grandfather of Emmett and Grace Carter, active members of our church today. The baptistery painting was done by Emmett, and is a beautiful and lasting memorial to their parents, Mr. and Mr. Joe Carter, faithful members here for many years. This building consisted of one large room with a heater in the center to keep the congregation from freezing on cold days and nights.
Room by room, year by year, extensive changes and additions were made so that by 1941 a beautiful redecorated church was ready to be dedicated. As proud as the members were of the newly decorated church, there was buried in many hearts the thought that a new church should have been built instead of repairing the old. Nevertheless on April 6, 1941, a very spiritual dedication was held and the debt-free church set apart for the glory of God. Five days later on Friday night, April 11, 1941, the church was completely destroyed by fire of an unknown origin.
The land, present home of the Burley Blevins family, was purchased in 1941, from Hannah Margaret McCrary Davis, daughter of A. F. McCrary, for $400, and the building committee was authorized to build a parsonage, not to exceed $1000. This was done and the Rev. and Mrs. Ray Dunn and their son, Francis, were the first to occupy the parsonage. It was also on April 6, 1941, that the debt-free parsonage was also dedicated. In 1958, the church purchased the present parsonage from Elmer Cathcart for $15,000.
On that night in 1941, as the saddened members and friends stood by, helpless because of inadequate fire-fighting equipment, and watched their church go up in flames, friends rallied to our support. Barksdale Greer of Loudon and A. F. McCrary presented substantial gifts to E. W. Waller, church Treasurer, to start the fund for rebuilding and a small child gave the "widow's mite" six cents to help buy an organ.
Such is the Christian spirit that has always existed among the churches of Philadelphia. For many years services alternated at the Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist churches, and you could not tell from the congregation who was in charge. If you were a choir member in one church, you just automatically took your place in the others. Marion Peoples Waller, Helen McCrary Windle and Hattie May Penland played the instruments where ever needed. In the Baptist minutes of June 2, 1940, it is stated that the Rev. S. S. Bayer, pastor of the Methodist church, filled the pulpit and gave a great message".
After the fire, the sacrificial giving of members and friends encouraged the saddened membership so that in a remarkably short time a new and more beautiful church was ready, and on Sunday, September 6, 1942, it was dedicated.
The Philadelphia Masonic Lodge asked for, and was granted, the privilege of laying the cornerstone which was done at an impressive service on Friday, May 30, 1941, at 4:30 P.M. The church dedication on September 6, was followed by a two weeks revival with our greatly loved and respected pastor, Ray E. Dunn, doing the preaching.
In 19 ~ the educational annex and fellowship hall were constructed and the steeple added. Continuing its growth and change in June 1965, the Philadelphia Baptist Church became the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia. Step by step the church and parsonage have been improved until we now have facilities of which we are proud and grateful. Although much time and money have been utilized in the physical areas our first and most important mission is the carrying on of God's work. To this end, in February 1941, Mrs. Ray Dunn organized a Cradle Roll. The WMU from its beginning has nurtured the mission interest of our church. The training Union, known to us old Baptists as BYPU, led by Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Thompson in my youth, prepared many young persons for God's service throughout our country. The Sunbeam Band, under the loving service of Lucille Sewell gave many children their first knowledge and love of God.
The list goes on and on of those who have given of themselves to the glory of God through the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, but I take advantage of this opportunity, personal though it is, to pay tribute to three persons who .stand out in my memory of my church:
E. W. Waller, Sr.
E. W. Waller, Jr.
Gladys Brakebill Allen
My life is richer today because of them. There is yet one more recognition I will make. Jody (Anderson) Hill, you have been a great part of the musical history of our church. You have brought joy to our hearts at weddings, comfort at funerals, and inspiration and happiness on almost every Sunday and Wednesday for 25 years. As a token of our love and appreciation your Uncle John (Everett) and I give this gift to you.
There is yet work to be done and time is marching on, but with the Rev. Ernest Condee as our pastor, the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia, Tennessee, will march onward and upward beneath the banner of our Lord Jesus Christ.