Church Street United Methodist Church (Knoxville, Tennessee) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Church Street United Methodist Church
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 913 Henley St., Knoxville, Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Area | 4.6 acres (1.9 ha) |
| Built | 1930 |
| Architect | Pope, John Russell; et al. |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| MPS | Knoxville and Knox County MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 09000115 |
| Added to NRHP | March 10, 2009 |
The Church Street United Methodist Church is a beautiful church building in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. It is located on Henley Street and is considered a special landmark in Knoxville. This church is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
Contents
A Look Back: Church History
The Church Street Methodist group started way back in 1816. At first, they met in a house on Hill Avenue in downtown Knoxville. In 1836, they moved into their first church building on Church Street.
Changes and Challenges
During the American Civil War, in 1863, the church building was taken over by Union soldiers. They used it as a hospital. After the war, around 1870, the church moved to a new brick building. Then, in 1879, they built a new Victorian Gothic church on their old Church Street spot.
In 1921, the church realized they needed a bigger place. Their group was growing! But before they could build, a fire sadly destroyed their Church Street building in February 1928.
A New Home on Henley Street
After the fire, the church bought land on Henley Street. They wanted to build a much larger church there. Even though they moved, they kept their old name, Church Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Later, in 1939, it became Church Street Methodist Church.
Building the Church: Design and Style
The church leaders decided to keep the Gothic Revival style for their new building. This style looks like old European cathedrals. They hired a famous architect, John Russell Pope, from New York City. He worked with a local Knoxville architect, Charles I. Barber.
Special Features of the Building
Construction started in March 1930 and finished quickly in 1931. The first church service in the new building was held in January 1931. The church is built from a special stone called Crab Orchard sandstone. It also has a slate roof.
A very noticeable part of the church is its tall entrance tower. The main worship area and the church school are built around a central courtyard. You can enter this courtyard through cool pointed arch doorways.
Inside the church, you'll see amazing stained glass windows. These were made by Charles J. Connick from Boston. His studio created stained glass for many other famous churches in the 20th century.
A Presidential Visit
In 1940, a very important person visited Knoxville. It was President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was the leader of the United States. He was on his way to dedicate the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As his car drove past the church, he reportedly asked about it. He then said, "That is the most beautiful church I have ever seen."
Modern Additions and Recognition
Over the years, the church added more buildings. In 1964, a new education building was built. Then, from 1986 to 1989, the Church Life Building was added. These new parts used the same building materials as the original church. They were designed to blend in well with the older building.
In 2009, the Church Street United Methodist Church building was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This honor recognizes the church for its amazing architecture and its beautiful stained glass windows.
