The following is a summary of our church history compiled from a variety of sources thanks to the work of many church and local historians over the years.
Foundation of the Church
The history of our church is the same as any church that follows Jesus. After his death and resurrection, Jesus tells his followers to, “. . . go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Soon after his ascension, on the day of Pentecost, the disciples receive the Holy Spirit and hear Peter’s message to the crowd. After, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41)
This is where the Church universal, and all churches throughout history, trace their origins. Church is not a man made organization. Instead, it is the community of those who accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ and follow him and his commands.
The Restoration Movement
Over time, the unified Church seen in the pages of the New Testament began to change. For a variety of reasons, many divided into various denominations based on their own understanding of Scripture and preferences of religious practice. Along the way, some people attempted to return the Church to the roots of faith found in the New Testament. Among those, but certainly not the only ones, was a group of Christ followers in the early 1800s in America. They would eventually become known as the Restoration Movement. Their goal was to see unity restored and for all followers of Christ to simply consider themselves, “Christians.” These too are among our ancestors and part of our story and the reason why we value and seek out real connections and partnerships with other churches in our community that are different from us. We are Christians only, but not the only Christians.
Local History
Around this same time, in the late 1700s to early 1800s, hunters and settlers were moving in to and beginning to develop the east Tennessee valley. People from the area fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. Eventually, by 1875, a new county was formed from parts of what was previously Washington and Carter counties. W.C. Emmert was instrumental in this effort and would later be a charter member of the church. This was the start of Unicoi County. By early 1876, there was a need for a centrally located county seat and what would eventually become known as Erwin was established thanks to some generous donations of land, including John and Nancy Love, who would help establish our church. After some name changes and postal mixups, the Town of Erwin was officially incorporated in 1891, settling the confusion over the name.
First Christian Church Established
The first gatherings of a faithful few meeting in a small log cottage near the edge of town, began what would eventually become First Christian Church in Erwin, TN. One of the oldest records of this church being mentioned is from the 1885 “Yearbook of Churches for Disciples of Christ.” Disciples of Christ was a name used for all Restoration Movement churches which included what we know today as the independent Christian Churches, Churches of Christ and Disciples of Christ. The yearbook mentions a Christian Church in Erwin, TN of 100 people, which seems an unlikely number based on later accounts.
In August of 1885, a Christian Church in Erwin is also mentioned in the minutes of the East Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia Coopertation, but no specific information is shared about the church. The Erwin church is mentioned again in 1888 as having 24 members. Then in 1891, a report was sent to a convention meeting at Hale’s Station, that 31 people made up the church, with W.C. Maupin named as the minister, and J.P. Miller and James Linker named as Elders. This congregation apparently met in a log building at the present site of the Martin Creek Cemetery based on a charter member account.
Many of these facts are recorded in a book by local historian Mary McCown called, “History of the Disciples of Christ in Upper East Tennessee” that we have in our church library. There are other local sources as well like the September 13, 1891 edition of a local newspaper called “The Erwin Magnet,” which mentions, “Rev. J. Hopwood of Milligan College preached at the Christian Church Sunday.”
At that time, our church was the only church of it’s kind in Erwin so was simply known locally as the “Christian Church”. That would remain the case until in 1921, when the church currently known as Lily Dale Christian Church, was established as the Second Christian Church. From that point on, we became known as First Christian Church. Historically, the church has chosen to use 1891 as the date of the church’s founding for the purpose of anniversaries, due to the more detailed information we have from that time and in connection with that being the year the Town of Erwin was officially incorporated.
The Church Building
Earliest accounts of where the first congregation met are unclear. Some mention a log cottage near the edge of town, possibly in the Martin’s Creek area. Others mention that there was a log church building near Indian Creek that was owned by the Baptists but other congregations could use. For a period of time between 1891-1892, it is believed that the congregation may have been meeting at a newly constructed Erwin Baptist Church building, on the corner of Church Street and Tucker Street. It operated as a “union church” with a variety of congregations making use of the space until at some point that arrangement ended. A verbal account from a charter member indicates that at some point “denominational friction” led to a declaration that no other churches could use the building, which led to the non-Baptist congregations to make plans to build their own buildings in town.
On Jan 22, 1892, John R. Love and wife Sarah J. Love deeded property to James Loveless, James A. Linker, J.R. Love, P.J. Williams and W.C. Emmert as Trustees for the Christian Church to build a house of worship. The goal was for it to be finished by Jan 1, 1893. By 1893, a brick building at the current location was built at a cost of about $4,000. A marble cornerstone with the date 1893 can be seen at the bottom corner of the church closest to the intersection of South Main Ave. and Iona Street.
Our building is now likely the oldest of the downtown church buildings still in use today at its original location, as the Erwin Presbyterian Church building was built in 1894 (then rebuilt in 1927), the current First Baptist Church building was built in 1915, and Centenary UMC was built in 1919. Other older church buildings likely exist throughout Unicoi County.
Records indicate that by September of 1893, membership had grown to 87, among whom were many members of the Love family. One story that has been passed down is that at one point in the building process the church had incurred debt that it was struggling to pay off. James Madison Love, reportedly borrowed $800 to help complete the building, later selling a newly built house at a $300 loss to cover the debt. Such generosity and service by the Love family and others made the establishment of the church congregation and building possible. These and other early church members were among the pioneers of Unicoi County. We continue to be blessed and inspired by what they did so long ago.
Other Buildings and Updates
Over the years, many changes, renovations and expansions have taken place in the main building. This includes a Bible School Annex that was completed in 1947, purchase and installation of the stained glass windows the same year, followed by some major renovations in the early 1950s. A playground was built in the late 1950s to early 1960s and remains a community gathering space for neighborhood families today. The inside of the building has seen many changes, including several technology updates.
At one point the church owned a parsonage on Love Street, but it was sold in 1912 to build the current Hospitality House located next to the main building. Over the years this house has been used as a parsonage for several ministers as well as for classes or office work. In recent years, the house has been used for a variety of ministry purposes to help the homeless, temporarily displaced families, missionaries, or volunteer groups.
The Fellowship Hall building and property was purchased in 1974 and has hosted many meals, community events, and even some worship services. A major renovation was recently completed in 2021 and we continue to use this space for both church and community functions.
Ministers Past and Present
FCC Erwin has been richly blessed to be served by many faithful and effective ministers throughout our history. Early church records are unclear regarding our first ministers. William Conrad (W.C.) Maupin has historically been considered the first known minister, due to his mention in a document from August of 1891. He has a fascinating history (see more here) and was a prominent minister in the area with connections to Boones Creek Christian Church and First Christian Church of Johnson City. It is believed he had some involvement with our church between 1891-1893.
A Rev. W.G. Walters is mentioned in several 1891 news articles in “The Erwin Magnet”, including one in July of 1891 with other known church members. The October 18th, 1891 issue says he preached a farewell sermon at the Christian Church.
For the next 20 years following several names of various ministers are recorded including: W. Conley Greer, W.G. Barker, Samuel Millard, J.D. Hamaker, Samuel Shelbourne, A.M. Ferguson, and Chester A. Bullard. Several of them were prominent and well-known ministers in the Restoration Movement, perhaps just visiting or supply preaching and possibly in connection to involvement at nearby Milligan College.
From 1912 onward we have the following records of ministers and estimated years they served at First Christian Church:
- Dr. S. F. Fowler (1912-1916)
- A. A. Ferguson (1916-1917 & 1921-1925)
- S. B. Norviel (1917-1921)
- J. J. Musick (1925-1928)
- J. C. Reynolds (1928-1930)
- S. O. Redacre (1930-1941)
- Lonnie Dever (1941-1943)
- William E. McGilvrey (1944-1946)
- Ray E. Stahl (1946-1950)
- Dr. Elmer Lewis (1950)
- Dr. Henry E. Webb (1950-1963)
- Dean S. Jacoby (1963-1968)
- Robert L. Kroh (1968-1974)
- Dr. Tracy R. Miller (1974-1978)
- William B. Anderson (1978-1995)
- Dr. William C. Gwaltney (1995-2000)
- Joel Tramel (2000-2007)
- Dr. Bruce Montgomery (2007)
- Tim Stamper (2007-2010)
- Dr. David Roberts (2010)
- Dr. Todd Edmondson (2011-present)
In addition to these ministers, the church has also enjoyed the help of many childrens’, youth, and associate ministers and interns from Milligan University and Emmanuel Seminary too numerous to list. Our current staff ministers include Associate Minister, Andy Frazier (serving since 2010), Childrens’ Minister, Rob Meier (serving since 2015), and Ministry Fellow, Priviledge Yesaya (serving since 2024).
Furthermore, the church has been faithfully served by an even larger number of capable Elders, Deacons, and other lay leaders who have with great love and skill served the congregation and community in many ways throughout the church’s history.
Appreciating the Past
This long history of faithful men and women from the congregation ministering to the local community with the gospel of Jesus Christ has done much good. Whether the weekly attendance was 30 or 300 people, the congregation that gathered remained active and engaged Christ followers loving and serving the community as Christ loved and served all. Countless lives have been touched and transformed through a steadfast commitment to loving God and loving others. Many people of faith have filled the pews as songs of worship and words of life have echoed through the walls for generations. Numerous marriages, baby dedications, baptisms, and funerals have happened within the sanctuary.
It would take far too long to share here every name and story that is known and remembered and shared among those who gather there now. Many former members have moved on to other churches near and far, including 4 sister churches that were established in other parts of Unicoi County; Lily Dale Christian Church, Limestone Cove Christian Church, Love Chapel Christian Church, and Unicoi Christian Church. With many more churches in Unicoi County we have enjoyed many meaningful opportunities to lift up the name of Jesus in worship and service. In all of this we see God at work in the lives of people in this community not just at First Christian Church but in the larger Church of Christ followers we are part of.
Looking to the Future
As that tradition of faith continues on in future generations, there is much to celebrate and remember from the past. Both the heritage and the hope of First Christian Church is firmly rooted in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior and his unique ability to bring new life to all. Our history is His story of the faith, hope, and love available in Jesus. If you don’t know it, we would love the opportunity to tell you more about the good news of Jesus. Your story could be part of the bigger story of what he has been doing in the world since his birth, life, death and resurrection. We’d be happy to have you walk alongside our congregation if that is where God leads you. If we can help connect you to another local church besides ours, we are happy to do that as well.
