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In 1803, a group of 13 members of Bent Creek Baptist Church (now Whitesburg Baptist Church) met by a beautiful spring whose water, running north, emptied into the Holston River.

Together, these 13 members would organize the Bethel-South of the Holston Baptist Church that would later become First Baptist Church of Morristown.

The first place of worship was a small, hewn-log cabin erected in the wilderness on 28 acres donated by Benjamin Cox.

The first site was located behind what is now the former Hamblen County Health Department between Cherokee Drive and North Cumberland Street. It was on a hill just above Bethel Spring now covered with a concrete slab, the spring would later become the beginning of the Morristown Water System.

The first church building was also used for schools and public gatherings.

Several teachers are recorded at the school with the last at the log building being Rev. William Rogers, a Baptist minister who was elected the first president of Mossy Creek College which later became Carson Newman University.

Bethel South Church and school were established 52 years before the city of Morristown was incorporated in 1855. The “Business District” was along the creek in the area of North Cumberland Street. It is said that three men, I.P. Haun, Mark M. Murrell and a third man whose identity has been lost, sat under a tree on a lot where the current Education Building of First Baptist Church now stands.

While discussing the problems of transportation and communication with respective county seats, Dandridge in Jefferson County and Rutledge in Grainger County, conceived the idea of a formation of a new county. Thus, in 1870, 67 years after Bethel South Church was started, Hamblen County came into being.

In 1883, a need for more space was required and a frame building was erected nearby. This building was used as a hospital by both armies during the Civil War.

The entire area from the corner of Cumberland and East Sixth North Street to the old church was the property of Bethel South, with a major portion of it as a graveyard.

During the Civil War, soldiers from both armies were interred. Later these graves were moved to what are now City, Bethesda and Jarnigan cemeteries so Cherokee Drive could be built.

After the war, the name was changed to Morristown Baptist Church. The African- American members moved to a new location and used the name Bethel Baptist Church which is now located on Cherokee Drive. Both congregations use the 1803 date as their beginnings.

The frame building was used until 1872. After the church moved, that building became Ragan High School and the beginning of Morristown College.

Several years after the war, the Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists met together with one Sunday School in the current First Methodist Church building.

The third building, a red brick, was erected on the present property on Main Street across from the Hamblen County Court House in 1871. At the time it was built, it was considered one of the finest Baptist church buildings in East Tennessee. The cost was $10,000 which was a considerable amount of money to be raised at the close of the war. It was during this time the name was changed again to First Baptist Church of Morristown.

Under the leadership of Dr. Spencer Tunnell, the church was led to build the 1913 auditorium and education building. The red brick was taken apart with the windows going to Bethel Church and the brick used in the foundation of the new building.

During the leadership of A. H. Hicks, additional education facilities were completed in 1952. Also, a radio ministry was started and lakefront property, Harrell Park on Cherokee Lake, was purchased.

As a leader of churches in the local area and under the direction of Dr. William L. Palmer, the television ministry and the deaf ministry began. In 1983, under the leadership of Dr. Ian Walker, the membership was led to build the present house of worship with seating for 1,200.

In 1986, Pastor Randy Davis led the church into a new era without incurring any debt. With this in mind, the church rebuilt the Student Center (1996) and a new 500 seat Fellowship Hall and Educational Building were completed (1997).

Though it is old in years, it is modern in its outreach ministry and worldwide mission ministries.

The church also provides a missionary residence for furloughing Southern Baptist missionary families, has a retreat site on Cherokee Lake known as the “Prophet’s Chamber” for ministers needing R and R.

Many area churches were organized by First Baptist over the last 200 years. Those include Head of Richland in 1818, Friendship (now Bethel off Hwy. 160) in 1819, Blackwells Branch in 1825, Hillcrest, Manley, Cherokee Hills and Buffalo Trail Baptist Churches.

First Baptist Church of Morristown provides a “Place of Belonging” for everyone, whether young or old, single or married. A place where one can nurture his faith, strengthen his family relationships and build quality friendships. The primary goal of First Baptist Church is to reach out to the community, to demonstrate Christ and His love for everyone, and the main purpose is to see lost people saved.

To date, 36 ministers have served First Baptist with Dr. H. Dean Haun as the current pastor. During Pastor Haun’s ministry, the main sanctuary was refurbished in 2008 with new carpets, pews, updated media and sound equipment.

Harrell Park has a new modern facility named for two families, The Gray-Loving Pavilion.

A new Children’s Building was completed in 2013.

Several mission trips and activities have been accomplished with great results. One being the “First Love on Main” dental health clinic.

The History Team, under the leadership of Melissa Krummel Wheeler, keeps an active display of past and present events in Room 231 (2nd floor beside the elevator). You will find many pictures, articles and books not only on the history of FBC but the city of Morristown. Since the church is 50 years older than the city itself, there is a lot of information on early residents that is not recorded in the city journals.

Everyone is encouraged to stop by and enjoy a trip through the past and present