The church of Christ.....you may be asking yourself, "What is the church of Christ?" In a world with so many religious divisions, it is a natural question to ask. In speaking to His disciples in Matthew 16, Jesus said "...I will build My church..." (v.18). In John 17:21 Jesus prays that "...they all may be one..." and in Ephesians 4, Paul encourages the church "...to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit..."

These and many other passages in the Bible indicate that the church was intended to be unified, not divided! Is this possible? How? By putting aside man-made traditions, creeds, and divisions and simply following God's Word, we strive to be the church that Christ purchased with His own blood. Our intention is not to be another denomination (or division), but to simply be the church that you read about in Acts 2 and throughout the entire New Testament.

If you are looking for a church home in the Knoxville, Tennessee area, we hope that you will come and visit with us at the Clinton church. With over 100 in attendance on Sunday morning, we are small enough to be a close-knit and loving family, yet large enough to provide multiple opportunities for growth, service, and fellowship. We extend a heartfelt invitation and welcome to you and your family and pray that you find the family at Clinton putting God first, serving Him and one another in love.

"The churches of Christ greet you." - Romans 16:16

History of the church of Christ in Clinton, Tennessee

The restoration of the church of Christ in Clinton had its beginning during the hardships and uncertain times of World War II. Temporary dwellings and mobile homes dotted the landscape of Anderson County as many families moved to the area to work on the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge. The first meeting of the church of Christ in Clinton took place in one of these homes.

The Clinton church of Christ is thought to be the oldest congregation of its kind in Anderson County. Six people assembled for the first worship service on February 7, 1943: Bonnie and Iva Grissom, O.B. Trammell and his son Byron, and Robert and Ariel Waters. Brother O.B. Trammell’s wife, Hazel, and their daughter, Marjorie, were present on February 21^st. Marjorie had been sick with the whooping cough and could not attend the first Sunday. The first contribution was $6.50. Others who soon began to attend the new congregation were: Iva Mitchell and son, Jerry; Mrs. A.S. Algood, S.J. and Hazel Russell and children, Gale, Don, and Joe; Mabel Lancaster; Mrs. Roy Rowland; Robert and Cora Sadler and children; Robert and Rosie O’Neal; and Ben and Minnie McAllister and children.

The first two weeks they met in the mobile home of Robert and Ariel Waters on Highway 61, between Clinton and Oak Ridge. The Waters had been New Testament Christians before moving to Clinton from Wilson County, Tennessee.

As more and more people moved to Anderson County from other areas, the congregation began to need more room. The next meeting place was an old Union Hall on Highway 25W in Clinton. The church was able to rent this property for a few months. They purchased the property from W.G. Giles on March 6, 1944 and assembled there for the next three years. It was then demolished and a new building was built on the same spot. While the new facility was under construction, the congregation assembled under a tent.

By 1959, the congregation had outgrown its home. Property was purchased a short distance away at 500 North Main Street. A new building was completed in 1964. The new facilities included an auditorium with a seating capacity of 400, seven classrooms, a nursery, and an office. In 1963, the land immediately behind the meetinghouse was purchased and a preacher’s residence was built. M.H. Tucker and family were the first to live in the new house. Additional property south of the church building was purchased in 1982 from Tim and Faye Bush, allowing for additional parking. The house was used for several years for extra classrooms, offices, and a kitchen area. In 1988 the home was remodeled and used to house students from the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions. The Bush house was removed in 1997 to create needed parking space. For a number of years, the preacher’s residence was also used for ETSPM students. The home was remodeled in 2002 and the present minister and his family now live there.

In the fall of 1987, the upstairs nursery was remodeled and converted into a study for the preacher. An addition was completed in 1988 that included a new nursery, four classrooms with folding walls, a kitchen, and a pantry. The classrooms and kitchen could be combined to form a fellowship hall.

The first preacher for the Clinton congregation was S.F. Timmerman. He was working as the minister for the Harriman church and would visit Clinton and conduct services on Sunday afternoon. Other brethren who preached in the early years included E.E. Mitchell, J.A. Summey, Persey Manning, brother Freeman, and J.B. Jordan. Jack Johnson of Oak Ridge often filled the pulpit when regular preachers were absent.

Others who have labored with the Clinton congregation: G.W. Nichols, Bill Phillips, Clifford Reel, James McGill, Phil Evanson, M.H. Tucker, Mike Kirk, Tommy Irons, Gary Kelsey, Richard Powlus, Waymon Summers, Arthur Pigman, David Pharr, and Garry Jones. Darryl Glenn began working with the Clinton church in September 2005.

Among the preachers who have conducted meetings in the early years: brother Plunket, W.G. Bass, J.B. Jordan, Clifford Reel, Bill Long, W.A. Bradfield, E. Claude Gardner, and Garland Elkins.

Elders and Deacons were first appointed in September 1966. The first two elders were Carl Cox and Carlos Herren. The first deacons were Finus Dill, Herman Herren, Jim Nash, Mike Nygard, and Carl Rutherford. Jim Nash was appointed an elder in 1968. At present there are five elders who serve the congregation: Carlos Herren, Herman Herren, Dale Mowery, Jim Nash, and Mike Smith. Three deacons are now serving: Dwight Nicholson, Carl Rutherford, and Tim Nygard.

Web design by www.churchofchristwebs.com