Church History

Beginnings of South Knoxville Church of Christ

Around 1940, a small group of about 30 New Testament Christians began meeting in a home on the corner of Sims Road and Maryville Pike in South Knoxville. Being in the Vestal community, the congregation was known as the Vestal Church of Christ.

By 1955, the congregation had outgrown those facilities, and a lot was purchased at 4400 Martin Mill Pike where a brick building was constructed. Under the preaching of Charles R. Nance and Parker French among others, the church continued to grow. Brethren from Vestal even began assisting other small congregations by providing preachers for them. This growing congregation was instrumental in helping establish congregation in Asbury and Mascot.

Since the church building on Martin Mill Pike also bordered Young High School Campus, the congregation’s name was changed to Young High Church of Christ. Soon, the facilities on Martin Mill Pike were too small. During the tenure of Darty Crisp as preacher, the congregation moved to its present location at 4604 Chapman Highway in 1975.

Wayne Lankford became the minister soon after that move and continued in that capacity untill 1988. Since the church building was no longer on Young High Pike, and Young High School no longer stood, the name was changed in 1987 to South Knoxville Church of Christ.

In 1988, Tom Miller moved from Parkersburg, WV to work with the church. He labored with the congregation until 2002, at which time Geoff Mabe became minister. Mabe served in that capacity until early 2023.

At that time, Ethan Foister became minister. In August of 2024, J.L. Steele began his work in that position where he continues to serve.