Christ United Methodist Church is located at 307 South Main Street, Greeneville, Tennessee. We are the second oldest congregation in Greeneville and proud that we are considered a landmark and a great part of the religious heritage of this city. 

John Balch son of Hezekiah Balch, who was the first president of Greeneville College, made the first conveyance of land for the erection of a house of worship for the Methodist in Greeneville on March 10, 1821.  The trustees named in this conveyance were William Goodman, Peter Whittenberg, Richard M. Woods, William H. Hankins, Isaiah Harrison, and Stephen Brooks.

The Methodist worshiped in a small, unpainted church on what was know as the ‘Vance Field”.  It was enclosed by a rail fence built in worm fashion.  This area, surrounded by woods, became known as “Methodist Hill”.  The worshipers sat on rude seats supported by pieces of wood driven into auger holes, bored into slabs.  During the wet seasons, it was a task to wade through the valley of mud to get to the little church, but the Methodists of that day were reportedly strong, both physically and spiritually.  Neither mud nor rain could keep them from the services of their church.

Circuit Rider Reverend G. F. Page preached to the Wesleyans once each month, but their weekly meetings, led by Richard M. Woods, kept the fire on the altar burning even though Methodism did not advance greatly at the time. “Old Dick”, as Richard was referred to, had been a Revolutionary Soldier and lived on Main Street.

The “Amen Corner” was a fixed institution of the early church and loud “amen’s” were emitted from that particular corner at all times.

The original Methodist church, erected on what is now Irish Street, was known as Mt. Moriah, and the worshipers followed a little lane off what is now Church Street to attend services.  With the moving to Main Street in 1849, the church was called the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

At this time, the lot for this new church was purchased at a cost of $100.  A frame building was erected and the conveyance was made to Jacob D. Brooks, David Good, John Maloney, Gabriel F. Page, Thomas Starnes, Washington M. Stone, and Humphrey Wells.  John Maloney, the class leader at the time, was the moving spirit in this transaction.  However, a young man by the name of Simpson, a slave of Maloney’s, in spiteful anger at the class leader, set fire to the new church and reduced it to ashes.

Mr. Lovette was contracted to build a brick church on the same site in the 1850’s.  It has been said that the building committee became financially embarrassed and the new church had to be held by court order of the Circuit Court for a debt of $200. Contractor Lovette purchased it.  Mrs. Lovette later turned over the church property to the trustees, giving them a warranty deed for payment of the original $200 and the court costs.

In 1866 a split of congregation occurred. All but six members of this church went with the Northern branch.  These six were M.P. Reeves, W.H. Williams, James Fields, George Park, John Hardin, and T. B. Pickering.  The Northern branch was in possession of the building until 1874, when the Methodist Episcopal Church, South brought suit in Chancery Court for possession of the property.  The Supreme Court upheld the Chancellor by ruling in their favor.  The probable deciding factor in this decision was that it was noted in the 1849 deed, when conveying the property to Gabriel Page and the others as well as their successors, that the property was to be held in trust forever for the use of the Methodist Episcopal Church, south.  It was held and used for the purpose of worship until the occupancy was interrupted during the Civil War.

The brick church built in the 1850’s served the Southern Methodists until the early 1890’s when it burned. After which the present structure was erected and served the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, until the unification of the northern and southern branches of the Methodists in 1939, when the name became the First Methodist Church.  This name was used until the unification between the Methodists and the Evangelical United Brethren Church took place in 1968.  At this time It was agreed by those in authority that both churches should undergo name changes, and the word “First” be dropped by both groups.  The name selected at that time was Christ Untied Methodist Church.

In 1922 an annex was added just behind the sanctuary.  Originally this space was divided by curtains and used for classrooms and kitchen.  In 1948 the Young Adult Class remolded the kitchen by building cabinets and purchasing the first electric stove.  The lobby, office, Nelson Youth Chapel, and Ladies Parlor, now occupies this space.  In the early 1950’s a staircase was built and individual classrooms were added upstairs.  The music department is now using this space.

In 1948 a new parsonage was built on Charles Street. The house was completed on May 13, 1948 and the then pastor, Prince A. Eades and his family moved into the new parsonage.

 The current Educational Building was added in 1956. 

The outside appearance of the church changed drastically in 1973.  Lightening during a severe thunderstorm damaged the tower, topped by a tall white belfry and cross, a long familiar site in Greeneville.  This was replaced by a low copper square and cross.  Then in 1996 as a joint effort between Ralph Phinney and the Margaret Bartlett Estate, Mr. Phinney offered to restore the bell tower to its pre-1973 appearance and to replace the chime broadcast system.  The construction began June 3, 1996 and was completed on July 10, 1996.

In 1999 a small house beside the church was purchased and torn down to create additional and safer parking for the church.

In 2002/2003 the  “Prepare a Place” campaign resulted in major upgrading and renovations of the building.  This included a complete renovation of the sanctuary, fellowship hall, and kitchen, as well as some other minor changes.

The fires at this church have been responsible for many records being lost, accounting for church records being incomplete.  However, in Dr. Price’s “History of Methodist”, information is told of the family of Andrew Johnson, whose wife and other members of the 17^th President’s family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (now Christ UMC).  The only remaining member of this family is Johnson’s great-granddaughter, Margaret Johnson Patterson Bartlett who, through the years, has carried on the tradition of her father and mother in being a loyal, dedicated member.

This church is the Mother Church of the Holston Methodist Home.  Since the day in 1895 when Mrs. E. E. Wiley founded the institution, this church has felt a keen responsibility and privilege of ministering to this group.  In recent years other arrangements have been made for religious training.

At least four young men have gone from this church into active ministry in the Holston Conference.  The known members are Dr. C. P. Hardin, his brother, the Reverend J.A. Hardin, the Reverend Lee W. Hill, and the Reverend Donald Frank McDonald. 

It is estimated that approximately eighty pastors have served this church since its beginning in 1821.

 Many changes have occurred over the decades - different locations, new buildings, new additions - but our desire to serve Christ in this community has never changed. We believe that Christ UMC stands as a reminder of who we are, but even more it challenges us to continue to grow and change with the times. We want to continue to be a vital part of Greeneville and a strong witness for Christ.

We hope that you will look over this website and see ministries and activities that are of interest to you and your family. We are excited about what God is doing here among us and invite you to become a part of our church family. If you have any questions about our church or how you can become a member please contact me at (423) 638-6224. The church and I are here to serve you.