History

During the year 1906, the Reverends W.A. Southerland and W.P. Long came to Greeneville, Tennessee, preaching the message of the Church of God. This was the first congregation of the Church of God established in the state of Tennessee. The first meeting place was a small building erected in the 700 block of West Main Street, later converted to a grocery store owned and operated by T.O. Luttrell, Sr. This building is still standing in that location. Sometime later, the tabernacle, which had been built to serve the areas as a place for camp meeting, was purchased by the local congregation and remodeled into a sanctuary. Sunday School facilities were added and various other improvements.

During the year 1966, eleven acres of land were purchased and negotiations started for the building of new worship and educational facilities. The target date for construction was Spring of 1967. During August 1967, construction was completed, with the addition of a new baby grand piano and a new Hammond organ. Services in the new facilities began September 17th, 1967. In 1974, a Family Life Center was constructed. This building houses a full court gymnasium and various rooms for sunday school classes and other church activities. Another major addition was a new choir room in 1990.

On January 5th, 2003, in an overwhelming display of support and unity, 96% of the members of Greeneville First Church of God voted in favor of adding a new sanctuary to the front property on 1505 West Main Street, and the “Fulfilling The Dream” campaign was launched. Ground was broken in March 2003, and the new sanctuary was completed in the summer of 2004. Through additional land purchases, the church now owns 22 acres. We are currently the oldest and largest congregation of the Church of God in the state of Tennessee. These are our American roots, but we can actually trace our heritage as a church back to the time of Christ. He began God's Church and we are attempting to continue what He began.

Among senior pastors who have served this congregation are Rev. W. A. Southerland, Rev. W. P. Long, Rev. J.H. Harold, Rev. Lezzie Roberts, Rev. James I. Turner, Rev. J. F. Selvidge, Rev. Paul Hartsell, Rev. B.B. Sellers, Rev. E.G. Cutshaw, Rev. Paul A. Jenkins, Rev. Truman Harris, Dr. Darrell Sovine, Dr. Willard Wilcox, Dr. Leroy Oesch, Rev. Charles Heater, Jr., Dr. Sexton, Rev. Thomas, Rev. H. Gerald Rudd and the current Pastor Dr. Nathan Leasure.

This historical recollection was provided by Maxine Lane Humphreys, niece of Rev. W. A. Southerland

A brief look at Greeneville First Church of God from 1906 to today.