FIRST SERVICE; July 19, 1959
ORIGINAL BY-LAWS ADOPTED : Sept. 1965
CONSTITUTED ; Oct. 3, 1965 REVISED : June 8, 1977
INCORPORATED; June 30, 2003 REVISED; Sept. 17, 2003
Tusculum Baptist Church began as a mission of First Baptist Church Greeneville, TN. It is located at the intersection of Erwin Highway and Harlen Street in the Town of Tusculum, Tennessee, across the highway from the oldest college in the state, Tusculum College (now Tusculum University). The first service was held in the old Samuel Doak house in Tusculum on July 19, 1959. William J Powell was the first pastor (1959-1964.)
Ten (10) members from First Baptist Church along with 14 other people attended the first service. Dink and Christine Spraberry were among those from First Baptist, as well as Hugh and Mildred Lawing, Fred and Margarite Stubblefield, Grace Henson, and Mrs A. L. Duckworth. Marvin and Anice Ogle attended the evening service on that first day.
In 1958, First Baptist purchased a lot where the present building is located for the sum of $6,000. By 1961, the Chapel (as the mission was called) had $6,000 in a building fund. That year, the Chapel borrowed $40,000 from two local banks to construct a building on their lot. On Dec. 17, 1961, the first service was held in the new building. Membership was 81.
In 1963, an additional $10,000 was borrowed to complete the inside of the building. By 1964, enrollment was 153 members, and average Sunday School attendance was 97. On October 3, 1965 a Constitutional Service was led by our second pastor, Rev. Don Peek (1965-1970).
From 1965 until 1998, under the leadership of six (6) different pastors, average Sunday School attendance fluctuated between 90 and 140. Pastors during this time were: (3) Walter R Brookshire 1971-1972; (4) Edward Black 1974-1976; (5) Grant Bishop 1976-1980; (6) James C Williams 1981-1984; (7) Dan Greer 1985-1988; and (8) R. David Carr 1989-1998.
In 1982, a nursery, four Sunday School rooms, and a Bell Tower were added to the front of the building.
Dr Keith Mowery, our ninth pastor, was called in 1999 (1999-2007). The Lord blessed the church during his eight years as pastor. In 2004, a Christian Fellowship Center was added to the back of the building at a cost of $600,000. By February 2008, the balance on the funds borrowed for the addition was $75,000.
During Dr Mowery’s pastorate, a College Bible study class was added on Thursday nights with 40 to 50 students attending. The program continues as “SPOT” (Thursdays during the academic year) and college-age students (welcome from any college) gather for a meal (provided by the church family) followed by a praise and devotional time with speakers from our own church, from upper East Tennessee area churches, Tusculum University, etc. The church and Tusculum University have cooperated for mutual benefit over the years. Professors from the college have filled key roles in positions of church leadership.
In 2004, the Lord answered our prayers of many years and we were able to purchase two (2) additional lots at the back of our property for $54,000. Twelve (12) people from the congregation came forward with funds to pay for the property.
By year 2006, average attendance in morning worship was 85% of sanctuary capacity, so a second morning worship service was added. Average morning worship attendance was 170 in both services. Average Sunday School attendance was around 100.
The Reverend James (Jim) Kibelbek served as our intentional interim from 2008 to 2010, after which time Tusculum’s tenth pastor, Faron Knopp, was hired (2010-2013). During Pastor Knopp’s leadership, Justin Carson was hired as Minister to Children and Youth (2011), a role in which he continues to serve today.
The Reverend James (Jim) Kibelbek once again served as our intentional interim from 2013 until 2014 when the church called Dr. David Smith as our eleventh pastor (2014-2024).
The Lord blessed the church under the leadership of Dr. Smith, and in 2015 a contemporary music style worship service was added. Tusculum Baptist continues to enjoy worship with a Traditional music service (8:45) and a Contemporary music service (11:00). In 2015, the nursery was relocated upstairs for added security. The rooms in front of the building next to the Bell Tower were converted to offices for church staff.
Also during Dr. Smith’s tenure, a new hip roof was added to update and improve the church building, along with paint, shutters, windows and a complete renovation of the sanctuary. Prayers were answered in 2018 when the church’s property was expanded upon the long-awaited purchase of an adjacent and adjoining 1.1 acre property that is now used for overflow parking and recreation.
At David Smith’s retirement in 2024, Dr. Scott Hummel (TBC church member and President of Tusculum University) served as intentional interim until Pastor Jon Reed was hired as our twelfth pastor (2025). The church body looks forward with anticipation to what God will do under Pastor Reed’s leadership.
Tusculum Baptist Church celebrated 60 years in October 2025. Tusculum Baptist Church is poised for growth and ministry in the future, and with God's help, the glory will be His alone.