East Maryville Baptist Church – The Church Journey

by D.C Martin · Published December 8, 2020 · Updated December 8, 2020

December 7, 2020 – http://mynetzone.com/

I had the privilege to visit East Maryville Baptist Church. A Maryville church whose humble beginnings trace back to World War I recently celebrated 100 years as it plans for the next 100. East Maryville Baptist Church was officially founded in 1917, but its roots date back even further. According to the church history, it began in Brown School House as a Mission Sunday school in 1900. Prayer meetings and revivals were held in the school house with prayer meetings held in nearby homes. It was the Rev. John Alexander, a Presbyterian minister, who preached on the second Sunday night of each month. [1]

There were Baptists, Presbyterians and possibly other denominations who began worshipping in this location. When the need for a church building became evident, a census was taken to see which denomination was most prevalent among attendees. It was the Baptists. East Maryville Baptist was born on July 1, 1917. After the first structure was built, a second church building was constructed in 1953, and the first service was held there on May 9, 1954. The present church building is the third. Ground was broken in July 1998, and the first service was held on April 9, 2001. All of this occurred on property on Brown School Road. The second church building was vacated when the larger church was built, and is now home to River Oaks Community Church. The latest major building project here has been the addition of a multi-purpose building, including gymnasium. It has children’s worship space, classroom and full kitchen as well. [1]

MY JOURNEY:

This church is next to the River Oaks Community Church, which was the East Maryville Baptist Church previous building, before they built their new larger church. The church is a large modern red brick building that is a beacon of the growth and blessing this church has experienced over the years. The front section of the church presents a large cross constructed into the solid red bricks. On top of that section is a white steeple pointing up into the sky.

I finished my visit taking pictures and spending time in prayer. Unfortunately, with the limitations brought on by the pandemic I was not able to take any pictures from inside the church.

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FINAL THOUGHTS:

Maryville church whose humble beginnings trace back to World War I. Now just over 100 hundred years later World War 1 has faded from cultural memory. Looking back when the United States entered the First World War I, the conflict inspired, strengthening Americans’ commitment to religion despite its unimaginable horrors of death and destruction.

One of my favorite songs which was written in 1872, “”I need thee, Oh! I need thee, every hour I need thee”, was written by Mrs. Annie S. Hawks, in 1872, in Brooklyn, New York” I can imagine this hymn may have provided great comfort for many of the soldiers as they were faced with the dreadful struggle of the war every hour of the day. Without the powerful influence of Christianity in the war is difficult to imagine what sustained them through this time in history.

DETAILS:

Church Website: https://embc.us/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eastmaryville

Date Visited: 2020 December 5^th.

Location: 1150 Brown School Road Maryville, TN

If you would like to learn more about this church, upcoming events, or listen to a sermon I encourage you to visit the church website listed above.

May our Lord continue to bless this church in Jesus name.

“For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” – (Matthew 24:27) NASB

Please Pray for all our churches as they continue to face challenges in the year 2020.

May this find you well and happy, God Bless