Established 1913
Mount Calvary
Baptist Church
1807 Dandridge Ave, Knoxville, TN 37915
Site 11: Mount Calvary Baptist Church
1807 Dandridge Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915
Welcome to the Beck Cultural Exchange Center Cultural Corridor. You are currently standing near the present-day site of Mount Calvary Baptist Church on Dandridge Avenue. The congregation's earlier home was located along Jackson Avenue in the historic neighborhood known as "The Bottom," a once-thriving community of Black life in Knoxville. Scroll down to learn more about the history of Mount Calvary.
Welcome
ROOTED IN HISTORY, CARRIED BY FAITH
Mount Calvary Baptist Church
Established in 1913, Mount Calvary began as an extension of Corinthian Baptist Church in "The Bottom," a once-vibrant Black community at 909 East Jackson Avenue where the Knoxville Utilities Board's Larry Flemming Operations Center exists today. When Urban Renewal reshaped Knoxville and displaced the neighborhood, the congregation carried its faith and traditions forward. In 1975, Mount Calvary opened its doors on Dandridge Avenue, continuing a legacy built on resilience, service, and deep community roots. Today, it stands as a living reflection of Knoxville's Black history and the strength of those who sustained it.
Founding History
Before the formation of Mount Calvary, its early members worshiped at Corinthian Baptish Church which had reportedly been established in 1898 near First Creek. After enduring physical and fiscal difficulties, two groups - one in 1912 and another in 1913 - decided to leave Corinthian and form other churches. A group of 275 in 1913 voted to form Mount Calvary but only 30-40 members would leave at the time.
In 1915, Rev. W.H. Chaney would become Mount Calvary's first pastor and took the lead on looking for a property for the church. They found property at the corner of Jackson Avenue and Kentucky Street, just one block from the old Corinthian location. At his location today is the Knoxville Utilities Board's Larry Flemming Operations Center.
Mount Calvary Baptist Church opened at
909 East Jackson Avenue. From "Old Corinthian" to Mount Calvary, both churches had been located in "The Bottom," an African American neighborhood in East Knoxville that once flourished with homes, schools, and churches.
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Charter Members of Mount Calvary Baptist Church
- Eva Davis
- Sarah Austin
- Ethel Bareman
- Daisy Toms
- Mattie Trundle
- William Walker
- Susie Golightly
- Willie Allsup
- Bessie Henderson
Other Members Who Joined Later
- Mrs. Mary McLilly Scott
- Mr. Robert Davis
- Mrs. Mary Harshaw
- Mrs. Minnie Upton
- Mrs. Janie Mullinax
- Mrs. Vera Dodson
- Mrs. Mary Blocker
- Mrs. Edith Parks
- Mrs. Ollie Goss
- Mr. George Golightly
- Mr. Willie Joe Green
- Mr. Sam Fitzgerald
- Mrs. Jennie Gillespie
- Mrs. Mary McLilly Scott
1915
Mount Calvary Trustees purchase the property front at Jackson Avenue and Kentucky Street from William Brown and his wife, Elizabeth Brown.
1919
The property was fully paid for. A four-room house behind the where the church was to be erected was temporarily used for services.
1922
Rev. W.H. Chaney steps down after seven years of service and Rev. V.N. Roundtree becomes the second pastor.
Sustaining A Foundation
The Great Depression (1929-1939) presented serveral economic challenges that many churches had to navigate including proper maintanance, paying the pastors, and fund quality programs. Mount Calvary members often loaned money to make ends meet and to expand its physical facilities but was always able to pay those debts back in a timely manner.
Rev. H.H. Hubbard was called to serve as the third pastor of Mount Calvary in 1933. Under his leadership, he stewarded renovation and expansion projects for the church which involved borrowing funds to see these initiatives forward. After Rev. Hubbard resigned in 1941 to become pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, Rev. Martin Charles Marvin Harris took the mantle and became the first Knoxville native to serve as pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church. He would also facilitate further expansion by building the church parsonage.
On July 19, 1943, the mortgage on Mount Calvary's parsonage was paid in full. A year later in 1944, all other obligations were paid and the church was debt free for the first time in its history. In July of 1947, Rev. Charles recieved a letter from the Jones Valley Finance Office of Birmingham, Alabama notifying him that it had recieved a check of $3.2 million dollars as full payment on the mortgage.
A Glimpse of Mount Calvary Through the Mid-20th Century
1952
Mount Calvary had 526 active members and a total of 22 auxiliaries.
1960
After 19 years of his service, Rev. Harris passed away on August 17, 1960.
1961
Rev. John Henry Foster became the fifth pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church.
1962
Sunday School was reorganized after the purchase of the church bus. Enrollment increased from 122 to 250.
The Pastors of Mount Calvary Baptist Church
Over the years, Mount Calvary Baptist Church has been led by pastors whose leadership helped guide the congregation through change and growth, shaping the church into what it is today.
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Urban Renewal
By the 1960s, the advent of the Riverfront-Willow Urban Renewal project loomed near. This was the first Urban Renewal project to take place in Knoxville, demolishing 97 acres of land and completely razing "The Bottom." As a result, many Black family homes were destroyed, Black churches were forced to relocate or close, and Black owned businesses were lost.
Much of Mount Calvary's congregation left the area as a result of Urban Renewal. Undeterred however, the church was steadfast in finding a new location for its edifice. In 1966, the Edward Whaley home at Morningside and Dandridge Avenue was purchased for $16, 000. However, this property was not large enough to accomodate a church. It was sold to Knoxville Housing Authority (KHA) in 1972.
Left: This map shows some of the Urban Renewal target zones in Knoxville. Urban Renewal started with the Riverfront-Willow Street project which had been completed by the time this map was published in The Knoxville News Sentinel, November 5, 1967.
1967
Rev. Foster resigned to accept the call to Shiloh Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia.
Rev. W.H. Walker followed in his place and would serve for fifteen months from 1967 to 1969.
1969
Rev. J.M. Kimble assumed the position of paster of Mount Calvary in 1969 and served for eighteen months.
1971
23 year old Rev. Alfred DeWayne Hill joined the church as pastor in 1971.
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A Dream Realized
1975
In the face of upheaval, Mount Calvary Baptist Church rebuilt and rededicated itself to service and community. The church purchased the Mountain View School property on Dandridge Avenue from KHA for $23, 250. Reverend and architect Dewitt Dykes was employed to draw plans and construction began in February 1975. A dream was soon realized and on August 10, 1975, the church opened its new sanctuary at 1935 Dandridge Avenue.
1976
Rev. Alfred D. Hill leaves Mount Calvary after accepting the call at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.
1977
Rev. Harold A. Middlebrook became the pastor of the church and would serve for three years
1980
Rev. Leroy Franklin
Rev. Leroy Franklin served as pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church for 43 years, from 1980 to 2023. Chosen by the congregation on October 17, 1980, he led the church through a period of significant growth and transformation.
A steady and dedicated leader, Rev. Franklin guided Mount Calvary through both challenges and change, maintaining a strong belief in the church's future and its continued role in the community.
"Mount Calvary has a glorious past and God has shows us that His expectations of us are even greater today."
- Rev. Leroy Franklin
1994
On July 5, 1994, the final payment on the church was paid.
On November 20, 1994, a "Burning the Mortgage" service was held.
1995-99
The Long Range Planning Committee was re-established in 1995 and began addressing concerns for need of additional church space because of continued growth. In 1999, the church voted to enlarge the facility.
2005-6
The demolition process for future expansion began in phases: Phase I on February 14, 2005 and Phase II on October 11, 2005.
Additional work for the existing building was completed August 2006.
2007
Mount Calvary partnered with the Alzheimer's Association (now known as Alzheimer's Tennessee, Inc.) and opened an adult daycare program named after Willie Mae Howard, the "Howard Circle of Friends."
The 2010's
December 6, 2010
Fire and New Sanctuary
December 6, 2010, at approximately 4:45 p.m., a fire destroyed the entire west wing of Mont Calvary but fortunately everyone inside the building walked out safely.
Hearts were saddened but remained positive and grateful. As devastating as the fire was, the cross never fell from the top of the steeple and the church saw this as God's presence and assurance.
With restoration in progress, members returned to Mount Calvary and services were held in the church's multipurpose room until July 2013. During the period Mount Calvary was without a physical sanctuary, sister churches Mount Zion Baptist Church and Mount Olive Baptist Church opened their facilities to be used for church's funerals and baptisms.
The Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new Mount Calvary sanctuary and additional classrooms were held on May 6, 2012. On July 14, 2013, the first service was held in the new sanctuary and the dedication was held August 4, 2013. A month later, the first Ordinance of Baptism took place on September 1, 2013.
The New Generation
Dr. Jason Moseley
11th Pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church
Mount Calvary Baptist Church continues its legacy under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Jason M. Moseley, who was elected in April 2025 and installed as the church's eleventh pastor. Building on the foundation laid by generations before him, Dr. Moseley represents a new chapter rooted in continuity, faith, and service.
Alongside his wife, Dr. Anita C. Moseley, EdD., he brings a shared commitment to leadership, education, and community uplift. Together, their presence reflects both the enduring mission of Mount Calvary and its dedication to serving a new generation.
