Union Chapel
Alice Bell Baptist Church began as a mission of Broadway Baptist Church during the week of February 3-10, 1947, when Broadway conducted revival services in Union Chapel on Washington Pike with Dr. Ramsay Pollard as evangelist. The response by the community residents encouraged Broadway Baptist Church to sponsor a mission in the community that would meet regularly in the Union Chapel. The first meeting of the mission congregation on February 16, 1947, with 26 persons presenting themselves for membership in the mission church.
Rev. Jeral L. Shown
Under the leadership of the first pastor,Rev. Jeral L. Shown, (1947-1948) Alice Bell Baptist Church was organized on October 10, 1948 with 71 charter members. The church was named in honor of Mrs. Alice Bell Shipe, matriarch of the Alice Bell community and mother of Mrs. Lilllie Crouch, one of the charter members.
Rev. George T. Turpin
On December 28, 1948 Rev. George T. Turpin was called as pastor. During his ministry the first floor of the educational building was completed and the membership increased to 143 and the slogan "The Church with a Vision." was adopted.
Rev. Wyatt D. Bradberry
During the ministry of Rev. Wyatt D. Bradberry, which began September 12, 1951, the membership increased to 172 and the second story of the educational building was completed and was used as an auditorium with seating for 400. The first service in the new addition was held on May 11, 1952.
Rev. J. Frank Boston
The church called Rev. J. Frank Boston (1953-1965) as pastor on June 10, 1953. The years of 1954-1957 showed the greatest increase in membership as it grew from 197 to 725. The parsonage was completed in 1953 and the annex building was finished shortly thereafter. This building was to serve as baptismal, recreational, social and Sunday School space. The first baptismal service was held in the annex on September 12, 1954.
Rev. Clell E. Gibson
Rev. Clell E. Gibson was called as pastor by the church on March 6,1966. During his ministry the new sanctuary was built and completed with seating capacity of 550. Rev. Gibson served until
February 3, 1972.
Revs. Lawson, Fox, & Hanes
On March 25,1973 Rev. Guy H. Lawson, Jr. began his ministry with Alice Bell Baptist Church and served until 1977.
Rev. Billy Fox became pastor on July 2, 1978 and served until 1981.
The church then called Rev. David Hanes on October 15, 1982.He ministered until June 15,1992.
Dr. Kenyn Cureton
Dr. Kenyn Cureton began serving as pastor on February 14, 1993 and served until December 1995. During Dr. Cureton's tenure an after school program was established. This was approved by the church on July 12, 1995 and offered after school care for children K-5.
Dr. J. Douglas White
On December 8, 1996, Dr. J. Douglas White was called as pastor and served until July, 2001. During Dr. White's tenure very much needed renovations took place in the educational building, fellowship hall, sanctuary and the church offices as well as considerable increases in membership.
Rev. Toby Everett
Rev. Toby Everett was called to be Pastor of Alice Bell Baptist Church on August 25, 2002 and began his ministry serving this great church on
September 23, 2002. During Rev. Everett’s tenure the church has been involved in many international mission trips to Honduras, Brazil and Trinidad, reaching many for the Lord.
Rev. Richard Spencer
Rev. Richard Spencer was called to be Pastor of Alice Bell Baptist Church on April 3, 2016. He began as interm Pastor in April, 2015. During this period he began His Court Missions bringing young people in to use the gym facilities and sharing the Gospel with them.
Ministry Center
In early 2011 the church, working with a structural engineer and architect, determined that we should vacate the west wing of our education building due to structural problems with a primary wall. After further structural evaluation and consideration of ministries that would benefit the neighborhood and help us to meet our ministry goals, the church determined that our best course of action would be to replace the building rather than repair it.
Falconnier Design Company was authorized to develop plans for a new multi-purpose building. It was to have classrooms, a new kitchen, and a gymnasium with room for future expansion. George W. Reagan Company was secured as contractor. Demolition of the west educational building took place on October 19, 2012. The new building was completed in August of 2013. The building was named the Alice Bell Ministry Center on August 14, 2013. It was dedicated on September 8, 2013.
Union Chapel
Revs. Shown & Turpin
Rev. Wyatt D. Bradberry
Rev. J. Frank Boston
Rev. Clell E. Gibson
Revs. Lawson, Fox & Hanes
Revs. Cureton & White
Revs. Everett & Spencer
Ministry Center
© 2023 Alice Bell Baptist Church
Alice Bell Baptist Church • 3305 Alice Bell Road • Knoxville,Tennessee 37917 • Phone 865-522-0137