First German Evangelical Lutheran Church, U. A. C., of Knoxville, Tennesee was organized on October 12, 1869 (U. A. C. = Unaltered Ausburg Confession). The name changed to First German-Engish Ev. Lutheran Church, U. A. C. in 1903, then to First Evangelical Lutheran Church, U. A. C. in 1919.

Beginning in 1813, Lutheran missionaries made regular trips through East Tennessee. First Lutheran Church itself was organized at a meeting of about 20 Lutherans in Peter Kern's Hall at No. 7 Market Square on October 12, 1869, as the First German Evangelical Lutheran Church. The congregation, being of German heritage, conducted services in the German language into the 1890's when it was decided to begin services in English also. The church has resided at two previous locations since its organization: at the corner of Broad and Asylum Streets (now Broadway and Western Avenue, the old L&N Station) from 1870-1901, and the corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway (now the First Tennessee Bank) from 1901-1946. The Francis house at the corner of Broadway and Wells was purchased, and services were held in the house until the school building was completed in 1947. The current Gothic-style building was dedicated on May 15, 1955.

True to the historic principle of Lutheranism that there can be no real education without religion, a Christian day school was immediately started in 1869. It was closed for a few years but reopened in 1892. A major renovation project was completed in 1979 with the addition of another school wing housing not only classrooms but also a new gymnasium. Its program now covers preschool age 3yrs. through 8th grade and a day care program which includes before and after school care.

The congregation celebrated its 125th anniversary in October 1994. Since its establishment, First Lutheran has had 17 pastors. It has produced 4 daughter congregations: Grace Lutheran in 1959 in the Bearden area, Christus Victor in 1967 in the Norwood-Powell area, Holy Trinity in 1964 in Seymour, and Christ of the Cumberlands in 1986 (previously a preaching station since 1974) in Harrogate. In 2005, First Lutheran adopted the Lutheran Campus Ministry at the University of Tennessee and called an associate pastor to serve the congregation and the campus community. Today, First Lutheran's congregation stands at 440 souls and continues to be involved in the neighborhood surrounding the church both physically and spiritually.

Earliest Sketch of the History - pdf (3.74MB)

50th Anniversary Booklet (1919) - pdf (7.66MB) | html

75th Anniversary Booklet (1944) - pdf (6.52MB)

Service Bulletin, October 8, 1944 - pdf (2.91MB)

Dedication of New Church Building (1955) - pdf (1.79MB)

100th Annivesary Booklet (1969) - pdf (7.15MB)

Historical Milestones, 1939-1968 - pdf (452KB)
Service Bulletin, June 15, 1969 - pdf (950KB)
Centennial Supper, September 26, 1969 - pdf (1.34MB)
Centennial Banquet, October 11, 1969 - pdf (1006KB)
Divine Service, October 12, 1969 - pdf (1.68MB)
Centennial Directory, 1969 - pdf (6.09MB)

Dedicaiton of the New School Building (1979) - pdf (4.29MB)

125th Anniversary Booklet (1994) - pdf (5.86MB)

Miscellaneous

Service Bulletin, January 14, 1944 - pdf (1.03MB)
Walther League Rally Service, May 11, 1947 - pdf (1.40MB)
Stained Glass Windows - pdf (2.68MB)
Organ History - pdf (388KB)
Christmas Card - pdf (757KB)

More documents to come, check back or contact the church office for status and details.