Why do we want to restore two historic churches in Rutledge, TN?
The Rutledge Historic Churches Restoration Project addresses the need for community space for community members to gather, connect and celebrate together and also provide a possible tourist stop for travelers that are interested in visiting historic churches in East Tennessee. Both the Rutledge Presbyterian and Henderson Chapel AME Zion Churches are on the National Register of Historic Places and are located in Rutledge, TN northeast of Knoxville. Although the population of Rutledge is just under 1500 residents, Rutledge is the Grainger County seat and receives many visitors traveling on Highway 11W on their way to Knoxville or Bristol.
Clinch-Powell is collaborating with the Grainger County Historic Society, Sparkman & Associates architectural firm from Knoxville, Kenny Dailey and the Henderson Chapel Council, Black in Appalachia and the Partners for Sacred Places out of Philadelphia, PA who are interested in helping us too.
Although we have established a great network of folks who care about this project and want to see both churches fully renovated, we need your help to repair both buildings so that they can once again be thriving community spaces in Rutledge, TN!
What's the history of the churches?
The congregation of the Rutledge Presbyterian Church formed sometime in the 1850’s and originally met in homes. They soon built a church from wood that was taken from the original Grainger County Courthouse when it was torn down. In 1903, the current church building was completed. The former building and land were then donated to the congregation of the Henderson Chapel AME Zion Church, also on the National Historic Registry. The Henderson Chapel is listed as one of the oldest African American churches in the Southern United States. Many say that this donation may be a testament to the sympathies of Eastern Tennessee towards the Union stance on slavery during and after the Civil War.
The Rutledge Presbyterian Church was disbanded in 1989 when the Holston Presbyterian Council decided that it was no longer a viable congregation. The last living member of the congregation then turned the care of the church over to a committee. There is currently a trust fund for the care and upkeep of the grounds and cemetery, which contains graves dating back to 1864. The church was added to the National Registry in September of 2015 due to the efforts of members of the committee and guidance from Lindy Turner, executive director of Clinch-Powell, who also played a role in adding the Henderson Chapel AME Zion Church to the registry.
The Henderson Chapel congregation, itself, according to common knowledge, organized in the area sometime around 1833, although there are no formal records to confirm this. At that time, there were only two other Methodist churches in Grainger County, both of which were for white congregations. Henderson Chapel parishioners first met in homes of the members. It is not clear how long this went on, but in 1887, records indicate that Henderson Chapel services were held in the original County Court House which had been purchased by the Rutledge Presbyterian Church in 1846 when the new Grainger County Courthouse was built.
In 1890 Dr. Joseph Hoffmeister, a local physician, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church, donated the parcel of land on Church Street, where the Henderson Chapel stands today. It was named in honor of Mary E. Henderson, Dr. Hoffmeister’s daughter. During this same time, the original Grainger County Courthouse was being dismantled, and lumber from the building erected in 1801 was donated and used to construct a new building for the Henderson Chapel congregation. The Chapel still stands proudly, although services are no longer held there. According to Grainger County resident, Kenny Dailey, one of the last members of the Henderson Chapel congregation, services were regularly held as late as the year 2001.
In 2008 on Make a Difference Day, a day that President George W. Bush set aside for acts of community service after the tragic events of 911, Clinch-Powell's, Appalachia CARES AmeriCorps Program hosted scores of AmeriCorps Members from all over the state who came to Rutledge to clean, paint and make minor repairs to the Chapel.
The story of both the Rutlege Presbyterian Church and the Henderson Chapel AME Zion Church are as remarkable as the buildings themselves. They have stood the test of time and remain even after 120+ years of service to the Rutledge community. Both churches have been as resilient as the people who have worshiped there and remain cherished parts of the history and tradition of Grainger County, TN.
How can you support this project?
Although both buildings are still standing, they are in desperate need of repair. The foundations are weakening and work needs to be done to ensure they remain safe structurally. In addition to the foundations, both churches need other repairs such as roofs, flooring, working bathrooms, etc.
If you are inspired to help us save these churches and create a community space for generations to come, there are multiple ways to support the Rutledge Historic Churches Restoration Project.
3. By mail or in person. If you prefer to write a check, you can mail it or drop it off at the Clinch-Powell office at 7995 Rutledge Pike or at the Citizens Bank & Trust at 8335 Rutledge Pike in Rutledge. If you drop it off at the bank, and you want your donation to only support the Henderson Chapel, tell the bank teller. If you want your donation to only support the Rutledge Presbyterian Church only, tell the bank teller so that it will be applied appropriately.
4. Volunteer your time and spread the word!