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History of First Baptist Church
 

In June 1995, Rev. Ray Maynard, Director of Missions, White County, in Middle Tennessee was led to plant a church in Tellico Village.  After going door to door and meeting in homes of local Baptists, eight people met in the recreation center on Sunday, August 9, 1995, for their first worship service.  On Sunday, December 3, 1995, Calvary Baptist Church of Lenoir City was asked to be the sponsor of the Tellico Village Baptist Mission which was later recognized by the Loudon County Baptist Association.

On Sunday, February 18, 1996, the mission began meeting in the Yacht Club and held its first Sunday School class.  In June, 1996, Rev. Maynard left the church.  Rev. Jim Bishop was asked to fill the pulpit on the first Sunday in October, 1996, with ten present in worship and six in Sunday School.  Bishop was asked to serve as interim pastor until the mission could decide to disband or to continue efforts to establish a church.  In March, 1997, 28 interested people met in the home of Larry and Kaye Cate, and after much discussion voted unanimously to go forward with establishing a church in Tellico Village. 

The mission moved to a storefront in November, 1997.  In 1998, the mission began to explore property acquisition possibilities.  The mission experienced some disappointments concerning property, but in September, 1999, Cooper Communities promised to donate land for church facilities.  On November 7, 1999, the Tellico Village Baptist Mission was constituted as a church and became The First Baptist Church of Tellico Village with 51 charter members.  Constitution as a church was one of the stipulations of the land donor and in December 1999, 9.5 acres of prime property was conveyed to the church.

A Building Team was formed in February, 2000.  On April 29, 2001, the church voted unanimously to adopt a $1.1 million, 240 seat facility, complete with Sunday School rooms, library, kitchen, offices and other support areas.  The ground breaking was July 1, 2001, and the first service held in the new facility was May 5, 2002, with over 100 members and friends in attendance.  The new building was dedicated on May 19, 2002, with 180 members and friends present.  The final payment on the debt retirement was made in July, 2004.

In March, 2004, the Bishops retired from Pastoral Ministry, and Dr. Glenn Gregg, Associate Pastor, was named Interim Pastor and served until Dr. Charlie Barnard was called to be the Pastor in July, 2005.

The church continues to grow with new members and new ministries.  Core values have been defined and a purpose statement adopted.