History of West Towne

In 1969 five families accepted the challenge to form the nucleus of a new church. A few months later the Lord provided funds through Smoky Mountain Men’s Fellowship to help purchase a house near Bearden Middle School. Our first minister, Scottie Richmond, used the home’s upstairs for living space, while the church converted the basement to a worship area and classrooms.

West Towne Christian Church held its first service on September 13, 1970 with 34 people in attendance. By 1972 the congregation had grown enough to move to the Country Day School near West Town Mall, where we stayed for two years. We purchased our present tract of land in 1973, and dedicated the original sanctuary a year later on February 24, 1974. The last three decades have included multiple campus updates, including a new sanctuary, family life center, youth house, front entrance, and additional parking.

Through the years West Towne has maintained a close relationship with Johnson University, located on the south end of Knoxville. Several Johnson students have served the church as part-time youth ministers, interim ministers, interns, and full-time staff.

In order to better serve our community, West Towne partners with several local and global ministries. River’s Edge Christian Academy, a unique blend of home schooling and traditional Christian education, holds classes on our campus three days a week. We also provide space for Casa de Gracia to hold their worship services. To learn more check out the complete list of mission organizations, ministries, and schools we support on this web site.

We praise God for all He has done through the life and ministry of West Towne. We do not know what God has in store next, but we pray we always remain faithful to the Father, attentive to the Spirit, and steadfast to Jesus’ example of love and service.