Laurel Bluff Baptist Church was established in 1847, 14 years before the Civil War. Watts Bar Lake would not be formed for another 95 years, and long before TVA flooded the valley, church members traveled from as far away as Paint Rock by horse and buggy to attend worship. Nearly 85 years after the church was founded, the first school in the area—Chamberlain School—was established. The bell that once hung in Chamberlain School now rests in the bell tower at Laurel Bluff, ringing every Sunday. The church takes its name from the Mountain Laurel that grew on the bluff along the creek just outside the building. The first structure was a single-room log cabin, warmed by a wood stove.
Laurel Bluff has endured two fires, and the current church building is the third since its establishment. After the second fire, even the local moonshiners came together to rebuild so their families would have a place to worship. The stones in the flower beds outside the church are the original cornerstones from the first two buildings, and the hardwood floor in the choir loft comes from the previous structure replaced in 2006. Roads to Laurel Bluff were not paved until the early 1980s, making travel challenging for members who lived farther away—but the commitment to Christ and the community has always brought people to worship and serve.
Rooted in deep history, Laurel Bluff is home to families who have remained for generations, as well as new members who find the same love for Christ and community as the founding families. Our prayer is that, 178 years from now, another celebration will reflect a story filled with Christ-centered memories and enduring faith.
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Laurel Bluff Baptist Church