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The first Universalist Church in Tennessee was in Harriman, services began in 1895 by W. H. McGlauflin of Harriman.
This is all that's left of it (ttbomk):
Grace Universalist Church,
4-story octagonal tower right-of-center, |
unknown Universalist Church included in a new (2014) book of rare photographs of Chattanooga.
The pastor's name is on the sign:
- Could this church have been built in Chattanooga
Find out: where did Chattanooga Universalists
Answer: according to city directories, from 1912-1916
These 3 photos are from:
The problem was:
description of (the previously)
brick & stone,
sign: UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
1908-17 Harriman TN - Grace Universalist Church 1908-17 Chattanooga TN - First Universalist Church - Shinn Memorial 1920, -22 Mid-West Superintendent St Paul & Rochester MN 1924-30 Racine WI - Good Shepherd Universalist Church: 
When i first saw a snapshot of the church photo, i presumed that the book's editor mistook the name of the building, and that the building was actually that of the 1889-1937 Unitarian Society of Chattanooga / All Souls (Unitarian) Church -- of which we have no picture, just the cornerstone -- from its location at 654 Houston Street, near present-day Memorial Auditorium, now resting in the flowerbed of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga:
Then i saw the close-up photo of the for a couple days.
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organized in 1907
from 1912-1916 they rented 709, 711 Walnut Street,
in 1917 the Universalists dedicated
now 'Second Baptist Church',
the common element among all 3 churches: L.R. Robinson = Luther Riley Robinson of Kentucky, formerly of the Methodist church (1907), began his Universalist ministry in Harriman (fellowshipped with the Universalist General Convention in 1908), then also in Chattanooga 1908-1917
The church began with thirty-two charter members. In November, 1908, the present pastor, Rev. L. R. Robinson, whose picture appears above, accepted the call of the church, becoming the first pastor. Dr. Robinson, as his picture indicates, is a young man, and all who know him testify to his enthusiasm and his ability to bring things to pass. He has the "courage of his convictions" on all the foremost topics of the day, and is fearless in presenting them. He is invariably on the side of the right, regardless of consequences, and is recognized as one of Chattanooga's gifted men in extemporaneous debate. He has, now, served his church in Chattanooga over seven years, entering on his eighth year November 1. He is popular with the members of his denomination, and counts his friends throughout the city by the hundreds. The new church building, now under construction on the corner of Main and Hickory Streets, just opposite Ferger Place, only one short block from the East Lake car line, will be known as the "Dr. Shinn Memorial," having been so named in memory of the man who organized it. When completedthe church will represent an expenditure of $25,000, and is said to be constructed after a most artistic model. A delicate compliment to the beloved Dr. Shinn is embodied in the building of the church along the lines of the old Virginia architecture, Virginia being the native state of Dr. Shinn. The friends of liberal Christianity welcome this beautiful church to the city and expect that it will continue its influence upon the moral and spiritual life of the community to its great uplift. During Mr. Robinson's pastorate the church has grown rapidly, one hundred and twenty-five having been added to the membership, which number includes many of the leading citizens of the city. - Historic City - Chattanooga; containing views and descriptive matter of historic points of interest, scenery, pictures of old and new buildings, leading men, etc., all artistically and pleasingly intermingled. by Mrs Susie McGarver Webster McGowan-Cooke (1915 Chattanooga) 173-5
part of his obituary: note that it does not mention his first Universalist 'pastorates' in Tennessee. ?!
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