Mt. Paran Missionary Baptist Church

History of Mount Paran Missionary Baptist Church

Written by Sis Daisy Knox in 1942

   Mount Paran Baptist Church was organized in 1879 in South Chattanooga. The Church was organized under the leadership of Rev. George Weathers and located in a house on Sidney Street. A major flood occurred in April 1886 and most of Chattanooga was under water. After the flood people scattered all over the city. In 1889, a Rev. John Moore, his wife and brother along with Ma Agnes Clay, Sallie Walker and Elizabeth Wiley started a church on William Street between Calloway and Aikens Street (now known as 19th and 20th Streets). Rev. Moore purchased the house with his personal funds and remained pastor of the church until he died. Reverends Porter and Benford each served briefly as pastor of Mt. Paran.
   Rev. H. Johnson was called as pastor around 1898. He conducted a revival within the first three months of his administration and twenty-five converts were carried to the Tennessee River at the foot of Market Street to be baptized on the second Sunday in May. During that month, fifty additional members were added to the church. The congregation soon numbered 386 and the decision to expand the Church was made. Soon after the expansion of the church was completed in 1909, Rev. Johnson called to First Baptist Church (now known as Orchard Knob Missionary Baptist Church).
   Other Pastors included. Rev. G.L. Crippens; Rev. Lee Pope under whom a choir was formed. The congregation was evenly divided regarding organizing a choir and Rev. Pope cast the deciding vote. The first organist was Brother Jesse Barrom. The next pastor was Rev. Lucious Drane. He served from 1910 until 1915. In 1912, during Rev Drane's administration, the congregation purchased the old Episcopal Church on 20th and Coward Streets.
   Rev. D. W. Bloodworth came to Mt. Paran around 1917 and the church continued to grow. The decision was made to demolish the old church and build an even larger church on the Third Sunday in September, 1923. Worship services were held in the basement of the parsonage until the first Sunday in May, 1925 when the new church was completed. Rev Bloodworth was ill when the church was completed and he died on June 6, 1925 without having preached a sermon in the new church.
   Rev. J.R. Bowen then was called a pastor. he served for six years
   Rev Maurice Kirby came to Mt. Paran March, 1932 and served faithfully until his death in 1968. During his administration, the mortgage on the church was paid at 20th and Cowart Street, and several organizations were formed: The Deacon Board, the Trustee Board, a Sunday School was organized with Bro. James Selcer being the first Superintendent, Four Circles (now called the Mission), the Sinking Fund Board, the Young People's Choir, the Red Circle Girls, the Senior Usher Board, the Mother's Board and the Benevolent Department.
   Rev. Abraham L. Good came to Mt. Paran in 1970 and remained until 1980. During his administration the church moved from Cowart Street to the Eastdale Community in Chattanooga.