Orchard Knob Baptist Church
* Address: 1734 E. Third St.
* Senior pastor: The Rev. Harold K. Lester.
* History: On May 12, 1887, approximately 20 Christians from the communities of Orchard Knob, Bushtown, Churchville, Rosstown and Highland Park met to organize First Baptist Church of Orchard Knob. They had previously met on a rotational basis in their homes. Shortly thereafter, the congregation purchased a small lot (50 feet by 125 feet) on Hawthorne street between East Third Street and Garfield Avenue. It relocated several times before building in its present location in 1977. Mr. Lester became pastor on June 5, 1966.
* Weekly attendance: Approximately 500.
* New addition: The 24,000-square-foot Christian Education and Resource Center contains the Harold K. Lester Fellowship Hall, which seats more than 350 people, and has a commercial grade kitchen, retractable screen, built-in speakers and other modern features. The educational wing of the building also includes 26 classrooms, nursery, pastoral office/study, laundry room, resource center, break room, additional offices and reception areas. During the project, begun in May 2008 and completed last month, renovations of over 5,000 square feet in the existing building were made to the bride's room, bridal attendant room and four classrooms.
* Contractor: SKH Construction Enterprises.
* Architect: Franklin Associates.
* Dedication: The new building was dedicated at the conclusion of the 10:45 a.m. service on June 28, with approximately 300 members and guests marching in to the new addition from the sanctuary. Refreshments and guided tours followed the dedication ceremony.
* Ministry perspective: Pastor Lester said the new addition will better allow the church to serve both the congregation and the wider Chattanooga community with ministries and classes designed to enhance everyday living. Ministries for senior citizens and youth, tutoring, AWANA and Crown Financial Ministries programs, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are expected to be offered in the new building.
Clint Cooper is the faith editor and a staff writer for the Times Free Press Life section. He also has been an assistant sports editor and Metro staff writer for the newspaper. Prior to the merger between the Chattanooga Free Press and Chattanooga Times in 1999, he was sports news editor for the Chattanooga Free Press, where he was in charge of the day-to-day content of the section and the section’s design. Before becoming sports ...
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