How about a story about a church that moved across state lines and even changed its name? That’s Highland Park Baptist Church. It is a tale of growth, change, and adaptation.
Originally, Highland Park Baptist Church started as Orchard Knob Baptist Church in 1890. Soon after, it became Beech Street Baptist Church. In 1903, it finally settled on the name Highland Park Baptist Church. This happened when the church moved to a new location. The location was at the corner of Orchard Knob and Union Avenue.
In 1942, Lee Roberson became the pastor. Under his leadership, the church grew significantly. In 1946, Tennessee Temple University was founded. It acted as an adjunct to the church. Both the church and university became hubs of the Independent Baptist movement. Membership soared, reaching about 57000 in the early 1980s.
To accommodate the growing congregation, a 3000-seat auditorium was built in 1947. It was later named Chauncey-Goode Auditorium. Then, in 1981, a larger 6000-seat auditorium was added on Bailey Avenue.
After an impressive 41 years of service, Dr. Roberson resigned in 1983. He became pastor emeritus. However, in later years, the church experienced a decline in membership and attendance. By 2012, weekly attendance averaged around 370 people.
Big changes were ahead. In January 2013, the church changed its name to Church of the Highlands. It sold its Chattanooga property. The church moved to a smaller facility in Harrison, Tennessee. It was land the church had owned since 1946.
In 2014, several former church buildings were sold. These included Phillips Memorial Chapel and Chauncey-Goode Auditorium. The buyer was Redemption to the Nations. It is the parent organization of Redemption Point Church.
Tragedy struck in June 2022. Phillips Memorial Chapel and Chauncey-Goode Auditorium caught fire. Over 100 firefighters battled the blaze for over ten hours. Sadly, large portions of the buildings were demolished. The clock tower of Phillips Chapel and one wall with stained glass windows remained. But the bell tower was deemed unsafe. It would not be preserved. Arson was determined to be the cause of the fire.
Despite the changes and challenges, the legacy of Highland Park Baptist Church lives on. It embodies adaptability and community. The church continues to evolve while honoring its rich history.