Methodist Church

From the scenic loop road, you can see the frame church building with its two entrances.

NPS photo/A. Mendoza

Quick Facts

Significance:

Historic Structure in Cades Cove

Amenities

1 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Overview

The Cades Cove Methodist Church was constructed in 1902. The congregation can be dated back to 1830, with the first Methodist circuit riders visiting the cove in the early 1820s. Originally, services were held in homes until a log meeting house was built in 1840. The Methodists had a good relationship with the Primitive and Missionary Baptists, the latter of which used the log building for meetings and worship.

As the larger Methodist Episcopal Church started to split in 1844 over the issue of slavery, the Methodists of Cades Cove were not immune, and began to break apart. One group split off, and in 1880 built the Hopewell Methodist Church near the south end of Hyatt Lane; but this building is no longer standing. After the Civil War, the original log meeting house soon became a schoolhouse, but was still used for worship.

In 1902, the cove’s Methodists replaced the old log meeting house with the current frame building. Blacksmith and carpenter Rev. J.D. McCampbell was said to have built the structure for $115 in 115 days. McCampbell later served as the church’s minister for many years. The new building follows the design of having two entrances for the practice of dividing men and women up during services, but the Methodists in Cades Cove never followed that custom.

Today, many of the cove’s early settlers like the Tiptons, Feezells, and Sparkses are buried at the Methodist Church’s cemetery. This cemetery is most likely the second oldest church burial plot in the cove and continues to be used by descendants. Like the other churches in Cades Cove, the Methodist Church is still occasionally used for worship.

How to Get There

• Drive the 11-mile, one-way Cades Cove Loop Road. This is the 5th stop on the scenic loop drive. The church is on the right side of the road and is past the turn off for the Primitive Baptist Church.

Similar Points of Interest

• Other historic structures in Cades Cove