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| In 1948, Bro.
Jimmy Griffin led a tent revival that was the
beginning of the Laager Missionary Baptist Church. The executive board of the
Tennessee Baptist Convention was willing to give $500.00 toward establishing a
Baptist church on the mountain. Land was purchased from Jacob Schlageter and a
building fund was established in 1949. Jimmy Dotson of the Schellsford Baptist
Church in McMinnville accepted the challenge to help organize a church with the
Shellsford as the “mother” church. The Fall Creek Memorial Association gave
permission to use the chapel behind the cemetery as a meeting house for the new
mission. The church was organized with Jones, and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Rymer. Tommy
Height was called as the first pastor in January 1950 and was later ordained
there. Evangelist Allen Buehler was called to preach a Brush Arbor Revival
Meeting on the property bought from Jacob Schlageter. On September 24, 1950, the
Laager Baptist mission was organized and called Emmanuel Baptist Church, but
soon changed to Laager Missionary Baptist Church. In 1952, Hub Smith was called
to preach and oversee the building of the church. The church was dedicated in
1954. In 1984, the facilities were expanded and in 1986 a new sanctuary was
dedicated. By 1988, a family life center was built. After Gruetli and Laager
combined and incorporated, the church was renamed the First Baptist Church of
Gruetli-Laager. |
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| 1965 - Easter Sunday |
Rev. and Mrs. J. V. Angel |
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Click to see
more photos |
| February 7, 1970 |
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