Our History

Magnolia United Methodist Church began in 1888 as a Sunday School mission founded by Rev. John Bell Carnes. In 1889, the growing mission became East Fifth Avenue Methodist Church, with Rev. Carnes serving as its first pastor. The early congregation met in a simple one-room building heated by a wood stove.

By 1900, membership had grown to 150, and the building was expanded. After a fire destroyed the structure in 1903, a new church was built at the corner of Park Avenue and Harrison Street, and the name was changed to Park Avenue Methodist Church.

In 1919, when the city of Knoxville renamed Park Avenue to Magnolia Avenue, the church became Magnolia Avenue Methodist Church. The current building was constructed in 1926 and designed by local architects Ryno and Brackney. The sanctuary features beautiful stained-glass windows—ten on each side—honoring those who helped build the church, along with additional windows upstairs that depict the life of Christ. The highlight of the windows is the large window depicting the Good Shepard. 

The church was dedicated on April 18, 1926. The Knoxville News-Sentinel described the day as “one of the greatest days in the history of religious activities in this great city,” marking “the dawn of a new era in Methodism.” Bishop Edward Mouzon delivered the dedication sermon.

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Today, Magnolia Ave. UMC is rooted in mission, hosting a free medical clinic each Monday and seeking new ways to serve our community. We are working toward necessary repairs that will restore full use of our sanctuary and allow us to reopen as a warming center in the winter. We believe the possibilities are only limited by our imagination, and we remain committed to listening for God’s direction as we step into what comes next.