Stop in our sanctuary for a self guided tour of our stunning stained glass windows. Take an opportunity to learn a little about the practices of our historical and liturgical church.
First Lutheran Church was founded on October 12, 1869, when a small group of about 20 Lutherans gathered in Peter Kern’s Hall on Market Square. Originally known as First German Evangelical Lutheran Church, the congregation worshiped in German before adding English services in the 1890s. The church officially became First Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1919. Over the years, First Lutheran has called three Knoxville locations home. After worshiping downtown and later at Fifth Avenue and Broadway, the congregation moved into its current Gothic-style sanctuary at Broadway and Wells Street, dedicated in 1955. Education has always been part of our mission. A Christian day school opened alongside the church in 1869, reopened in 1892 after a brief pause, and today serves children from one year old through eighth grade, including before- and after-school care. In 2019, First Lutheran celebrated 150 years of ministry. Along the way, the congregation has been served by 20 pastors and helped establish four daughter churches in the surrounding communities. Today First Lutheran continues to live out its faith through worship, education, and active service to our neighborhood and the greater Knoxville area.
