Join Us for Worship!
Sundays at 8:30 and 11 a.m. at 913 Henley Street
Sundays at 11 a.m. on YouTube
All are Welcome
All are welcome at Church Street! We believe every person is of sacred worth and created in God’s image. We welcome and celebrate the gifts God has given to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, status, economic condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. We respect diversity of opinion and expressions of Christian faith. We believe God loves everyone unconditionally! As God loves us, so let us love and serve in the name of Christ.
Read the latest from Church Street!
Weekly Prayer – November 20, 2024
Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family Week of November 20, 2024 Written by Rev. Catherine Nance We give you thanks, O God! Many are “practicing gratitude” this month as preparation for Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Gracious God who has given life to us, we are sorry that we must remember to give thanks and […]
Weekly Prayer – November 13, 2024
Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family Week of November 13, 2024 Written by Steve Richardson Praise and thanks to you, God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise and thanks to you for being the source of all our gifts. Praise and thanks to you for your Holy Spirit and for Jesus, whose power uplifts. […]
Weekly Prayer – November 6, 2024
Weekly Prayers for the Church Street Family Week of November 6, 2024 Written by Rev. Tim Best & Rev. Catherine Nance God of mercy and peace, We went to bed last night with the relief that regardless of outcome, “this election will be over.” Some awoke to joyful news; others are shaken and despairing. There […]
Prayer for Today
Join our Pastors for weekly prayers of the Church Street Family.
Meet Me at Church Street
Between natural anxiety and fear of the unknown, it can always be difficult to walk into something new. A 100+ year old church like ours can seem a little overwhelming, but have no fear! We’ve got a fantastic team ready to meet you where you are and be a first point of contact. Come make a friend!
Clay and Staci
Hello, our names are Clay and Staci, and we have four children. We have been members at Church Street for eight years. There are numerous aspects that we love about Church Street, but our top three are the children’s program, the youth program and the music program. With our children actively participating in these programs, we have seen them grow in their walk with Christ.
Larry and Terrye
Greetings from the Nave of Church Street UMC. We are Terrye and Larry and have been members of CSUMC for five years. For us, participating in the Parish Adult Choir has enhanced our worship experience each and every week. We would welcome the opportunity to talk with you about the music ministry and other amazing programs of outreach here at our church.
Stephanie Blue
Hello! My name is Stephanie Blue, and I have been a member of Church Street for 14 years. When I first attended, I was a bit hesitant because I grew up in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion church and right before moving to Knoxville, I belonged to a non-denominational church. But 14 years later, I am still here! What I love about Church Street is the love, support, and warm welcome from so many people with whom I have formed lasting friendships and the groups that I am a part of that help show Christ to the world!
Grant and Allison Rosenberg
Hi, we’re the Rosenbergs, and we’ve been members of Church Street UMC since 2010. There are so many things to love about this place: its location and beautiful architecture, a world class music program, impactful missions (local and international), and our fantastic children and youth programming. However, it’s the people we love the most! Despite being a large congregation, it’s easy to get plugged in. Whether it’s joining a Sunday School class, volunteering with missions or simply attending one of our services, you will find that everyone is welcome here at Church Street!
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Frequently Asked Questions
We are proudly a United Methodist community rooted in the Wesleyan theological tradition. Church Street celebrates connection between what John Wesley called “Knowledge and Vital piety.” Our commitment to love God and neighbor with our whole heart, mind, and soul guides our faith. We invite you to explore more about United Methodist beliefs here. You will also find our faith expressed in our official welcome statement, which was adopted by the church in 2019:
All are welcome at Church Street! We believe every person is of sacred worth and created in God’s image. We welcome and celebrate the gifts God has given to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, status, economic condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious affiliation. We respect diversity of opinion and expressions of Christian faith. We believe God loves everyone unconditionally! As God loves us, so let us love and serve in the name of Christ.
Visitors to Church Street UMC will immediately notice the large choir loft and grand pipe organ at the front of the worship space, leading up to the large marble altar below a vibrant stained glass window. These elements and many others speak to the importance of music and symbol in our worship service. Choirs of all ages contribute to worship throughout the year as we “sing our faith” in hymns, choir anthems, and special music.
Church Street also makes use of a programmed and patterned worship order. You will hear repeated phrases, prayers, and responses that are common across certain Christian traditions. Whether you are joining us for the first time or have been with us a lifetime, we hope that the Holy Spirit will be present as we worship each week together.
We are on a large campus in downtown Knoxville, located just north of the Henley Street Bridge. When you arrive, it’s best to park in our Magnolia parking lot, which is located off of Cumberland Avenue at Henley Street (on the Convention Center / Sunsphere side of the church, not the river side). There is designated visitor parking and special needs parking in the Magnolia Lot, as well as an accessible entrance at our Welcome Center. A greeter will meet you at the doors and show you around or take you to the nave.
Young Children (birth-5th grade): When you arrive at our Welcome Center, children, ages infant to 2 years old can go to the nursery. A greeter will take you there so you can meet our nursery volunteers, who all take part in Safe Sanctuaries/Safe Gatherings child safety training. Kids aged 4 through 5th grade are invited to join in the first part of our worship service in the Nave with their grown-ups, and then after the offering, go to Children’s Worship with our Director of Children’s Ministries, Katryn Bancroft.
Youth (Middle and High School): Church Street hosts a vibrant and multi-faceted youth program for middle and high school students. Youth should worship together with adults in the nave, and they are invited to join a Sunday School class on Sunday mornings at 9:40 am in the Christian Life Center (CLC), on the lower level. A greeter in the Welcome Center or an usher can help you find it. On Sunday evenings, youth can also participate in NightLife and Youth Choir. Learn more about our youth program by clicking here.
Church Street is a downtown church and part of a diverse community of beliefs, race and ethnicity, sexuality, socioeconomic statuses, and more. Our mission work is at the core of how we love our neighbor.
There are many ports of entry for someone wishing to serve God and neighbor.
- Soup Kitchen provides “love on a tray” each Thursday for community guests needing a complete meal.
- Sharing Shops at Church Street and Beacon of Hope in the Vestal community of South Knoxville provide toiletries, clothing, and food items to guests needing assistance.
- Beacon of Hope, at its campus in the Vestal community of South Knoxville, works with families to collaborate and build dignity over time through educational programs, social programs, financial literacy support, and assistance programs like Sharing Shop, Food Co-Op and the annual Christmas giving tree.
- Church Street also has a hardworking volunteer Missions Team that is focused on other hyper local, regional, national and international mission opportunities throughout the year, including support of UMC missionaries abroad and sending money and supplies to to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, or UMCOR.
To learn more about opportunities to serve at Church Street, please contact Rev. Palmer Cantler by phone or email – 865-521-0298 or pcantler@churchstreetumc.org).
Growing in our discipleship is at the core of our mission and ministry. These include:
- Children – Sunday school classes, music education, nursery, and special programs for our youngest members;
- Youth – a large offering of annual spiritual growth retreats and programs, mission opportunities, Sunday School, music opportunities, and worship;
- Adults – Bible studies, Sunday School, special lectures and discussions by scholars and theologians, and ministries with people at all stages of life.
These ministries all seek to help each person grow in their Christian discipleship. Let’s connect so we can share more.
