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.
• 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.