Dutch Bottoms Union Church, our first building, was constructed in 1921.
Dutch Bottoms Baptist Church was organized and dedicated in August 1921 by the Rev. Will Weaver. Charter members of the church included Beatrice Brooks (Hawkins), Fern Brooks (Gaddis), Pearl Brooks (Ragan), Daisy Cody, Donald Cody, Paul Cody, Mrs. W. C. Cody, Forrest McNabb and his wife, Iva McNabb, Rodney McNabb, W. B. McNabb, J. B. Odell, Sr., and Mrs. John N Reneau. The first revival was in August 1921 and was held by Rev. Weaver. The first baptismal service was fall of 1921 by Rev Weaver who is thought to have been the fir first pastor. The first church clerk was Rodney McNabb. The first burial in the cemetery was Willa Mae Cody, the small daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Cody, Sr., in 1920. Dutch Bottoms Baptist Church first hosted the East Tennessee Baptist Association in August, 1927. The first wedding at Dutch Bottoms Baptist Church was Pearl Brooks and Clyde Ragan on December 24, 1937. Long-time pianists of the church were Mrs. Walter (Joyce McNabb) Thomas and Mary Reneau.
Our second building was built in 1943 because the Douglas Dam was constructed on the French Broad River resulting in flooding of the area. Land to build our second building costs $250. In spite of being in the midst of World War II where building materials were scarce, the new building was completed in three months. The first Sunday School Superintendent in our second building was J. B. Odell. The building was dedicated in 1943 by the Rev. L. F. Fielden. Later, Lawson Brady became our ling-time Sunday School Superintendent. The first pastor in the second building was Rev. L. F. Fielden. A long-time song leader during this time was Dave Parker. The first wedding in our second church building was Virginia Reneau and Dallas W. Price on June 6, 1944. A long-time church clerk during this time was Harriet Price. Rev. Jim Stump was elected the first full-time pastor in 1968. He stayed 17 years.
Our third and current building became necessary because God blessed the church to grow. congregants had to stand to attend services. The new building was dedicated in 1972 by the Rev. Jim Stump. He was the first pastor in this building. The first Sunday School Superintendent in this building was Jim Strange. The first song leader in this building was Alfred Parker. The first pianist in this building was Margaret Lewis. The first church clerk in this building was Geraldine Cody. the First Wedding was Loretta Hartsell and Mike Lewis. The first to be baptized in the new baptistery was Bonnie Lewis. the first funeral in this building was Nettie Parker.
In 1975, Sunday School rooms were added onto the building. In 1985, the new lighted steeple was added. In 1987, the pavilion was added. The church started Training Union in 1984 with Loretta Lewis as director. The live nativity pageant first was presented in 1989 with Bobby Parker as director. Our homecoming is every year on the first Sunday in September. Rev. Doug Self was elected full-time pastor in 1984.
Former pastors include:
Will Weaver
Leonard Davis
A. L. Crawley
Sanford Swann
Oran Bishop
Hobart Ford
Robert Marshall
Conally Evans
Mark Harris
L. F. Fielden
Colman Cowell
Bill Potter
Guy West
Silas Fortner
Burton Way
Lee Seals
Jim Stump
Doug Self
Barry Warren
Brian Bradley
Manson Lee
Ray Wiley
Ron Ball
