In 1882 Louis Bookwalter felt God’s call to minister to a group of
believers on the north side of Knoxville, Tennessee. Today, as a result of
this first pastor following God’s leading, and because over the next
century and a quarter, thousands of others committed themselves to the
work of God, Bookwalter United Methodist Church is now an exciting,
thriving community of believers.
Many of our members have been part of this church all of their lives—but
there is also a growing group who have just recently discovered the warm
loving Bookwalter family and become part of all that is happening here.
In 2007-2008, we are celebrating our one hundred and twenty-fifth
anniversary, and would like to welcome all former and current members to
be a part—and “new comers” to experience east Tennessee hospitality
and Christian love and grace.
Less than five miles from downtown Knoxville, Bookwalter is at the
junction of I-75 and I-640. Over 90,000 cars per day (that’s almost
thirty three million cars per year!) pass the church on I-75 and Central
Avenue Pike.
Programs and activities for children include Sunday school, children’s
church, VBS, Wonderful Wednesdays, Super Summer Sunday Evenings, puppet
programs, and others. Our kids look forward to being in church.
Our youth have weekly programming, annual mission trips (this year to
Panama City Beach), local outreach work, fund raisers, and a multiplicity
of “just plain fun” things to do. Each January, over two-dozen of our
teens go to “Resurrection” in Gatlinburg—this is a gathering of over
11,000 (mostly United Methodist) youth from all around the country.
Among the activities for senior adults is “Keenagers.” Monthly,
between sixty and eighty from around the area meet at Bookwalter for a
program and catered meal. Several trips are planned throughout the year.
In 2005, trips included the Cornbread Festival, New England (eight days),
and Governor’s Palace in Sevierville.
Bookwalter has Sunday school classes for all ages, a growing music
program, outside artists several times a year, and opportunities for
everyone to grow closer to God and each other.
Open hearts…open minds…open doors
Welcome Home!
Your Pastor,
