Our History

 In 1875, The East Tennessee General Association of Baptist Churches appointed the late Rev. John Rogers, affectionately known as Uncle Jack, to organize churches in what is now known as the Mechanicsville community. Uncle Jack accepted the appointment, and to begin his mission, he introduced Group Prayer Meetings to area residents. The meetings were a success, and when it was obvious they had outgrown their usual meeting place (which was the home of Abram Jones on Leslie Street) there was demand and support for an organized Baptist Church, of which Uncle Jack undertook the task of organizing.

On September 24, 1882, after much prayer and planning, Uncle Jack successfully organized Little Zion Baptist Church (later renamed Rogers Memorial Baptist Church in his honor), but there was no church home. After growing at a rapid pace, the membership decided a church house was needed to accommodate the congregation. A Location Committee was appointed, and Cansler Street was the agreed upon site in spite of being very unattractive (in the front was a large red-slate rock that stood several feet above the level of the lot and in back was a hole 10 or more feet deep). The lot was purchased for $250 cash, and Uncle Jack was the chief architect and builder. After construction, Little Zion Baptist Church was dedicated to God in an all-day service, which included much singing, shouting, and praise of God because the prayers of many had been answered.

 Before the building was occupied, a strong wind blew Uncle Jack’s superstructure off its foundation. There is no doubt that some people would have been discouraged, but not Uncle Jack and Little Zion’s congregation. The next morning, they were back on the job salvaging materials to rebuild. Uncle Jack did not disdain small gifts; in fact, he accepted everything from a nail, a brick, or a piece of lumber. He encouraged the children to take little buckets and go to buildings being erected and pick up the dropped nails, including the bent ones, and bring them to him to be sorted and straightened. Uncle Jack set an example of frugality by carrying most of the lumber used in the building on his back from a lumber yard. After a short time, Uncle Jack became pastor of Little Zion Baptist Church.

 Initial church officers were Deacons Abram Jones, Thomas Absher, and H.A. Grisham, and its great booster Uncle Dennis Hall. Uncle Dennis Hall was very quaint and picturesque—a very aged man with snow white hair who drove a dilapidated cart with a small female burro to pull it. When he came to church, Uncle Dennis dusted off his tall, skinny beaver-plug hat and strutted. An enterprising whisky drummer once took a picture of Uncle Dennis and his outfit and had it copyrighted. It became the trademark of one of Kentucky’s largest distilleries to this day under the slogan "She Was Formed in Old Kentucky."

In the year 1912, some repairs were needed on the church building. Under the leadership of Rev. A. D. Hurt as pastor, a building committee was appointed to oversee the repairs. The building was started, but by December 30, 1912, we were out of funds. The Men's Club laid the floor in the basement, and the ladies plastered the basement with Brother Charles Austin doing the work. Dr. J. J. Johnson donated the paint used in the basement, and soon the work was finished. This was in 1913, and about the middle of the year Rev. A. D. Hurt, the pastor, was called to the Office of Superintendent of Missions of the State of Tennessee. The Church cast about for a new leader, and Rev. E. M. Seymour, of

Ripley, Tennessee, was called.

Under the leadership of the Reverend E. M. Seymour, Deacon U.S. Clark served as superintendent of the Sunday School for more than 20 years up to the time of his death in December 1938. Under Deacon Clark’s leadership, in the spring of 1923, a Sunday School campaign, and a house-to-house and street-to-street movement was conducted to encourage Sunday School attendance. One beautiful morning in June, the attendance exceeded the 400 mark. Many young men who are now scattered throughout the United States were members of the Sunday School and had their lives shaped by Rev. Seymour, who was their beloved teacher.

Rev. T. H. Burge served as supply pastor of the church during several periods of the church’s history. The longest and most noteworthy period was October 1943- April 1946, during which time the pastor, Rev. L.A. Alexander served with the armed forces as a chaplain. In 1959, under the leadership of the Reverend L.A. Alexander, the Cansler Street church building was converted into a Youth Center. He believed that the young people of the church, as well as the community,

would greatly benefit from supervised recreation. Great emphasis was put on the importance of working with and embracing young people for the building of God’s Kingdom.

In 1961, the Reverend Byron G. Ragsdale assumed the pastorate ofRogers Memorial and served until his health failed in 1993. His deep concern for the wellbeing of others was exemplified by his loving leadership.

Untiringly, he has led us; unselfishly, he served us; and, with unfaltering faith in God, he nurtured our spiritual needs. One of his fondest hopes was to liquidate the debt on the L.A. Alexander Educational Building, which was realized during the celebration of our September 1994 church anniversary. When Rev. Ragsdale retired, he was named Pastor Emeritus of Rogers Memorial, and our Byron G. Ragsdale

scholarship fund was established.

In August 1994, God called and sent the Reverend Michel S.E. Caldwell to be pastor of Rogers Memorial. He preached his first sermon as pastor of Rogers Memorial Baptist Church on the 4th Sunday of that month. Rogers Memorial continues to stand tall and proud of all that our Heavenly Father has imparted in our lives as well as our Church. On our journey together, Pastor Caldwell led us into the 21st Century as founder of the following ministries:

• Youth Council • Joy Club Seniors • United Usher Ministry • Culinary Ministry

• Children/Youth Choir • Young Adult Choir • Annual Rehoboth Conference

• Children’s Church • Tuesday Night Men and Women Bible Study • Young Adult Bible Studies

• Wednesday Noon Day Bible Study • Kidz Zone  • The Voices of Visions Newsletter

• The Dance and Drama Ministries • Easter Sunrise Service in the Park

• Spiritual Advanced Leadership Training (SALT) Meetings 

• Iron Man Challenge.• Pastoral Senior Care Ministry

In addition, Pastor Caldwell served as Adjunct Professor of Religion at Tusculum College, Graduate Studies and Director of Campus Ministries and was an Adjunct Professor of New Testament Studies at Knoxville College. He served as President of the Knoxville Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance 2003-2005; member of CAC Community

Leadership Class of 2005-2006; instructor at the Covington Theological Seminary, Knoxville, TN; served as the

Associate Dean of Congress for the Eastern Region of the Tennessee Baptist Missionary & Educational Convention,

Inc., and served as the Dean of Congress for the Knoxville District Baptist Association, Inc.

from October 2021 until his passing on February 14, 2022.

During his tenure as pastor of Rogers Memorial, Pastor Caldwell nurtured four “sons” in the ministry who

went on to pastor other churches: Rev.James Townes, Rev. A. David Baxter, Rev. Oliver Williams, and Rev. James Mathis. He also licensed two “daughters” in the ministry, Rev. A. Jean Delaney and Rev. Delorse Lofton. Pastor Caldwell went to be with the Lord on February 14, 2022. His last sermon, preached on February 13, 2022, was titled

“The Help” II Kings 5:1-3.

His absence left a void, but the church moved on with Rev. A. David Baxter 

providing pastoral care and pulpit service from February 23, 2022, until our current pastor began his tenure on June 1, 2025. During this time, we continued to pray for God’s guidance in leading us to the pastor He had prepared for this body of believers. While actively waiting we continue to serve our community through our Non-Food Pantry, a joint venture with Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church and Second Harvest Food Bank when free food is distributed to the community, and through alliances with, and support of, organizations such as Compassion Coalition, Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries, Salvation Army, etc.

On May 31, 2025, Rev. Dr. Raymond L. Chandler signed the Letter of Call and preached his first sermon as the new pastor of Rogers Memorial on June 1, 2025. The Sermon was titled "It Is Time, To Try Again".  His official installation was held November 9th, 2025.  His vision for Rogers Memorial is that we are a church

“Sharing and Showing the Love of the Savior in the Spirit of Excellence.”

Dr. Chandler and Lady Lesley have brought new energy to Rogers Memorial that we look forward to for years to come.  To God be the glory!​​