Knoxville in Knox County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

First African American Church

By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 20, 2021

1. First African American Church Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On this site stood Warner Tabernacle African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the first African American Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the site of the first school for African Americans in east Knoxville. Founded in 1845, it was reported to be a site on the Underground Railroad to freedom. The site of the church moved a number of times. In 1987 the congregation moved to a church building at 3800 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1E 122.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list.

Location. 35° 58.548′ N, 83° 53.623′ W. Marker is in Knoxville, Tennessee, in Knox County. Marker is on Fuller Avenue east of McConnell Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1027 Fuller Avenue, Knoxville TN 37915, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 20, 2021

2. First African American Church Marker

2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Odd Fellows Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Confederate Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); War on the Home Front (approx. 0.6 miles away); St. Clair Cobb (approx. 0.6 miles away); William Francis Yardley (approx. 0.8 miles away); Beauford Delaney / Joseph Delaney (approx. 1.2 miles away); 400 Mulvaney Street (approx. 1.3 miles away); James White (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knoxville.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2021, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 46 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 21, 2021, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.