St. Elmo Improvement League in Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
St. Elmo Presbyterian Church
| | Southeast Tennessee Religious Heritage Trail | |
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 27, 2022
1. Southeast Tennessee Marker
On August 31, 1889 St. Elmo Presbyterian Church was organized with 33 members as a mission church of the First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga. The organizing pastor was Dr. Robert W. Carter. Dr. Jonathan Bachman preached the first sermon and Rev. T.H. McCallie presided over the first communion service and the installation of officers on September 1, 1889. On April 7, 1889 the Chattanooga Times reported that "a large force of hands" was at work constructing "one of the most fancy church edifices in the Chattanooga area." The architecture demonstrates decorative elements borrowed from the Queen Anne and Eastlake styles and is considered the "most outstanding Eastlake building in Chattanooga" (from the nomination form for the National Register of Historic Places - St. Elmo Historic District). Architectural elements of note include the irregular asymmetrical appearance, gabled roof with finials and elaborate and varied exterior wood trim treatments with surface ornamentation. In 1997 the church received from Cornerstones, Inc. a preservation award for its work toward preserving this important building.
(Captions):
Current - 2003
100th Anniversary
Church in 1958
Turn of the Century Church
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
this page online
Location. 35° 0.104′ N, 85° 19.741′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is in St. Elmo Improvement League. It is at the intersection of St. Elmo Avenue (Tennessee Route 17) and West 44th Street, on the left when traveling south on St. Elmo Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4400 St Elmo Ave, Chattanooga TN 37409, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ochs Highway (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Elmo World War I Memorial (approx. half a mile away); The Whiteside Turnpike (approx. half a mile away); Lookout Mountain Incline (approx. half a mile away); Medal of Honor Heritage Trail (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cravens House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cross Roads (approx. 0.8 miles away); Incline Number One (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattanooga.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 27, 2022
2. Southeast Tennessee Marker
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 27, 2022
3. St. Elmo Presbyterian Church
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 27, 2022
4. Church Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 420 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 27, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
