Dandridge in Jefferson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Hopewell Presbyterian Church Dandridge, TN

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 25, 2024

1. Hopewell Presbyterian Church Dandridge, TN Marker

Inscription. The National Register
of Historic Places
Tennessee
Historical Commission

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 36° 1.082′ N, 83° 24.828′ W. Marker is in Dandridge, Tennessee, in Jefferson County. It can be reached from Hopewell Street (U.S. 25W/70) north of East Meeting Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is to the right of the front sanctuary entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 812 Hopewell St, Dandridge TN 37725, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also 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,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Seabolt / Harris (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); McCuistion (about 600 feet away); Battle of Dandridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Attack on Dandridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Dike That Saved Dandridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Memory of the Revolutionary Soldiers Buried Here (approx. 0.2 miles away); Blant’s Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jefferson County Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dandridge.

More about this marker. Hopewell Presbyterian Church is a contributing building to the Dandridge Historic District

Regarding Hopewell Presbyterian Church Dandridge, TN. The original site of Hopewell Presbyterian Church in 1785 was on East Main Street in downtown Dandridge. The lot is now a burial ground, which contains the remains of several Revolutionary War soldiers and other settlers of the town.

Excerpt from the Dandridge Historic District Nomination Form:
In 1783, thirteen years before Tennessee became a state, the first permanent white settlers were attracted to the Dandridge area by the French

Hopewell Presbyterian Church sanctuary entrance. Marker is to the right of the entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 25, 2024

2. Hopewell Presbyterian Church sanctuary entrance. Marker is to the right of the entrance

Broad River and a good spring (located near the Hynds House). Two years later, the Hopewell Presbyterian Church was organized.

Another prominent building in the district is the Hopewell Presbyterian Church, built in 1879. The red brick building curiously shows no hint of the Victorian age in which it was built.

Also see . . .
1. Dandridge Historic District Nomination Form (pdf). Prepared by Ellen Beasley, Tennessee Historical Commission, 1972 (Submitted on November 26, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

2. Steeped in History. A historical overview of Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Dandridge

The settlement’s log cabin church, Henderson’s Lower Meeting House, formed the roots of Hopewell Presbyterian Church. It was located on the north corner of what is today the Revolutionary Graveyard. Organized in 1785, Hopewell was active before both the town of Dandridge (1793) and the State of Tennessee were chartered (1796). The Rev. Hezekiah Balch is usually credited with founding the church...

...this region was one of very mixed loyalties to the Union and Confederacy. Some family stories say the church
Photographed by Mark Parker, November 25, 2024

3. Hopewell Presbyterian Church
never closed its doors during the Civil War as some references report. However, in the conflict’s aftermath, Hopewell’s official membership roll did characterize each family as “L” for loyalist or “S” for secessionist. The latter were denied Holy Communion and access to worship. Later, all were allowed back into full communicant membership under the pastorate of Rev. William Harris Lyle and freed slaves formed Bethel Presbyterian Church, located a few blocks away. The present red brick structure, including a tower bell that still rings today to announce worship, was erected and dedicated in 1872, serving as a way forward to reconciliation and reunification.

(Submitted on November 26, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)

Hopewell Presbyterian Church sign on the East Meeting Street side of the property image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 25, 2024

4. Hopewell Presbyterian Church sign on the East Meeting Street side of the property

Original Hopewell Presbyterian Church Monument on East Main Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, November 25, 2024

5. Original Hopewell Presbyterian Church Monument on East Main Street

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 375 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 26, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.