Townsend, Walland offer variety of places to worship

By Rheta Murry

Daily Times Correspondent

Known as the Peaceful Side of the Smokies, Townsend features a slower pace where visitors can contemplate, meditate and worship God.

Townsend and Walland offer a large variety of options to those desiring to worship while on vacation. Some churches are within walking distance or a short drive from area motels. Others, because they are nestled in wooded areas, take a little more effort to locate.

For example, down a curvy country road, a white clapboard country church appears to stand sentry near Walland's school, while another church building sits behind a bank in a quiet Townsend neighborhood, a block away from the main highway. All provide a place of worship, reflection and support in their communities.

Tuckaleechee United Methodist Church, Bethel Baptist Church, Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and River of Life Fellowship Inc. (formerly Townsend Church of God) rank within the top 15 in Yahoo's Things to Do in Townsend.

Cades Cove showcases the oldest churches in the area. Though no longer offering services, the three churches provide a quiet, peaceful place of reflection.

Below is a listing of churches in the Townsend and Walland areas. All of the churches confirmed the service times and welcome visitors to attend with them. Cades Cove churches also are listed.

When taking a break from worship isn't an option, visit one of the churches listed.

Places to worship in the Townsend and Walland area

Baptist

Bethel Baptist Church: 132 Bethel Church Road, Townsend. (865)448-6972. Services: Sunday Morning: Bible Study, 10 a.m. and Worship, 11 a.m., and Sunday Evening Discipleship Training, 5 p.m. Worship Service, 6 p.m.; Wednesday Prayer meeting, 6:30 p.m.

Caylor's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church: 486 Webb Road, Townsend. (865) 448-3315. Sunday School, 10 a.m.; Sunday Morning Worship, 10:45 a.m.; Sunday Evening Service, 6 p.m.; Wednesday service, 7 p.m.

Cold Springs Baptist Church: 1226 Cold Springs Rd, Walland. (865) 982-3206. Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Worship, 10:30 a.m.; Discipleship Training, 6 p.m.; Sunday Evening Worship, 7 p.m.; Wednesday Evening Service, 7 p.m.

Friendly Hill Missionary Baptist Church: Lover's Lane, Townsend. Sunday Morning Worship 10 a.m.; Sunday Evening Worship, p.m.; Wednesday Worship, 7 p.m.

Little River Fellowship: Meeting at Heritage Middle School, 3737 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway. (865) 705-2022. Sunday Morning Worship, 10:30 a.m.; Adult Caring Praying Relationships (CPR) groups, 5:30 p.m. Sunday; Children and Youth CPR groups, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Macedonia Baptist Church: 1077 Dry Valley Road, Townsend. (865) 428-6415. Sunday Worship, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday Evening, 6 p.m.; Wednesday evening service 7 p.m.

Millers Cove Missionary Baptist Church: 317 W. Millers Cove Road, Walland. Sunday School, 10 a.m.; Worship Service 11 a.m.

Oakview Baptist Church: 2704 Ellejoy Road, Walland. (865) 977-6822. Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday Morning Worship, 10:30 a.m.; Discipleship Training, 6 p.m.; Sunday Evening Worship, 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.

Parkway Baptist Church: Townsend. Sunday School, 10 a.m.; Sunday Morning Worship, 10 a.m.; Sunday Evening Worship, 7 p.m.; Wednesday Evening Worship, 7 p.m.

Prospect Baptist Church: 519 Prospect Road, Walland. (865) 984-4860. Sunday School, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday Morning Worship, 10:30 a.m.; Discipleship Training, 6 p.m.; Evening Worship, 6:45 p.m.

Kinzel Springs Baptist Church: 7077 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend. (865) 448-2450. Sunday School, 10 a.m.; Sunday Morning Worship, 11 a.m.; Sunday Evening Worship, 6 p.m.; Wednesday Evening Worship 7 p.m.

Catholic

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church: 7719 River Road, Townsend. (865)448-6070. Mass Services: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m., Saturday, 7 a.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m.

Church of God

River of Life International: 325 Webb Road, Townsend. Sunday School, 10 a.m.; Children's Church 10:45 a.m.; Morning Worship, 10:45 a.m.; Sunday Evening Worship, 6 p.m.; Wednesday Evening Worship, 7 p.m.

United Methodist

Campground United Methodist Church: Corner of US 321 and Old Tuckaleechee Rd, Townsend. Sunday Morning Worship Service, 10 a.m.

Tuckaleechee United Methodist Church: 7322 Old Tuckalechee Road, Townsend. (865)448-2463. Early Worship 8:30 p.m.; Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10:45 a.m.; Sunday Evening Service, 7 p.m.; Wednesday evening, 6 p.m.

Walland United Methodist Church: 309 E. Millers Cove Road, Walland. Sunday School, 10 a.m.; Sunday Morning Worship, 11 a.m.; Sunday Evening Worship, 6:30 p.m. on the third and fourth Sundays of each month; Wednesday evening meal 6 p.m.; Wednesday Evening Bible Study, 7 p.m.

Independent

Church of the Cove: 642 Wears Valley Road, Townsend. (865)448-1929. Sunday Worship services, 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.; Wednesday, Breaking Bread (a meal) at 6 p.m., followed by Bible Study for adults, youth and children. (Suggested donation for the meal $2 each or $6 per family. Small groups meet throughout the week in the Townsend and Wears Valley areas. Located 1.5 miles from the traffic light.

Shepherd's Glory: 7645 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend. (865)448-0976. Worship service, 10 a.m. Sunday. Church is located near Wood-n Strings Dulcimer shop.

Cades Cove Churches

Open to the public, these churches provide visitors a place to meditate, learn about history and visit the old cemeteries. No services are conducted in the Cades Cove churches.

Primitive Baptist Church: The first church in Cades Cove, the Primitive Baptist Church established in 1827. The white frame building was constructed in 1887.

Cades Cove Methodist Church: J.D. McCampbell constructed the present building in 1902. It took him 115 days and cost $115.

Cades Cove Missionary Baptist Church: The congregation met in homes, and later in a log building for many years. The present building was constructed in 1915.