Several years before 1882, a few pioneer families of Hill City, Tennessee, now known as North Chattanooga, felt the need for a spiritual altar.

They banded together to worship on a site of land near Bell Avenue. After worshiping at that location for a while, this group had a desire to become a part of the Methodist Conference. With the aid of Reverend W. A. Jackson, the church was organized on White Oak Hill. This first church was dedicated and named Jackson Chapel. The first officers were Tom Hammond, Chairman of Trustees; Squire Waldon, Washington Scruggs, and German Seay.

Reverend Aaron Martin became the pastor in 1883 and had a vision of a better church. The church was moved from the original site to the Hill overlooking Lawn Street Place. This new church was completed and dedicated New Hope Methodist Church. After worshiping at the New Hope location for twenty-three years, a growing church began to look for a more suitable location. A site on White Oak Road, at 833 Dallas Road was acquired and the building was started by Reverend John Isabell. The next pastor was Reverend J. T. Henry, then Reverend George W. Smith who came and completed the building. The corner stone was laid in 1886. This new church was dedicated Hurst Memorial M E Church in honor of Bishop Hurst.

Out of this pioneer church, came one of Tennessee’s greatest Methodist preachers, the late Reverend Fred S. Scruggs, co-founder of the early church. He was called to preach at the early age of 13. He and his devoted wife, Mrs. Emma Inmand Scruggs were trail blazers who paved the spiritual way for God’s great Methodist churches in East Tennessee. Through his suffering, long walks, hardships and strenuous preaching, he helped make the ministers work of today much easier.

Other Ministers who served as pastors of Hurst include: A. W. Randolph, William Haggard, G. H. Pettis, William M. Johnson, Hubert Jones, R. Hill, William Height, Sam B. Johnson, J. W. Manning, F. A. Hatcher, Fred Scruggs, Aaron Williams, Mose Malone, J. R. Washington, Curtis Elder, James H. Jimmerson, J.W. Rambo, G. D. McCord, Moses H. Williams, James Colter, Clarence Acklin, Alvin H. Smith and Chester Bowles.

The Reverend W. H. Richardson was sent as pastor in 1941. With the help of his wife, Mrs. Louise Richardson, they did a great work. Mrs. Richardson played for and organized a good choir.

For forty years, God had smiled on Hurst Memorial. She had grown and found favor in the sight of God. However, that divine old structure at 833 Dallas Road was showing many signs of wear and tear. With the cooperation of the membership and under the leadership of the Rev. Moses H. Williams, a new church was begun. In 1946, under the leadership of Rev. James A. Tinner, the church was completed. This new church was dedicated New Hurst Memorial Church.

Reverend Bethel Hendricks and his wife followed Reverend Bowles’ pastorate. He was a dynamic speaker with lots of fire. His wife, Reverend Mary Hendricks succeeded him. She helped by using her great organizational skills to keep Hurst informed. During the Hendricks’ pastorate, Hurst merged with Wiley and Washington Hills United Methodist Churches. However, the Hurst leadership soon realized they could be most faithful by remaining as a single entity in the North Chattanooga location. All three churches were members of Hands Across the River Parish (HARP).

Reverend Stanley R. Williams was also full of fire and the Holy Spirit. His wife, Martha, children, and grandchild attended with him. He paved the way for the construction of a new sanctuary at Hurst. Long before we had decided to build a new facility, Miss Dora Lee, a former Sunday School teacher and communion steward, was responsible for opening a savings account for the building fund. With Reverend Williams’ leadership, along with Tamara Oglesby, Benny Scruggs, James Starling and others, Hurst was blessed to start the process of building a new church. Vilma Scruggs Fields assisted in the writing of the proposal to the Holston Conference in order to obtain money to start construction.

Reverend Donald Daniels, who served Hurst for a second time, and assistant, Reverend Jonathan Scruggs were our ministers when we moved into the new church.

On April 7, 1999, our dear historian, member and friend, Mrs. Jeanette Mosley was called to be with the Lord at the age of 95. It was with great honor that her home going celebration was the first service held in our new facility. She was a lifelong dedicated servant to the Lord and to Hurst. The service was held on April 12, 1999.

The first worship service was held in the new facility on Sunday, April 18, 1999. This was a joint service with Wiley United Methodist Church. We had worshiped with Wiley for over a year while our church was under construction. Reverend Daniels’ sermon on this day was “Love” taken from 1 Corinthians 13. The day ended with our first Praise and Worship Service lead by Reverend Jonathan Scruggs.

Under the leadership of Reverend Sandra J. Johnson, with her Christ-centered sermons, administrative skills and loyalty to God and Hurst, Hurst continued to grow. Under her administration, the parking lot was paved and a new sign at the front was installed.

Eight members of Hurst were lead, called and blessed by God to become ministers. They were and are Reverends Fred Scruggs, Chester Bowles, Roland Scruggs, Jonathan Scruggs, Donald McCullough, Henderson Wood, Sandra James Johnson, and Terrance Martin.

In 2008, Pastor Anthony D. Fears was assigned to Hurst. He immediately initiated a clean-up campaign to beautify the church. He also started the “HOW” (Hurst Outside the Walls), targeting the youth in the community. His wife Sonia immediately began to work with the youth in song and dance for the morning service.

Rev. Edward Ellis was appointed to Hurst June 2011. He instituted a contemporary worship service and revived the church newsletter. The congregation is enthused by his messages. He and his wife, Gena have three boys.

In June 2011, Hurst United Methodist became a part of the Mount Moriah Parish Partnership. Five churches: Eastdale Village, Hurst, Randolph in South Pittsburg, Stanley, and Wells Chapel in Jasper, TN comprise the Mount Moriah Partnership Parish. The parish concept is born from the idea of John Wesley who said “The world is my Parish.” Congregations participating in shared ministries are maximizing the potency of love emulated by Christ.

Although a small membership congregation, Hurst United Methodist Church is known for being a compassionate, loving, and caring church. Our history is great and strong. With this rich history, let us keep Hurst alive! Continue to serve God, our church, our fellow man, and keep Jesus, family and church the center of our lives so that we will continue to grow.