The Brick Road. Laying a path from the past to the future.
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New Salem Baptist Church built in 1886 is Sevierville's oldest surviving building and the county's oldest brick church and only historic African-American church. On July 24, 2003, the church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. An important part of the community's 19th century heritage.
(Source: www.waymarking.com)
This historical church after years of slow deterioration after being closed and boarded up is in need of major renovations.
Descendants of church builder and successful black brick mason Isaac Dockery of Sevierville and others have been mobilizing recently to try to restore the building and turn it into a community center or historic destination open to the public.
The New Salem Renovation Task Force had several fund raising events raising over $50,000 and is applying for grants in an effort to restore this piece of history. The East Tennessee Community Design Center and the volunteer architectural services of David Hutchins of Knoxville, estimates more than $425,000 is need for the renovation.
The building sits in a floodplain and flooding is a concern. The first phase of the renovation will be site preparation - filling in the property to raise it 9'4" and raise the church by the 1'5". This bring the church out of the flood plane. We need an additional $25,000 to complete this phase.
The next phase (phase two) is to renovate the church. The renovation will include, but is not limited to, removing the mold, restoring the pews, re-purpose the brick, fixing a large vertical crack on one outside corner of the church, a new roof, restoring or replacing the small belfry, and upgrading the rest rooms - making them handicap accessible, and repaving/replacing the ventilation system. It will take approximately $350,000 for phase two.
The New Salem Renovation Task Force believes that grants and fund raisers will raise approximately 40% of the needed funds. The remaining will be through the generous donations of individuals, companies and organizations.
If you would like to get involved in our efforts, you can donate monetarily, your time, and or skills and materials. For more information, click here to be directed to our get involved page.
