| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 139, 250, 253.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 8 Nov 2006.
Dedication service celebrates Stokely's Chapel renovations
(c) 2006 NPT PHOTO BY KATHY HEMSWORTH Several people attended a dedication service to celebrate the renovations of Stokely's Chapel at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center on Sunday afternoon. The chapel was constructed in 1952.
By: KATHY HEMSWORTH
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
11-08-2006
CARSON SPRINGS--A dedication service was held at Stokely's Chapel at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the chapel's recent extensive renovations.Constructed in 1952, stones for the building's construction were quarried on English Mountain. However, before the building was complete, Camp Carson, at was known at the time, ran out of money. The camp contacted William B. Stokely Jr. who told them to finish the construction and he would pay the bill.
The chapel was used more than 50 years, but never had heat or air conditioning. A few years ago, Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center Manager Keith McKinney and Tennessee Baptist Convention (TBC) representatives saw that the building was in need of repair and renovations.
"Three or four years ago, we knew this chapel needed major renovations. The Stokely family helped us financially once again, but they challenged us to find volunteers to do the work," said William Maxwell.
"It is hard to appreciate how beautiful this chapel isÐÐmany of you have been here before and know what it was like without heat or air conditioning," he explained.
He detailed the history of Camp Carson, which later became Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center. Maxwell explained that two local families, the Hoopers and the Rhynes, donated property to the Tennessee Baptist Convention to start a camp.
"Today, we are truly in a Holy place and we are here to celebrate. There have been thousands of teenagers and adults who have walked through these doors and made life-altering decisions. We are looking at the past 50 years, but also looking toward the next 50 years. This is a place of spiritual significance," Maxwell explained.
James Porch, executive director of the TBC, commended Maxwell for giving special attention to the renovations at Stokely's Chapel.
"I offer him my great thanks on behalf of the Tennessee Baptist ConventionÐÐyou (William Maxwell) never lost the idea. This is a structure, this is a place, this is a sanctuary because of what has happened here in past years--music, Bible study, preaching, training, and the application of the Biblical teaching," said Porch.
"A message has been consistently and fervently presented here. And people that have been here are literally on the other side of the world today spreading the Word of God," he added.
William B. "Bill" Stokely III, the son of William Stokely Jr. who helped fund the initial construction and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Will B. Stokely, for whom the building is named, said, "I am particularly pleased to be back here in Cocke County where our roots run deep."
"Fifty-five years ago my father got the call to help out with the chapel. And, I have been fortunate that my father left really big footprints," said Stokely, who is president of the William B. Stokely Foundation.
"This project played directly on our hearts, and was easy to respond to," he added.
He said the sweat equity of the hundreds of volunteers were much more than the foundation's financial contributions.
"God bless all those volunteers and their families. This chapel is a lot more important than a basketball facility or a business building on a campus. Praise God from whom all blessings flow," Stokely concluded.
Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center Manager Keith McKinney said that thousands and thousands of hours of work from volunteers all across the state resulted in the successful completion of the chapel renovations.
"I am also thankful that the Lord sent us an architectural firm that helped us through thisÐÐCommunity Tectonics. Some of our sub-contractors donated some of their time and materials," said McKinney.
"Two years ago in November the construction started, and here we stand today. We have few minor things to complete, but they will be finished soon by the volunteers," he said.
TBC Volunteer Project Coordinator Bill Brewer said, "I was contacted two years ago about this project and I thought it was a pretty ambitious goal to renovate this building with volunteers. But more than 500 different volunteers, from more than 30 groups around the state, have made this possible."
- [S147] Find a Grave, (Memorial: 50337491).
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