Ooltewah Baptist Church has had a rich and colorful history spanning 140 years.

Prior to the Civil War, the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church was founded by early settlers. This church was disbanded during the war and the Ooltewah Baptist Church was established in 1868, as recorded in the minutes of the Ocoee Baptist Association. Reverend C. B. Martin was called as the church's first pastor.

The Ooltewah Baptist congregation, along with the Methodist church, shared the use of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church building located at the corner of Ocoee and Main Streets in Ooltewah. Each denomination met on a different Sunday. The Baptists also left record of Saturday meetings. Baptisms took place in the local creeks.

In 1880, the church gave the second largest mission offering in the Ocoee Baptist Association. The record offering was $4.25, $4.00 of which went to foreign missions.

The first church building was erected in 1882 at the corner of Main and Church Street, with the Reverend Levi Dunn as its pastor. The property is located across Main Street from the existing church sanctuary and is now used as a parking lot. The membership had increased to 81 and the property was valued at $1,200.00. The Ocoee Association also met in the new church in October of that year.

In 1916, the Reverend Sprague, our Associational Missionary, led the church in the addition of the first wing to the building. This addition was for the purpose of housing Sunday School classes.

The church continued to grow through the years, with the membership reported in 1898 at 63 members, 1909 with 98 members, and 140 members in 1928.

The original church building as modified as time passed with additions to accomodate the growing membership. Additions were made in 1916, 1938, and 1950. In 1929, under the leadership of Reverend Ira Dance, the sanctuary was remodeled, adding a new floor, a platform across the front and a vestibule at the entrance. In 1934, during the pastorate of Reverend Hiram Ward, the church's first kitchen was installed.

In October of 1945, Reverend  R. W. Prevost was called as pastor and served until 1958. During his pastorate, an addition was made to the back of the church, the auditorium was enlarged and remodeled, a new vestibule was added, new furniture was purchased, and an electric organ and baptistry were installed. A water system was also installed, providing running water to the church kitchen. The first church parsonage, consisting of eight rooms, was built in 1947 and the Prevosts were the first residents.

In 1958, Reverend Jack Whitson became pastor and under his leadership, a new Sunday School Education Building was erected across Main Street. This structure is now our Children's Building. Classes were first held in the building in July of 1960.

On Sunday night, February 5, 1961 at 11:40 pm a fire destroyed the church building. It is believed that the fire was caused by the heating element in the baptistry. All that was left of the church was the bell, which now hangs on the sign outside our current church building. The deacons met that night and made preparation for the Wednesday night prayer service.

Chairs and hymnals were bought for Sunday services and Fowler Brothers Furniture Company sent an organ and piano to use for six months without charge.With the help of this and several other businesses, the church began holding services in the largest assembly room in the Education Building (current Children's Building).

Construction was begun on the present sanctuary in August of 1961. Dedication ceremonies were held on July 15, 1962.

In October of 1962, Reverend Burl McMillan was called as pastor. At that time, there were 350 church members. The church purchased additional surrounding property until it owned the entire block. In 1965, the furnishing committee began their work on completing the necessary items for the interior of the church and many items were donated as memorials. An impressive dedication ceremony was held in December of 1965. In April of 1972 the church voted to add an activities building and ground was broken in June of that year. In 2007 this building was named and dedicated in honor of Reverend McMillan. Reverend McMillan resigned as pastor in January of 1978 to assume the position of Superintendent of the local Baptist Children's Home. In 2003 he returned to Ooltewah Baptist as Minister of Outreach and Visitation.

In 1979 the church called Reverend Lamar Barden as pastor and he served until 1982. Reverend Larry Williams served as pastor from 1983 until 1999 and during that time the church purchased the old Ooltewah Methodist Church property at the rear of its location. In 1992, the church added new Sunday School classes, an office building, and remodeled the auditorium, adding balconies and trim. After the resignation of Reverend Williams, the church called Reverend Stephen Passmore from England, and he served as pastor until early 2002.

In 2003, Reverend Tony L. DeYoung was called from the First Baptist Church of Whitwell, Tennessee to serve as pastor of Ooltewah Baptist Church and he continues in that capacity. Under his leadership, many new programs have been added and we look forward to seeing what God has in store for Ooltewah Baptist in the future.

2008 marks the 140th anniversary of Ooltewah Baptist Church.