History
In November 1974, the Lord laid upon the hearts of a dozen people the need for a New Testament Church in the Tulip Grove area. They and others came together at the home of Don and Barbara Davis on Frankfort Drive in Hermitage, Tennessee on November 20, 1974 at 7:30 p.m. After prayer and discussion, they covenanted together to form the Tulip Grove Baptist Chapel. Seventeen signed their names to the charter that night.

A place to gather for services was critical. We are indebted to Mr. Albert E. Williams, Principal of DuPont Senior High School (now DuPont Tyler Middle School), for allowing us the use of the school for Sunday services, and to the Don Davis family who opened and closed the building.

The church held its first services on Sunday November 24, 1974 with 37 present for Sunday school and 65 present for worship service. Brother and Mrs. John W. Kurtz gave the first $100 dollars to start the church, with a total offering of $407.85. Soon afterwards, a devotional was aired by TGBC on WAMB each Sunday morning and continued weekly for many years. There were five new members in December.

The Organizational Service of the Tulip Grove Baptist Church was held on Sunday, January 5, 1975, at the DuPont Senior High School, with the Rev. John Kurtz presiding. On this day, TGBC was officially constituted with 65 members. The meeting was opened with the song “Onward Christian Soldiers”, followed by devotional and prayer lead by Mr. Harold Gregory, Director of Missions, Nashville Baptist Association. Cindy Davis sang a solo before the organizational meeting. There were 39 constituting members and it was decided that the Charter Membership remain open for a period of thirty (30) days. Also the deed to a five-acre site was given to the church that day. Mrs. Berdenia Wright was instrumental in securing the site on Shute Lane, off Lebanon Road adjoining the Memorial Gardens. The land was given to the Church by the investment group of Freeman and Criswell.

Past acts of faith, commitment, and effort have been rewarded in membership growth. Our Sunday school enrollment stands at 900. Our sanctuary provides seating for 1,350 people and our educational facilities holds 600 students. The Long-Range Planning Committee found the majority of the church body recognized the Sunday school facilities were cramped. Classes were at capacity and those in “non-classrooms” such as the gym, sanctuary, and balcony had outside distractions making class time difficult.

On September 1, 1999, we began having two Sunday schools and two worship services in order to alleviate overcrowding. On September 29, 1999 it was unanimously voted and approved to pay off the existing mortgage debt within the next fiscal year. A subcommittee of the Building and Stewardship Committees was charged with implementing a program to pay off the current $746,000 debt by November 2000. As of December 31, 1999, Tulip Grove Baptist Church’s membership stood at 1,317. “To God be the glory, great things He hath done!"

Over the past 25 years, many have served the Lord through Tulip Grove Baptist Church. All members and staff, past and present, have contributed to the history and growth of this church in some capacity. It would take volumes to list everyone and the area that they have served or the contributions they have made. The doors of Tulip Grove Baptist are open to all. It is our prayer that through this church, its ministries, outreach, fellowships, or programs that many will come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.