Years before the church was actually started, the Rev. H.M. (Shorty) Sparks felt a great need for a church in the vicinity. In the spring of 1960, a group of people at Hensley’s Chapel Baptist Church also saw the need for ministering in this area.

After many attempts to find a place to start a mission failed, a building was finally rented and moved here from 20 miles across Fonde Mountain.

The first mission Sunday School was held on June 12, 1960 with 34 members present. On July 3, 1960 there were 86 present. Soon, morning worship was started with guest preachers each Sunday. In November, the Rev. H.M. Sparks was called as mission pastor.

The Mission grew and prospered and on April 2, 1961 West Cumberland Avenue Baptist Church was organized with 19 members. The membership role was held open for another month for charter members. After this there was a total of 29 charter members. The following were elected by the newly constituted church: Rev. H.M. Sparks, Pastor; Etta Lou Engle, Clerk; Omega Branscom, Choir Director; and Earl Burchfield, Sunday School Superintendent.

On Easter 1962, ground was broken to build a new sanctuary across the road from where they were then meeting. When the plans were formulated for a new sanctuary, the entire membership started to work. They not only gave of their means, they gave of themselves through labor on the building, holding fund raising dinners, youth projects, etc. The Rev. Frank Baker, a crippled man who sold merchandise on the streets for a living, gave the first $100.00. Others followed suit. The land had been acquired in two parcels for about $2,000.00. By the time the church building was completed, only $12,500.00 was owed, which was paid off long before it was due.

In September 1972, the sanctuary was air conditioned. In January 1974, the parking lot was blacktopped. In February 1974, carpet was installed in the sanctuary. The church continued to grow and added members through baptism and church transfers. Additional Sunday School space, a kitchen, and a fellowship hall were added at a cost of $23,000.00 in 1976.

In May 1980, Rev. H.M. Sparks resigned as pastor due to ill health. Rev. Joe Cody then served as interim pastor from June 1980 to August 1980. In August 1980, the church elected Rev. Robert Willis as it’s second pastor. Rev. Willis resigned in July 1982 to accept the pastorate at Oakland Baptist Church in Rutledge, Tennessee.

Following this, Rev. H.M. Sparks served as interim pastor from October 1982 to September 1983, and Rev. Gordon Brown served as interim pastor from September 1983 to December 1983. On December 11, 1983 the church elected as pastor Rev. David Bullock. Rev. Bullock resigned as pastor in September 1988 to accept the pastorate at Hartfort Baptist Church in Hartfort, Kentucky.

In October 1984, ground was broken to build a new parsonage. The parsonage was completed and Brother Bullock and his family moved into it in January 1985. As God again richly blessed, the parsonage was completely paid for by the time it was finished.

On May 9, 1988 a tornado touched down in Middlesboro and completely destroyed the church building and did considerable damage to the parsonage.

The Church again responded to the need of repairing the parsonage and to rebuild the present parsonage and spacious new building. The cost of the present building was approximately $230,000.00. Churches and individuals from various parts of the south, as well as our members, responded by volunteering their time in helping construct the new building. After meeting at the Middlesboro Intermediate School for approximately 11 months, the congregation moved into the new building on Easter Sunday 1989.

In October 1988, the church elected Rev. Joe Cody as pastor. During Rev. Cody’s ministry, the church was completed. Rev. Cody resigned as pastor in July 1991 to pursue personal endeavors. Interim ministers fulfilled the church’s needs during this time.

In November 1991, the church elected Rev. Albert Bentley as pastor. Rev. Bentley resigned in October 1993 to go back to his home city of Mountain City, Tennessee.

On Sunday, August 7, 1994, Rev. James Lawson became pastor.

After Rev. Lawson resigned, the church called Clear Creek Baptist Bible College President Dr. Bill Whittaker to interim. In January 1996, Rev. Mike Alexander became pastor.

During 1997, the parsonage was moved to the adjoining lot and the church parking area was expanded.

Rev. M. Danny Robbins served as interim pastor from May 2004 until January 2005 when he was elected pastor. He and his wife Ella moved into the parsonage. Rev. Robbins retired from his teaching position at Southeast Community & Technical College to devote more time to his pastoral duties.

In the summer of 2006, the Kentucky Mountain Missions from South Carolina conducted our Vacation Bible School. In a labor of love, financial support and continuous prayer the group planned, designed, and built our picnic/activity shelter.

From the beginning of this special church to the present time, God has always had His hand upon it. The people of West Cumberland Avenue Baptist Church have continued to weather the storms and win victory for our Lord. The people, the events, the toils, the joys, the disappointment and the accomplishments make up the history of the church. Thank you God for such wonderful memories to make us smile when we look back at the history of West Cumberland Avenue Baptist Church. You have surely smiled on us.