Meeting in a tent at 2800 North Chamberlain Avenue, the Chamberlain Avenue Baptist Church was organized on August 15, 1909, with ninety-two charter members. Rev A. P. Moore was called as Pastor, and in September 1909 the church was accepted into the Ocoee Association.

The Church has had (fifteen) different pastors. W. W. Howard was called in March, 1911; C. E. Sprague in September 1911; C. C. Edwards in December 1912; J. C. Merrill in June 1914 and G. T. King in April 1916. Carl McGinnis had a brief, but well-received ministry in 1926. In June 1929 A. A. McClanahan was called as Pastor, and the church experienced its greatest number in growth. The Amnicola Mission was concluded and McCarty Mission organized into a church in 1945 with L. K. Weaver as Pastor. In 1940 fire partially destroyed Chamberlain Avenue Baptist Church. Classrooms and an enlarged auditorium were added. Twenty percent of the church’s offering was given to the Co-operative Program.

Harold L. Malone came as Pastor in 1954. The auditorium was air-conditioned, a parsonage was purchased, and the old parsonage was made into Nursery and Beginner Departments. A two-story Youth Building was erected in 1959. Walton L. MacMillan replaced Harold Malone as Pastor in 1964.
In 1965, E. R. Seanor came as pastor; Kenneth Rains was called as Associate Pastor in 1974. Timothy Marrs came as outreach Minister in 1977, and Timothy C. Seanor came as Minister of Education in 1981.

The church purchased 6.2 acres of land on South Access Road and Benton Drive in January 1975. Groundbreaking ceremony was held June 29, 1980. On November 16, 1980, the church changed its name from Chamberlain Avenue Baptist Church to Chamberlain Memorial Baptist Church. Dedication day and cornerstone laying for the present facilities were held on May 31, 1981.

Those serving as Music Directors from the 1940’s to the present time are; Julian Wilson, Gene Greer, Frank Pendergrass, Ronnie Hall, Allie R. Broom, E. O. Morgan Jr., Fred Hood, James Hixson, Byron Ball, Stephen Foster, Marty Parks, Dewayne Roberson, Foster Mathes, David Hawkins, LeRoy D. Hobbs, Kenneth Pendergrass, Garry Woodside, Todd Plain, Charles Craig, Greg Dempsey, Steve Griffin, David Halstead and Don Crane.
Richard Ball served as Summer Youth Director in 1984 and Christie Seagle in 1985.

In May 1987 Don Long was called as Pastor. Tony Wilson became full-time Minister of youth and Education in December 1987. Gary Lynn came as Youth and Education Director in November 1988. A Family Life Center with a full gym, an office complex, commercial kitchen and additional Sunday School rooms were added in the summer of 1989.

In November 1989, the church called Steve Pearson as Associate Pastor/Youth Pastor. The youth Department grew tremendously under his leadership. In 1990 Chamberlain Memorial Baptist Church was recognized by the Home Mission Board as being one of the top ten churches in Tennessee in youth baptisms.

Todd Plain came as Minister of youth/Music and Singles in January 1992. Tim McGhee came as Associate Pastor, Youth and Education Director in April 1992. In October 1992, Garry Woodside was called as full time Music and Youth Director.

In 1993, the church entered a Debt Retirement Program with over $150,000.00 being committed to the church in three year period. Debt was paid off in November 1996. The church voted In September 1993 to name the church library in memory of Ed Cornes.

Mike Mitchell came in February 1994 as youth and singles Director. Don Crane came as Interim Music Director in January 1995. Charles Craig was called as Music and youth director in June 1995.

Dr. Don Long resigned in September 1995. Charles “Chuck” Craig became Interim Pastor after Don Long’s resignation. Rev. Thomas B. Guinn became Interim Pastor after Chuck Craig’s resignation in 1996.

Michael Oppizzi came as Pastor in September 1996. Joshua Culver came as Youth Director in April 1997 to serve during the summer months. The AWANA program was started in May 1997. Pastor Michael Oppizzi resigned in January 1998 and Rev. Thomas Guinn was called as Supply Pastor during our transition time.

Rev Gary H Akins was called as Pastor in June 1998. In July 1998 Becky Randolph was elected Children’s Director. On March 10, 1999 the church voted to hire Sandra Akins to replace Karen Craze, one of our part-time secretaries. Ruth Ann White has been our other part-time secretary since 1983.

On May 5, 1999 the church voted to name the ball field in memory of Ralph Woods.

David Halstead was called as Minister of Music in December 2001. Jarrett Langley was called as Youth Director in August 2002. Patrick and Janet Phillips were called as Youth Directors in 2005. They started a co-ed softball team. Paula Smelcer, Melanie Hicks and Jill Wilson were called as Co-Children’s Directors in February 2003.

In September 1998 the church voted to install a new roof, new gutters and repair the steeple. This work was completed in July 1999. The platform was extended and remodeled in 2004 by Robert Hinkle and Church volunteers. The parking lot was sealed and re-striped. The Children’s and Youth Departments were carpeted. Renovation of the Sanctuary began in 2005. This included repainting, replacing carpet and replacing pew cushions. Bro. Gary Akins received his Doctorate Degree in August 2002. During his ministry here, there were 150 additions to our church.

Dr. Gary Akins resigned in September 2005. Scott and Denice Rowe became Co-directors of Youth in October 2005. Bob Hinkle was elected as part-time secretary in November 2005. Rev Jake Carroll was called as Pastor in January 2006. Rhonda Carroll was elected as Volunteer Nursery Coordinator in March 2006. Tim Williams was called as Minister of Youth in April 2006. Nathan Fletcher was called as Minister of Congregational Care in April 2006. Joy Fletcher was hired as a nursery worker in April 2006. Don Crane was called as Interim Music Director in April 2006. He and Kenneth Pendergrass served together until December 2006. Bro. Jake and Bro Kenneth have led the Music Ministry together since January 2007. Nursery pagers were purchased in April 2006. In June 2006, the deacon’s recommended that the church incorporate as a not-for-profit “C Corporation” in order to more completely protect all of our assets. Philip & Sally Morris were called first as our interim Minister of Youth when Tim Williams resigned August 2006 and then called as Bi-Vocational Youth Minister January 2007. There have been 38 additions to our Church, 7 of which are by baptism since Rev. Jake Carroll has been pastor.

The Church will be 98 years old on August 15, 2007; our theme this year is “Thou, O Lord” from Psalm 3. August 10, 2008 will be the 99th Homecoming and our Centennial Homecoming Celebration will be August 9, 2009. Please make plans now to attend.