Parish Profile
St. Elizabeth’s Knoxville

St. Elizabeth’s was established in the summer of 1984 and the congregation moved to its present location on Sugarwood Drive in 1988. The Rev. Matthew Dutton-Gillett is the rector.

As a church, St. Elizabeth’s is committed “to continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers. It seeks to affirm the Christian faith and life in the Anglican tradition and to help members grow into the full stature of Christ.

The congregation has taken as its mission statement, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. . .this is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

To fulfill that mission, the Church supports the food pantry, Fish, and the Volunteer Ministry Center. The Outreach Committee plans and implements service programs and distributes funds for a variety of programs including Camp for special needs children, Camp Billy Johnson, Love Delivers/AIDS Response, Camp Rainbow Bereavement, Episcopal School Scholarship, Knox Area Ministries, Mission Development of East Tennessee, VMC Lunch Program, Interfaith Health Clinic, Haiti Episcopal School, Hosanna House, Habitat for Humanity and Dismas House.

The Welcoming Committee helps newcomers find a place in the body of Christ. Members are Sunday morning greeters, new family shepherds, and bakers of bread to be delivered to first-time visitors to St. Elizabeth’s.

The church has a full music program with adult, youth and cherub choirs which contribute to the worship. It also has a Children’s Chapel for children 3 to 6 years old during the 10:30 a.m. service until time for announcements and the Eucharist.

A Special Children’s Summer Camp, a program for handicapped children, is offered once a week during the summer at St. Elizabeth’s. Staffed by teenagers, adults and children of adult volunteers, the program is very structured.

In addition to its outreach and worship, the church ministers to members as well. Through Lay Pastoral Care, Daughters of the King, Crossties -- the newsletter, and various groups meeting through the week, members support and sustain one another.

St. Elizabeth’s is a welcoming church with two services each Sunday as well as Christian Education. Morning Prayer is said Monday through Friday at 7:40 a.m. and a service of Evening Prayer and Holy Communion is offered on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.