Dr. William Townsand Crutcher
William Townsand Crutcher, the oldest of eight children, was born in Stevenson, Alabama on March 15, 1905. He passed away November 5, 1989. In his 84 years, Dr. Crutcher lived a full and enriching life that had a profound impact upon all those fortunate enough to know him as pastor, civil rights leader, community activist, religious leader, family man, counselor and friend.
Dr. Crutcher was educated in the public schools of Alabama and was a graduate of Alabama A & M, in Normal, Alabama. A firm believer in education, Dr. Crutcher devoted much of his adult life to the promotion and preservation of Owen Baptist College in Memphis and to the American Baptist College in Nashville, of which he was a trustee.
At an early age Dr. Crutcher accepted Christ as his personal Saviour, and thereafter dedicated his life to the service of God. In his early twenties, Dr. Crutcher accepted his call to preach, serving brief pastorates in Alabama, Chattanooga, Tennessee and at First Calvary Baptist Church in Knoxville. Reverend Crutcher accepted the pastorate of Knoxville's Mount Olive Baptist Church in June 1935 and for more than fifty years served as leader of this historic church. During those years, he lead the church in the building of its present magnificent edifice, having to battle local and national officials of Housing and Urban Development to insure that the church was erected in its present location. Something which Urban Renewal officials were determined to prevent. The large membership of Mt. Olive was greatly multiplied by the successful bus ministry, which Dr. Crutcher inaugurated. In his sharing spirit, he later wrote the book, "The Bus Ministry" to aid other ministers who wished to follow his lead, giving all proceeds from its publication to the Sunday Sschool Publishing Board.
Along with his pastoral responsibilities, Dr. Crutcher has served as President of the Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Education Convention, and as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sunday School Publishing Board for almost thirty years. In that capacity he worked untiringly to promote the work of the Board and to fulfill the commission to produce the literature and curriculum materials needed to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ among National Baptists.
Dr. Crutcher could well be called "Mr. Civil Rights of Knoxville". He was in the forefront of efforts to bring about successful and harmonious integration of schools and lunch counters in the City of Knoxville. Meetings that could be held nowhere else were convened in his church and citizens of all colors learned to respect his wisdom and leadership.
Dr. Crutcher held positions of leadership in local, state, and national capacities. He was a Member of the Advisory Committee of St. Mary's Medical Center, Chairman for the Sunday School Publishing Corporate Board, Trustee at American Baptist College, Board of Directors Member for the National Baptist Convention, U.S. A., Inc., Chairman for the Knoxville Transit Authority, Past President of the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ) and a Board of Directors Member of the Knoxville Inner City Churches United for People (KICCUP).
Dr. Crutcher's many responsibilities never interfered with his being a warm and loving husband to his first wife, Maude, who passed away in 1947, and to his beloved wife, the former Willie Gaines, whom he married in 1951. Their life was one that reflected joy and beauty to all who knew them. A father, par excellence, Dr. Crutcher has one beloved daughter, Mae Blanche, three grandchildren, Darrell, Vivian and Charlease, three sisters, one brother and several nieces and nephews. He was also a strong and positive father image to many young people in the community and was especially proud of his "sons" in the ministry. His life was truly dedicated to the service of God and his fellow man.
Phone: (865) 637-7766 
Fax: (865) 637-9196 Office hours: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm