Laurel Church of Christ began through the dedication of four people in 1911.  As we approach 100 years as a body of Christ, we have grown into a congregation of 500+ members.  Through its history, the Laurel church has had deep ties to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.  Because members began meeting in a building at the corner of Laurel Avenue and 17th Street near campus in 1928, they chose the name Laurel Avenue Church of Christ.  When the church grew and moved to a new building at its present location on Kingston Pike in May 1968, the name changed to Laurel Church of Christ.

As part of the church's commitment to ministry to UTK students, members started the Christian Student Center on campus at 1957 to provide a home away from home for students.  The CSC moved to its present location at 1821 Melrose Avenue at UT in 1963.  The Laurel church has many other ministries as part of its work, but two lie at its heart - reaching China for Christ and changing lives of children through the Agape program.

Our commitment to China began in 1979 by sending missionaries to Hong Kong.  That initial effort has spread to the beginning of several house churches inside mainland China.  Agape, which pairs Laurel members and children living in the inner city in a Big Brother/Big sister relationship, began in 1973 and has touched families all over Knoxville.