Reverend Clarence Sexton, Founding Pastor of TNs Temple Baptist Church, Passes at 75

Publish date: 2024-05-06

Reverend Clarence Sexton, the founding pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN and visionary founder of The Crown College, died on December 12th, 2023 at the age of 75. A luminary in Tennessee’s religious community, Rev. Sexton leaves an incredible legacy of spiritual leadership, educational innovation and commitment to community.

Born in Selma, Alabama as the eldest of four children, Clarence led a transient early life before his family settled in Maryville, TN when he was eight. It was there that high school principal Robert Davis took Clarence under his wing, helping launch an illustrious career in ministry and education. In addition to excelling as a star athlete at Everett High School, Clarence attended the University of Tennessee while pastoring at Greenback Baptist Church, earning his Bachelor’s in Education.

After attaining his Master of Religious Education and Doctor of Ministry degrees, Rev. Sexton answered a heavenly calling in September 1972 to lead Lenoir City’s Calvary Baptist Church. It was there that God planted the first seeds of inspiration for what would become Rev. Sexton’s crowning achievement – the founding of The Crown College in 1991.

Established to train students for selfless Christian service within their local churches and communities, The Crown College opened its doors to 69 pupils from 14 states that inaugural year. Under Rev. Sexton’s expert guidance as President, the young institution flourished over the next decades into one of the South’s preeminent private Christian colleges. Today, The Crown College boasts an international student body nearly 1,000 strong on its thriving Knoxville campus.

While leading The Crown College to prosperity, Rev. Sexton also founded Temple Baptist Church in Powell, TN in 1998. Through his passionate spiritual leadership, the Temple grew into one of Knoxville’s largest congregations, with thousands attending services each week. Rev. Sexton shepherded the Temple flock up until the time of his passing.

A beloved pillar of faith, education and community enrichment has been lost in Rev. Clarence Sexton’s unfortunate death. Yet his vision, teachings and dedicated example will continue guiding generations in their walk with Christ. Rev. Sexton now takes his place among the Tennessee spiritual giants who came before, leaving an indelible mark on the state he loved.

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