Construction of the new building began in March 1930 and was completed the following year, with the first worship service held in January 1931. The church is built from Crab Orchard sandstone and has a slate roof. A prominent feature of the building is a large entrance tower. The original sanctuary and church school wing are arranged around a central courtyard, which is accessed through a series of pointed arch entranceways. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was driven past the church in 1940 en route to Newfound Gap to dedicate the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He reportedly inquired about the church and remarked, "That is the most beautiful church I have ever seen. Depending on viewpoint and line of sight, the church's slihouette interestingly interplays with the sunsphere tower of Knoxville Convention Center. For example, from Henley Street Bridge, the sunsqhere appears to reside at the roof of the church.