HISTORIC DOWNTOWN MANSION - 403 CHURCH ST., ATHENS

Updated September 9, 2026

Historic Downtown Mansion – 403 Church Street – Sweetwater, TN 37874 ONLINE ONLY REAL ESTATE AUCTION The Crown Jewel of Downtown Sweetwater BIDDING BEGINS TO CLOSE: Wednesday, October 7th at 12:00PM – Noon (ET) OPEN HOUSES: Monday, September 28th and Monday, October 5th at 12:00PM – Noon (ET) 4,737 SF | 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | 0.69-Acre City Block Lot | Zoned R-2 Perched majestically on an elevated lot encompassing an entire square city block, the grand brick mansion at 403 Church Street stands as a timeless sentinel overlooking beautiful downtown Sweetwater and the surrounding mountain ridges. Commissioned in 1925 by Oliver King Jones Sr. — the prominent patriarch of the O.K. Jones Wholesale Grocery Company — this Colonial Revival masterpiece was built specifically for Mr. Jones’s wife, Mary Byrd Browder Jones, and was intentionally engineered for high-society entertaining, grand hospitality, and expansive multi-generational family life. Widely regarded by Monroe County residents and preservationists as the architectural jewel of the region, this magnificent estate represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the next steward of one of East Tennessee’s most storied and beloved properties. Enjoy gorgeous sunrises and sunsets from the property’s commanding and elevated position overlooking one of East Tennessee’s most charming historic downtowns. A Legacy of Community & History: For nearly a century, 403 Church Street has served as far more than a private residence — it has been the beating heart of Sweetwater’s social and civic life across three remarkable eras of ownership. During the Jones Family Era (1925–1987), the mansion served as the social and emotional anchor for one of East Tennessee’s most influential merchant families. Grand formal affairs were hosted on its sprawling porches and courtyards, and the estate’s massive, light-filled third-floor retreat became a beloved gathering place for the children of the Sweetwater community — a memory that still resonates fondly with longtime residents decades later. During the Wood Family Era (1987–2023), Beverly “Woody” and Wilma Wood — prominent local business owners who operated the area’s rock quarry — raised their children and later welcomed their grandchildren within these walls. Under their 36-year tenure, the Woods opened the 0.69-acre grounds to the community every year, hosting the beloved annual Easter egg hunt for local church children. The estate’s scenic vistas and grand facade became a local rite of passage, serving as the premier backdrop for generations of bridal portraits, graduation snapshots, and family portraits. In 2023, the current owner ushered the property into a new era of careful preservation and meticulous historical revival, honoring the town’s collective affection for the landmark while preparing the estate for its next highest and best use — whether as an ultra-luxury private residence or a premier boutique bed-and-breakfast. Original Character & Appoint

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