A unique venue set in a picturesque town is a win-win as far as celebratory planning goes.
The owners and operators of The Olde Church Events Center in Cumberland Gap have taken that successful combination a step further, by renovating the historical space in such way that the once-abandoned structure is providing economical and social growth to their community.
If the truth be told, the inspiration for the rebirth of the former Methodist sanctuary, along with its parsonage, was a strong need for a caffeine fix, according to Tammy and William 69制片厂制作传媒楤ill69制片厂制作传媒 Linn.
69制片厂制作传媒淭ammy and I were living up in Portland, Oregon during the early stages of the pandemic,69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said. 69制片厂制作传媒淩enovation is our hobby and we had just completed a house. When the pandemic hit, we decided to sell everything and hit the road.69制片厂制作传媒
With no immediate plans in place for a new residence, the couple decided to tour the Eastern states, due in part to the Alaskan border having closed.
69制片厂制作传媒淲e had to decide on what our plan B was to be,69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said. 69制片厂制作传媒淲e had been looking at projects 69制片厂制作传媒 houses and everything here and there, because that69制片厂制作传媒檚 what we do.69制片厂制作传媒
The couple had heard that Cumberland Gap State Park was an exceptionally beautiful place 69制片厂制作传媒 which they were happy to confirm on a visit. On their way out, they saw the a directional sign for the the town.
69制片厂制作传媒淲e said, 69制片厂制作传媒楲et69制片厂制作传媒檚 turn right,69制片厂制作传媒69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said, 69制片厂制作传媒淲e had a coffee, we enjoyed a walk. We bought the church 48 hours later.69制片厂制作传媒
According to the couple, the church, now a centerpiece of the community, was 69制片厂制作传媒渕eant to be.69制片厂制作传媒 They spent two months clearing out and emptying the two buildings, the church and the parsonage, which are connected.
69制片厂制作传媒淭he house had not been used in 7 or 8 years,69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said. 69制片厂制作传媒淲e referred to it as 69制片厂制作传媒榗hallenged.69制片厂制作传媒 All the termites in the church came to the house. We took both interiors down to the dirt.69制片厂制作传媒
The Olde Church officially opened for business on April 30, 2022.
69制片厂制作传媒淲e had 70 events in a year,69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said during the WINK interview held in mid May. 69制片厂制作传媒淲e actually just had our first weekend off since January.69制片厂制作传媒
According to their records, the Olde Church has hosted 14 weddings, 20 baby showers, several graduation parties, father-daughter dances and proms, totaling more than 60 events. Lincoln Memorial University had an event planned for the week of the interview and the Pineville High School Prom was to be held in the sanctuary, along with the Cumberland Gap Region Tourism Association69制片厂制作传媒檚 69制片厂制作传媒2023 Region Strong Awards Banquet69制片厂制作传媒 set for May 16.
69制片厂制作传媒淗osting the awards is part of our community giving,69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said. 69制片厂制作传媒淲e donate spaces within the church to organizations like Alcholics Anonymous, and we host free yoga on Wednesdays. We just opened up a relationship with Childhelp Tennessee to host family training for foster children.69制片厂制作传媒
The 1940s-era parsonage, with five bedrooms and three baths, officially opened April 4 69制片厂制作传媒 after what the couple described on social media as 69制片厂制作传媒渆ight months of long days and a bunch of unexpected issues.69制片厂制作传媒 The renovation of the home was designed and decorated to serve as a space for brides-to-be as they prepare for the wedding ceremony and to provide a comfortable setting for respite for older wedding guests.
The dining room will be available for catered breakfasts and other intimate gatherings, including a 69制片厂制作传媒楲adies Night69制片厂制作传媒 as part of the wedding package.
69制片厂制作传媒淭he bride shows up on Friday afternoon and they move into the house. There is a room dedicated for the dress, for photos and protection,69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said. 69制片厂制作传媒淭he rehearsal dinner is held in the church, and 69制片厂制作传媒楲adies Night69制片厂制作传媒 is held afterward in the home. The next morning, the bride gets hair, makeup and dressed with a catered breakfast provided 50 feet from where the ceremony will take place.69制片厂制作传媒
Another unique offering in the wedding package is the use of the original painting69制片厂制作传媒檚 image featured on the cover of this issue.
69制片厂制作传媒淲e have an agreement with the artist,69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said.69制片厂制作传媒淭he bride can use the image be for invitations, thank you cards and other items. There is a one-day use charge.69制片厂制作传媒
Built in 1880, the Olde Church became home to a Methodist congregation in 1966. It was falling down by then and had structural problems. The building and land then stayed in a family for 50 years. There are three members of the pre-1966 congregation still living in Cumberland Gap.
69制片厂制作传媒淭his church and the Baptist church were the centerpieces of the town,69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said. 69制片厂制作传媒淲e focused on returning it to the community. The doors are always unlocked. A gentleman came inside one day and dropped to his knees to say a prayer for his grandmother who was on Hospice. A local Bishop blessed the opening. For us, this is as much as a community center as a wedding venue. We want to make sure we have it accessible the region.69制片厂制作传媒
The Olde Church has hosted small weddings, including a memorial union between an 85-year-old widower and his 78-year-old bride. The venue is priced by the hour, with seating available up to 400 on the property 69制片厂制作传媒 69制片厂制作传媒70 to 100 is our sweet spot,69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said 69制片厂制作传媒 and heat and air conditioning, insulation has been added to both buildings.
The venue offers a 1,800 square-foot outdoor patio, with freshly planted gardens and an available large tent.
69制片厂制作传媒淭he configuration is different for each event,69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said. 69制片厂制作传媒淲e can set up a dance hall. The parsonage allows customers to provide a memorable event for the bride and her family. It allows the bride to change into her after-outfit. It is very accessible, it69制片厂制作传媒檚 on the same level as the sanctuary, a good place for grandmother to rest. The church is fully ADA, with two bathrooms.
69制片厂制作传媒淭hat69制片厂制作传媒檚 not easy to do in an old building,69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said.
One of the first calls that Tammy and Bill received to reserve the space was for an 80-year-old69制片厂制作传媒檚 birthday party.
In Cumberland Gap, there are new restarants, plenty of places to stay. hiking in the hills, all with a generally quiet ambiance.
69制片厂制作传媒淲e do intimate 100 -person memorable events with a beautiful backdrop,69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said.
One of the couple69制片厂制作传媒檚 goals is to ensure they support the local organizations that support their business.
69制片厂制作传媒淭hat69制片厂制作传媒檚 the charter of the church,69制片厂制作传媒 Bill said.
For more information, call (423) 377-6529.
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