St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is celebrating its 158th year as a parish, the 125th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the current building and the 100th anniversary of the tower bells this fall.
St. Paul’s Rector Donald Fishburne said the bells call the community to worship in times of joy and in times of national crisis.
Inside St. Paul’s parish hall on All Saints Sunday Nov. 6 at 9:15 a.m., the Rev. John Runkle, former cathedral conservator of the Washington National Cathedral, will preach and teach about living stones built into a holy temple in the past, present and future.
“We are excited about the growth in the population and the diversity of the greater Chattanooga area, and we embrace the future, including ecumenical partnership and interfaith ministries,” said Fishburne. “As a congregation we are united in Jesus Christ and we celebrate the rich diversity of people our loving God is sending to our congregation.”
Fishburne said Nov. 8 at the 158th annual meeting of the congregation, church members will gather that evening at Pine and Seventh streets to unveil a Tennessee Historical Commission Marker about the history and service of Saint Paul’s Church. The church parishioners will honor the memory of parishioner Roberta Doub – the first woman to be elected to the church vestry.