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United Methodist churches urged to suspend services for 2 weeks due to coronavirus; Latter-day Saints suspend worship

In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is shown in Salt Lake City. The discredited practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ children is now banned in Utah, making it the 19th state and one of the most conservative to prohibit it. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is shown in Salt Lake City. The discredited practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ children is now banned in Utah, making it the 19th state and one of the most conservative to prohibit it. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is shown in Salt Lake City. The discredited practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ children is now banned in Utah, making it the 19th state and one of the most conservative to prohibit it. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

By Dave Flessner, Wyatt Massey 3 min read

For answers to frequently asked questions about the coronavirus, click here.

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Faith leaders across the region canceled services in a wave of announcements Thursday night and Friday, bringing local houses of worship in step with the growing number of businesses, civic centers and schools that closed their doors over COVID-19 concerns.

Hamilton County reported its first confirmed case of the new coronavirus on Friday, the same day President Donald Trump declared a nationwide state of emergency over the global pandemic. Tennessee currently has 26 confirmed cases.

Following the announcement of the first local case, the Episcopal Church of East Tennessee released a statement saying Father Brad Whitaker, rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, tested positive for the new coronavirus.