Thelma Hullender, Gavin Wiley and Cari Velazquez join others in bowing their heads in prayer during the National Day of Prayer observance at the Ringgold Depot in Ringgold, Ga. The event was organized by pastor Clyde Painter of Lakeside Baptist Church in Rocky Face, Ga., under the theme of “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”
Staff Photo by Jenna Walker/Chattanooga Times Free PressFor the third year in a row, a National Day of Prayer event will be held on the first Thursday in May at the historic, city-owned Ringgold Depot.
At its meeting this week, the City Council voted unanimously to waive the $155 depot rental fee and $200 deposit for the 50-minute event that begins at noon on May 3.
More than 500 people attended last year’s prayer event at the depot.
“I’m sure it was because of the tornado that was just a few days before,” said Clyde Painter, pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Rocky Face, Ga., who asked for permission to use the depot.
Painter told the council that this year’s theme is “One Nation Under God” and that he hopes 400 to 500 people will attend.