Where one church completed its work in the shade of Missionary Ridge, another is thriving.
New City East Lake, a plant of New City Fellowship, will dedicate its new site today in the building East Lake United Methodist Church worshiped in from 1928 until it was deconsecrated in 2010.
The new church got its start in the former United Methodist Church in 2008, then moved to the cafeteria of East Lake Academy, where it met for worship for more than two years. At the same time, it continued to hold events in the church, according to pastor Jim Pickett.
The congregation purchased the building in January from the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church for $125,000, according to conference treasurer and statistician John Tate.
"We've had a really great relationship with them," Pickett said of the Methodist body. "They've been very gracious. We couldn't have bought it had they not given us a good deal."
He said the relationship over the past several years is an example of the way two Christian denominations can work together.
"They're excited that it will continue to be a church," Pickett said. "I met with remnants of the congregation [recently], and it was a sweet time. There was no bitterness or animosity. They were glad it could continue to be used for ministry. And some of them are going to attend the dedication."
An open house at 4 p.m. today will be followed by the dedication at 4:30 p.m. and light refreshments at 5:15 p.m.
New City East Lake, according to deacon Jose Ocando, was created to be a ministry "to the neighborhood of East Lake," which he described as the most diverse in Chattanooga with approximately one-third white residents, one-third black residents and one-third Hispanic residents.
"Our vision is to be multicultural," he said.
The church, seeded with members from New City Fellowship in Glenwood, averages 130 to 150 people per week, Ocando said, and can hit 200 when Covenant College students attend.
To date, he said, it's attracted more Hispanics, so some of its programs are geared to that population under director of Latino ministries Eunice Mendoza.
It offers, for instance, English as a second language classes, a Latino Bible study, a youth club that has attracted 25-30 children weekly and professional development workshops.
In the works, according to Ocando, are a food co-op, individual development accounts and a vacation Bible school in August.
The food co-op, he said, will differ from a food pantry in that members could buy into it. They will also have input into what is bought and will help determine how the food is delivered.
The individual development accounts, the plan for which will be created through Covenant College's Chalmers Center, will be similar to savings accounts in which the amount invested is matched to help savings multiply.
Pickett said long-range plans even could involve a health clinic.
"We have a lot of ideas," he said.
Pickett said the sanctuary has already been renovated from a more traditional setting to one that accommodates more contemporary services for a younger congregation.
But, he said, the building is in "fundamentally decent shape." Any additional changes will be "mostly cosmetic" and "only as fast as funds come in."
The building itself was designed by noted early 20th-century church architect Reuben H. Hunt.
East Lake United Methodist, the former congregation that occupied the building, was organized in 1908 and originally was named the Ida Bass Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Contact Clint Cooper at ccooper@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6497.