An Opportunity for the Future of St. Anna Orthodox Church

DONATE HERE (Choose Building/Development Fund)

Watch the Informational Video: Informational Video

The Current Needs of Our Parish

  • We are out growing our current building 
  • Average attendance now exceeds 120 on Sundays, with many over 130
  • We have over 40 children under the age of 10
    • We need adequate space for the future needs of the parish. 
  • If we continue growing before coming up with a plan for the future, we will be in a position of reacting and be under increased pressure.

Looking Toward the Future

  • We need to be thinking about future needs now
  • Two main options
    • Build on the Bear Creek Pike land (currently owned by the parish)
    • Purchase an existing property
  • There is one potential option to purchase an existing property (see below)
  • In general, purchasing an existing property is going to give us better value for the money. 
  • The geographic center of where current parishioners of St. Anna live is just to the southeast of Columbia. 

Property of Interest (1190 West Ellington Pkwy Lewisburg, TN)

  • This property is located on the northwest side of Lewisburg
    • About 6 minutes from I-65
  • List price is $2,450,000
  • The property is 52 acres
    • Includes
      • an 8,900 sq ft event center 
      • 2 houses
        • 1 house is large but needs work
        • The other is a log cabin which has been used as an Airbnb by the previous owner
      • Large unfinished barn 
      • Parking space for 150 cars
  • The event center could easily be utilized as a church
    • Ample space for a nave space, narthex, fellowship area, at least 3 classrooms and office space.
    • Small renovations could be made over time, but very little would need to be done immediately 
    • The event center and front part of the property is on city sewer, making future expansion easier 
  • The houses could be used as short/long term rentals, or subdivided and sold
    • The larger home could sell “as is” for between $500-600k, if subdivided. 
  • 10 acres of the property is a separate parcel (zoned commercial), off the main roadway.
    • If sold, would be valued around $200k
  • The list price is significant ($2,450,000), but the assets and rental potential make it possible.

Information on the Property 

Listing:1190 W Ellington Pkwy

Floorplan of Event Center: Floorplan

*Edited AI photos of a longer term plan could be done with the space, for illustrative purposes only: 

How Could We Afford This?

  • Selling Bear Creek land ($300-350k)
  • A significant Capital Campaign (approximately $600k)
  • Investments to be paid back by the selling of assets on the property 
  • Plans to sell or rent assets on the property (homes or additional parcel)
    • Larger home could be subdivided and sell for $500-600k
    • Additional 10 acre parcel could sell for $200k
    • The cabin could be rented as short-term rental
      • Currently bringing in about 25k per year for current owner

Comparison with Other Options 

  • To build a 6,000 square foot multipurpose building on the Bear Creek land would cost about $2 million.
    • This would only meet short term needs and we would need to build a permanent church in the future. 
    • Time frame for building would realistically be at least two years
    • There is less future potential on the Bear Creek property 
    • Funds for the building project could not be offset by assets as on the 1190 W Ellington Pkwy property
  • Other existing properties have not worked for our needs or are too expensive
    • Most properties that could meet our needs are selling over $2 million, with less value and potential  
  • The 1190 W Ellington Pkwy property has very good value for the money.

Interested in Helping Toward This Opportunity?

  • Donate to the Building/Development Fund: Donate  
  • Reach out to Fr. Gabriel if you have other ways in mind that you can help: fr.gabrielkhoury@gmail.com