News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville Faith Fellowship has built a new home of worship at the corner of Carr Avenue and Maxwell Street.
Pastor Sterl Paramore said the congregation wanted a building of its own after renting a West Jackson Street sanctuary for several years.
“Between three to four times as large, and so we’re able to have a more comfortable facility not only for worship but also for events, meals and community activities,” Paramore said.
Paramore said the 12,000 square foot church is about a mile away from the old place of worship. Paramore said the two-story building has an auditorium, additional classroom space and a downstairs fellowship hall.
“We were in a situation in our rented facility where we constantly pick up and set up tables and chairs and use the same space for different activities,” Paramore said. “That’s always going to be the case for some extent, we have a lot more space now.”
Paramore said the two-year building process was longer than expected. Paramore said an environmental study delayed the initial groundbreaking. Then, the Cookeville tornado happened putting the project on hold.
“We don’t equate a building project with the great loss of personal property and even lives in our areas,” Paramore said. “It was an obstacle to us in that it began to be hard to get people to work on the facility as there were many emergency things to be done.”
Paramore said the public can view the new building at an open house Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
“We’re excited to be a part of the Cookeville area, and we’re hoping to be a positive not only for the cause of Christ but also for the development of Cookeville,” Paramore said.
