St. Anna Orthodox Church Seeks Support for New Parish Home
Facing rapid growth, the parish of St. Anna's is pursuing a major property purchase aimed at securing room for the next generation of parish life.
COLUMBIA, TN — St. Anna Orthodox Church is seeking support for what parish leaders describe as a transformative opportunity to secure a permanent home capable of supporting the congregation’s rapid growth and long-term future.
The Antiochian parish announced plans to pursue the purchase of a 52-acre property in nearby Lewisburg, Tennessee, listed at $2.45 million. Church leaders say the property at 1190 West Ellington Parkway includes an 8,900-square-foot event center that could be adapted into a church with relatively limited renovations, along with two homes, a large unfinished barn, and parking for approximately 150 vehicles.
St. Anna’s current facility is no longer adequate for the needs of the congregation. Average Sunday attendance reportedly now exceeds 120 worshipers, with many Sundays surpassing 130 attendees. The parish also noted that more than 40 children under the age of 10 are currently part of the community, increasing the need for classroom space and expanded facilities.
Church leaders contrasted the proposal with the possibility of constructing a new building on existing parish-owned land at Bear Creek Pike, estimating that even a smaller multipurpose structure there would cost roughly $2 million while offering less long-term flexibility. The Lewisburg property, they argue, provides additional value through rental opportunities and potentially saleable assets that could help offset costs.
The parish is encouraging donations to its Building and Development Fund and inviting parishioners to discuss investment possibilities with Fr. Gabriel Khoury at [email protected] as fundraising efforts continue.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago purchased permanent offices.
