Category: Religion

art, Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, History, Religion, Uncategorized

Glass Guardians

Written by Zoie Denton

St. Peters and Paul Basilica located in Chattanooga, Tennessee has been an influential part of the community since its construction dating back to 1888-1890 in bringing the community together in worship. Holding recognition for being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the potential development of a 12 story building nearby sparked conversations of the risk of shading the beautiful ambiance of the hand painted, stained glass windows. The church and community came together to protect their sacred foundations in harmony with local construction developers.

In the heart of downtown Chattanooga, TN, where brick and modern storefronts stand shoulder to shoulder, the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul rises with a quiet glory. For more than a century, its twin spires and complex stonework have anchored East Eighth Street, drawing worshippers, visitors, and observers into a space defined by reverence and light. It is a church known not only for its architectural beauty, but for its roots in the civic and spiritual life of the city.

In December 2025, word reached Father David Carter, pastor and rector of the basilica, that a zoning change had been proposed for the property directly behind and beside the church. Initially, plans indicated that an existing three-story building on Lindsay Street would be replaced by a six-story structure. Development is not uncommon in a growing city, and at first, the proposal seemed manageable.

Jackie Sims and Maggie Clark in the Basilica of Saint Peter and Paul.  The pair go to different churches as they travel, and this is the first time they see the Basilica, with its stained-glass windows. Thursday, February 12, 2026. Photo By Cj Copeland

Suddenly, the plan changed, and the six-story concept became a 12-story apartment building.

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Chattanooga, Chattanooga outreach, community, Daily Life, donate, Family, Healing, Hugs, Love, Religion, Safety, Uncategorized

Revolution of Redirection

Written by Connor Spelta

StreetWorks is an organization based in Chattanooga, Tennessee that helps the sexually exploited women of the city who are unhoused. They offer a home for the women to go to two days a week to rest, wash their clothes, shower, and eat.

A pair of thickly cushioned blue couches sit in the living room of a small house in Chattanooga. To the women who are familiar with the building and the organization it hosts, the couches are so much more than a comfy piece of furniture. 

On the four cushions, they can rest with the knowledge that they are safe. They know, at least for the time being, that they are free of the dangers they face outside of the Streetworks property. 

No men are allowed here, and no one enters the house without crossing paths with leadership team member Karen Brown.

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Chattanooga, community, Diversity, Healing, Health, History, Love, Prison, Religion

Get Out, Stay Out

Written by Miller Richardson

Mark Casson, Ministry Director, Mission to North America (PCA) at his office desk. Monday, November 20, 2024. (Photo by: Lexi Foley).

From the outside Walker State Prison looks like any other state penitentiary. Brick walls, wire fences, and a hidden location away from the public eye. When driving past it one would never expect it to have the lowest recidivism rate in the state of Georgia. This is the result of Walker State being a faith and character-based prison. By running this prison with values and beliefs rooted in love for one another Georgia has seen incredible results out of Walker State.

Back in 2004, the Georgia Department of Corrections implemented the Faith and Character Based initiative to provide Georgia with a model for positive change. This program runs on a holistic approach and allows inmates to partner with volunteers to strengthen their minds, body, and spirit in a positive way. 

Walker State is the only prison in the state of Georgia that is partnered with a faith and character-based initiative and subsequently the only prison in Georgia with a recidivism rate of less than 2%. 

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