Children’s Home Completes Renovation of Historic Chapel
Sevierville, TN—Officials with the Church of God’s Smoky Mountain Children’s Home (SMCH) recently unveiled a renovated chapel, Magnolia Auditorium, located in the historical administration building fronting its sixty-acre campus, in the heart of Sevierville, Tennessee.
The historic Administration Building, built in 1890, houses the Magnolia Chapel (click on photo to enlarge).
Dr. Walt Mauldin, executive director of SMCH, stated, “Our chapel has served as a center-piece for The Home, and it has been a symbolic focal point for all that we do here. It is now a peaceful, quiet place of worship and has been a sacred space that somehow inspires all of us.”
Funds for the chapel’s face-lift came primarily from Church of God Women’s Discipleship in the state of Mississippi, under the leadership Betty Mirkovich, as well as through generous gifts from Ron and Betty Ogle of Sevierville. According to a release from SMCH, Ron Ogle took on the project personally, “with a spirit of enthusiasm far exceeding everyone’s expectations.” The renovation included painting the facility throughout, chair railings placed around the interior, and replacement of lighting.
A re-dedication service was held by the staff, and a passage in 1st Chronicles was read, which depicts the consecration of the temple built by Solomon.
The chapel following renovation (click on photo to enlarge)
Through 124 years of its storied history, the auditorium has been shrouded in Christian education for the community of Sevierville and the surrounding county. In its early days, the auditorium was engulfed in collegiate activities for the Methodists. In 1938, the Church of God purchased the former Murphy Collegiate Institute and moved operations of Bible Training School—the forerunner of Lee University–from Cleveland, Tennessee to the Sevierville campus. The school operated on the site until 1947 when the former Bob Jones College vacated the current Lee campus. It was at this time BTS changed their name to Lee College, moved back to Cleveland and operations for the Church of God Home for Children made their permanent home in Sevierville. Today, the renovated and historic auditorium serves as the place of worship for young men and women of the Church of God Smoky Mountain Children’s Home. Generations have heard the truths of scripture in this hallowed sanctuary.
(Source: Smoky Mountain Children’s Home)
