CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – First Presbyterian Church will celebrate their bicentennial year in 2022, and they are commemorating the occasion by giving back to the community. The church is dedicating 50 cents of every dollar they raise in a three-year Campaign to seed the Loaves & Fishes plan for expansion in a completely new facility.
The first installment of this nearly half-million-dollar, three-year commitment by the church came on Sunday, September 8, in the form of a check for $150,000.
The generous donation arrives as construction begins on a 15,500-square-foot building at Crossland and Martin streets that will feature all of the Loaves & Fishes facilities under one roof. The building will include a larger kitchen and dining room, an expanded gathering space, rooms to provide social services, and abundant space for a food storage warehouse and distribution center.
Issac Wright, Loaves & Fishes Construction Project Manager, noted the importance of the contribution at this crucial phase of construction, saying “It is a shot in the arm and an encouraging reminder during this busy time that we have deep support for this vital mission from many, many people in Clarksville.”
Loaves & Fishes President Tamara Long expressed appreciation on behalf of her board for this significant gift and pledge.
Jill Crow, Loaves & Fishes Capital Campaign Chair, reminded everyone that First Presbyterian Church’s pledge is a great first step. This pledge represents about a third of the total $1.5 million initial goal for the project. Currently $1.3 million has been pledged by the community for the new facility.
“More needs to be done,” Crow said, “because the cost of preparing the land for construction has been more expensive than the early estimates. We hope that other Clarksville churches and civic organizations will be inspired by First Presbyterian Church’s example to help us finish this campaign strong. Put us over the top!”
According to Judge Ross Hicks, Chair of the First Presbyterian Bicentennial Committee, the pledge by First Presbyterian Church to Loaves & Fishes celebrates the central role the church has played in supporting the Clarksville community since 1822. The ties between the city and the church run very deep, as the church property at Third and Main was a donation made by Lucinda Elder, charter member of the church and wife of Clarksville’s first postmaster (1808) and mayor (1820).
The church plans a year-long celebration downtown in 2022 to mark its birth.
To learn more about Loaves & Fishes or to support their efforts in the Clarksville community, visit them at their website.