A unique venue set in a picturesque town is a win-win as far as celebratory planning goes.

The owners and operators of The Olde Church Events Center in Cumberland Gap have taken that successful combination a step further, by renovating the historical space in such way that the once-abandoned structure is providing economical and social growth to their community.

If the truth be told, the inspiration for the rebirth of the former Methodist sanctuary, along with its parsonage, was a strong need for a caffeine fix, according to Tammy and William ‘Bill’ Linn.

“Tammy and I were living up in Portland, Oregon during the early stages of the pandemic,” Bill said. “Renovation is our hobby and we had just completed a house. When the pandemic hit, we decided to sell everything and hit the road.”

With no immediate plans in place for a new residence, the couple decided to tour the Eastern states, due in part to the Alaskan border having closed.

“We had to decide on what our plan B was to be,” Bill said. “We had been looking at projects – houses and everything here and there, because that’s what we do.”

The couple had heard that Cumberland Gap State Park was an exceptionally beautiful place – which they were happy to confirm on a visit. On their way out, they saw the a directional sign for the the town.

“We said, ‘Let’s turn right,’” Bill said, “We had a coffee, we enjoyed a walk. We bought the church 48 hours later.”

According to the couple, the church, now a centerpiece of the community, was “meant to be.” They spent two months clearing out and emptying the two buildings, the church and the parsonage, which are connected.

“The house had not been used in 7 or 8 years,” Bill said. “We referred to it as ‘challenged.’ All the termites in the church came to the house. We took both interiors down to the dirt.”

The Olde Church officially opened for business on April 30, 2022.

“We had 70 events in a year,” Bill said during the WINK interview held in mid May. “We actually just had our first weekend off since January.”

According to their records, the Olde Church has hosted 14 weddings, 20 baby showers, several graduation parties, father-daughter dances and proms, totaling more than 60 events. Lincoln Memorial University had an event planned for the week of the interview and the Pineville High School Prom was to be held in the sanctuary, along with the Cumberland Gap Region Tourism Association’s “2023 Region Strong Awards Banquet” set for May 16.

“Hosting the awards is part of our community giving,” Bill said. “We donate spaces within the church to organizations like Alcholics Anonymous, and we host free yoga on Wednesdays. We just opened up a relationship with Childhelp Tennessee to host family training for foster children.”

The 1940s-era parsonage, with five bedrooms and three baths, officially opened April 4 – after what the couple described on social media as “eight months of long days and a bunch of unexpected issues.” The renovation of the home was designed and decorated to serve as a space for brides-to-be as they prepare for the wedding ceremony and to provide a comfortable setting for respite for older wedding guests.

The dining room will be available for catered breakfasts and other intimate gatherings, including a ‘Ladies Night’ as part of the wedding package.

“The bride shows up on Friday afternoon and they move into the house. There is a room dedicated for the dress, for photos and protection,” Bill said. “The rehearsal dinner is held in the church, and ‘Ladies Night’ is held afterward in the home. The next morning, the bride gets hair, makeup and dressed with a catered breakfast provided 50 feet from where the ceremony will take place.”

Another unique offering in the wedding package is the use of the original painting’s image featured on the cover of this issue.

“We have an agreement with the artist,” Bill said.“The bride can use the image be for invitations, thank you cards and other items. There is a one-day use charge.”

Built in 1880, the Olde Church became home to a Methodist congregation in 1966. It was falling down by then and had structural problems. The building and land then stayed in a family for 50 years. There are three members of the pre-1966 congregation still living in Cumberland Gap.

“This church and the Baptist church were the centerpieces of the town,” Bill said. “We focused on returning it to the community. The doors are always unlocked. A gentleman came inside one day and dropped to his knees to say a prayer for his grandmother who was on Hospice. A local Bishop blessed the opening. For us, this is as much as a community center as a wedding venue. We want to make sure we have it accessible the region.”

The Olde Church has hosted small weddings, including a memorial union between an 85-year-old widower and his 78-year-old bride. The venue is priced by the hour, with seating available up to 400 on the property – “70 to 100 is our sweet spot,” Bill said – and heat and air conditioning, insulation has been added to both buildings.

The venue offers a 1,800 square-foot outdoor patio, with freshly planted gardens and an available large tent.

“The configuration is different for each event,” Bill said. “We can set up a dance hall. The parsonage allows customers to provide a memorable event for the bride and her family. It allows the bride to change into her after-outfit. It is very accessible, it’s on the same level as the sanctuary, a good place for grandmother to rest. The church is fully ADA, with two bathrooms.

“That’s not easy to do in an old building,” Bill said.

One of the first calls that Tammy and Bill received to reserve the space was for an 80-year-old’s birthday party.

In Cumberland Gap, there are new restarants, plenty of places to stay. hiking in the hills, all with a generally quiet ambiance.

“We do intimate 100 -person memorable events with a beautiful backdrop,” Bill said.

One of the couple’s goals is to ensure they support the local organizations that support their business.

“That’s the charter of the church,” Bill said.

For more information, call (423) 377-6529.