Parish Profile
Church of the Nativity

by Pam Doty
ETNE Editor
The Church of the Nativity is located in the northwest corner of Georgia. The Ft. Oglethrope parish is the only Episcopal presence in a three county area of that state. But it is very much a parish of the Diocese of East Tennessee.

The church was established in 1967 by a joint effort of St. Paul’s, Chattanooga, the Diocese of Tennessee and the Diocese of Atlanta. The Diocese of Atlanta purchased and donated six acres of land on Cross Street, and the Diocese of Tennessee, through St. Paul’s, established the mission.

Services were first held in October of 1966 in the chapel of Tri-County Hospital. They were later moved to St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic School.

The present nave was dedicated in 1977. The church was granted parish status by the Diocese of Tennessee at that time. The new parish hall was dedicated in the spring of 1993.

Most of the land around the church is wooded, but a Memorial Garden and a ballfield have been carved out of the untamed wilderness.

Just recently -- the week before Palm Sunday -- the church installed a beautiful stained glass window which creates a play of colored light in the sanctuary.

A warm and friendly congregation, Nativity is involved in several outreach projects. The parish is involved in ECSET and supports its ministry in the South East region of the diocese. Members of the congregation take part in ministries at St. Barnabas Nursing Home in Chattanooga and support Chattanooga Cares, a support and resource organization for victims of HIV/AIDS.

Nativity has active chapters of Episcopal Church Women and Daughters of the King. And the church always has an impressive representation at the Episcopal Laymen’s Conference in DuBose.

The parish also has an active Fourth Day Community of the Cursillo movement.

The church embodies Jesus’ commandment to his disciples -- to love one another and be known by that love.

The Rev. Betty Latham is the rector of Church of the Nativity.

Learn more about Church of the Nativity on the parish Website:
www.etdiocese.net/nativity.