In August 2027, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Franklin will celebrate its 200th birthday as the Mother Church of the Diocese of Tennessee.
To celebrate this upcoming bicentennial, St. Paul’s will begin hosting an annual public educational event consisting of historic symposiums each spring for the next four years.
The annual lecture series, titled “Franklin’s Faith Traditions: A Community Symposium,” is Sunday, April 30 in the historic nave of the church.
These symposiums, with the overarching theme of “Finding Sanctuary,” will feature local speakers on topics relating to the history of Franklin and the faith traditions that took seed here.
Speakers on April 30 include Historian and Author Thelma Battle; 19th century historian and author Tony Turnbow, and Attorney Jim Petersen, member of Franklin First Presbyterian Church.
Moderated by Tom Lawrence of WAKM radio, this milestone event focuses on fostering a deeper understanding of Franklin’s heritage and the religious roots that helped the town grow into the vibrant community it is today.
“History runs deep here in Franklin, and it’s being created every day,” said Melanie Lampertz, chair of St. Paul’s Historic Committee. “Studying our roots helps us understand where we’ve come from and can have a significant bearing on where we’re going. We’re excited to begin the countdown to our St. Paul’s Episcopal Church bicentennial with this informative event.”
This first annual symposium, “Seeds of Worship on the Early Frontier,” focuses on the early 19th century from 2 – 3:30 p.m. in the church. A reception will follow, 3:30-4:30 p.m., in St. Paul’s Otey Hall, named for Rev. James Hervey Otey, founding priest and first Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee.
For more information, visit stpaulsfranklin.com.