Bethel University, Henry County Receive Grants for Historic Building Preservation

NASHVILLE — Bethel University and the County of Henry each received grants to preserve and develop historic building from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).

Bethel University – $196,000 to rehabilitate the former First Cumberland Presbyterian Church building on Stonewall Street in McKenzie.

The Bethel-owned building was first occupied in 1873. The 18,000-square-foot Gothic building on Stonewall Street was built over the five-year period 1887 to 1892 at a cost of $8,000. It stood out in the community for its architecture, including a tall steeple over a high-vaulted slate roof, as well as its art glass windows. The congregation constructed a new building on Highland Drive and sold the former building to Bethel.

Bethel University President Perry Moulds said, “This grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development is an incredible opportunity for Bethel University and the McKenzie community.” stated President Perry Moulds, Ph.D. “Preserving and revitalizing historic spaces aligns with our mission to honor the past while building a bright future. We are grateful for the state’s investment in our vision and look forward to the economic and cultural impact this project will have for generations to come.”

Henry County Government was awarded $500,000 to rehabilitate the Henry County Courthouse in Paris. It was built in 1896 and among several county-owned building that need rehabilitation.

“Through the Historic Development Grant Program, we are helping restore and revitalize some of Tennessee’s most historic buildings so that they once again can flourish, attracting further economic opportunity across our state,” said TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter. “Thank you to the Tennessee Historical Commission for partnering with TNECD on this program. We look forward to seeing the growth and prosperity that will follow in our communities.”

Approved by the Tennessee General Assembly in April 2021, the program will provide $6.1 million to projects that aim to renovate and preserve historic buildings across the state. The program encourages communities and private developers to invest in buildings that have contributed to a community’s history but now sit idle. These buildings can once again contribute to the economy through job creation and commercial opportunities.

For this round of the program, the state’s $6.1 million investment is expected to leverage more than $13 million in private investment.

TNECD partnered with the Tennessee Historical Commission (THC) to structure application requirements and review grant applications to ensure that each proposal would rehabilitate the structures while maintaining the historical integrity. The THC’s mission is to protect, preserve, maintain and administer historic places and encourage the inclusive diverse study of Tennessee’s history for the benefit of future generations.

“We are honored to participate with TNECD in this successful program that revitalizes historic buildings and energizes communities across our state,” said THC Executive Director and State Historic Preservation Officer Patrick McIntyre. “This round of funding will help restore iconic properties – such as county courthouses – as well as activate formerly vacant historic spaces for new and creative uses.”