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Gwen Ford inside the Loy United Methodist Church which is facing foreclosure

   A historic church that has served as a center of community activity for almost a century is facing the prospects of foreclosure. Time is running out for property owner, Gwen Ford, to save the Loy United Methodist Church.

   The church was built in 1909 on present day Andrew Johnson Highway in New Market. Construction was undertaken by local farmers and members of the community who volunteered to build the church.

   The church became a centerpiece for the community. Weddings, funerals and baptisms were performed there for decades. Countless prayers were sent up from the sanctuary when the community came together in the spirit of worship.

  Over the decades, membership began to decline. By 2006, there were 17 active members remaining. At that point, church leaders decided to merge with Wooten’s Chapel Church. After 97 years the doors were closed for what appeared to be the final time. That is, until Gwen Ford, founder of the God’s Country Festival bought the property in 2007.

  “When I bought it, I wanted to get back to that old time religion,” Ford said. “I wanted to return it to its former glory. I wanted it to be available for the community for family reunions, weddings and other family milestones. I wanted to have revivals there as well.”

    The pews in the church are all original as are the stained glass windows that bear the names of several families that aided in the founding of the church. The hymnals are the same ones used in the early 1960s and the piano is almost a century old.

  Ford was working as a mortgage broker at the time she bought the church. The church needed substantial repairs but she was certain she could raise the money to restore it. The furnace was outdated and needed to be replaced. There were electrical problems and flooring problems. But, those problems seemed insignificant to Ford who had faith her prayers for the money to make the repairs would be answered.

  Her prayers were answered in a most unexpected manner. In 2010, the New Market community was flooded by torrential rains that destroyed several homes and flooded the basement of the Loy Church.

  “The insurance money was enough to make those repairs and replace the furnace as well as the electrical problems,” Ford said. “It was the answer to a prayer.”

      Though her prayers for the repairs had been answered, Ford was about to face a new challenge that threatened the ownership of the hallowed property. 

  “When I bought the property I was making payments on it out of my own pocket,” Ford said. “Then the economy got worse and my finances began to suffer.”

  Ford was unable to keep up payments and the church went into foreclosure in March. Fortunately, a benefactor stepped forward and paid off the mortgage. He signed a new mortgage with Ford that has a balloon payment at the end of one year. If Ford should fail to pay the $117,000 mortgage in March, she will lose ownership of the church.

  Ford gave up the mortgage business after the economy failed to turn around. Currently, Ford works as the host of “I Believe,” a Christian themed talk show on CTN 48.The show airs Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Fridays at 4 a.m. She continues to organize the annual God’s Country Festival which was held in Pigeon Forge several weeks ago. During the festival, Ford received an unexpected surprise.

  “I was presented with an honorary doctorate from Emmanuel Baptist University,” Ford said. “I can now legally call myself doctor.”

  Although, Ford is keeping busy with her festival and TV show, her income is a fraction of what it once was and she does not have the money to meet the financial obligations of the church.

  “I don’t make any money off God’s Country,” Ford said. “That’s a labor of love. The TV show isn’t profitable, yet. We need a sponsor for the show. My goal is to have a revival at the church on Thanksgiving Day. I would like to get back to that old time religion.”        

     Ford plans to take up love offerings at revivals and plans to begin a drive to save the quaint country church. Those funds would be applied to the balance owed on the property. Still, it is unlikely the love offerings offered at revivals would be enough to pay off the mortgage. Ford stands by her unwavering faith her prayers will be answered.

  “I don’t make any money off the church,” Ford said. “It was never my intention to make money off the church. I simply didn’t want to see it fall into disrepair from sitting vacant. I tried to maintain the place using my own funds but the economy simply hasn’t rebounded.”

  Ford is hoping the community will step up and organize an effort to save the property. Anyone who is interested in making a contribution to retire the mortgage can call Ford at 865-680-1981.