Paola Mora Zepeda
Paola Mora Zepeda
Paola Mora Zepeda
Paola Mora Zepeda
The Kentucky-Tennessee Conference administration joined church leaders and city officials on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, to celebrate through a ribbon- cutting ceremony for the completion of White House, Tenn., Church’s new facility. For many, the moment represented decades of planning, sacrifice, and perseverance.
“This was something that, at times, felt impossible,” said Jeremy Leggett, pastor. “But we felt like if this was the direction we were being led, then we had to move forward and trust that it would come together.”
A Vision Takes Root
The journey to Tuesday’s ribbon- cutting ceremony began long before construction ever started. According to White House Church leaders, discussions about relocating and constructing a new church building began more than 20 years ago, when the congregation began to outgrow its existing space.
In 2003, the church acquired a 15-acre property that had never been listed for sale before. According to longtime member Tom Day, the property owner sold it at a steep discount because he wanted to see a church built on the site.
“The owner sold us the property at about half its value,” said Day. “That was the biggest donation we’ve ever received, and it came from a nonmember.”
Despite paying off the property in 2010, the vision for construction was repeatedly delayed by logistical challenges and rising costs. Then, momentum picked up again when the congregation received an unexpected offer to purchase its former church building, even though they had not even listed it on the market.
“We had to move forward in faith,” said Leggett. “Selling our old property essentially left us homeless, and that was a galvanizing moment. It could have broken us, but it actually brought us together. We believed [selling the old property] was God’s will, and that it would come together in a way that made it clear He was leading.”
The Cost of Getting There
Following a groundbreaking ceremony in November 2024, construction began, along with a new set of challenges. Throughout the process leaders said financial uncertainty was one of their biggest concerns.
“There were moments where the math didn’t add up,” said Day. “We knew what we had, and we knew what it was going to cost, and it didn’t match. We had to decide: do we stop, or do we go forward? And, we chose to go forward.”
To help fund the project, members recycled scrap metal, sold handmade crafts, and hosted events to raise money. Others contributed proceeds from property sales or personal ventures. Throughout the process, White House Church partnered with the Kentucky- Tennessee Conference for guidance.
A key breakthrough came when city officials approved a request to rezone part of the church’s property for commercial use — a request that had previously been denied. Church leaders said that portion of the property has not yet been sold, but they are actively working to market it, with plans to use the proceeds to help pay down the church’s remaining mortgage.
At the same time, construction faced physical setbacks. Heavy rains created unstable ground conditions, delaying the foundation for months as crews worked to stabilize the site. Supply chain disruptions added further complications, including delays in receiving key HVAC equipment needed to complete the building.
“Between the weather and supply delays, it felt like every time we made progress, something else slowed us down,” said Leggett. “But we never lost sight of the goal.”
Finally Home
Despite those challenges, construction progressed through 2025, with the building taking shape rapidly once the foundation was complete. Within weeks, the structure began to reflect the vision church leaders and members had worked toward for years.
The congregation held its first official service in the new facility on February 7, 2026. Leaders said the building was intentionally designed to support both worship and community outreach, providing flexible space for events, classes, and gatherings aimed at serving the broader White House community.
“We didn’t just want a place to meet on Saturdays,” said Heather Smartt, White House building committee chairperson. “From the beginning, the goal was to create something that would serve both our members and the community around us.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony served as the public celebration of that milestone, formally introducing the completed facility to the community and marking a new chapter for the church.
“It’s been a long journey,” said Leggett. “But now we’re here, and we’re ready to serve this community in a new way. For me, this ribbon-cutting is a way of telling the community that we’re open for business.”
Kentucky-Tennessee | June 2026
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