Cohutta setting the pace

Published 12:40 am Thursday, August 18, 2016

Many folks outside Cohutta may not be aware of Andrews Chapel. But if city officials have any say that will change.

More than 90 years ago, the congregation of Andrews Chapel moved the church almost four miles from Red Clay, Tenn., to Cohutta using nothing but manpower and livestock. The congregation itself had been founded after the Civil War.

“It’s really amazing to think of what they did and the technology they used to do it,” said Cohutta Mayor Ron Shinnick.

The church was once part of a thriving black community in Cohutta, but over the years, its congregation shrank.

Earlier this year, the African Methodist Church, which owned the building, donated it to the town. When town officials received the title, they found that it included half ownership of the school used by black students before integration. It had been used as a fellowship hall by the Andrews Chapel congregation and another church.

The city acquired the other half ownership, and now officials hope to develop the two buildings into a cultural center that preserves the town’s black history and also will bring art to the area.

Officials say they envision using the church as a meeting place and area for art exhibits and the old school as a place where classes and smaller gatherings can be held.

They have already received a $500 grant from the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia to help renovate the church building.

And earlier this year, Cohutta was one of just eight cities in northwest Georgia, northeast Alabama and southeast Tennessee chosen by the group Thrive 2055 to take part in its Thriving Communities program, which seeks to use arts and culture to drive economic growth.

City officials say they may use part of a $20,000 grant they hope to receive as part of that program to help develop the cultural center.

Preserving the past while making plans for the future, that is something Cohutta can be proud of.